Frome Valley Voice October 2022

Frampton solar farm approved

A HUGE solar farm near Frampton Cotterell has been approved.

South Gloucestershire Council's development management committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the project at Perrinpit Farm, which is predicted to power 14,500 homes and save almost 26,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The decision was taken despite concerns the disruption and proposed use of pesticides at the development could harm habitat for endangered birds and other wildlife.

But officers said benefits of the 90-hectare electricity generating project in helping to tackle the climate emergency outweighed the harms.

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Former player dies

RUGBY players in Frampton Cotterell held a minute’s applause before a game in tribute to former player Euan Thomson, who was killed in a road accident.

PAGE 2

Bus services axed

WINTERBOURNE and Frampton Cotterell are being left with only two bus routes - and Iron Acton one limited service - as operator First makes a swathe of cuts.

PAGE 4

Queen mourned

Villages in the Frome Valley area have played their part in events to remember the Queen.

PAGE 5

Top dog

A SUPER smart dog from Frampton Cotterell will join the best dogs in Britain at next year’s Crufts after winning an agility championship.

PAGE 9

Two

children's school

Kirsty Mitchell and Jules Mackay (back, second right and right) now

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Former Frampton rugby player killed in crash

RUGBY players in Frampton Cotterell have held a minute’s applause before a game in tribute to former player Euan Thomson, who died in a road accident.

Euan, who was 32, played as hooker for Frampton Cotterell RFC.

He had recently moved home to Scotland, and was killed when his bicycle was involved in an accident with a van.

Euan Thomson.

Picture: Police Scotland

Mike Weaver from the club told the Voice: “Euan played many seasons for us before moving back to his homeland in Scotland where he started a family.

“Euan was a competitive hooker for first team, a brave tackler and a great sociable team mate, taken too early.”

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Players in the club's First and Second teams held a minute’s applause before their matches against Clifton sides in September.

The crash involving Euan’s bike and a Mercedes van happened in the early morning of August 10, on the A760 between Kilbirnie and Largs, in North Ayrshire on the West coast of Scotland.

Euan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Scotland say the 37-year-old male driver of the white Mercedes van was not injured.

There have been no charges and enquiries are ongoing.

A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are very much with Euan’s family at this very difficult time and they have asked for privacy.”

The police have appealed for anyone with information that could help their enquiry to call 101, quoting incident number 0494 of August 10.

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Players held a minute's applause in Euan's memory

Solar farm approved despite wildlife concerns

From page 1

Will Weaver, whose family have farmed the land for more than 80 years, said the solar farm would provide a “lifeline” to secure agriculture for future generations.

Addressing councillors at the meeting on September 15, a spokeswoman for Frampton Cotterell Nature group, which has 500 members, said there had been no community engagement and a promised consultation with their organisation did not happen.

She said: “This is a very large solar farm and the impact on ecology has been assessed using just a desk survey and a site visit.

“The area hosts birds on the conservation concern red list, including swift, sparrow, spotted flycatcher, greenfinch, skylark, yellowhammer and linnet.

“The site is part of a large area used by ravens, peregrine falcons and brown hares and the plans will restrict their habitat, and we do not know how this will affect them.

“Ground-nesting and groundfeeding birds will lose most of their open-field habitat.

“With habitat disruption, skylarks may well be displaced and numbers decline.”

The spokesperson said the group was concerned about the use of pesticides to “control mammalian pests, which may include badgers".

She added: “There is a plan to use herbicides for undefined invasive species.”

Planning agent Nick Beddoe said the solar panel arrays would be on lower-grade agricultural

land, with the best fields reserved for farming.

He said a biodiversity net gain would be achieved through a new wildlife corridor comprising trees, hedgerows, wildflower meadow and a bat house in a redundant stone barn.

Mr Beddoe said: "There is a limited use of pesticides proposed, but this is only to prevent the spread of invasive species and to allow the proposed wildflower and other planting measures to establish. Its use would be tightly controlled."

He said a new bridleway would connect to the existing network, while footpath gates and stiles would be upgraded and a community benefit fund set up for local projects.

Third-generation farmer Mr Weaver told councillors: "The past few years have been most trying for us – extreme weather events coupled with rising costs, the loss of farming subsidies post-Brexit and increasingly volatile sale prices for our produce have cast much doubt on the future of Britain’s family farms.

“The proposed layout will cover 30% of the farm’s periphery, and we will graze the sheep under the solar panels.

“The fencing allows safe passage of small animals, while preventing poaching, which unfortunately is an increasing problem in this area.

“This proposal will allow our farm to have a much greater role, while still being farmed in the same vein, and will provide a lifeline of dependable income to secure the opportunities for

Farmer Will Weaver addresses the planning meeting

future generations here.”

Council planning manager Marie Bath said there would be a degree of harm at the “lower end of the spectrum” to Grade II-listed Perrinpit Farmhouse and a barn at Gloucester Road Farm but "the benefits clearly outweigh the harms".

She said: “Following numerous changes to the application, the impact on the landscape is deemed to be acceptable and it is only really visible from immediately adjacent to the site.”

Ms Bath said there would be “significant ecological benefits”, including 1.7km (about one mile) of new hedgerow and 99 new trees.

Frampton Cotterell ward Liberal Democrat councillor Tristan Clark said: “It’s a difficult balancing act but one of the significant things is the climate and ecological emergency.

“Unanimously as a council we voted in favour of that, and we can’t just retrofit our way to meeting those 2030 targets, so the significance of this scheme will make a huge contribution

Operator BayWa r.e says the solar farm planned near Frampton Cotterell will look similar to this.

towards us achieving those targets.

“If we do miss them, the ecological side of that emergency is that we’re going to lose lots of those species, so I’m happy to support the proposal.”

Conservative councillor Paul Hughes (Bitton and Oldland Common) said: “It’s going to help one of our fantastic farmers to survive, it’s going to help with the energy crisis, so I thoroughly recommend this.”

The site will be returned to farmland after 40 years.

Perrinpit Road Solar Limited, a joint venture between BayWa r.e. And Grϋne Energien Solar, is behind the plans.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Bus cuts will hit villages hard

WINTERBOURNE and Frampton Cotterell are being left with only two bus routes - and Iron Acton one limited service - as operator First confirms a swathe of cuts.

Among the eight services being withdrawn from October 9 are: the Y3 service from Yate to Bristol, via Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne; the Y4, from Yate Park & Ride to Bristol via Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne; the Y5, from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol via Pucklechurch.

First has introduced a new service, the 47, which it says will "provide a partial replacement for the majority of customers" of the Y3, Y4, Y5 and a Bristol service, the 5, which is also being axed.

But the 47 route will not go to Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne or Iron Acton.

and said: "We’ve amended the timetables for both the Y1 and Y6 services, with more time added into journeys to make them more reliable.

"We’ve also extended the Y6 route from Southmead Hospital to Bristol Bus Station, via Gloucester Road.

"Otherwise, the routes remain unchanged.

"The Y1 and Y6 will be the only services serving Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell."

Iron Acton Parish Council and Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who has responsibility for transport planning in the region, have been in negotiations to restore some services to the village, and from the date of the new timetable a commuter service, the 626, will run through the village.

direction in the early evening. A new timetable has yet to be confirmed.

Frampton Cotterell ward councillor Claire Young said: "While the new 47 restores a link between Yate and Downend, which was lost when the Y2 was cut in April, it doesn’t go anywhere near meeting the need.

"It isn’t frequent enough and it’s a long route between Yate and Bristol, a poor substitute for the services it is supposed to replace.

"It does nothing whatsoever to help those in Iron Acton, large parts of Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne who will be affected by the loss of the Y3.

"Those in Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne will have to make do with a long journey into Bristol City Centre on the extended Y6 service.

consultation meeting with the Metro Mayor had called for "flexible hopper minibuses linking people into key routes" and called for local people to be involved in identifying what the routes should be.

*First has announced that fares for single and return journeys have been capped.

A First spokesperson confirmed the company will no longer serve Iron Acton,

WB Essentials AW.qxp_Layout 1 09/02/2021 15:56 Page 1

Operated by Eurocoaches, the service currently runs from Wotton-under-Edge to Bristol city centre in the early morning and in the opposite

"Iron Acton will have no service at all for most of the day, with just one 626 bus into and out of Bristol each day."

Cllr Young said a recent

Adult single fares in the firm's West of England Zone, which includes the Frome Valley, are now capped at £3.70, with return fares capped at £5, day tickets reduced to £7 and a new flat £1 fare for all child single journeys.

