Frome Valley Voice April 2014 by Fromevalleyvoice

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fromevalleyvoice April 2014, Issue 10

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Let’s do it for Jo

Letters, Page 20 | What’s on, Page 16

Bridge Closes Long diversions as Church Road bridge shuts for two weeks

Page 4

Gospel Hall protest

Frome Valley Voice is asking local runners in the Bristol Half Marathon to help raise money for double amputee Jo Blinman. Paul’s Place charity in Coalpit Heath is fighting to overturn a ban on Jo and her team from participating in the race. Organisers have told her she can’t take part because she won’t finish in time. The Voice is asking runners to help raise the £30,000 needed to provide state of the art prosthetic legs. More: Page 2

Local residents object to plans for former Rentokil site

Page 5

Pub investment promise Badminton Arms is in line for six figure facelift - if plans for convenience store are approved

Page 7

Community cash at risk in solar farm delay Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is to miss some of it’s cash windfall from a solar panel development. Both Frampton and Westerleigh Parish councils were promised a community support fund from solar panel developments. Says Court Farm in Coalpit

Heath is one of two solar farms being built in the Frome Valley. The other is at Grange Farm, off Trench Lane. Both developments agreed to give the local community £1000 per megawatt generated. That equated to £18,000 a year for Frampton Parish Council, and a similar amount for Westerleigh.

However, both agreements hinged on work being completed by April, before government subsidies were reduced. Whilst Says Farm looked to have been completed, Grange Farm hasn’t, meaning Frampton Parish Council will loose more than 10 percent of its windfall. More: Page 3

House prices rise Quarterly report says supply not increasing in Frome Valley

Page 9

Basket Case WIA kids excel in basketball cup

Page 39

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

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Richard Drew

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May deadline

Our May edition will be going to print on Monday May 5th. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by Thursday May 1st. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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 Direct 0845 46 47 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Frome Valley Voice Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Frome Valley Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Richard On 01454 800 120 or richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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Race on to help Jo Jo Blinman is a strong woman. She’s had to be. A house fire killed two of her daughters and left her with bad burns. The pain in her legs was such that she asked doctors to amputate them. She says that has made her life a lot more bearable, but there is one down side. The prosthetic legs she has been given just aren’t up to the job. Sitting on the verandah of Coalpit Heath Cricket Club, where Paul’s Place is based she tells me about her current legs; “they are a bit big and they are a bit basic. I’ve been known to get up out of a chair, sit up and go smack onto the floor because I have to click something into place on my leg. I can never wear anything nice because the metal ruins them”. There is another reason why Jo is desperate to upgrade her prosthetic legs: “I love dancing. I’ve got my own chair at home with the lights on, but I want to dance. I used to bop in my younger days, so why can’t I bop again?” Cost is the main reason. Paul’s Place want to raise £30,000 to realise Jo’s dream. There is a range of state of the art legs now, but they are out of the reach of most budget. Paul’s Place also wants to make sure there is good physio support for Jo. As Frome Valley Voice went to press, Jo was still engaged in a battle with Bristol City Council over participating in the half marathon. She remains determined she will be there in September: “We will be doing it, whatever the consequences. I’m the sort of person that jumped out of an aeroplane two years ago. If someone says no to me, I’m afraid I don’t like no! It’s a challenge, and I’ll take it on”. Frome Valley Voice would like to add its weight behind the fundraising effort for Jo. We are hoping that local runners in the half marathon might raise money for the cause if they are not already committed to another charity. If you would like to help, contact Kath Aldom of Paul’s Place on 01454 777236 by email: A6 Leaflet-Mar13:Layout 1 12/4/13or17:01 Page 1 info@paulsplace.org.uk

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Solar panel farm nearing generation WORK has been taking place to get a massive solar farm in Coalpit Heath up and running in time to meet a target date that will earn the most for a community support fund. But a second scheme on land off Trench Lane hasn’t progressed enough to be able to get anything connected before the deadline of April 1, which will result in over £2,000 less going into the community fund for Frampton each year. The first project is at Says Court Farm, Coalpit Heath, where long lines of solar panels will produce low carbon energy for thousands of homes. More than 100 workers have been employed on the site recently to get the panels in place and linked to the National Grid. A trust fund set up as part of an agreement with Westerleigh Parish Council will receive payments for every megawatt produced by the solar farm. But a higher contribution rate of £1000 per megawatt will only apply for power that started to be generated by the start of April.

Electricity produced after that date will attract a lower rate of £875. The deadline in order to achieve the highest tariff has just been met at Says Court Farm. Even if only part of the site is ready in time, it is understood that proportion of the operation will attract the full benefit. The community fund will be in use for the 25-year life of the panels, with contributions paid to the parish council. The

council will then decide how best to spend the money to benefit residents, make ecological improvements or support energy efficiency measures. The fund will also support Avon Wildlife Trust to create two wildlife habitats next to the solar farm, one of which will be accessible by public footpath. Solar panel installer SunEdison will operate the 100acre site – part of the 330-acre Says Court Farm that is the

home of the Bennett family. Andrew Bennett, who is in business with his two sons, said; “There have been more than 100 workers here going flat out to get it finished.” Meanwhile, plans to put thousands of solar panels on land at Grange Farm, near the West Country Water Park, are not so advanced and have missed the deadline. Although planning permission has been given, work related to conditions linked to the consent is still being carried out. Solar Power South is developing the site, where up to 95,000 panels could be installed. Agent Peter Grubb said: “The panels will produce enough energy for 3,750 homes, saving 7,660 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.” It was hoped to have the site generating by early summer, probably in June. Although a lower rate would go into the fund for Frampton Cotterell parish, it should still earn over £15,000 per year for the community.

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THE first of two closures of Church Road in Frampton Cotterell was due to come into force as Frome Valley Voice went to press. In total, the road will be closed for nine weeks while a £250,000 project to rebuild a crumbling bridge is completed. Phase one involves a threeweek closure from April 7, with the second part of the scheme due to shut the route for six weeks in the summer. The work is necessary because the bridge, which crosses the River Frome and is near St Peter’s Church, is in such a poor condition.

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Drivers face long diversion during Church Road closure But there will be problems for drivers as traffic will be unable to get from one side of the road to the other while each phase is carried out, leading to long diversions through Yate and Iron Acton. Only pedestrians and cyclists are being provided with a route to get through the work site. The current phase involves preliminary work to the existing bridge, after which the road will

be re-opened. Barriers will then return from July 28 so the bridge can be demolished and a replacement built. South Gloucestershire Council said: “The work has been scheduled to take place during the school summer holidays to minimise disruption to school bus services.” Warning notices are in place to advise drivers of the closures.

Increasing levels of traffic have contributed to the state of the bridge, despite a 13-tonne weight limit banning heavy vehicles from using it. Residents in the area have been told that work will only be carried out between 7.30am and 6pm, with efforts made to keep noise to a minimum. Dust from the demolition will be managed with the use of water.

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OBJECTIONS have been raised by residents over plans to put a gospel hall and three family homes on the site of the former Rentokil depot in Frampton Cotterell. The scheme drawn up by Freshwater Design and Build includes a meeting hall for the Greenfield Gospel Hall Trust, as well as the housing. South Gloucestershire planners are expected to recommend giving consent for the proposal but so far 26 letters of objection have been sent to the council. They raise a number of complaints and concerns over issues such as parking, noise and problems with access into Court Road, where the depot operated until Rentokil relocated. Those objecting said extra traffic would affect road safety, cause congestion and lead to onstreet parking. Some claimed the scale of the hall was overbearing and said neighbouring properties would be devalued as a result of the development. There have even been calls to use the site instead for elderly people’s accommodation.

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Gospel hall and homes plan opposed by residents The council has also received three letters of support for the plan and four from people who neither object nor support the scheme but have asked some questions about the development. Freshwater said the Greenfield Gospel Hall Trust had a strong congregation in the district and if the scheme was approved, the hall would be used by about 40 people on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings. Up to 125 people would use the hall weekly on a Thursday and Friday night, while a congregation of up to 270 would meet once a month. As many families would be expected to travel together, a total of 30 parking spaces have been proposed, with those living locally encouraged to walk or cycle to meetings. Since the original plan was submitted, a revised scheme has been received by the council, changing the position of the hall to reduce the impact on

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neighbouring properties. Air conditioning units have also been moved further away from existing homes. Planning officer Jonathan Ryan said: “The site has operated as a pest control business with a depot and ancillary offices for a number of years. The site has also been used for general industry historically. “The previous business employed approximately 30 staff members and normally functioned during the hours of 8am and 6pm. “However, there are no conditions on the original consent restricting the number of employees or the hours of operation. Accordingly, the site could lawfully operate as a relatively intensive business, which would very likely impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers.” Mr Ryan said the current application gave the council the chance to look at an alternative use which was more compatible

with neighbouring houses and to restrict and control the use. But resident Nigel Webb questioned where all the extra cars would be parked, especially for the larger meetings. He said when the surgery opposite the site was open, drivers who couldn’t park in the car park would leave their vehicles on the road, causing disruption. He also said: “On Sunday mornings, the local rugby club hosts all its junior matches, as do the football teams. School road becomes nearlky impossible to get through for up to four hours with all the cars parked along the roadside. They also park on court Road, which compounds the problem.” The deadline for comments about the application has just been passed and South Gloucestershire planners will now consider them before making a decision.

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Housing association shows off Iron Acton redevelopment plans

Residents in Iron Acton will have the chance to see Merlin Housing Society's plans to redevelop 16 properties in the village at an event next month. Merlin is planning to redevelop 16 non-traditional properties in Algars Drive and Chilwood Close and replace them with 23 modern, energy efficient homes. The housing association has already held two events for residents who are currently living in the properties and their neighbours and is now preparing to show the plans to the wider community. The drop-in session takes place from 4.30pm - 6.30pm on Thursday 10 April in the village hall. Visitors will be able to view the plans and chat with Merlin staff and architects from Quattro Design Architects about the proposed redevelopment. Project manager Sally Gilbert said: "This is a chance for anyone who's interested in our plans to come along, have a look at them

16 houses in Algars Drive and Chilwood Close will be redeveloped and have their say. We're looking forward to hearing what people think and we'll take everyone's comments into consideration before we draw up the final plans."

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Merlin is aiming to demolish the existing properties in spring 2015, before starting building work in 2015. The plans for Iron Acton are part of Merlin's multi-million pound programme to redevelop around 450 nontraditional properties in South

Gloucestershire. The housing association is already well advanced with plans to redevelop houses in Coalpit Heath. Planning applications are expected to be submitted soon for work in Newlands Avenue and Oldlands Avenue.

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Pub facelift promised if store development goes through The Badminton Arms in Coalpit Heath will get a six figure facelift, if plans for a convenience store in its car park get the green light from planners. As revealed in the Frome Valley Voice last year, Wadworth the pub owners have agreed to sell part of the car park to developers. A Sainsbury’s Local convenience store is planned for the site and South Gloucestershire Council will decide on the development on April 10th. After a review, Wadworth has decided to re-invest money from the deal into the pub on Badminton Road. The six figure revamp will cover improvements to the interior, exterior and areas like the carvery to bring it up to the standards of other pubs in the group. Rupert Bagnall from Wadworth said: “We are looking to invest a considerable amount of cash into the pub to transform it”. The development has been criticised by nearby shops who claim the Sainsbury’s store could put them out of business.

Junior singers go weekly

The Rangeworthy based singing group Fascinating Rhythm is giving girls the chance to join a new weekly group. Junior FR has decided to operate every Friday from 3.45 - 5.15pm in Iron Acton. The groups says here are many exciting things in the pipeline for Junior FR. They will be recording a song on Fascinating Rhythms CD and attending a workshop in September. The news comes as Junior FR competed in their second Eisteddfod competition in March at St.Mary's church, Thornbury. They entered the U14 section and came 2nd, gaining 85 marks. They sang one song, accapella style using the basic tune of "Twinkle twinkle little star" but in 3 part harmony. The words were written by Junior FR helper "Kitty Davies" and the song was called "Who's the best". The second song was accompanied by the piano and was "Rule the world" by Take That. New members (girls aged 5 years and upwards) are always very welcome. Please contact the MD, Wendy Howse: wendyhowse@ hotmail.com for more information.

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THE fight will go on to make sure Frenchay gets the community hospital it needs and deserves. That's the pledge to the people of the Downend area from campaigners after an independent panel ruled out a full review of proposals to reduce the promised provision. The Save Frenchay Hospital Group said the panel had been clear in its advice to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt that further work was needed on proposals for healthcare provision in north Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Barbara Harris, from the group, said the panel's report had vindicated members' ten years of efforts to “shine a light into the shady world of NHS management”. The report commented: “That residents of the area should feel exasperated by the years of delay, changes to the NHS organisation, pauses in developments and amendments to plans is entirely understandable. The overall process to date has shown a marked lack of empathy for patients and the public, who have a right to expect better.” The independent reconfiguration panel (IRP)

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‘We’ll battle on’ vow on Frenchay Hospital

called on South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to work with North Bristol NHS Trust and South Gloucestershire Council and seek advice from experts to address concerns about provision of diagnostic and outpatient services and the number of rehabilitation beds needed for the growing population before taking a final decision about the community hospital. MPs Chris Skidmore and Jack Lopresti raised the report in the Commons last week, saying local people had been denied a fair say over their healthcare ever since the original decision to concentrate acute health services at a new hospital at Southmead, which opens next month. A 68-bed community hospital was planned for Frenchay but the CCG wants to drop the plans in favour of bringing in an external provider to run a “health and social care centre”, which could

provide rehab beds paid for by the NHS, on the site. Mrs Harris, who lives in Downend, said that twice over the last ten years the 68-bed hospital plan was fully approved by all involved. “The Save Frenchay Hospital Group always suspected that we were being duped as no money was available for this. Now we are certain we have been,” she said. The CCG welcomed the panel's decision and said it could now get on with planning rehabilitation services including community rehab beds on the Frenchay site, as well as

providing more outpatient services and diagnostic test services at Cossham and Yate. Rehab beds, for people who no longer need acute hospital care but still need nursing, will be provided at Elgar House in Southmead from May until any provision at Frenchay is completed, which the CCG hopes will be by 2017. Further consultation will take place over the proposals. CCG chairman Dr Jonathan Hayes said: “We’re very pleased to be given the go-ahead to proceed with our plans for improving local health services for people in South Gloucestershire. As local GPs talking to patients every week in our surgeries, we also recognise that we need to strengthen our approach to engaging local people, patient and carers so that they can have confidence in decisions about how local health services are provided.”

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Fundraisers celebrate efforts for Medical Centre

House prices up as supply stays the same House prices in the Frome Valley have risen by 4% in the first quarter of 2104 according to new figures released by AJ Homes. The company has analysed data for the BS36 area and says the housing market is continuing to recover. Compared to the same time last year the number of buyers registering has risen by 47%. However the number of properties coming onto the market has stayed the same. The Managing Director of AJ Homes, Andrew Maunder told the Voice; “We are of the opinion that part of the price increases are a re-balancing of the drop since 2007 and we are optimistically cautious that the prices will continue to rise steadily over the long term rather than seeing a return of hyper inflated prices that are unsustainable”.

The Friends of Frome Valley Medical Centre are celebrating their work with cake and coffee this month. The organisation is inviting people to come along to find out more about their fundraising group and how they can get involved. The event is on Thursday 10th April at 7.00 pm at the surgery. The group will be reflecting on a successful 2013. It reached its target and was able to fund an additional chair for the phlebotomy treatment room, plus a new ECG Machine and associated software (to transfer ECG results electronically to all GP’s computers). The committee have agreed an ambitious calendar of events for this year, with an aim to commit to £7,500 for equipment in 2014. The wish list includes: · Home blood pressure monitors to be loaned to patients · Higher chairs for the waiting room for those with hip/mobility problems · Tablets(hand held computers for GP’s to use on home visits so that GP’s can access entirety of patients records during home visits) The Friends are hoping to get the ball rolling with these events: MONDAY 5TH MAY WINTERBOURNE DOWN FESTIVAL 10AM TO 3.30PM BOOK SALE – please let us have any unwanted paperbacks and CD’s – either bring them along on the day or call Mary on 01454 775003 to arrange collection ‘200’ CLUB LOTTERY Be in it to win it! One year subscription £12 Monthly Draws All profits for the Lottery are spent on specialist equipment for the benefit of patients of Frome Valley Medical Centre Contact Mike on 01454 775568 or Geoff on 01454 886869 for further details

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Coalpit Heath mum named Business Mother of the Year 2014 A COALPIT Heath mum of twins has been named Business Mother of the Year at a prestigious award ceremony. Jackie Novels, 37, who runs Meals for Squeals baby food cookery school in Badminton Road, was voted for by more than 800 people to win the title. She attended an awards ceremony at the Marriott hotel in Bristol last night to receive her award from Paulina Gillespie, presenter on Heart FM radio, the sponsors of the award. The award was one of the Natwest Venus Awards, which celebrate successful women in business.

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Jackie, who grew up locally in Frampton Cotterell, said: “I was stunned when they called out my name as the winner. “It’s less than a year since I set up my business, so to win such an accolade in my first year of trading is amazing. “It’s a particularly relevant award to me because all the people I teach are mums or dads themselves – I can understand what they’re going through as I’ve got one-year-old twins myself!” Meals for Squeals runs a range of three-hour courses teaching parents to make homemade baby and toddler food.

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April, 2014

Jackie Novels (centre) receives her award

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ROADSIDE verges in Winterbourne will be cut more often as part of a move to give parish and town councils more say in the provision of streetcare services. Winterbourne Parish Council plans to have its mowers out on ten occasions during the year to keep the grass trim – supplementing the twiceyearly cut carried out by South Gloucestershire Council. It has also taken over responsibility for maintaining six shrub beds and will contract South Gloucestershire to maintain some of its dog waste bins. National guidance now allows dog waste to be placed in any litter bin or domestic black bin but some parishes, including Winterbourne, have opted to keep a number of its dog bins after consulting with residents. Tim Bowles, Winterbourne’s chairman, said: “We have a wide and varied range of streetcare management requirements. “We felt that by embracing the principles of localism, we could provide an enhanced level of service that is tailored to meet the specific needs of our community. “We already manage some

April, 2014

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Mowers at the ready for more grass cutting very popular open spaces throughout the parish and will be using this experience to provide a programme designed to meet the specific needs of each area. “This will see the parish council providing additional grass cutting and maintenance services and give us the ability to be even more responsive to the needs of our parishioners.” The parish has been given its new responsibilities as part of arrangements that have just come into force. Under the streetcare localism scheme, responsibility for some services can be devolved to communities, parishes and individuals where it is possible, giving better value for money. Claire Young, chairwoman of South Gloucestershire’s communities committee, said: “This scheme builds on the good practices and working relationships that already exist. “I’m delighted by the positive response we have had from Independent Co-educational All age

parish and town councils. Many have, in consultation with their residents, tailored their street care services to local needs and priorities. “Localism is very much about moving away from a ‘one size fits all’ model to a more flexible, locally responsive approach, so it’s great to see the range of enhanced services being introduced across the district.” Meanwhile, householders in the Frome Valley now have to pay £36 a year to continue to have garden waste emptied from their green wheelie bins every fortnight. There is also an option to use the service occasionally, with clippings and cuttings going into waste sacks that cost £2 each, are on sale in libraries and have to be booked in for collection. Residents can also compost garden and uncooked kitchen waste at home or take material to the district’s Sort It! recycling centres.

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Winterbourne Parish Council chairman Tim Bowles with Claire Young, chairwoman of South Gloucestershire Council’s communities committee, at shrub beds in Crossman Avenue, Winterbourne.

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April, 2014

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Everybody needs good neighbours A GOOD neighbours scheme in Frampton Cotterell has grown beyond expectations in just one year. When it was launched, it was hoped to get between 25 and 30 volunteers involved in the first 12 months. But there are already 38 registered and another two are set to join them. The group has also received and met 39 requests for help – 22 from people asking for regular visits and 17 requiring one-off help or advice. Now it is hoped the service will continue to grow, with more volunteers always welcome. Andrew Edgington, organiser of the Frampton Cotterell Village Action Good Neighbours Scheme, said: “We are getting very positive feedback from the people who use the service. “We want it to continue to thrive and are looking for more volunteers all the time. If anyone can spare a few hours on a regular basis, we would like them to get in touch. “We need kind and friendly folk who will enjoy spending an hour or two every week or fortnight with people of all ages who may be isolated or lonely. “We also need people who would be prepared to do occasional tasks such as changing a light bulb, collecting a prescription or giving a garden a bit of a tidy up.

Good neighbour: Andrew Edgington “We can’t offer help with duties carried out by professional care or health agencies and we wouldn’t normally do things for which there are plentiful local suppliers, such as regular gardening or regular taxi work. “But we know there are many people who could use a little bit of help or who would

enjoy a friendly chat on a regular basis.” Anyone who wants more information about the scheme, is interested in becoming a volunteer or would like some help for themselves, a friend or relative should contact Mr Edgington on 07432 888586 or visit the Village Action website.

APRIL OFFER

Ladies: our new “Koffee Bar” will officially launch in early April. We are a golf club, but we are open to all so come and enjoy.

GOLF MONTH

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May is National Golf Month.

The first 50 Loyalty Card Members will enjoy a free cake with their coffee through April.

Come and have a go at this fun game. Please visit our website for all of the activities we will be hosting! Kendleshire.com

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SUNDAY LUNCH

Every Sunday, bookings advised. One course for £11.95, two courses for £14.95, three courses for £17.95

KENDLESHIRE CLUB CLASSICS PARTY NIGHT.