Councillor Claire Young

Residents mourn loss of Queen as King is proclaimed

LOWERED flags, floral tributes and books of condolence were the outward signs of mourning in the Frome Valley area following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Churches held memorial services and people gathered to mark a minute's silence in a National Moment of Reflection on the night before the Queen's state funeral took place.

Winterbourne Parish Councillors laid wreaths at the village war memorial and opened a book of condolence at the Greenfield Centre.

A book of condolence was also made available at the Brockeridge Centre, which Frampton Cotterell Parish Council said would be preserved "for future generations".

The council issued a statement, which said: "Through the vicissitudes of life, through war and peace, through times of prosperity and privation, Her Majesty has been an unshakeable source of continuity and comfort to her people."

Westerleigh Parish Council worked closely with St Saviour's church in Coalpit Heath and St James in Westerleigh, providing local books of condolence for each church, which were signed by a total of 99 residents.

South Gloucestershire Council opened an online book of condolence, where residents

could post messages.

Among those who did was Theresa Tatem, of Frampton Cotterell, who said: "My dearest Queen, there will never be another like you. You have set the highest standard for excellence with your commitment to family

Tour cancelled after Queen's death

THE death of the Queen brought an end to the Tour of Britain cycle race, the day before it was due to pass through South Gloucestershire.

Stage Six of the annual elite race had been due to visit the area on Friday September 9, and people had been encouraged to line the route in the district, which passed through towns and villages including Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Iron Acton, Rangeworthy, Bagstone and Cromhall, en route from Tewkesbury to Gloucester.

However organisers issued a statement on the evening the news of the Queen's passing was announced, saying the stage would not take place during a national day of mourning.

They said: "The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

"We would like to send their deepest condolences to the whole of the Royal Family."

While some sporting events restarted on the following weekend, the final two stages of the tour were also cancelled, after the police forces from around the country which had lent 30 specialist motorbike outriders and two command vehicles to the race to supervise road safety recalled them.

The organisers said: "Naturally, given their skillset, when they are not working on our event or other cycle races, they are used extensively for things such as escorting politicians, heads of state, members of the Royal Family and so on."

It is not yet clear whether the cancelled stage through South Gloucestershire will be included in next year's Tour of Britain.

The organisers said: "Over the coming months we will be working with the local authorities who were due to host stages in the 2023 race to explore opportunities for hosting the race in the future, so until that time cannot comment any further."

and country, as well as your kind compassion for all persons."

Civic leaders led tributes to the Queen after her death was announced on September 8.

South Gloucestershire Council chair Sanjay Shambhu, who would later make the official proclamation of the reign of Charles III at Kingswood Civic Centre, said: "Her Majesty The Queen was a much loved and respected leader, who will be remembered with great fondness. Her dedication to the nation and to the Commonwealth was both unstinting and inspirational."

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said the Queen had been "an exemplar who always put service first, adding: "It is almost unimaginable such a reliable fixture in our lives is no longer with us."

The Frome Valley also had a link to the Queen's state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19, which was led by the Very Rev Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster.

Dr Hoyle, previously the Dean of Bristol, is the husband of former Watermore Primary School head teacher Janet Hoyle, who retired at the end of 2020 after being in charge of the Frampton Cotterell school for ten years.

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Winterbourne parish councillors laid a wreath

Inspector approves traveller site pitches

A PLANNING inspector has lambasted South Gloucestershire Council for “a history of policy failure” by not providing enough sites for gypsies and travellers.

It came as he overturned the authority’s decision to refuse retrospective permission for two traveller pitches, parking for three touring caravans and the relocation of a stable block in an agricultural field in greenbelt at Iron Acton.

The council had started enforcement action, having rejected the proposals because the site is at “high risk” of flooding.

But government inspector Paul Dignan said the council had failed to allocate enough traveller sites, and the two families who live at the property at Crossing Cottage would be made homeless, because they have nowhere else to go.

He said he could “not have any confidence that the needs of the occupants are likely to be met in the foreseeable future” because of the authority’s long-standing shortfall in sites and inability to "point to any suitable and available" alternatives within the district.

Mr Dignan ruled in favour of applicants Mary Doherty and Caroline Mullane, who live at the site north of Latteridge Road, despite acknowledging the development was “harmful” to the greenbelt and “in conflict” with flood risk policies.

The council's original decision in 2020 stated the land was “highly vulnerable to flood risk” and the siting of caravans “endangers the lives of the applicants, their children and the emergency services at times of flood”.

The council said the site flooded to such a depth it is considered dangerous in a one-in-20-year flood event. Works to make it safe would "displace water which will potentially put others at risk of flooding".

But the appeal heard the mobile home residents would face only a “very low hazard”, even in a one-in-100-year flood event.

Mr Dignan said: “I consider that the greenbelt and other harm is clearly outweighed by that of the other considerations in this case."

The inspector restricted permission to occupy the site to those currently living there.

Ward councillor Tristan Clark told the council’s development management committee on September 15 that the inspector's report was "very disconcerting, because once again a traveller and gypsy site has been approved at appeal, based primarily on the fact the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of pitches".

He said the council had been told by the government to address the lack of traveller sites back in 2006, adding: "Since then the council has essentially been kicking the can down the road."

A council spokesperson said: "We are committed to providing for the housing needs of all our communities and allocate sites through our Local Plan to accommodate the needs of our gypsy/ traveller communities and set policies to determine planning applications for new pitches.”

The spokesperson said an assessment in 2017 had indicated 75 more pitches were needed, and the number had now been reduced to 54 by approving new pitches.

The Voice reported last month that plans for a traveller site on land off Bristol Road in Frampton Cotterell, close to the Perrinpit Road crossroads, were also set to go to appeal.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Out of school club wins praise

TWO mums who set up breakfast and after school clubs at a Frampton Cotterell school have passed their first Ofsted inspection.

Kirsty Mitchell and Jules Mackay teamed up after meeting while their children were at the old Watermore Primary School in Lower Stone Close.

They put in a bid to run a breakfast club, which proved such a success when the school moved to its new premises two years ago that they expanded it.

Now they have 50 regular pupils, aged four to 11, and employ three other members of staff.

The club, known as Club4School, operates in the school hall.

It is open Monday to Friday during term time, offering indoor and outdoor activities, and serving breakfasts to pupils who arrive early, and snack teas after school.

Kirsty, a registered

childminder, looks after early years and school-aged children.

She said: “We are fortunate enough to have use of the whole of Watermore school when we are in club session.

“Watermore has a wonderful setting including a wooded area, a timber trail, a playing field and a multi-use games area, including smaller play areas for the younger children.

"We also have a wonderful network of teachers and head teachers who are supportive of us, as we are of them.”

Ofsted made an inspection in July and its report, which has now been published, said the club met the quality and stands required for early years provision.

Inspector Rachael Williams said: "Children enter the club happily, and quickly engage in chosen activities which are well thought out to meet their interests.

"Staff know children well

and gather essential information from parents when children start, to help them settle quickly into club life.

"The play space is well organised and activities consider children's interests, requests and topics studied in school. Children have good opportunities to play quietly after a busy day at school or to be physically active."

The inspector praised the club’s communication with parents and links with the school, and said parents value the communication they receive and the care given to their children.

The report noted a high regard for children's safety and supervision.

Kirsty said: “We absolutely love what we do and what we have become. We are grateful for the wonderful children and parents we have. Also our wonderful staff which we call ‘our little family’ because we are.

Children playing at a Club4School session at Watermore Primary School

We could not run such a great club without a great team.”

Watermore head teacher Lisa Rawlcliffe said: “We are really proud of Club4School.

"They work really hard to provide a great transition for the children between home and school and I know their service is hugely appreciated by our families.”

Ear

Foot Clinic

Work underway on new £11 million school

WORK has started to build a brand new school for staff and pupils of Elm Park Primary in Winterbourne.

The £11 million project will eventually see all of the existing school buildings in Nicholls Lane demolished and replaced by modern low energy buildings next door, on what was previously the staff car park.

South Gloucestershire Council expects the first phase of the project to be open in time for pupils to start using the new 210-place school from next September, with the current school buildings due to be demolished in the summer and a second phase of landscaping and external works scheduled for completion two months later and the whole project "fully completed in time for Christmas next year".

The council says the new school is being built to 'Passivhaus' environmental standards, to be highly

energy efficient, insulated and ventilated, and have a very low carbon impact, with its own solar panels and heating from air source heat pumps. There will be no gas in the kitchen.

Similar school projects elsewhere in the district have suffered delays, with the opening of Frenchay Primary School delayed from the start of this term, and new primary and secondary school buildings in Lyde Green yet to get off the

drawing board.