Saturday 5th April & Saturday 10th May. £12 per person including light finger buffet. Tickets available now.

For more information on any of the above, to reserve tickets or tables, please call 0117 956 7007

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120 or 07815 201991

Email: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

T: 01454 800 120

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Facing up to the future

Steve Webb MP

writes for Frome Valley Voice

As well as representing much of the Frome Valley Voice area in Parliament, since 2010 I have had an additional role as Minister of State for Pensions. I normally write in these columns about local issues that I am pursuing as an MP, but I thought it might be of interest to bring you up to date with the work I have been doing on your behalf in my ministerial role. As you will have gathered if you have opened a newspaper since the Budget, a lot has been changing in the world of pensions, and I have been in the thick of it! Many of the changes are about the future pensions of those who will retire in the future. But it was vitally important to do more for those who have already retired. That was why one of the first laws on which I signed my name was to restore the ‘earnings link’ with the state pension, broken back in 1980. In fact

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we now go one further, with the basic state pension rising each year in line with the highest of the growth in earnings, prices or a minimum of 2.5% - the socalled ‘triple lock’. In addition, I have devised a scheme that will allow those who have already retired to pay voluntary National Insurance Contributions to top up their state pension – something that isn’t currently allowed. This scheme comes in from October 2015. With regard to today’s working age population, the first priority was to simplify the state pension system. At present, few people of working age have much clue how much state pension they will get from a combination of basic pension, earnings-related pension etc., which makes retirement planning difficult. So instead from 2016 there will be a simple new state pension where people who have put 35 years into the system will get a flat rate amount on top of which they can build their own pension savings. On top of this we have introduced a system of

April, 2014

‘automatic enrolment’ into workplace pensions where firms have a legal duty to choose a pension scheme for their workers and to make a contribution into it. Workers are free to opt out but so far they are overwhelmingly choosing to stay in the scheme, and millions more are now saving for a pension as a result. Finally, the Budget introduced new freedoms so that people who build up a pot of money for their retirement can take as much of it as they want in cash – subject only to income tax – instead of being forced to lock it up for life in the form of annuity. This change has been widely welcomed and should give people new options as to how they want to handle their finances in retirement. Pensions are often not a glamorous topic and can be fiendishly complex. But I hope that this set of changes will make life better both for today’s retired population and tomorrow’s.

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April, 2014

R EC ET H!

SHH

IM ME

Weight Loss to Date:

1st 13 pounds I almost did it, but not quite. My two stone shiny sticker didn’t make it in time for my birthday, but I am pretty sure it is waiting for me this week. I can’t say that I am surprised, March seems to be a popular time for birthdays, making it a very popular time for cake. It seemed that every other day a piece of icing covered, delicious sponge

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was being wafted under my nose. I managed to decline more than I sampled, but I still know that I sampled far too many. In fact on my actual birthday I had three pieces, from three different people because my refusal was starting to offend. Hence why reaching my two stone target has taken a little longer than I had hoped. In terms of presents, this year I didn’t get the shiny sticker, but I did get something just as good. It was a dress. As I removed it from the bag I was a little shocked, my husband had bravely bought a size smaller than I am used to wearing. This made me smile, until he insisted I try it on. No matter what your size, trying on clothes can be an emotional roller coaster. We have all tried on an item of clothing in

‘our size’ only to find that there is no way the zip is going to meet. A friend of mine even confessed to sending an emergency text from the changing room demanding someone to come and remove her from an item of clothing before she needed medical attention. Trying on a dress smaller than my usual size was nerve racking. Trying on a dress, that is a present, in my smaller than usual size sent me into a bit of a sweat. Mentally I was preparing myself for the speech explaining that the dress would need to be returned. However I was pleasantly surprised. Very pleasantly surprised in fact. With only a sharp in take of breath (as the zip whizzed past the ‘problem zone’) I was able to do up the zip and even more surprisingly move around.

In fact I would say I twirled out of the bathroom with a huge grin on my face proclaiming that it fits. In a few weeks I may even be able to do it up without having to breathe in. It is always useful to have goals to aim for. So now I am the proud owner of a dress in one size smaller than I usually wear. The joy of this event sent me on a shopping trip and now I own a few more items of clothing in my smaller than usual size. So, on reflection, I don’t really mind that I didn’t receive my shiny sticker in time for my birthday. Being brave enough to pick up clothes in a smaller size when shopping was a good present for me. Finding out that they actually fit felt pretty amazing too.

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AT’S

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Send details of your events or activities to richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk or call us on 01454 800120 We will make sure thousands of people in the area get to hear about it

April

April 2

Antiques Evening with Philip Taubenheim, Winterbourne Community Centre. Tickets £5 incl. light refreshments. Bar available. To book ring 773370.

April 3, 4, 5

“Magic of Musicals” show at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End, 7.30pm. Tickets £8 from 0117 975 6441 www.WinterbourneMusical.co.uk

April 4

Lent Lunches in aid of CAFOD, Zion Church 12.00 - 1.30pm

April 5

Easter Fayre, St Saviours Hall 2pm.

April 6

Crank-Up Day, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, 11am - 4pm. Fun for all the family. Vintage stationery engines, motorbikes & vehicles, rural skills, local crafts, animals, childrens’ activities, farmers’ market, food & drink. www.winterbournebarn.org.uk

April 9

Carer’s Club, 2-4pm Zion. Carers welcome to stay with the person they care for or use the free time as they wish. More details from Jean 775786 or Rona 886925.

April, 2014

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Have you got an event you would like to publicise? Do you run a club or society in the Frome Valley area?

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April 11

Lent Lunches in aid of Leprosy Mission, Zion Hall 12.00 1.30pm

April 16

Frampton Cotterell & District Local History Society Zion Hall, Woodend Road, 7.30pm. Annual Membership 10, Guest for evening £3. Tel. 775265

April 30

Litter Picking 10am – 12:00, start Truly Scrumptious cafe.

May 3

Charity Race Night in aid of the Great Western Air Ambulance, Saturday May 3 at Coalpit Heath Village Hall. Tickets £2 adults, £1 children.

Regular events Monday

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

Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. Memory Cafe, run by the Alzheimer’s Society. The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 2pm - 4pm 1st Monday of month. Scrabble, The Community Centre, Winterbourne, 2- 4.30pm Manor Hall Gardening & Social Club The Manor Hall 2.-3.30pm. First Monday of the month, (except for Bank Holidays on the second Monday). 1st Winterbourne Down and Buryside Beavers Scouts 5pm until 6:30pm at the Scout hut on Green Dragon Road, Winterborne. 1st Winterbourne Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Meet Monday evenings in St. Michael’s Room. winterbournesmgsl@ cotswoldedgescouts.org.uk 01454 775024 North Road Ladies, Iron Action Parish Hall, 7.30, every first Monday. Women’s Fellowship Zion Church Hall 2.30p.m.- 3.45 (from the middle of September) Programme of speakers, choirs etc., followed by a cup of tea. 50p per week. For more details

ring Pat Lax 886830 Iron Acton WI Iron Acton Parish Hall, 7.30, second Monday of month. Crossbow Singers, Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30. Winterbourn Down Border Morris Morris Dancing, All Saint’s Church Hall, 8.15pm Line dancing with Laughter in Line, Zion Church Hall, Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell. Beginners 7.30pm, Improvers, 8.30pm. Info Sarah 01454 773929 www. laughterinline.org

Tuesday Rhymetime. Winterbourne Library. 9.30 – 10am. Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together. Slimming World 9.30 The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne. Tel Becca 07721 907780 Knit and Natter The Beacon@ Zion United Church. 10am 12noon. Contact Mary Thexton 01454 850704 Yate Visually Impaired Group. Yate Fire Station 2.30 pm every other Tuesday Contact Gay Williams 01454 321749 gab56@ btinternet.com Winterbourne Ladies, The

April at Winterbourne Library Opening Hours Monday: closed Tuesday: 9.30am - 7.00pm Wednesday: 9.30am - 5.00pm Thursday: closed Friday: 9.30am - 7.00pm Saturday: 9.30am - 5.00pm Sunday: closed Easter Opening Hours Please note that the library is open on Thursday 17 April and then closed from Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April incl. Normal opening hours resume from Tuesday 22 April Rhymetime: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers to enjoy together every Tuesday morning 9.30 – 10am Pre School Storytime: Wednesday mornings term time only 9.30 – 10.00am. Our Chatterbooks Group for young people in years 5 and 6 will meet on Saturday 26th April

2.30 – 3.30pm.

We have a variety of activities for children during the Easter holidays!

n EXPLORE LEARNING will be running a literacy workshop, based on the characters from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, on Tuesday 8th April 3.00 – 4.00pm. This is a FREE event but there are limited places so please book with library staff. n An EGGSTRAORDINARY range of craft activities will be on offer at our popular holiday activity Friday 11th April 10.00 – 11.30am. Free drop-in suitable for 3 – 10 year olds. n On Wednesday 16th April, Poco Drom is offering a musical safari from 10.00 – 11.00am. Join in with original

songs, poems and stories about a wide range of animals. Sing, clap, jump around and play the percussion instruments provided. This is a free workshop suitable for primary aged children but there are limited places so please speak to a member of staff to book a place. n The NEW Book Group for Parents will be meeting on Friday 25th 2.00 – 3.00pm For more information about the group please contact Liz Appleby on 07825510079 or speak to a member of library staff n The very friendly Craft Group will be meeting once in April. Join in the crafty fun on Saturday 5th April 10.00 – 12.00 noon. Bring along your own project or come and learn new

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120 0r 07815 201991.

techniques. All ages and abilities welcome! n Back by Popular Demand! Our yearly QU?Z to celebrate World Book Night Wednesday April 23rd 7.30 – 9pm Teams of up to six people with questions on a range of topics £3.00 per person (tickets available from the library) For more information about World Book Night and to find out how you can be a volunteer community book giver visit www.worldbooknight.org For more information about any of the above Tel: 01454 868006 Email: winterbourne.library@ southglos.gov.uk Check out our website www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries or follow us on twitter www. twitter.com@southgloslibs

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April, 2014

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Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 7.30 -10pm, second Tuesday of month. Crossbow Bridge Club, Crossbow House. 7.30pm Slimming World 7.30 Elm Park School, Winterbourne. Tel Becca 07721 907780 Centre Squares (dancing). Winterbourne Comunity Centre 7.45pm Frampton Cotterell WI. Crossbow House, 7.45, fourth Tuesday of month Folk Dancing. Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 8.30 -10.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month. Feel good adult dance exercise class,Tuesday’s 1011.00am at Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. An easy to follow keep fit class to suit all levels of fitness. Normal cost £4.50 your first class half price with this advert. Tel Nina 01179 799796 for more info.

Wednesday Pre School Storytime. Winterbourne Library 9.30 – 10.00am, term time only. Silver Chords Group. Every other Weds, Mason’s View Community Centre Winterbourne. 1.45pm. Entertainment and coach trips. Contact Doreen 01454 776484.