Head teacher Carol Bond visited the site with council cabinet members Erica Williams and Ben Burton, and Winterbourne ward councillors Nic Labuschagne and Trevor Jones.

Cllr Williams said: "The new buildings will give teachers and pupils the space and the resources they will need to thrive and achieve their full potential."

Cllr Burton said: "When we

declared a Climate Emergency, we said we wanted to take meaningful actions to help the district become carbon neutral by 2030. By designing this innovative new school to Passivhaus standards, we are reducing not only the running costs of the buildings, but their impact on the environment."

Mrs Bond said: “As a school, we are truly excited that our Passivhaus school is in the process of being built.

"We cannot wait to move in so that the children of Elm Park and our wider community can enjoy the incredible facilities that will be available."

The hall, a new multi-use outdoor sports pitch and the playing field are to be made available for community use.

Project manager Kurt Williams, of education contractor BAM, said: "For BAM’s team to get on site and start bringing the vision for this school to life is a momentous time for everybody."

Sundays from 10am to

Elm Park Primary School head teacher Carol Bond with South Gloucestershire councillors and a contractor o n the new school site.

Collie's skills win a place at Crufts

MICA the super smart Border Collie from Frampton Cotterell is joining the best dogs in Britain at next year’s Crufts.

The four year old and her owner Mike Organ qualified for the world’s best-known dog show after winning the International Agility Festival run by Crufts organisers the Kennel Club.

Mike, who is 58 and works for BT, has been competing in agility for ten years. He stated training Mica three years ago.

He said: "Mica is a special dog and I was glad to do her justice at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival.

"I give many thanks to my side-kick and fellow course walker, Caroline Hendy, and trainers Charlotte Harding and Martin Tait.

"Mica is a dream dog and I know how lucky I am to have her! I hope I can do her justice at Crufts!"

The action-packed four-day Agility Festival welcomed dogs of every size, shape and breed in August.

Skilled competitors from all over the UK and abroad entered the rings at the Rutland Showground to navigate the jumps, weaves and tunnels. Mica was classed as a 'working sheepdog' in the competition,

although she is not a working dog.

Mica is one of six collies the Organ family keep as pets and train in agility as a hobby.

The dogs get put through their paces by Mike, his wife Caroline and daughter Natalie, twice a week at home and at a training centre in Clevedon.

Mike said: "We each work with different dogs. Mica is with me – you build a rapport between handler and dog.

"Mica is very fit and loves it. She is very good at it. We qualify as a pair but she is capable of beating any dog if handled well.

"On the course, the dog relies on the handler to know where to go - I’m 58 and sometimes I get it wrong and let her down.

"It’s quite a prestigious thing to qualify for Crufts. It’s tough and I am chuffed to have got this far. On the day, if I do not make any mistakes, Mica will be capable of winning."

Kennel Club events executive Vanessa McAlpine said Mica had beaten dogs from all over the world at the festival.

She said: "This year is particularly special as, while the festival went ahead last year, due to travel restrictions we were unable to host international competitors, so we are delighted

Mike and Mica in competition at the International Agility Festival. Picture: Yulia Titovets, The Kennel Club

the UK agility community were finally able to be reunited with their overseas friends.

"We are always impressed with the talent showcased at the International Agility Festival and this year has been no exception –

congratulations to all!”

Crufts will be held in March next year. But it won’t be the family’s first time in the ring - Natalie qualified as a junior agility handler in the past.

Lynn Bevan Tina Bennett

Mica in action

Council will draw up own housing plans

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council will forge ahead with its own blueprints for tens of thousands of homes and jobs over the next two decades, following the collapse of the regional masterplan.

The council has decided to join neighbouring Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset to press on with individual local plans after Metro Mayor Dan Norris told the government in May that agreement on a West of England spatial development strategy, spanning the three areas, was not possible.

The failure of the SDS came amid a huge political row over who was to blame and whether it was even possible to abandon it.

Labour’s Mr Norris – who heads the West of England Combined Authority – accused South Gloucestershire Council's Conservative leader Toby Savage of “gambling with the greenbelt”, having “walked out” of talks.

Cllr Savage claimed the Metro

Mayor had failed to include him in the first place and had taken a “mushroom farming approach” to the housing strategy by working in secrecy while trying to impose 37,000 homes on the district. He said this was almost 10,000 more than government calculations suggested were needed in South Gloucestershire.

Council cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, Steve Reade, said: "I am delighted that we are taking strides with our new Local Plan, which will be a comprehensive holistic approach towards supporting our new and existing communities in the years ahead, so that South Gloucestershire remains a place that people are proud to live and work.

"While it is disappointing that we are not progressing with a regional approach towards the delivery of a new plan, it is reassuring to be able to have control over the process once again after being

kept in the dark by the Labour Weca mayor who sought to flood South Gloucestershire with unsustainable levels of new housing, threatening our communities and our environment."

He said the council would "continue to unashamedly champion South Gloucestershire’s needs".

The council updated its Local Plan webpage in September to say: “Following the decision of the Weca mayor to stop all work on the West of England Combined Authority Spatial Development Strategy, the Local Plans for Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire will now provide the strategic planning framework for the West of England Combined Authority area.

“The issue of housing need will now be addressed through individual Local Plans for each of the local councils.

“The councils will continue

their long-standing history of joint working and cooperate with each other and with other key bodies on strategic, cross-boundary matters as they prepare their Local Plans.

“The evidence base prepared so far to inform the Spatial Development Strategy will be published on the Weca website and will be reviewed and used as appropriate to inform the councils’ Local Plans.”

More information on the local plan can be found online at beta. southglos.gov.uk/new-local-plan.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Steve Reade

School celebrates 'stellar' GCSE results

WINTERBOURNE Academy GCSE students have been praised for their determination and hard work after achieving "stellar" results, despite two years of studies affected by the pandemic.

A quarter of pupils achieved top grades 7-9 in Maths, equivalent to an A or A* under the old grading system, and nearly a third achieved top grades in English.

Outgoing head teacher Jason Beardmore described the results as "stellar" and "outstanding", adding: "They have extended the Winterbourne tradition of high standards across a wide range of subject areas, and these results are testament to their determination, hard work and commitment."

The 16 year olds picking up their results at the end of August were the first to sit the exams in their conventional form since 2019, with results in the previous two years decided using assessments instead.

Mr Beardmore said this made this year's results all the more impressive.

Other GCSE result highlights for Winterbourne included 80% of students achieving both maths and English at grade 4 or better.

In level 2 BTEC subjects, sport candidates secured 78% of grades at distinction or merit, whilst 71% of engineering students scored those grades.

Mr Beardmore took charge of the school in 2018, and seeing this year's GCSE students pick up their results was one of his final acts before moving on to a new job in Devon.

He said: "I could not be

prouder of this group of wonderful young people and I am sure they are set for great things as they prepare their next steps.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff for their ongoing dedication to our students’ achievements over time, as exemplified by this cohort of young people.

“I will miss them, and I wish them and everyone else in the Winterbourne community all the best for the new academic year, whatever they will be doing.”

Winterbourne Academy is South Gloucestershire’s largest secondary school, with more than 1,700 pupils. The school’s new head teacher Victoria Boynton took over at the start of the new term.

Among the school's high achievers was Poppy FrutosMorris, who secured six grade 9s and three grade 8s and was planning to study maths, further maths, physics and music at A-level. She said: "I was hoping to get good results - but now I have them, I’m really pleased.

“The covid situation has required a lot of independent work and revision, but that’s good prep for A-levels."

Aaron Hancock notched up six grade 9s, a grade 8 and a grade 7, as well as BTEC distinctions for music and sport.

He said: "It was a little bit nerve racking, but I put in the work, and so hoped for good results.

"The school has been supportive throughout Covid lockdowns and provided us with lots of materials to prepare us for the final exams, so when it got

to exam season it wasn’t a shock because we had been doing preparations since half way through year 11.

“I intend to stay at this school for A levels in Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and then probably go to University to do more Computing."

Other high achievers highlighted by the school included Ella Parry (eight grade 9s, one grade 8), Sam Bennion (seven 9, two 8) Archit Prakash (six 9s, three 8s), Molly Ovenden (five 9s, one 8, two 7s, one Distinction*) and Charlene Chan (six grade 9s, one grade 8, one Distinction).

of 145 -149 Church Road, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol, BS36 2JX

have filed an application for a premise license with South Gloucestershire Council - application number 117298.

Full details can be found on the South Gloucestershire licensing portal.