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Winterbourne Police Beat Post. Greenfield Centre 2pm 3pm Slimming World 7.30pm Frampton Cotterell Cof E School. Tel Lisa 07815 759118 Coalpit Heath WI. Church Hall of St Saviours Church, Coalpit Heath. First Wednesday of each month. 7.45pm Winterbourne Community Centre, The Winterbourne Players, 8.00 pm, Community Centre, Watleys End Road. More info, Brian 07792 656689. Beginners Meditation Class on Wednesdays 7pm to 8pm at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne To reserve your place on the next 5 week course, please contact Sarah Presley on 07590 621495/ sarahpresley@live.com

Thursday Probus. The Miners Club, Coalpit Heath. 10am, 2nd & 4th Thursdays of month Manor Day Centre, Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 10 - 2pm Praise and Play. All Saints’ Church Hall Winterbourne Down 10-12 during term times. For pre-school children and their parents/carers. Please contact Mrs Peggy Lavington on 01454 850287 for further details of this friendly day club for older people Stay & Play, 1-3pm (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park

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Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. Tiny Tots. 2.00-3.00pm,St Peter’s Church, St John’s Ambulance. St Saviour’s Hall, Beesmoor Road. 6.15 - 9pm (term time). Steam Engine Club, Miners Club, Coalpit Heath. 7pm, last Thursday of month. Line dancing. Iron Acton Parish Hall, High St, Iron Acton. New beginners, 7.20pm. Improvers, 8.30pm. www.laughterinline.com Winterbourne Musical Theatre. Winterbourne Community Association, 7.30pm. Winterbourne Flower Club. St Michaels Rooms, Winterbourne 7.30pm, 1st (Practice) and 3rd (Demonstration) Thursdays of each month. Further information call 01454 776753 Winterbourne Evening Women’s Institute St. Michael’s Rooms in Winterbourne at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of every month except August Crossbow Camera Club Crossbow House, 8pm, every Thursday (from September). Contact Mike Challenger 07833316081 Bingo British Legion Club Ryecroft Road, Frampton Cotterell. 8.15pm.Free entry

WEBBER

Friday St James The Less Parent and Toddler Group, The Marshall Rooms, Iron Acton. 10.30 12.30 term times. Frome Valley Art Group Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne. 1pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 9.00pm Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30pm – 9.00pm. New members welcomed, no audition, Call Paul Crook 01454 851656. Saturday Brockeridge Quilters, Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne. 10am to 4pm, third Saturday of the month. Bingo Open7/00pm,Bingo 8/00pm Music & Dancing from 8/30pm-11/30pm Every Saturday night.(£4) Sunday Japanese Embroidery Class Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne 9.30am to 4pm, (monthly). Contact: Jo Tripp 01454 850147. Nature Reserves, Winterbourne work party meets 1030am, Church Lane, Winterbourne, 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month. Newleaze reserve (Bristol Road) 10.30am Ist Sunday of month Huckford Quarry 2.30pm 3rd Sunday of month. Contact Frank Smith 01454 778975.

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T: 01454 800 120

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April, 2014

ESTSH IN N MO BFUTS HE

B OF

SINE U E MO

This month we feature Rebecca Bailey-Price of Poppito.com A Christmas Market in Frampton - a Poppito venture

Why (and when) did you set up poppito.com? I set up poppito because I make handmade jewellery and wanted to have my own website; I thought by setting up an online marketplace I could reach a bigger audience as well as create a platform for other craftspeople to sell from. Poppito went live in May 2012.

What is the idea behind the business? The idea is that anyone that makes handmade crafts can open their own online shop and by being part of a bigger group they can reach more people. Something that poppito does that is unique is that we organise markets and run pop-up shops for our sellers so that they can reinforce their shop online with going to markets and viceversa. We also like to introduce our sellers to their local customers through our ‘local to me’ feature.

How has it gone so far? It has been really hard work but rewarding at the same time. I have learnt a lot about ecommerce and marketing but the more I learn the more I realise there is to learn! We have recently changed our site by changing from a credit system to a membership system which has been really nerve-wracking but what the business needed in order to move forward.

It’s an online venture. Is this the way to go for small businesses? I think it’s definitely an option small businesses have to consider but it really depends on the business. I think an online presence is vital for small businesses in terms of social media as this can help you reach more customers.

You’ve also got involved in craft markets. Are they well supported? Craft markets are a great way for people to see your products ‘in the flesh’ and give them an idea of the quality of your work which then gives them the confidence to buy from you online – that is partly why we run markets. Generally the markets are well supported by local people; usually the sellers at these markets are they themselves local people and buying from them benefits the whole community.

You have a venture in Yate this month which has taken a bit of work to get off the ground. Tell us more. During April and May we have been allocated an empty unit in Yate shopping centre to hold a pop-up shop. It has taken us a while (and lots of emails!) to get confirmation of the shop as there was a reluctance of the landlords to have such short term leases but thanks to the Manager at the Shopping Centre we have been allowed to be the first small business to trial this – hopefully this will become something lots of other small businesses can take part in if the units become empty. As well as stocking items from the poppito site we will be hosting various workshops and ‘Crafty Catchups’ in the pop-up shop. We will be having an ‘ask the experts’ session as part of our ‘Craft clinic’ series where craftspeople can have their questions answered by experts from various mediums such as marketing, publicity as well as Government. Having all these experts in one place will be an invaluable opportunity for craftspeople wanting to sell their products.

selecting items to go into the ‘Shop Window’ on our homepage. Also having 2 small boys the flexibility of the job is great and one of the main reasons we wanted to have an online business.

And the worst?! Probably the worst thing is that you don’t really ever feel like you have finished work. I work on some part of poppito every day and usually spend most evenings emailing, promoting us on social media or helping our sellers so it can really take over your life. I think when you have a small start up business this is normal and something you have to do if you want to succeed.

What are you hoping for in 2014? For 2014 I want to grow poppito locally by recruiting more sellers in the South West. We will be organising more markets and hopefully another pop-up shop later in the year – generally we want to keep promoting poppito, meeting lots of talented craftspeople and helping people find quality handmade items locally.

What’s the best bit of your job? I love going through the products and

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120 0r 07815 201991.

Email: sales@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

April, 2014

E: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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Bristol reggae band Black Roots among the headliners at this year’s Harbourside Vegfest Reggae band Black Roots, originally from St Pauls in Bristol, are amongst the headliners at VegfestUK Bristol 2014, alongside Boney M, Rose Royce, Abba Gold, Ruts DC, Zion Train and Peter Hook and the Light (ex Joy Division/New Order) on May 23rd – 25th Now in its twelfth year,VegfestUK is one of the longest running annual festivals in Bristol and regularly attracts 20,000 visitors over three days to the Harbourside for this feast of vegetarian food and great music With a disco theme on Friday, punk on Saturday and reggae on Sunday, this family friendly event remains a firm favourite amongst foodies and music fans alike. Advance tickets are currently on a Buy One Get One Half Price offer until the end of April for the evening performances - Friday May 23rd is Disco with Boney M, Rose Royce and Abba Gold and tickets are £15 in advance (kids under 16 - £3); tickets for Saturday May 24th punk session with Peter Hook and Ruts DC are priced £10 available in advance, and the Sunday reggae session with Black Roots and Zion Train is £5 advance . Daytime admission 11am – 6pm Saturday and Sunday only £3 , kids under 16 free – see website for full details http://bristol.vegfest.co.uk/ticketinformation

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120 or 07815 201991

Email: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

T: 01454 800 120

TER ET

Charity sing update

LTH A A

On Friday 16 May, Frampton Cotterell C of E School choirs will be launching the unique fundraising event a 30 hour hymnathon. Plans are progressing well. To ensure this event is the success it deserves local support is still needed. The event will raise money for two local causes. St Peters Church is raising funds for their organ replacement, and Frampton Cotterell C of E School is upgrading the technology resources for the children to use. The website is being updated regularly with the schedule and programme of events. You can find out when individual community groups are taking part, or when your favourite hymn is scheduled to time your visit. www. sites.google.com/site/ framptonhymnathon Fun activities are taking place during the event such as tower tours, prize raffle, local group information stands,

By Sarah Young of

Spoilt Hair & Beauty

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refreshments, light lunches, BBQ & bar. Another aspect to the event will be themed sessions to include, christening, wedding and even Christmas favourites. The Choirs of Frampton Cotterell C of E School will launch the event at 10.30am. Participants from the school, St. Peters church and community groups will continue the singing through until the grand finale on Saturday 17 May finishing at 4.30pm. As well as attending during the event, and donating to the good causes the local community can still support in numerous ways. If you would be interested in helping out, singing or baking please contact Helen Harding. www. virginmoneygiving.com/ team/framptonhymnathon Local businesses are invited to support the event, please contact us if you are interested in a sponsorship package or wish to donate a special raffle prize. Please come along and support this unique community event. Entrance will be 50p per adult, and includes a programme. For more information please contact Helen Harding: 01454 774771 (please leave name and contact details) Email: hymnathon2014@gmail.com www. virginmoneygiving. com/team/framptonhymnathon Like us on Facebook search for Frampton Hymnathon

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Keep up the good work I do look forward to Frome Valley Voice each month – I thought the March edition was your best yet. There’s lots of interesting local information presented in an informative and attractive way. I read the magazine as a Frampton Cotterell resident and for my job with Well Aware which is the Care Forum’s free online guide to local health, wellbeing and community services, groups and organisations (see Local information on page 2). Keep up the good work! David Harwood

April, 2014

Sport Relief dodges Frampton showers to bring in the cash

Calling all chess Grand (and not so grand) Masters Community leaders are looking to gauge if there’s any support for a chess club in Winterbourne. The potential club would be held at Winterbourne Community Centre either on an afternoon or evening. Margaret Nash is leading the hunt for players and says it doesn’t matter if you are experienced or a novice. If you are interested, contact Margaret on 01454 773370

For Spring . . . . Now certainly spring is here and although it’s not quite time to get our flip flops out, it is time to face the facts that those toes will be coming out soon! so here is our 5 toes 5 steps pedicure . . . . 1. Soak your feet in the bath in a bowl, add essential oils to the water for an at home spa experience 2. Scrub your feet with a foot scrub or salt or sugar based exfoliate 3. Trim and File – clip toe nails straight across, then smooth the edges with a nail file 4. Moisturise 5. Massage – Giving your fee a mini massage will relax your feet and reduce swelling, even better ask some to do this step for you! Then repeat on the other foot! Of course! So what colour for your nails? With so many to choose from here is our top 5 latest colours for Spring 14 1 Sunshine Yellow 2 Hot Pink 3 Bright Orange 4 Sky Blue 5 Mint Green These colours can be worn on fingers and toes. Don’t match; go for colour tones that complement each other or completely clash! Whatever you decide, it has got to be bright for spring/summer 2014! Now let us hope the weather follows suit too! Happy Spring and whatever you do, do BRIGHTS!

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Frampton Athletic say their second Sport Relief Mile event at Beesmoor Road Playing Fields was a great success. The event saw over 150 people run either a 1, 3 or 6 mile course around the Frampton Cotterell and the surrounding villages. With the exception of the very heavy hail storm an hour before the race was due to commence, the sun came out just in time for the start and remained out for the rest of the day! With all ages turning out to run the courses, it was great event that everybody seemed to enjoy. Reserve Team Manager, Brian Cook, and Frampton midfielder, Spencer Davies, put people through their paces with a good warm up, before taking to the course themselves. Event Organiser, Nick Talbot, said, “Despite the numbers being slightly down on the same event in 2012, it’s been a great event and it’s been good to see all the families out there running the courses together and enjoying themselves. Hopefully we have managed to raise some significant funds to add to the £53million that has been raised so far by Sport Relief”. The sponsorship total for the Frampton Athletic FC Mile won’t be known until the Autumn, as all the funds need to be collected, counted and apportioned to the event, but early estimations suggest that the event has surpassed the target of £1,000, which is a great effort by all who took part.

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Fairtrade award for Iron Acton holiday cottage THE owner of an Iron Acton holiday cottage is celebrating after winning a silver award for supporting and promoting fair trade. Denise Smith received the accolade for Commonwealth Cottage in the South West Fairtrade Business Awards scheme. Last year she scooped a bronze award for the cottage in the category for best fair-trade accommodation. Denise said: “I was thrilled. I thought I would get a bronze award again but this has given me inspiration to go for gold next year.” The cottage in Latteridge was one of five South Gloucestershire businesses honoured at the annual award scheme. Ian Boulton, chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, praised those running the businesses, saying they demonstrated how to be successful while also being

ethical. He said: “South Gloucestershire Council is committed to supporting Fairtrade and helping to protect the livelihoods of farmers and

Race to the South Glos Show

workers in the developing world.” Fairtrade coffee producer Margarita Espinoza from Nicuragua was a special guest at the award ceremony.

Petrolheads are being challenged to show their skills at the South Gloucestershire Show this summer. The Bristol Motor Club, one of the oldest clubs in the country, is holding an ‘Au tosolo’ event at the show. It’s challenging members of the public to prove their car control skills around a special track at the Henfield site. At stake is a place on the South Gloucestershire Show leader board and the chance to walk away with a trophy. Their challenge is part of a motor show at the event this year. Graham Searle, of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, is running it and says he’s been delighted with the response: “We are expecting over 250 classic exhibits this year, along with many fantastic new cars being displayed.” The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club will also be running a draw with the chance to win a Jaguar XK Coupe. The South Gloucestershire Show takes place on August 2 and 3.

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Frampton cotterell computer club Courses run Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 11.30am and 2pm - 4pm at the Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell

Come and join our friendly groups To book, just drop in to the centre or call Jill on 01454 864442 We look forward to seeing you!

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Vicar of Coalpit Heath The Chemin Neuf international ecumenical community has been invited to take up residence at Lambeth Palace. There, they will be part of a praying community, praying together three times a day, and also furthering the archbishop’s ecumenical work. Prayer is like the oxygen of religion, without it faith dies, so it is good to see this bold invitation happening, as four members of this international community come to live at Lambeth Palace – a married Anglican couple, a Lutheran training for ministry, and a Polish Roman Catholic consecrated sister. The Church is often seen as an institution, old-fashioned and ossified, and when people think of ‘church’ they tend to think

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of buildings (static), not people (dynamic). Chemin Neuf challenges this way of thinking. It is a relatively new community, founded in Lyon, France in 1973, and growing to a membership of 2,000 in 30 countries today. The community includes couples, families and celibates from a wide range of denominations, with a Roman Catholic foundation. Members can continue in their original denomination. They have chosen the adventure of community life to follow Christ, poor and humble, in order to serve the Church and the world. It is an active community, it has a manifesto and an impetus for unity, and is challenging about commitment: ‘Because Jesus gave up his own life to give us life, in turn, aware of our weaknesses, irrevocably, we commit our lives.’ Archbishop Justin said: ‘There has never been a renewal of the Church in Western Europe without a renewal of prayer and the life of religious communities. If we want to see things changed, it starts with prayer.’ Although religion and institutions might be out of favour in our society, prayer and community life remain attractive, but these should be at the centre of the church, not the periphery. When Jesus left the earth and went up to heaven, he left behind not buildings, or an institution, but disciples, a community of disciples. That’s the building block of the Church. In the pages of the New Testament you can see a strong emphasis

on community life and prayer. Readings often chosen for weddings in church, like the famous 1 Corinthians 13 – ‘love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage’ – were actually written by St Paul to Christian communities, not couples about to get married. May our churches be communities of prayer and care.

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Fire Service rescue Zion Celebrations The fire service have been hailed as heroes at a local church after saving the day in Frampton Cotterell. Zion Church was celebrating the opening of their new Beacon development with a weekend of activities. A baptistry (or big birthing pool) arrived for the church to baptise and confirm six local young people on Sunday evening. Pastor Stephen Newell said: “With all their other celebrations we were struggling to find space and time to fill it up. We called the fire brigade and asked a question and they came up trumps. The children loved them, as did some of the ladies from the congregation!!” The celebration weekend turned out to be a huge success with around 500 people passing through the doors to try a variety of activities and events. Local MP Steve Webb visited to officially open the £500,000 project.

The fire crew arrive at Zion Church. Inset: the baptism pool that needed filling.

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Frome Valley Medical Centre

2 Court Rd, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol BS36 2DE

Phone: 01454 772153 www.fromevalley.nhs.uk NHS Services Include: Management of chronic diseases Early/Late clinics for working people Family planning and “No Worries” Stop Smoking Carers Group NHS Healthchecks Immunisations

Plus a range of private services Travel vaccinations (including Yellow Fever) Medicals for employment and HGV Private Smears Physio Acupuncture Podiatory

Opening Hours: Monday 8am-6.30pm • Tuesday 7.30am-7pm • Wednesday 7.30am7pm • Thursday 8am-6.30pm • Friday 8am-6.30pm The surgery offers a variety of clinics during these times. Phone lines are open from 8am-6.30pm

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fromevalleyvoice T: 01454 800 120 24 April, 2014 Poppito pops up in Yate Shopping Centre www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

A NEW pop-up shop has opened in Yate Shopping Centre selling handmade crafts that feature in the online marketplace Poppito. For about seven weeks, shoppers will be able to see and buy items such as jewellery, lace,

bags and artwork in a unit in North Walk. The pop-up shop has been organised by Rebecca BaileyPrice, of Frampton Cotterell, who runs Poppito to help promote other craft workers and

More rail services planned for Yate station

artists. The items they produce can be bought online but every so often, are brought together in temporary shops such as the one now in Yate, as well as at markets. Rebecca, a mum of two boys, makes jewellery herself

and is keen to get more local craftworkers onto the website. She said: “Six of the people who have an online shop on the website are at the pop-up shop in the former Quest store. “We also have different workshops running, including one by a local florist.”

RAIL users in the Frome Valley can look forward to more frequent services at Yate station. The promise came as long-term plans to improve transport and travel provision in the Bristol North Fringe took a step forward with the publication of an independent study into the area’s railway stations. The report commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council said the MetroWest project – a phased approach to new lines and services in the West of England - would provide half-hourly services to Yate. But consultants who produced the report recommended that Parkway should remain the area’s principal rail interchange to link train, bus, cycle and pedestrian facilities. They said Filton Abbey Wood and Patchway stations would continue to play important roles and there were also a number of possible locations for new stations on a re-opened Henbury line between the former station at Filton North and Henbury itself.

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Coalpit Heath businesswoman quits high street for the internet A Coalpit Heath woman is launching an new online boutique after deciding that the future of shopping lies on the internet. Sue Jones has teamed up with business partner Donna Tucker from Mangotsfield to set up The Daisy Lane Boutique. Previously the pair ran Shop 37 in Staple Hill, but decided that their venture would work better online. Sue says: “It was great having the shop, but business rates and the low level of people passing the premises meant we decided to switch tack.” She says that although the way they sell clothes has changed, the reason behind the venture hasn’t. “Our ethos then was to have high quality and unique pieces that you wouldn’t find on the high street, at affordable prices. Allowing women to wear individual fashion without having to pay designer prices. We have stuck with this ethos for Daisy Lane Boutique. ” The online shop can be found at daisylaneboutique.co.uk

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Appeal launched for historic cider press

Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust has launched an appeal to raise £3600 to buy a historic horse-powered stone cider mill. The mill, which has been on loan to the Barn for a couple of years, is believed to be over 100 years old. Along with a 200 year old wooden cider press housed inside the barn it has proved a very popular exhibit for demonstrating traditional cidermaking at the Barn's Orchard Harvest Days each October. Louise Harrison, from Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust said; “Cider-making was an important activity on farms in this area, and it was customary for farm workers to be given cider as part of their wages. Local varieties of apple, some of which are now very rare, gave each cider its distinctive flavour – very different from most modern mass- produced products”.

Contributions to the Cider Mill Appeal can be made online at www.btplc.com/mydonate just enter Winterbourne Barn in

the purple charity search box on the MyDonate page. Donations can also be made by cheque (made out to Winterbourne

Medieval Barn Trust) sent to Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 2EF

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Adult community health services in the Downend area are changing from this month. They are now run by Sirona care and health. We talk to its chief executive Janet Rowse about what this will mean for local people. Why have these changes come in? South Gloucestershire CCG ran a tendering process with the contract awarded to Sirona in August 2013. Where has Sirona come from? Sirona was formed in October 2011 to provide community health and adult social care services in Bath and North East Somerset. It is funded by the NHS and Bath and North East Somerset Council for social care. It already provides services in South Gloucestershire - the Lifetime service for children with life limiting illnesses and the specialist healthcare services for people with a learning disability. What services will Sirona be running? We will be providing a full range of healthcare services in people’s home and in the community. These will include community nursing and therapy services. In addition, we will also be responsible for the ward at Thornbury Hospital and for a range of specialist clinics such

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All change as Sirona takes on community health services as physiotherapy; continence; dermatology and podiatry. We are often providing care to some of the most vulnerable in the community and we are passionate about ensuring that services are provided to a standard that we would want for ourselves or for our loved ones. Will Sirona be making a profit from this work? Sirona is a social enterprise which means that any surpluses it makes are re-invested in services and staff. We are a community interest company which means we exist to benefit local communities – we do not have shareholders and nobody is paid a dividend. We remain totally publicly funded and see ourselves as providing public service. How many staff are involved? 450 will transfer to Sirona from April 1, 2014 Where will they operate from? A range of clinics and health centres across South Gloucestershire and on

Henderson Ward at Thornbury Hospital. How will the services change? The current staff providing community services will be transferring to Sirona so service users should see no immediate change in the care they are receiving. All the services available up to now will continue but we have plans to enhance them to enable even more people to have high quality care, treatment and support in their own homes. Our aim is to work with people at an early stage to minimise the extent to which their health impacts on their daily lives. We will be putting in place new-style services to support, in particular, our elderly frail population by working closely with our GP colleagues who are at the centre of local healthcare. What are these new style services? We are pioneering a new initiative called Active Ageing, in which a specialist health visitor team will offer all 80-85-year-

olds who are not currently having health or social care a health MOT. If the individual is well and managing then we will return to see them after a year. If someone needs help of whatever sort we will work with them to find the help they need, whether it’s with shopping or finding local groups or managing symptoms of a new condition. How will you ensure high standards are maintained? The way we work in Sirona is by “taking it personally” – I ask all our staff to make a commitment to provide care with compassion and to a standard they would be happy to receive themselves or for their loved ones. We recruit staff who share these values; we undertake extensive and rigorous training and supervision of staff and we listen to what our service users say about the quality of service they experience. We are also regulated by a number of external bodies including the Care Quality Commission and our commissioners undertake periodic inspections of our services and report back to us accordingly.