This application will allow the business to sell alcohol during permitted times and is targeted at activities such as afternoon teas, custom cake services utilising alcohol and any future endeavours.

Any queries please contact us directly at general@magnolia-mews.co.uk

The last day for representations is 18.10.2022.

F. Woodruff

Family Funeral Directors

2 High Street, Winterbourne BS36 1JN

Tel: 01454 773776

192 Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath BS36 2SX Tel: 01454 778838

118-120 Station Road, Yate BS37 4PQ Tel: 01454 320005

Email: info@funerals.uk.net Web: www.funerals.uk.net

contact@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

This notice is to inform readers of Frome Valley Voice that Magnolia Mews Bakehouse

Michael Browning, Isla Kellaway and Poppy Frutos-Morris

Archit Prakash and Aaron Hancock

Your playing field needs you!

TRUSTEES at a recreation ground in the heart of Frampton Cotterell are calling on local people to share the love and get involved.

Beesmoor Road Playing Field has a large modern wooden play area for children, two football pitches and a pavilion building.

It is used by dog walkers, fitness groups and is a haven for wildlife.

Treasurer Phil Kerswell said: "Beesmoor is a thriving part of village life. We want to make sure it is used by as many people as possible – so we’d love to hear from everyone in the village, and get their ideas."

The playing field is run by unpaid volunteers, who do

everything from painting the football pitch lines to running fundraising events.

One upcoming project is an improvement to the wooden play area, which will cost about £1,400.

Phil said: "We’d love parents of children who enjoy the play area to join in with fund raising. And we’re always looking for new people to join the trustees."

The playing field is funded by grants from Frampton Cotterell

Parish Council, and money raised by hiring the football pitches and fund raising.

Phil said one way people can help support Beesmoor for free is through “Amazon Smile”, the online store’s charity giving scheme at smile.amazon.co.uk.

He said: "It’s exactly the same as Amazon’s online shop, but if you select Beesmoor as the charity you would like to benefit, they donate a small amount for every purchase to the charity –

and it costs you nothing."

Beesmoor Trustees meet very six weeks.

The next meeting is the AGM, which is open the public and will be held on Wednesday 2nd November 2 at 7.30pm in the Pavilion at the playing field on Beesmoor Road, Frampton Cotterell.

More information and contact details can be found online at beesmoor.uk

Beesmoor Road Playing Field from the air. Picture: resQdrone

The Beesmoor wooden play area is a big hit with young children

Eye-catching art

THESE colourful self-portraits have been produced by children at a Winterbourne primary school inspired by a Brazilian artist.

Year 6 pupils at St Michael's Primary School studied the work of Romero Britto, whose work uses vibrant colours and bold patterns and draws on elements of cubism, pop art and street art, then painted works of their own.

Year 6 teacher Sarah Duncan said: "The children are back and eager to learn. They have settled in well to their final year at primary school.

"This year will be packed with all of the challenges and activities that are unique to year 6. It is going to be a very busy but exciting year."

Among the pupils' new tasks so far have been mentoring the school's new arrivals in reception and helping them to read, and take prospective parents on tours around the school during its open morning.

A room with a view

IF you fancy a stay in splendid isolation with breathtaking views, Vicky Drew may have found just the place

If you have ever walked across the cliffs between Branscombe and Beer, it is highly likely that you are familiar with The Lookout Tower sit uated on the top of Beer Head cliffs. What you may not know is that this it has been converted to luxury two bed holiday accommodation.

The site of The Lookout Tower has an interesting history, originally built as a signal station dating back to the the Napoleonic War, then used as a lookout for smugglers and more recently as a coastguard sta tion. When converting the building to holiday accommodation, careful consideration has been given to the history of the site.

The main structure of the tower has not changed much with two bedrooms and a bathroom situated on the ground floor, enabling the living areas to benefit from the breathtaking views. On the first floor, the kitchen looks out onto Lyme Bay and has everything you

need for a very comfortable stay. There is a breakfast bar or you can step outside to eat on the sun terrace. In the evenings, the views can be enjoyed from the second floor living space that has 360 degree views across land and sea. During our stay, the weather was glorious and we could see for miles, aided by binoculars left in the room. Should you wish something more powerful that a pair of binoculars, a star-gazing telescope can be set up by arrangement with the owners.

The location alone, is enough to make this property unique but it it is the attention to detail that makes this a truly extraordinary place to

Thousands facing long hospital waits

MORE than 4,700 residents of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are waiting more than a year for hospital treatment, new figures reveal.

A total of 4,763 people referred to hospital had not been seen within 52 weeks as of June, up by 599 on the previous month, according to a report to the region's integrated care board (ICB) meeting in September.

That equals 5.9 per cent of the total waiting list – one in 17 people.

The report said the number increased at both North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital, and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, which is in charge of the BRI, Bristol Children’s Hospital and Weston General.

The report said the number of patients waiting more than 18 months fell from 801 in May to 744 in June, while those who were not seen within two years dropped from 112 to 69.

The total waiting list for non-emergency hospital treatment rose by more than 3,900, from 76,803 in May to 80,712 in June, it said.

The report to the meeting on September 1 said only 57 per cent of emergency patients at the area’s A&E departments were admitted or discharged within the four-hour maximum target – a drop from 62 per cent in May – and that this was the same as the national average.

Less than half of urgent cancer referrals were completed within the expected fortnight limit, which was also worse than the previous month.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

stay. There is a lift, should you find navigating the stairs difficult, a wine fridge in the lounge to save a trip downstairs as you enjoy the night time views, an iPad to use, speakers throughout the property and even a occasional bed in case you have an additional guest stay over.

As the property is surrounded by an area of outstanding natural beau ty, the renovations have included many environmental considerations. Solar panels are present, heating is via an air source heat pump and water from a bore hole. The building has bee bricks and swallow cups for the local wildlife.

It was hard for us to find reasons

to leave the tranquility of the house but there is plenty to see and do in the area. Even though the property is accessible by it’s own private road (a little bumpy but to be expected given the remote location), the villages of Branscombe and Beer are both within easy walking distance, if you don’t mind a steep climb back. Further afield are Seaton, Sidmouth and Lyme Regis to name but a few. Beer itself has a delightful pebble beach, with three beach cafes and a high street offering everything you may need during your stay. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes close by should you not wish to cook.

Eating at home, can be done in the garden where there is a large dining space and barbecue. The sauna didn’t tempt us away from the sunshine, but would be good fun in colder weather when you could retreat in the evenings to the top floor to enjoy the views in front of the log burner.

Unfortunately, the holiday did need to end and a return to reality beckoned. If you fancy getting away from it all at The Lookout Tower, Beer more information can be found at https://the-lookout-tower. com/

We enjoyed a two night stay cour tesy of the owners of The Lookout Tower and week long stays range from £1600 to £3100 at time of going to press.

fromevalley voice

NEWS

Doris celebrates century with a meal out

A GREAT-grandmother from Coalpit Heath has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Doris Smith took a trip on a Green Community Travel bus to the Sandringham pub in Downend for a slap-up meal, two days after reaching her centenary on September 6.

Born in the centre of Bristol, Doris weighed just 2lb 6oz and says she has "always been tiny".

When she was growing up she attended the Eastville Park Open Air Council School, which at the time was thought to be beneficial to sick children.

Green Community Travel volunteer Chris Gardiner said: "Doris says it was very healthy, as the school was run on an open bandstand. In the winter, when snow was all around, they had canvas put around the stand."

Doris attended the school from the ages of six to 14, leaving at Christmas 1936 to work in a Bristol printing factory, making luxury stationery.

It closed at the beginning of the Second World War, when Doris moved to work at aircraft manufacturer Parnall's plant in Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, training as a compositor working on plane blueprints.

Doris has four children - Irene, aged 78, David, 70, Sally, 64 and Amanda, 57, plus

Doris Smith with her card from the Queen at her 100th birthday celebration

eight granddaughters, the oldest of whom is 59, and one grandson.

She also has 16 great-grandchildren, and

the majority of her family live locally.

Asked the secret of longevity, Doris says it is "keeping active and drinking plenty of water, after mealtimes and throughout the day".

Chris said: "She says she doesn’t feel 100she feels better than she has done in ages!"

Green Community Travel decorated a bus with balloons, bunting and banners for her day out, and arranged for Doris to have a card from the Queen delivered for her birthday - one of the last to be sent before the Queen passed away on September 8.

Doris said she was "extremely sad" at the Queen's passing and planned to give her card to her great-granddaughter Amelia, aged eight.