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Children’s activity centre leader in line for award

THE owner of a children’s activity centre in Frampton Cotterell has been shortlisted for an award. Sue Hammond runs The Creation Station and hopes to secure enough votes to win the title of most outstanding activity leader for the under-fives in an award scheme run by the What’s On 4 Little Ones website. Sue started her centre, which is part of a franchise operation, after taking a break as a complaint handler with banking group HBOS to look after her twin sons, Bailey and McKenzie. She said: “I used to get that Sunday night feeling before the working week. Now I am lucky to enjoy running my part-time business, which fits perfectly around my family and the boys’ schooling. I get to play with paint, sequins, glue and glitter all day.” Winners of a series of awards in different categories will be those finalists who receive the most votes from mums and dads. Sue said: “I am delighted I have reached the final, especially as it is voted for by parents. Our classes develop friendships, confidence and problem-solving skills in young children, as well as providing ideas and activities for parents to help them develop their baby and toddler at home.” Voting is via the What’s On 4 Little Ones website and closes on May 15. An award ceremony will take place in June.

Keep an eye on dog mess

People in Frampton Cotterell are being asked to report dog fouling so the parish council can highlight the worse affected areas. The Dog Fouling Working Group has told the council that a third of homes on average have a dog, which means there are around a thousand dogs in the parish. As reported previously in Frome Valley Voice, the council is fighting a battle to control dog mess left in parks and pavements. It’s hoped that if residents report any increase in dog mess on routes they regularly walk, such as the school run, it will help the council.

Live-saving for Sixth Formers STUDENTS of Ridings’ Federation Sixth Form had the opportunity to learn life-saving skills in a project funded and organised by the Friends of Winterbourne International Academy (WIA). Sixty Basic Life Support places were offered to sixth form students in a drive to increase the chances of survival for those who collapse or become critically unwell. Subjects include assessment of an unconscious casualty, recovery position, CPR, choking and defibrillation.

Sue Hammond of the Creation Station with her son Bailey

Community picnic to celebrate Winterbourne pre-school half century STAFF at a long-established pre-school in Winterbourne have appealed for photographs and stories to help them celebrate a landmark anniversary. The Winterbourne Early Years Centre began life as St Michael’s Pre-school in 1964, when it operated out of St Michael’s Rooms. It moved to its current location in the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, in 1996 and in the past 12 months has expanded its services to offer care and education to two and threeyear-olds, as well as free baby and toddler groups to families with young children in the Winterbourne area. It is now approaching its 50th anniversary with a new name and logo, which incorporates the bears from the former pre-school logo, so it was decided to hold a

teddy bears picnic to celebrate the birthday. Centre administrator Helen Howells said the event would be held at the Greenfield Centre on Saturday, May 17, at 11am, when it was hoped that memories of the pre-school would be revived by those attending. She said: “We would like to be able to show some memorabilia of the pre-school so would be grateful if people could share any photographs they may have and write down or email any stories and experiences that we can display at the picnic.” Former staff and anyone who used to attend the pre-school as children, as well as their parents, have been invited to help mark the significant anniversary – and to take a teddy bear with them. Helen said: “As a voluntary organisation, the development

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and success of the pre-school has been attributed to the committed staff, families and committee members, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to ensure its sustainability and value

within the community.” Anyone with material for the display should email enquire@ stmichaelspreschool.net or phone 01454 773781.

Put your FEET first! Mrs Sara Turner MCFHP MAFHP Foot Health Professional Appointments available in your home during the day, evening or weekend. Ring or email for an appointment. General foot care, diabetic foot care, corns and calluses, verrucae, ingrown toe nails, infections etc.

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Test centre boost for drivers and fleet owners A NEW MoT testing station has been opened at the Broad Lane council depot in Yate, with the facility set to be a major boost for local commercial vehicle operators. The purpose-built station and tachograph centre is an authorised testing facility staffed by the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA). It has two dedicated testing lanes and drive-through facilities, allowing tests to be processed quickly and reducing the time a vehicle is off the road. Lorries weighing up to 44 tonnes, all public service vehicles and cars can be tested, with specialist tests such as those for the carriage of dangerous goods also available. The centre will be especially useful for those running lorries and buses. Until now, commercial vehicle operators had to travel to Bristol, Wiltshire or Gloucestershire to find such a facility. South Gloucestershire Council will also be

able to cut the mileage of its own lorries and buses as a result of having the centre on its premises. Howard Gawler, vice-chairman of the council, said: “This centre will help local businesses improve their productivity by

bringing the vehicle testing facilities right to their doorstep.” The centre currently operates on two days a week. For more information, email StreetCareTransport@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 863920.

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93 Years of caring at Frenchay Hospital

THE story of Frenchay Hospital comes to an end next month with the hospital’s closure. It leaves behind a remarkable story that began in 1921 when Bristol Corporation acquired Frenchay Park, a large country estate in Frenchay, and used the mansion house as a children’s tuberculosis hospital. The only treatment for TB in those days was fresh air, sunshine, and good food - all of which could be found at Frenchay Park. The fertile soil of the estate was put to good use by establishing Frenchay Park Farm, which provided vegetables, eggs, chicken, and TB free milk. In 1925 the Minister of Health, Neville Chamberlain, came to see for himself that the children were being well looked after. In 1931 new purpose-built accommodation was opened, increasing the number of beds to 100. In the new treatment block, sun lamps and showers were provided, and the two new wards had walls that could be opened back, so that beds could be wheeled out onto the veranda to maximise the “fresh air” element of the treatment.

n Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra pictured on a visit to the hospital

During the build-up to the Second World War, Bristol responded to the threat of mass bombing of the city by building an Emergency Medical Hospital with 15 wards and operating theatres in the grounds of Frenchay Park. Thankfully, it was not required, but was used to house children

made homeless by bombing. However, when the Americans arrived in the UK in 1942, the hospital was handed over to them to use as a military hospital. A further 15 wards were added by the Americans in late 1942, and they continued to use the hospital until the

end of the war. Throughout the American occupation, the children’s TB hospital was still functioning alongside the military one. When Bristol Corporation took over again in 1945, the hospital was in a very poor state of repair, but the Health Committee set about trying

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to rebuild and expand the facilities. In 1948, with the founding of the NHS, the general hospital was combined with the children’s TB hospital. Meanwhile, the farm continued to supply most of the food required, until in the 1960s it was closed as uneconomic. Frenchay’s reputation grew and “Frenchay” became a wellrespected name, especially in the fields of burns and neuro-surgery. Facilities were improved, the coal stoves gave way to central heating, new theatres were added, and in 1990 the new Phase 1 was opened to replace the wartime wards. Frenchay Village Museum has mounted an exhibition telling the hospital’s story. Some of the voluntary groups that operate within the hospital are mounting their own displays in the museum’s Visiting Exhibition Room. These include the RVS, better known by their former name, the WRVS, and Headway House. Frenchay Village Museum is also collecting people’s memories. For example, were you in Frenchay Amateur Dramatic Club? If so your photograph may be on display,

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as there are photograph albums recording the club’s productions. But nothing is known about the club, and the museum would welcome information. They would welcome any stories relating to people’s memories of the hsopital.

Also available in the museum are copies of Dr James Briggs’s book, The History of Frenchay Hospital and Faces of Frenchay Hospital, a collection of memories of hospital staff that was first published in 1998. The museum is just inside

Entrance B of Frenchay Hospital, and is open Wednesdays 1-4pm, and Saturday and Sunday 2-5pm. Entry is free. Further details on 0117 9570942, or email frenchaymuseum@hotmail. com

Have to fly!

Charity Race Night in aid of Great Western Air Ambulance The crew of the Great Western Air Ambulance had to make a hasty exit on a call in the middle of showing fundraisers around their Filton Base. The charity is getting close to raising the money it needs to get a new helicopter for its operation. Replacing their again Bolkow 105 helicopter has become a priority as the new EC135 helicopter will be able to land on the BRI helipad. It will have also more space, meaning a parent can accompany a child to hospital. The response time to a call will also be cut by 4 minutes. The new helicopter will cost £500,000 more to run a year, meaning the charity will have to find £2m a year. It says it hopes to have raised enough to have the new aircraft in the summer. If you would like to help with fundraising, contact Emma Carter: emma@gwaac.com

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On Saturday 3rd May 2014 at Coalpit Heath Village Hall Tickets £2 Adults and £1 Children 8 races on the card, plus guess the name of our bear and jar of sweets along with a whisky roll-up. A large raffle with prizes donated by Bristol Rovers FC, Bristol Rugby, Slimbridge WWT, Bath Races and Razorcat Tours to name but a few.