Chris said: "Doris has been a member of Green Community travel since 1992, over 30 years, and loves getting out and about on the bus, where she has met most of her friends that keep her going.

"Doris used to run a social club with her friend Doreen at Fernleaze Hall but unfortunately since the lockdown the club has had to shut, due to a lot of her friends passing away or moving into homes.

"She has plenty of visitors that drop in for cups of tea and a chat, which she enjoys immensely."

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Free valuations every Friday 9am-4pm at our saleroom, free home visits or email

Wildflower Planting

On Saturday the 8th of October, 10am, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council will be running a Wildflower Planting Day at Centenary Field. We’d love for you to come along and help out! Contact our Climate & Nature Officer, Daisy, on nature@framptoncotterell pc.gov.uk or call the office on 01454 864 442.

P o n d P l a n s

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council’s Climate & Nature Committee are making plans to install a small wildlife pond at Centenary Field in 2023 The proposed location for the pond is indicated by the star on the aerial photograph, below

For more information, please see the Climate & Nature page on our website.

S c a r e c r o w T r a i l

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is hosting this year ' s Annual Scarecrow Trail from the 22nd to the 28th of October

This year ' s theme is: Sport Using A Ball

To sign up, please fill out a sign up form before the deadline Paper sign up forms may be collected from the Brockeridge Centre The link to our online sign up form can be found on our website and on our Facebook page

The deadline for signing up your scarecrow is October 7th don’t miss out!

All Scarecrows will be marked on this

year ’ s Scarecrow Trail Map, which will be available online and at the Brockeridge Centre nearer the start of the Trail Week.

This year ' s winning Scarecrows will be announced at 11am on Saturday 29th October 2022 at the Floral Friends of Frampton Autumn Sale, at the Brockeridge Centre 1st & 2nd place prizes for Best Scarecrow will be decided by a public vote

N e w C h u r c h N o t i c e b o a r d

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council have purchased a new Church & Community Noticeboard at St Peter’s Church Back in November 2020, St Peter’s Church approached the Parish Council asking whether we could make a donation to help repair their damaged noticeboard Instead, we resolved to buy the church a brand new noticeboard for use by the church and the wider community. Although the pandemic delayed our efforts, this brilliant new noticeboard has now been placed, ready for parishioners to come take a look at for their local Church & Community news!

The new noticeboard at St. Peter's Church, Frampton Cotterell

S G C F u n d i n g

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council has been awarded a total of £390,052 18 in Sec 106 monies from South Gloucestershire Council, off the back of the Blackberry Park Estate, for use in improving Parish facilities. Improvements we are considering include: installing a 3G MUGA, wheels park, and pathway around The Park (Crossbow); improving the tennis courts; and improving access to The Park If you are interested in joining a Parish Council Working Group to help with this, or have relevant skills and wish to be of service, please contact projects@framptoncotterell pc gov uk

C o m m u n i t y C r o p s S w a p

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is currently trialling a Community Crops Swap stand

M a c m i l l a n C o f f e e M o r n i n g

Share your homegrown crops with your community and take someone else's home with you!

Bring your produce to The Brockeridge Centre during opening hours or give us a call to arrange for a home collection

On Tuesday the 6th of September, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning at The Brockeridge Centre to raise money for the charity Macmillan Cancer Support. We had a great turn out, and between drinks, cakes, raffle tickets, and donations, we were able to raise £252 for Macmillan! Thank you to all who attended, and all who donated cakes and raffle prizes.

telephone: 01454 864 442

email: office@framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk

@ Frampton Cotterell Parish Council Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is urging parishioners to turn off car engines whilst stationary to help reduce harmful idle emissions You can find more information on the dangers of idle emissions on the RAC website: www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/id ling Don’t be idle: Switch off your engine!

School unveils quiet area

IRON Acton Primary School has unveiled a new quiet area for pupils to visit.

Executive Headteacher Mike Riches said: "This is designed as somewhere to go to reflect and to help mental health.

"Our Year 6 families gave the gift of a planter and a local resident, and ex-parent at Iron Acton, spent a lot of time and energy refurbishing a bench which was donated to the school at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977."

The school welcomed 15 new reception children in September and is now almost full, with 100 pupils on its roll.

Leavers from Year 6 all achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and grammar in Key Stage 2 tests, with 81% achieving it in maths, above the national and local averages, and half of children achieving the higher standard in English.

Mr Riches described the results as "fantastic" results, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and said they highlighted the exceptional hard work of staff and children.

Drama groups join forces

TWO drama groups have joined forces to present a joint production as they emerge from the pandemic.

Winterbourne Players and Court Players, from Rangeworthy, are putting on the comedy Rumours, by Neil Simon, at venues local to both groups: first at Rangeworthy Village Hall, from October 20 to 22, then at WADCA in Winterbourne on November 4 and 5.

Winterbourne Players secretary Philip Pover said: "Both groups have been working independently for decades but have struggled a bit during covid and the lockdown, so have been collaborating on this production together.

"With the cost-of-living crisis and prices so high everywhere, we've kept our ticket price really low so that people can come and enjoy an evening of entertainment without breaking the bank.

Each show will be staged at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 each.

Tickets are available by calling 07917 624360 or online at www. TicketSource.co.uk/Winterbourne-Players.

Guilt-free Christmas shopping

A GROUP promoting fair trade is holding a Christmas market in Frampton Cotterell.

Zion Traidcraft Group is holding the event at Zion United Church in the village on October 29 from 10am-2pm for people who are "seeking to make a difference and shop a bit more ethically".

Elaine Pierpont, from the group, said: "We have a selection of gifts, cards, and foods on sale at the Traidcraft Market. The cards are sourced in the UK to support the aims of Traidcraft, or are handmade by artisans in developing countries who are paid a fair wage for their work. The gifts too are crafted by artisans who receive fair payment for their superb wares."

Heat or Eat?

WE are all acutely aware of the rise in the cost of living and the impact it’s having on household budgets.

So this month I’m not giving you a recipe, but some of my tips on how to save money on your energy bills and make your money go further in the kitchen.

1. Dig out your slow cooker

You can use slow cookers to cook

many dishes, not only stews: curries, chillies, meat sauces, veggie favourites like curried veg and chickpea stew, pieces of brisket, whole chickens or a gammon joint.

The cost of slow cooking is markedly cheaper than using your oven or hob, as a slow cooker uses much less energy.

Slow cookers have the added

bonus of tenderising meat, so you can use cheaper cuts. At around £50 for a premium make like Morphy Richards, it might prove a sound investment.

2. Learn to love your microwave

Microwaves are not just for scrambled eggs and jacket potatoes! They can cook many of your favourite dishes at a fraction of the energy cost of cooking on the hob or in the oven.

3. Use your oven efficiently

Ovens are great for cooking food that needs a crispy texture, like a roast. But this can be made more economical by using all the shelves in the oven with different dishes. Cook your crumble at the same time.

Cook extra for another time, like spare roast veg that can be put in a quiche or casserole. Then use the warmed oven to cook other dishes, without the need to preheat.

4. Batch baking and freezing ahead

Instead of making 1 or 2 portions of spag bol, chilli or moussaka, make several. You may need to invest in a big pot (try charity shops first) but the saving in time prepping foods another day - and savings in fuel - will be significant. Scones, cakes, crumbles or sponge puddings can also be frozen.

5. Cheaper ingredients

Cheaper ingredients can still give delicious results. For example, coley can often be found in the supermarket freezer section and is significantly cheaper than cod. Raw it looks an unappetising grey,

but once cooked it turns white. It is dense, so great for curries and stir fries as it won’t disintegrate.

Make delicious, economical fishcakes with tinned tuna or salmon mixed with red or spring onions.

Beans and pulses will bulk out your dishes and add protein, and can be used more rather than meat or fish.

Eggs are also a cheaper form of protein. A couple of eggs, poached and served on toast with some spinach cooked in the microwave, make a nutritious light meal. At farm shops you can find eggs called 'seconds' - only because they are mixed sizes.

Oats can be used in many dishes, sweet and savoury. They are inexpensive and provide slowrelease energy, so keep you feeling fuller for longer. Use them for home-made flapjacks in a packed lunch, porridge (with added dried or fresh fruit for variety), crumble topping or mix with cottage cheese and eggs to make a great topping for a veggie lasagne.

Buy an inexpensive chicken from the supermarket for roast on Sunday, leftovers midweek in a pie or curry, then keep the bones and carcass to make a microwave stock for soup. (Recipe to follow).

6. Final practical tips

Don’t overfill your kettle - just boil enough water for your needs. Be creative with leftovers and plan a meal with what you already have in your fridge or store cupboard. There are loads of recipes online for this.