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fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk April, 2014 Australia Ashes 2013/14 – A Fram man who was there writes of his time with the Barmy Army T: 01454 800 120

As cricketers in the Frome Valley continue their preparations for the new season, one topic of conversation that might still be a bit painful for all concerned is the recent Ashes tour to Australia. For those blissfully ignorant of important cricketing matters, England got thrashed 5-0 by the old enemy. It was bad enough watching it on the telly in the wee small hours, imagine being there to watch the whole painful episode play out. That’s exactly what happened to Frampton Cricket Club’s Sam Coleman, who has just about recovered enough to put pen to paper...... Well, what can I say? I left my job and flew out to Adelaide in December to support our boys (already 1-0 down) in one of the most eagerly anticipated series of recent years. Ian Botham and Piers ‘Moron’ said we’d win 5-0, so I felt sure that we could turn it around and also that I would have a fantastic time travelling Australia as well. The less said about the former the better but the latter certainly turned out to be true! Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. Churches, beaches and trams. Bars as opposed to pubs, and halves of midstrength lager as opposed to pints of proper beer but all still reassuringly Western. I suppose that it’s the little differences that one experiences whilst travelling that make the journey

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so enjoyable, or not, as the case may be. White sandy beaches in glorious sunshine, blue skies with not a cloud in sight, national parks with stunning scenery and modern cities with high skylines. Australia is an outdoor life, and a maybe a better one, but it’s a different life that perhaps wouldn’t suit everyone. Which brings me to cricket’s fantastic travelling Barmy Army, who are perhaps as much of a hindrance as a blessing in their unwavering support of England no matter what the state of play. Whilst we may have taken a hiding on the cricket fields, no matter what the format and all over the vast country of Australia, there are still some areas in which we can justly claim to be victorious. The banter and the singing was first rate (even if our cricket was not) and it

would have been a very quiet and altogether different experience without the ‘army’. There is a song for almost every English and Australian player to encourage or cajole. The players and crowd as a whole almost always respond positively to the light-hearted and often very witty words, all accompanied by a classically trained trumpet player, Billy. Some of my best moments were towards the end of the test matches, when all hope was gone, standing and singing and drinking in the sun. The Aussie crowd certainly had no answer to this very British pathos. ‘We’ll win again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll win again some sunny day’ was a particular favourite of mine. Indeed, sometimes the Aussies would actually take the bait and start shouting ‘Mate,

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what’s the score? Look at the scoreboard mate!’ which only made our Mickey-taking even more fun of course! I have to say that the Aussies are not the most humble winners (who are really?) but that across the land, the constant stick that us Poms had to endure was generally good natured and certainly never unpleasant. However, in my opinion, the Aussies aren’t so different from us Brits really (though they would be loath to agree!). We both love the outdoors, sport, drinking and singing. On a sunny day we generally feel very happy about our lives and our country. Perhaps that’s why Aussies are much prouder of their nation – they simply have so many more nice days? It’s just a shame they don’t really have any songs to sing!

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Wicket work starts at the Fram

On a roll, Sam Coleman busy at work

All Change at The Fram Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club can look forward to an exciting 2014 season after all three of its senior sides earned promotion last year. The first XI returns to division two after a couple of seasons in division three, but they will be without captain and all-rounder Jimmy Dickinson. With shoulder surgery imminent, Dickinson has handed over the reins to last season’s vice-captain Gary Winsor (pictured) who is certainly up for the challenge: “After promotion we are looking to build on what was an excellent 2013 season. Jimmy was the leading wicket taker last year and losing him to injury is a huge blow but I am confident we have the players to ensure we step up to make us competitive in division 2. I hope the performances and the weather from last year is seen again this summer at The Fram” Club secretary Phil Cordy is convinced the club is in good hands: “Gary is a tremendous player with an astute New Captain Gary Winsor wants to lead cricket brain. The club is right behind him and we are from the front sure that under his leadership we can go from strength to strength.” Fram’s season kicks off with a friendly away to neighbours Coalpit Heath on Saturday April 19th. If you are interested in joining The Fram, please contact fcccsecretary@hotmail.co.uk for further information.

Cricket underway at Coalpit Heath The Heath’s Matt Toms looks ahead to the new season at Ram Hill. With Spring now here the players are looking forward to getting stuck into the new season. A couple of pre season friendlies will see the side travel to Tetbury and Weston Super Mare as well as a shorter trip down the road to Frampton Cotterell.

With the 1XI promoted last season they have a tough challenge in Division 2 of the Bristol and District League, starting with a run of away games to Bristol Pakistanis and then local rivals Hambrook. The 2XI have games at home against the same sides and the 3XI will be playing YMCA and St Mary Redcliffe. The youth league will also be starting, with teams at under 11, 13 and 15 age groups playing local sides. The club is always looking for new youth players, so if you are interested in giving it a try come along to their training nights which are held at the ground on Fridays at 6:30pm.

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If you have walked past the cricket square up at Crossbow fields recently (the Fram as it is affectionately known) then you may have noticed a change in the colour of the grass. No, it’s not global warming but a sure sign that spring is in the air as the small team at Frampton C.C. have started to prepare the wicket for play by cutting and rolling it, Sam Coleman reports. In less than a month, the sound of leather on willow of our traditional summer sport will replace the shouts of football and rugby on the Park. All three sports ensure that the facility is well used throughout the year and whilst the fields are maintained by the council, the cricket squares in both fields are lovingly cared for by volunteers from the club. The ever- present head groundsman, Jimmy Dickinson, said that “We are bit behind after all the wet weather but the ground is now quite dry and the square is actually looking pretty good”. Asked if there were any secrets to preparation, he replied “No, not really, just hours of going up and down!” The club plays a couple of friendly games towards the end of April and then league cricket matches start on the first Saturday in May. Anyone interested in playing this coming season should email fcccsecretary@hotmail.co.uk for information or alternatively, come along on a Saturday afternoon soon and become inspired.

Frampton Snatch the Indoor Cricket Crown from the Winterbourne Dragons Frampton Globetrotters gained revenge on Winterbourne by winning the Bristol & Somerset Indoor Cricket Network’s Spring league. Winterbourne won the Autumn league comfortably, but were this time pipped to the crown by just a couple of points. The two matches between the sides were shared at one win each, but Fram went the 2nd half of the season unbeaten while Winterbourne slipped up and were ultimately left to rue 2 dropped bonus points in the final round of games. Meanwhile, Super Heath finished 3rd in their league with 5 wins and 5 losses. After a packed winter of indoor cricket, all three local sides can now look forward to the outdoor season, but hopefully noone will be complaining of burn-out!

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April, 2014

800 retired. Frampton rugby legend hangs up his boots Mike Weaver normally sends stories about Frampton Cotterell RFC every month to Frome Valley Voice. This month Mike is also the story. He’s reached a mile stone in any sportsman’s career as he played his final game on Saturday 29th march, reaching 800 games appearances at the same time. It’s the first time anyone at the club has reached that landmark. Peter Zaffiro gave us this tribute. Mike Weaver’s 800TH Match. Well what a huge landmark for my little brother-in-law, Mike (Weaves) Weaver. 800 senior games played for one club – Frampton Cotterell RFC. A career spanning over 34 years means that Mike has played, on average, 23 1⁄2 games per season which doesn’t include the games in which he represented Frampton Cotterell by playing for the Bristol Combination XV. Playing that many games would obviously take its toll on any person but I think it’s fair to say it is most noticeable with Mike who has had to undergo two nose operations to get it as straight as it is now, and if you know him, you will know that isn’t anywhere near straight. He started out his rugby career looking like, according to some of my family, Kenny Dalglish but he is ending it looking (and weighing) like Joe Bugner. Having played in so many games has left Mike with many memories, which he was happy to share with me. “Mike, do you remember your first senior game for Frampton Cotterell RFC?” “Yes, it was in the 2nds or 3rds and we played on the school pitch at Hoopers Farm. I think it may have been against Bristol Saracens but what I clearly remember is all

the older players buying me a drink after the game as I didn’t have any money.” “How about your first team debut? Do you remember that?” “Yes I do remember. Chris Pitt had picked up an injury and I was told the week before the game that I would be playing in the local derby against Chipping Sodbury at their ground. It was an extremely dour game and the result was a 6 – 6 draw. However it was a real thrill to be playing alongside some of Frampton’s finest such as Brian Rides, Barry Whitehead, Stuart Rutter, Dave Gorwyn, Derek Dewey, Andy Orchard, Geoff Gill and the late Tony Collins.” “What is your fondest memory from your playing days?” “That would be Captaining Frampton to the Bristol Combination Plate final win against Old Colstonians. We left it until late but I was always confident my team members (and good Mates) could do it, especially when the added bulk of our replacements, Pete Zaffiro and Dean Morsner, joined the fray” “How about your worst playing memory though? What was that?” “That is easy. We had beaten Hucclecote twice already in the league one season and we had to play them again in a quarter final cup game, with the finalists playing at Twickenham, however, we lost the game 6 – 3 in a terribly disappointing game in which we were unfairly penalised at the scrums and several kicking opportunities were missed.” “Tell us about your funniest playing moment.” “Having awarded the Plank every

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Saturday at Frampton for the silliest moments of the week, this is my favourite topic. It would have to be whilst we were on tour to Edinburgh. We played a Stewarts Melville XV, to whom we lent some players including Dave Crew. I had hoisted a cross field up and under for our wing to chase. Dave Crew was in the position to receive the kick. Unfortunately, Dave had the sun in his eyes and after running around in ever decreasing circles, trying to place himself in the right place to catch the ball, the towering kick landed point first right on Dave’s head. The ball then bounced back up into the air almost as high as the kick itself and poor old Dave staggered and fell in a confused and dazed heap. The 29 remaining players fell about laughing so much that the referee had to blow the whistle and delay the game until everyone had recovered. A magic moment!” “Can you recall your best try (or even scoring a try)?” “Yes I can. It wasn’t my finest moment but I scored a try in the Combination Plate final against Bishopston at the Clifton ground. I broke through the Bish defence on about the half way line (although others will tell you it was their 22 metre line) and sprinted, well actually ran sideways like a crab all the way to the corner flag on the try line, being caught all the time by the Bishopston number 8 (others will tell you it was their prop). As I got closer and closer to the line all I can remember hearing is the crowd going oh, ohhh, ohhhh, ohhhhhhh......Yes..!!” Finally, of all the players you have played with at Frampton Cotterell, who do you rate as the best and why?” “There have been so many such as Bristol and Bath player, Barry Whitehead, terrier like scrum half, Richard Lloyd, and England school boys representative, Sean “Reg” Hodges to name but a few (oh and obviously you Liners) but I would have to name Stuart Rutter as the best. He just oozed quality, he had pace to spare and just made playing rugby look so easy. What a talent.”

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Frampton netballers looking to promotion Frampton 1st team are heading to their last few league matches in a promotion position. The team have come up against some much tougher opposition in the second half of the season After being unbeaten in their division, Frampton came up against another newly promoted team Elevation, Frampton struggled to turn any of Elevations centre passes and instead of playing their own quick, accurate game began making simple errors, and not converting their own centre passes into goals. This meant Elevation won 25-27 but gave Frampton a needed bonus point as they finished within 5 goals. Frampton heard a rival team mention that they had lost their "mojo" this obviously had an impact on the team as they went into their next four matches more determined and playing more positive flowing netball beating Frys 48-16, Oasis 29-22, Doves 58-18 and Bradley Stoke 47-22. Amy Davidge, Emily Dible, Carol Thirunumum and Keli Catley picked up the

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oppositions player of the match vote. With only 3 more matches to go until the end of the season Frampton Cotterell 1st team look likely for a top 3 finish in only their 2nd season. Frampton 2nd team have found the 2nd half of their season a really positive experience and although they have struggled to win their matches they have scored a huge amount more goals and kept their goals against down. The team now has a much more settled squad led by their captains Mel Eke and Catherine Neck. Frampton ladies are hoping to enter both teams in the Avon league again next year as well as have a new development squad for those ladies new to netball or not yet ready to play in competitive matches. We return to Saturday morning training at Crossbow tennis courts on May 3rd at 10am. These are "fun" sessions open to any ladies over 18.