This may read like a pamphlet from wartime, when people were experiencing food rationing and shortages, but for some of us that is the scale of the challenge. Next month we’ll be back to our usual format, and I’ll be giving you an economical recipe to try.

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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.

Join us for Orchard Harvest Day

WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn's biggest annual event - Orchard Harvest Day - is back this month.

Sunday October 9 will be another fabulous day out for all the family, with a programme of varied live entertainment throughout the day.

There will be lots of artisan craft and high quality food stalls, and a display all about growing and using flax - a crop less common in the UK now, although in medieval times and earlier it was mainly grown for its fibre.

Linen was the soft, desirable fabric for clothing, and preferred against the skin, by those who could afford it, over woollen cloth, which could be rough and itchy.

Orchard Harvest Day also provides lots of fun activities like

ferret racing, children's crafts, a coconut shy and, of course, the barn bar and cafe, and the Three Engineers Brewery.

There will be music from the Frampton Shantymen and Bygonz Minstrels, and dancing from Winterbourne Down Border Morris and the 5678 Street Dance school.

Free parking is available at Winterbourne Academy and at Hunts Ground, Stoke Gifford, with free shuttle buses to the barn.

There will be no parking in

Church Lane as this blocks the traffic and causes great difficulty for residents.

Visitors can pre-book tickets online (£5 adult, £1 child) to reduce queues on the gate.

Also coming up in October we have two "spooky-themed" events with a nod to Halloween.

Firstly we have a fascinating talk on October 12 about local funeral monuments and memorials from the point of view of their great artistic merit and history.

Then on October 29 we have a short spooky opera, The Medium, performed by excellent young opera singers and a small orchestra in the atmospheric setting of the barn.

Tessitoura will pair that opera with a 20-minute comedy called The Telephone, to send folk home without too many spooky thoughts!

In the half term holidays we have an autumn bird walk led by naturalist Ed Drewitt, including breakfast at the barn, on October 26.

Most suited to ages 12-plus, as with all workshops and educational activities pre-booking is essential.

More details and booking for all events can be found on the website www.winterbournebarn. org.uk or on the barn's Facebook page.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust would welcome more volunteers to help out with maintenance and community events, either occasionally or on a more regular basis. Contact us via the website or call 0117 403 1536.

Louise Harrison

Ferret racing at a previous Orchard Harvest Day.

MP

Plastic recycling trial is superb news

I AM delighted to confirm that we have secured soft-plastic recycling at the kerbside for towns and villages in South Gloucestershire. This is superb news and could not have been achieved without incredible support from right across the community.

I have been leading a campaign for South Gloucestershire to be included in a scheme which will trail softplastic recycling being collected every week at the kerbside. I am thrilled to have received confirmation that we are going to be included.

Suez waste collection will pick up soft plastic recycling along with all other household recycling every week in specially-provided bags.

This will start in designated roads, towns and villages in the coming weeks, before being rolled out right across South Gloucestershire.

When I surveyed households

across our community to find out the most pressing local environmental concern, the desire to recycle a wider variety of household plastics came out top.

Many rural villages don’t have direct access to this type of recycling, so I joined local campaigners to call for soft plastics to be included in our kerbside waste collections.

Together with the council, we submitted a bid to Government which centred around South Gloucestershire’s impressive record for recycling rates, and the region’s mix of urban areas and rural villages, which will be perfect for soft plastic recycling.

We took up the fight and launched a community petition, and I held a debate in Parliament, pressing the need for our community to be part of this scheme. I also met with the Minister for Nature Recovery and the Domestic Environment to hammer home the point that we

have strong recycling rates and there is strong local demand for soft plastic recycling.

Thanks to our community’s efforts, the local bid was successful. This is fantastic news for south Gloucestershire.

In the coming weeks and months, we will be able recycle plastic bags, fruit and vegetable packaging, cling film, crisp packets, bread bags, yoghurt lids and more from the kerbside. South Gloucestershire Council will be contacting all households on the first phase of the rollout very shortly to confirm all the details.

Further areas can expect a similar rollout in their neighbourhoods in the near future.

I am grateful to everybody who supported our campaign to make this happen, by signing my petition, supporting the debate in Parliament and the application from the council. This will reduce the amount of waste going to

landfill and cement our status as one of the leading council areas on recycling in the country.

Delivering soft plastic recycling is a key part of our positive plan for the environment in South Gloucestershire, and will help to boost our local recycling rate, which is already one of the highest in the region.

standard

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

Archers welcome community to new home

A SPORTS club has officially opened its new home near Hambrook after the end of a nine-year, £500,000 project.

Cleve Archers invited the community to the Down Yonder ground, off Bromley Heath Road in Moorend, for a grand opening event at the end of August, which was also attended by old members, representatives from county clubs and the national governing body, Archery GB.

People had a chance to try out the sport, while visitors were also able to look round the new solar-powered clubhouse, which includes accessible toilets and space for indoor archery and other activities, from bowls to keep fit.

The club's project manager and fundraiser for the scheme, Bob Nicholls, said: "The archery taster sessions were very popular, with 79 residents from the local community taking part all afternoon.

"Everyone enjoyed the event, and we now have more interest

in our ‘try archery’ sessions.

"We had a lot of interest in viewing the new clubhouse, especially the power plant room, which holds the equipment for our solar system. This, together with our low energy air source heat pumps, means the facility is on the verge of becoming carbon neutral."

The club's new shooting shelter, which enables archers to use the outdoor ranges in all weathers, was completed in time for the event.

The shelter was funded by South Gloucestershire Council, and Winterbourne ward councillors Trevor Jones and Nic Labuschagne visited to officially open the new clubhouse.

Bob said: "We would like to thank them for their support on this special occasion."

The club has also had interest in a new 'men in sheds' group it is setting up to help with maintaining the site, and is looking for more potential recruits to get in touch.

For more information on how to get involved, visit the website at clevearchers.co.uk or the club's Facebook page.

Since moving to the site in 2013 the club has levelled the field for its target range, created a car park and spent four years planning and then building an accessible clubhouse.

More than 2,000 trees have been planted and a dry stone wall restored as part of the project, which has been paid for through a combination of fundraising, loans from members and grants from sporting and other bodies.

A team of ten volunteers fitted out the clubhouse, from concreting and tiling to painting, to reduce costs.

The club, which was founded in 1960, has more than 230 members, including Olympic archer Larry Godfrey, who represented Great Britain at the Athens, Beijing and London games.

Visitors try out archery on the range at Cleve Archers Down Yonder ground, with the new clubhouse in the background

Winterbourne councillors Trevor Jones and Nic Labuschagne officially open the new clubhouse.

n WHAT'S ON

October 1

n GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK VILLAGE FETE at Frome Valley Medical Centre, 10.30am-noon. Frampton Nature, Winterbourne Environmental Group, Avon Wildlife Trust and others highlighting global health crises of climate change, biodiversity collapse and plastic pollution. Free event - bring your own cup for refreshments.

October 3

n FRAMPTON SINGALONG with the Jays and The Rosettes, 2-3.30pm, Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell. £5, carers free. Refreshments included. All profits to Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Contact Hilary on 07515 351813 for details, and to book a place.

October 9

n WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL BARN ORCHARD HARVEST DAY, 11am-4pm. Live music and entertainment, food stalls, ferretracing, crafts, dancing. Free parking at Winterbourne Academy, with free shuttle buses to the Barn. Visitors can pre-book tickets online at winterbournebarn.org.uk or pay on the gate.

October 11

n EASY CIRCLE DANCING CLASS with The Jays, Crossbow House, Main Hall, School Road, Frampton Cotterell, 2.45-4pm. No experience needed, £5, fruit snack included, social break. Contact Hilary on 07515 351 813 for more details.

October 20

n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP, first meeting at Bradley Stoke Community School, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Free entry. Talk from Justine Hopkins on Self Portraits.

October 20-22

n WINTERBOURNE PLAYERS

AND COURT PLAYERS present Rumours, a comedy by Neil Simon at Rangeworthy Village Hall, Wotton Road, 7.30pm. Tickets

Winterbourne Library news

WINTERBOURNE Library is hosting half-term activities during the school holidays this month.

Celebrate Diwali with our Henna workshop on October 25, from 10.30am-12.30pm.

Booking required.

Spooky Crafts - create your own decorations at our free drop-in workshop on October 28 from 10.30-11.30am or take a craft bag home. Suitable for aged four to 11.

Storytime sessions, on Fridays

£10 from 07917 624360 or online at www.TicketSource.co.uk/ Winterbourne-Players.