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Shaun Townsend: winner of first fish It may only have been a tiddler, but it was enough to win Shaun Townsend £50. Shaun was the man who hooked the first fish in the first round of the South Glos Show singles competition. Organisers had promised the cash to the first fish landed in the competition, and promptly coughed up when Shaun, of the Maver Bathampton Angling Team caught a fish that was no more than 2 inches long. Shaun went on to win the competition, qualifying along with second place angler Andy Lord (Glenfall Angling Club). Both will now fish in the Singles competition on Saturday 2nd August at the South Glos Show itself.

Iron Acton face a relegation battle Manager Adam Taylor reflects on a tough March March saw mixed fortunes for the 1st team 2 defeats a draw and a win. We started the month with a 0-0 home draw against 2nd in the league Bristol Barcelona, a good backs to the wall performance and avery hard fought point. This was followed by two disappointing defeats at the hands of Shirehampton who’s bullying tactics paid off in a 2-1 victory for them. Scott Wooder pulled a goal back for us late on but too little too late. We followed this with a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Henbury who were coasting at 3-0. Despite a late goal from Dan Gayner we then missed numerous good chances to take something from the game. Finally our first league win since the 23rd November came courtesy of a late fightback away to Longwell Green where after taking a 1st half lead through Ross Davey we were soon 2-1 down. With just 7 minutes

remaining supersub Brad Flook came up with two far post headers to nick all 3 points!!! We now face a relegation battle and have 8 games in April to save our skins. Hopefully this win will give the lads the confidence to get a few more!! The reserves had a 3-0 win against local rivals Coalpit Heath courtesy of goals from Ben Ingram, Ben Adams & Nathan

Hull. They followed this with a 5-1 defeat to Frys with Ben Ingram again scoring, and an 11-0 defeat to league leaders Real Thornbury. The 3rd team had a 10-6 local derby win over Shireway. They then suffered a 7-0 defeat at unbeaten Staple Hill but recovered to win another local derby 4-1against Rangeworthy, before losing to Cesson 2-0.

The 4th team lost 5-4 to table toppers Bristol Sports despite goals from Jordan Belcher (2), Anthony Thorn & Craig Rogers. A 1-1 draw followed against Bristol Revolutio and a local derby against Dodington resulted in a 2-2. The next game against Bradley Stoke saw us win 4-1, and a second win on the bounce came against Westerleigh- the scoreline 5-3.

Top three finish for Pucklechurch Ladies Hockey Despite an end of season wobble, Pucklechurch Ladies Hockey team managed a top three finish, Zoe Hill from the club reports. Some variable but gutsy performances in the closing games of the season, saw us defeated 3-2 by BAC2, 2-1 by Avonmouth and 2-1 by Thornbury, tie 1-1 with Westberries 4s, and win 3-1 over South Glos. Despite a few losses, we did just enough to hold our position and are chuffed to be finishing 3rd behind Avonmouth and Clifton in Berkeley Div 2. There have been some great team and individual efforts throughout the season, and this stands us in good stead for Summer League and the 2014/15 season... For the time being, although months of hockey-free Saturdays lie ahead, we won’t be downing sticks for long as Summer League begins in May. Before then, we look forward to celebrating this seasons successes and acknowledging the efforts of all involved in the club at our AGM and awards night next month. Votes and goals are being tallied up from throughout the season, and it’s looking close for Player of the Season and Top Goal Scorer.

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April, 2014

Frampton U16’s get creative to keep playing

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With the Frome Valley sports teams hoping for dryer weather this month, the rugby club has kept up their player’s fitness levels during the wet weather by sometimes employing unusual tactics, as the club’s Phil Wiltshire tells Frome Valley Voice. With the weather causing havoc with the Fixture list, Frampton’s U16’s have been getting creative with ideas for not playing. The 16’s haven’t had a game for many weeks in fact they have only played twice since Xmas. So with a break in the rain and the sunshine beating down the boys were treated to an “Army” style boot camp training session. Coaches Rob & Phil decided that a gentle trot along the Frome Valley was the order of the day. The lads trotted off in pristine kit with no idea what was about to hit them nor the physical effort required. Frams U16’s Prior to Mud Slog. The Frome valley was a bog of a trail with the smell of agriculture across the fields that even the cows had deserted. With the river over its banks and the mud thigh high Frampton’s

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16’s battled with the kit to the field that coach Gally frequently uses to tone his own physique. Gally’s field is steep hill which was used to good effect to test the lad’s fitness. After a good hours work out on Gally’s gradient, the lads trotted and swam back to Crossbow for a well-earned shower. Frampton’s under 16’s season up to now has been one of continued improvement with some really great performances and notable victories. The statistics to date show 14 games played, 9 won & 5 lost. The

5 losses were all close calls. Arguably Fram’s U-16’s greatest performance this season came in the Bristol Combination Cup Quarter Final against Wells RFC, that contained many Somerset County players. A very close loss robbed at the very end by a last play try 29-26. As the Gloucester County Cup progresses the boys had a great win at Cirencester and were on the end of a defeat by Longlevens. With pool fixtures still to come against Bream and Cheltenham, Fram’s 16’a have a great chance of qualifying for the

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main cup knock out stages as we have beaten both teams earlier in the season. Fram’s U16’s has some real characters in the squad; a South African, a Welsh Wizard, a Farmers Boy and the obligatory One Direction wannabes. One in particular stands out (if not tall): Bullet! This particular young man may not be the tallest, in fact he is by far the shortest. He has the heart of Lion and the determination to succeed second to none. He never shirks responsibility, if there is a tackle to be made he’ll make it. It’s also been said that he has the best hands in the club and is often caught popping up at fly half to give that miracle pass to put the winger away and yet he is the guy in the middle of the front row with the squashed nose and cauliflower ear. He has also amassed over 150 appearances for Frampton, having started playing at the age of 6. Frankly he is the kind of guy that Frampton Cotterell RFC produce year in year out that epitomise what FCRFC is all about and what we stand for – enjoyment, inclusion & camaraderie. Next season the current under 16’s will be taking their first steps into becoming seniors when they play as a colts team. The Colts (under 18’s) will be playing in the Somerset League with matches being played on Saturday afternoons. This has been proven to be a great success in previous years for FCRFC with player retention into senior rugby being the highest in the clubs history. Frampton Cotterell Colts/ U18’s welcome new players of all shapes, sizes, abilities and experience. If interested contact Phil Wiltshire: ruggurcoach@ gmail.com

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April, 2014

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Frampton Athletics First team have managed to get through all six games in March without a defeat. With a record of five wins and one draw, they have managed to get themselves back into the title hunt whilst also qualifying for the Semi-finals of the Bristol Premier Combination Cup. The month started with a tough fixture against then-top of the table, Eden Grove. Frampton made light work of Eden Grove, putting them to the sword with a straightforward 3-0 victory. They then put 11 goals past Roman Glass St George the following week before being held to a 0-0 draw away to Brislington Cricketers. The highlight of the month was the league cup match against Old Sodbury. Played under floodlights on the 3G pitch at Oaklands Park, the game was a very tight affair with neither side giving their opponent any breathing space. The game finished 0-0 after 90 minutes, so the penalties were required to decide which of the two teams would progress to the semi-finals. Both teams scored their regulation five Winterbourne International Academy U14s basketball team are through to the last 16 in the country after another convincing cup win. The ‘Winterbourne Wolves, will face Torbay, after beating Bishop Wordsworth in the English national schools competition. WIA PE Coach Jason Boulton reflects on a big day for the team. With a record attendance in the WIA sports hall, the boys got off to a fast start. Despite missing Morgan Stiles to injury and missing their first 5 shots they racked up 18 points in the first quarter. It was their defence, however, that really shone, only conceding 2 baskets in the opening 10 minutes. Callum Fitzgerald, a.k.a. Kyrie, opened the scoring and continued to dominate the game inside the paint. He finished with a game high 36 points. The second quarter saw the boys extend their lead. Oli Carey (Capt) started heating up and was darting around the defence with the finesse and control of a F1 car. Bishop Wordsworth tried setting an illegal full court zone press, but even that couldn’t hold

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Penalties see Athletic progress to cup semi-finals penalties to take the shoot-out to sudden death and following Old Sodbury hitting the bar with their 7th penalty, it was left to veteran centre half, Matt Britton, to score the allimportant winning penalty, which he did with ease. They will now face Shaftesbury Crusade in the SemiFinal, which will be played on Saturday 12th April, at Beesmoor Road. Frampton finished the month with 2 further victories; an 8-0 demolition of league strugglers Patchway Town Reserves and a good 2-1 victory over fellow promotion chasers, Brislington Cricketers. With games coming thick and fast as the season comes to an exciting finale, Frampton

have 5 games to play in April, with the highlight surely to be the league cup semi-final against Shaftesbury Crusade, with the winner heading to the final to face either Highridge United or Brislington Cricketers. Frampton Athletics Reserve side also made it through March unbeaten, with a record of three wins and two draws. After dropping 2 points against a poor Nicholas Wanderers side at the start of the month, they battled back to gain a point against promotion rivals AEK Boco, before picking up an impressive 8-0 win against lowly Hartcliffe. They followed that result with a tight 2-1 victory away to Greyfriars,

which saw Reserve Team Manager, Brian Cook, make a brief comeback from early retirement to score the winning goal. They then finished the month with a tight 1-0 victory in a local derby against fierce rivals, Lloyd Coalpit Heath. Top goal scorer, Dan Cook scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. Whilst the Reserve team are now outsiders for the title, promotion to Division 1 is still very much a possibility, but they will need to continue with their current form, which has seen them go seven games without defeat, but face tough opposition on 10th April against champions elect, Real Thornbury, who currently have a 100% record in the league this season. Could Frampton be the first team to take some points off them?

Wolves show their teeth him. Oli finished with 22 points. Basketball is sometimes compared to a jazz band. All the performers are important in symbiotically creating a sound, but every so often one player performs a solo, dazzling the crowd with their skill. Although Seb Hodge, our 3 point specialist, was not having his best shooting day, he contributed to the ‘sound’ defensively. He shut down their best player, not giving him a chance to even breathe. Half time came with Winterbourne leading 39-11. The crowd were then entertained by Head of PE, Mr Anthony Hopkins and a shooting competition which saw one of the parents winning a basketball. The second half was a similar story of Winterbourne dominance. Bishops tried mounting a comeback, but against the superior athleticism and team work of the newly named ‘Winterbourne Wolves’, they were like Little Red Riding Hood, trembling with fear. There was nothing they could do. All players were fundamental in the success of the team, Leo

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Kayar and Brandon Hatt, who are a year younger than the other boys demonstrated their maturity and mental toughness. Leo controlled the boards and Brandon made some nice assists. Rory Schofield, Marley Butler and Harry Padfield have only been playing since October and left the crowd with the impression that they have been playing a lot longer. There focus,

intensity and defensive presence held the team up. The final score was 65 – 31 to the Wolves. Big congratulations to the boys and thanks to all the staff who came to watch. The next game is Thursday 3rd April at Home vs Torbay. Updates on our twitter feed @ frome_val_voice and a full report in May’s edition.

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