October 25

n EASY CIRCLE DANCING CLASS with The Jays, Crossbow House, Main Hall, School Road, Frampton Cotterell, 2.45-4pm. No experience needed. £5 fruit snack included, social break. Contact Hilary on 07515 351 813 for more details.

October 26

n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

MINES RESEARCH GROUP

TALK: A Mining Miscellany by Steve Grudgings and Adrian Crew, Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, 7pm for prompt 7.30pm start.

Non members welcome - £2 each. Membership £17.50 per year, includes talks and newsletters.

October 29

n FLORAL FRIENDS OF FRAMPTON AUTUMN FAYRE, Brockeridge Centre, 10am-noon. Coffee, tea, and cakes, stalls selling gifts, plants, spring bulbs and a raffle. Prize-giving for the Scarecrow Trail (run by the parish council) will be held at 11am.

October 29

n TRAIDCRAFT MARKET, 10am-2pm, Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell. Selection of gifts, cards, and foods. Cards sourced in the UK to support the aims of Traidcraft, or are handmade by artisans in developing countries who are paid a fair wage. Cash and cheques only.

November 4-5

n WINTERBOURNE PLAYERS AND COURT PLAYERS present Rumours, a comedy by Neil Simon at WADCA, Watleys End Road, Winterbourne, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from 07917 624360 or online at www.TicketSource.co.uk/ Winterbourne-Players.

November 5-6

n WINTERBOURNE DOWN ART GROUP EXHIBITION, All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down,

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

Regular Rhymetimes take place on Wednesdays, 9.30am-10am; most suitable for 0-18 months –limited spaces.

Lego club next meets on October 22, from 10am to 11am –for children aged four and up.

An adult craft group meets on October 1, 8 and 29, from 10amnoon: join a friendly group of crafters to do your own work and chat – refreshments available.

Computer classes are held on Thursdays (term time only). Enrolment required with SGS

voice

10am-5pm Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday. Free entry, collection for Great Western Air Ambulance. Refreshments available.

REGULAR EVENTS

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

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

n THURSDAY: EXERCISE AND SOCIAL FOR SENIORS £5. Come and join us for a dose of weekly exercise! We aim to improve your strength, balance, posture and flexibility in a fun and friendly environment. To register your interest please contact Adam Dyer on 07875503586. St Saviours Church , Coalpit Heath, every Thursday 10-11:30am Beesmoor Rd, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2RP

n TUESDAY: WINTERBOURNE DOWN METHODIST CHURCHDrop in for free cup of tea and chat or play board games, every Tuesday from 2-4pm.

n TUESDAY: SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use. To find out more contact croquet@ wilko.eclipse.co.uk or call 07977 201440.

n WEDNESDAY: BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every

College - for more information call Cindy on 0117 909 2296 or email cindy.corbett@sgscol.ac.uk.

Could you be our 121 Digital Champion Volunteer? If you have spare time and are interested in helping others learn how to use a computer, laptop, tablet or other device, contact us on libraryvolunteers@southglos.gov. uk or collect an application form in the library.

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

The library welcomes everyone, whether browsing and borrowing

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

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

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

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

n FRIDAY: EXERCISE AND SOCIAL FOR SENIORS £5. Come and join us for a dose of weekly exercise! We aim to improve your strength, balance, posture and flexibility in a fun and friendly environment. To register your interest please contact Adam Dyer on 07875503586. Cambrian Green Court community centre 2:153:45pm Yate, Bristol BS37 5AD

from the shelves, using a computer, bringing children to the library or meeting friends.

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

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

More information is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/ openaccess.

Help our hedgehogs!

HEDGEHOG numbers have been in rapid decline in recent years, but we’re lucky enough to have them living in our neighbourhood.

Triggered by shortening day length, dropping temperatures, and reducing food supply, hedgehogs seek out a quiet spot to hibernate, usually from October/ November to March/April.

During mild winters they can remain active into December.

Hedgehogs might build their own winter shelter – known as a hibernaculum - from dead leaves, twigs and feathers, or take up residence under garden sheds, in compost heaps, or stacks of logs and garden cuttings.

Providing these safe areas in your garden is a great way to help hedgehogs. If you want to make your own hedgehog house in time for winter, you’ll find instructions on www.hedgehogstreet.org

- a great source of advice for everything hedgehog.

Above all, if you’re planning a bonfire, remember to check before lighting it!

Hedgehogs are now building up fat reserves from their natural diet of mainly earthworms, ground beetles, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes, ready for hibernation.

During cold or dry periods, these creepy-crawlies become much scarcer in gardens, so hedgehogs will benefit from a

shallow dish of water and small amounts of supplementary food.

Dry or semi-dry meat-based (ideally chicken or turkey) dog or cat food is good, as this is high in protein, or use preparatory hedgehog food.

Do not put out milk, bread or mealworms, as these are all harmful or unsuitable.

To deter unwanted animals (cats, rats and magpies), put small amounts of supplementary food out at dusk in a covered “feeding

station” and clear uneaten food in the morning.

Leave water out all day – it’s good for birds, too!

From September onwards you may see young hedgehogs, known as autumn juveniles, out and about.

These are young from autumn litters and unless they put on weight quickly ready for hibernation, they are less likely to survive the winter.

Evidence suggests that healthy hedgehogs weighing over 450g can survive hibernation but being nearer 600g gives them a much better chance.

If the weather is mild and the hogs look heathy, then leaving them alone may be the best thing.

If you find one later in the autumn, or one that looks unwell, seek advice from the local hedgehog rescues.

Recording your hedgehog sightings on the 'BIG Hedgehog Map' at www.hedgehogstreet.org will help track prevalence in our neighbourhoods.

Let’s keep hedgehogs safe until spring.

Lesley Johnson

A hedgehog captured by a night vision video camera

Queen's death stirred many different emotions

WHAT a month September ended up becoming!

As we began the month which sees a new school year (amongst other things), I don’t think any of us could have imagined just how much newness the month would bring.

In the space of a few days we not only saw a new prime minister but a new monarch, and from that a cascade of other events.

Many of us witnessed for the first time in our lives a period of state mourning, the proclamation of a new monarch and state funeral. We could not have failed to engage with what was going on around us, with the coverage across the TV.

I also suspect that the events of September brought up many different emotions for us as we experienced the hurt and the pain around us and on our TV screens.

I managed to attend the

lying-in-state of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the Westminster Hall.

After queueing for 14 hours throughout the night we were, not surprisingly, tired.

However, there was little that could distract from the experience of entering the hall itself.

The amazing beauty of the building and its architecture were overwhelmed by the sight of the coffin, sitting on the catafalque in the middle of the room, surrounded by four soldiers, four beefeaters and four police officers.

An intense hush descended on the building as people respectfully worked their way from one end of the hall to another, paying their respects to Her Late Majesty.

A few days later I joined with others at church to watch the state funeral in community with others, supporting each other

through the events of the day.

As the instruments of state were removed from the coffin, we were reminded that Elizabeth II was ‘our sister’, with a family who weep and mourn just like we do, and just like Jesus did in scripture.

Much of what we saw in the two weeks or so following the death of Her Late Majesty was full of pomp and ceremony, but there was also the pastoral side of support to the Royal Family, and to many others who mourned the loss.

We will all go through that final journey which Elizabeth II has experienced, but we recognise that death leads to pain and hurt for others.

In September we saw ‘the Church’ there for the Royal Family and the nation as a whole.

I want to say today that ‘the Church’ (and other faith communities) are here for you too.

If you were affected by the death of Her Late Majesty, or other events in your life, then come and chat with us, give us a call or pop along to worship.

You can find out contact details by searching for ‘Watley’s End Methodist Church’, ‘Zion United Church’, or ‘Fromeside Benefice’.

Rev Leigh Maydew Minister, Salem Methodist Church, Watley’s End

Frome Valley Growing Project

AS the season changes to autumn we are still busy growing and sharing food.

This year we have grown melons for the first time in our polytunnel, and they have been amazingly successful.

Our sweetcorn, squashes and beans have also done well, planted together in a traditional combination known as the Three Sisters.

It has been a hot and dry summer but most of our crops have been surprisingly resilient, with the help of our irrigation system and regular watering rota for the youngest plants.

We are also pleased to see increasing biodiversity on the site and a whole host of pollinating insects taking advantage of the flowering herbs, vegetables, fruit and ornamentals that we grow.

In difficult economic times it can be really useful to have access to fresh, locally-grown vegetables and fruit.

Anyone who volunteers to spend a few hours helping us at our growing field (just off Swan Lane in Winterbourne) is welcome to take home some produce.

Other local residents can get in touch about making a donation in exchange for vegetables.

The Nook in Frampton Cotterell now stocks our seeds, so do take a look at what is available to help you get growing.

We also want people to have access to our veg regardless of ability to pay. One Planet Matters have been helping us with collecting crop surpluses from us for a Kingswood food bank and we are also hoping to link with other new initiatives in Frampton Cotterell.

Attend one of our FREE construction breakfast or lunch workshops

Another important ingredient of what we do is that members and volunteers benefit from the chance to improve and maintain their physical and mental health by being active in close proximity to natural surroundings.

If 'no dig' gardening sounds like a lazy option, then come along one day and watch how much barrowing of compost and wood chip is involved. It is a much cheaper way to work up a sweat than paying for gym membership!

If you would like to join us but know nothing about gardening and food growing then that is no obstacle.

Experienced gardeners and handy folk, particularly those with irrigation or construction skills, would also be welcome too.

Frome Valley Growing Project is not just for adults. Members’ children frequently use the site to play and learn and we are running a permaculture course for home-educated children.

Future events are advertised via our Facebook page.

For more information on Frome Valley Growing Project contact Kate Macdonald on 07708 758 370 or message us on Facebook @ FromeValleyGrowingProject.

Mazzy Fautley

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Winterbourne Evening WI

THE report of the death of Queen Elizabeth came only an hour before the start of our meeting on September 8, so it was agreed to hold a one minute silence in memory of Her Majesty.

Queen Elizabeth was a lifelong member of the WI and took a keen interest in all its campaigns and activities. We shall greatly miss her support.

Members were anxious to sign a petition to oppose the cuts and withdrawals of bus services from our area.

A harvest sale table of produce proved popular, and raised funds towards our ever-increasing expenses.

The speaker was Jenny Bowen, who gave us a fascinating talk on the Kingdom of Swaziland.

This tiny state was renamed Eswatini in 2018. It is only 120 miles north to south and 81 miles east to west but has mountains, woodlands, rivers and dry flat bushland. It borders Mozambique and South Africa but few people know of its abundant wildlife and fertile countryside.

Eswatini is a safe and friendly country to visit with nature and game reserves and the money from tourism is ploughed back into their local economy and conservation schemes.

Jenny had some wonderful slides of the birds, animals and cultural life of the people. We particularly enjoyed her imitations of bird calls and animal noises.

October 13 will be our 66th birthday meeting, where we will celebrate with cake, punch and Zumba.

It will be held at St Michael's School, Linden Close, at 7.30pm and we welcome new members and guests.

Margaret Grazebrook

Frampton Cotterell WI

MEMBERS of Frampton Cotterell WI recently enjoyed a tour of the Organic Blooms flower farm, near Iron Acton.

After a tour of the gardens and polytunnels, containing a vast array of beautiful flowers, herbs and other plants, we were treated to a demonstration in creating a hand-tied flower bouquet, whilst sipping tea and eating a rather excellent slice of lemon drizzle!

All in all, an experience to be highly recommended.

Our next official members' meeting was a talk at St Peters Hall, when local aerial photographer Steve Slade came to talk to us and show examples of his work.

Other confirmed events for the coming year include a craft evening, with demo, on October 25, our AGM and quiz on November 28 and our WI’s 70th birthday party on November 29, when we'll be celebrating in style!

We have other events and socials lined up, including visits to the theatre and other local group trips.

Special interest groups that meet separately including a book club, craft group, gardening group and our skittles and darts teams.

Watch this space and our Facebook page for confirmation of future event dates and more details.

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

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

If you’re interested in joining us please get in touch via our Facebook page.

Coalpit Heath WI

ST Mungo’s is the largest provider for the homeless in the South West and this month we heard a very informative talk about their work from Alex, who explained about their three main areas of provision.

There are emergency outreach teams that go out every night to help those people who are sleeping rough. They also provide 256 spaces every night in accommodation and, in addition, have a recovery college to help provide links to employment by providing courses in literacy, construction and digital skills.

In 2021 over 2,463 people were helped across all services, while 1,515 people were supported by outreach teams in the South West.

Alex also let us know about the Streetlink app, which members of the public can use to alert an outreach service about any person they are concerned about who has been seen sleeping rough.

To show our support for this valuable work, members brought along donations of items requested by the charity.

Further donations also came in for the local foodbank. These are being taken in to their branch in Yate by one of our members who volunteers there.

Our next events are a visit from Robbie Hedges of Junior Bake Off on October 5, our AGM on November 2, Christmas crafts on December 7 and a carol service on December 14.

Search @WICoalpitHeath on Facebook for further information and updates.

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

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

Caroline Johnston

Floral Friends of Frampton

OUR volunteers have continued to water and deadhead the hanging baskets and planters around the village, maintaining the colourful displays.

Thanks are due, especially, to Steve Drew from the parish council, who tops up the reservoirs in the planters and hanging baskets for us.

Our Autumn Fayre will be held at the Brockeridge Centre on October 29, from 10am-noon.

Coffee, tea, and cakes will be available together with stalls selling gifts (never too early for Christmas shopping!), plants, spring bulbs and a raffle.

The prize-giving for the scarecrow trail run by the parish council will be held at 11am.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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

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

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

Speaker Jenny Bowen with president Carol Shield

WI members on the visit to Organic Blooms

Ethan's £5,000 fundraiser

JUNIOR golfer Ethan Holway is well on his way to raising a £10,000 target for two charities.

Ethan, from Frampton Cotterell, is Junior Club Captain at the Kendleshire.

During his captaincy year, which lasts until next April, he is aiming to raise a total of £10,000 for the Kendleshire Kids Foundation and National Autistic Society South Glos Branch - Ethan's two younger brothers, Oakley and Luca, have the condition.

Ethan has now raised £7,500 towards that target, largely thanks to a charity day at the end of August when a full field of 64 players raised in excess of £5,000 in one day alone.

Ethan's dad Matt said: "This was a staggering success and he would like to thank everyone who played a part in the day.

"A big thank you goes to all the local businesses and firms within Frampton, Coalpit Heath, Winterbourne and other surrounding areas who supported

the auction and raffle with donations and prizes.

"It was truly amazing to see the generosity offered from the local community which made it the success that it was.

"Thank you to Bristol Lamborghini and the ETS Group for attending on the Day to display their show car and to tether the

ETS hot air balloon which were two of the main auction prizes up for grabs."

Other events planned include an all-sports golf battle, three club challenge and speed golf.

He also has a donation page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ ethan-holway

Winterbourne Down WI

LIKE most WIs we didn’t have a meeting in August, but we did have an American lunch in the beautiful garden of one of our members.

The weather was perfect, the members brought along some delicious food and the Pimms was chilled.

At our September meeting Clive Brain from M-shed gave us an excellent illustrated and entertaining talk about the Pyronaut and its two sister boats that have been restored and are used to take people on trips around the Bristol docks.

The Pyronaut is a fire boat built in 1934 and ten years ago, after an eventful journey by road, it took part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee regatta on the Thames.

Our meeting on October 6, at 7.30pm in All Saints Hall, Winterbourne Down, will be a celebration of our WI’s 100th birthday.

Later that month we are having a celebratory meal at the White Horse at Hambrook.

Margaret Aspbury

Ethan Holway at the fundraising day

SPORT

Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club season review

FRAMPTON Cotterell Cricket Club (aka The Fram) had a successful return to its main square this season, following extensive drainage works at The Parks.

This season we have been able to get back to running three adult teams and have successfully expanded junior cricket numbers including the younger age groups in All Stars and Dynamos formats.

Based purely on results, this has not been the most successful season we have achieved. However, members of the Fram have embraced the return to the club of social life, with wine and cheese night, race night and BBQ’s all well-attended.

Youth team end of season celebrations included competition with parents, with mothers and fathers equally represented.

A particular mention needs to be made regarding the catering at All Stars and Dynamos on Sundays, which has been widely

Alex Horne hitting a 6 in a 2nd XI four-wicket win over Whitchurch

appreciated and consumed.

FCCC have achieved “Club Mark” status, a quality assurance scheme run by the England and Wales Cricket Board and administered locally by the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation, who have been

supportive in our application processes.

We now look forward to next season, with winter nets for adults and juniors starting in January 2023.

For more details see our website at framptoncotterell.

play-cricket.com/home.

New players of all ages - men, women, girls or boys - are all welcome to join us next season, as we prepare for our centenary celebrations in 2024.

It could be an exciting time to join The Fram. Ryan Cater