Dream comes true for Ava
SINGER Ava Mannings has left behind the dog grooming parlour where she worked to record an album after winning national TV talent contest The Voice UK.
Ava, aged 21, won a record deal with Universal Music UK's Island EMI label, £50,000 and an allexpenses-paid holiday when the ITV1 show's studio audience picked her as the winner in the final. Since then, the former Winterbourne Academy
pupil says her life has been "crazy", with TV appearances, radio play and chart placings for her songs, and a wave of support on social media.
She is now working with a team of musicians to share her passion for music and "talk to the world", telling the Frome Valley Voice: "I'm starting to realise my dream."
Turn to Page 4
Lights fantastic
A WINTERBOURNE couple have doubled the number of lights in their charity Christmas display – which will have more than 100,000 this year.
PAGE 7
Son admits murder
A HAMBROOK man has admitted murdering his father at the home they shared.
PAGE 2
Black bin cuts
BLACK bins will only be collected once every three weeks under a new waste contract South Gloucestershire Council has signed.
PAGE 3
Fire chief to step down
CHIEF Fire Officer Simon Shilton has announced his retirement following a "turbulent few years" for Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
PAGE 14
Ava Mannings with coaches Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher after winning The Voice UK. Picture: ITV Plc
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Man admits murdering father
A MAN has admitted murdering his elderly father at the home they shared.
Gary Moore, aged 65, was arrested shortly after the body of his father Robert, who was 93 and known as Bob, was found at their home in Mill Lane, Hambrook, on June 22.
house where the murder took place
At Bristol Crown Court on November 1, Moore pleaded guilty to a charge of murder and was remanded in custody.
He is due to be sentenced on November 29.
An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family, who we continue to provide support to."
Four election hopefuls
FOUR candidates have been nominated in the by-election to fill the place on South Gloucestershire Council vacated by Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young.
Voting in the Frampton Cotterell ward was due to take place from 7am-10pm on November 28, at seven polling stations in the ward. All of the candidates nominated live in Frampton Cotterell.
They are: David Goodwin (Liberal Democrat), Alan Lankester (Green), Tim Niblett (Conservative) and Jonathan Trollope (Labour). Ms Young stepped down in October, having been elected to Parliament in July's general election.
Three-weekly black bin collections confirmed
BLACK bins will only be collected once every three weeks under a new contract with the waste firm Suez signed by South Gloucestershire Council.
Leaders say the change, which will come into force in 2026, will drive up recycling rates.
But opposition councillors have warned the changes could create an “environmental health risk”, particularly for some disabled people.
Black bins will be collected every three weeks, rather than two, from 2026.
The new contract, approved at a cabinet meeting on November 11, will be in force for the next eight years, with an option to extend it to 16.
It also includes recycling soft plastics.
Latest figures show that 57% of kerbside waste in the district is recycled, which has recently dropped.
Council cabinet member for communities Sean Rhodes said: "As we’ve come out of Covid, we’ve seen a change in people’s behaviour, and that’s why nationally there’s been a dip in recycling rates. "By moving to three-weekly and by bringing in changes to our plastic recycling, we’re confident that we’ll move recycling rates up."
Cllr Rhodes said analysis of black bin waste showed 12.5% is food waste, 23% is already recyclable and 27.7% is "flexible" plastics, which will be recycled under the new contract.
That means only 36.8% of waste by volume in black bins is nonrecyclable.
Cllr Rhodes said: "By changing how we collect soft plastics, we’re confident that’s going to change our recycling rates. It’s something to be really applauded, I believe.
"This has been a process that’s taken several years and the work began under the previous administration.”
The current nappy collection service will stay fortnightly, although Tory group leader Sam Bromiley raised concerns about the "environmental health risk" posed by adults using incontinence pads having to wait three weeks between collections.
Frenchay & Downend Conservative ward councillor Liz Brennan said: "Residents are still telling me how concerned they are about moving to a three-weekly black bin collection.
"Large households in particular, who recycle as much as possible, will really struggle with three-weekly collections."
Residents will also have to book a slot in advance before visiting a Sort It waste recycling centre. These centres will be brought in-house and managed by the council.
Cllr Rhodes said: “I think the booking system is going to be over time a real boon. I use the sites often and to know that I’m going to be able to turn up at a certain time, having booked it, and I’ll be in and out without having to queue, is going to make the whole process so much more effective and efficient.”
The council has also announced that it will no longer deliver printed bin collection calendars to homes, to remind residents which weeks have black bin collections.
The cards are usually left on bin handles by collection crews in December.
A spokesperson said: "This helps the council save money and reduce waste."
By Alex Seabrook,
Local Democracy Reporting Service Christmas collection dates: Page 21
Ava celebrates a life-changing win
From page 1
Ava had the celebrity coaches reaching for superlatives every time she sang on the Saturday night primetime show.
All four - will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes, Sir Tom Jones and the joint team of Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones – wanted her on their team in the opening blind auditions stage.
After she picked McFly's Tom and Danny, Ava got through the show's callbacks episode with her own interpretation of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, before winning her semi-final with God Only Knows by the Beach Boys.
In the final, screened at the end of October, contestants had to sing a solo, then perform with their coaches.
Tom and Danny asked Ava to sing The Long and Winding Road, by The Beatles, giving her 48 hours to prepare it.
She then joined with Tom
and Danny for a stripped-back version of Hoobastank's The Reason.
When the audience vote was revealed, Ava jumped into Tom and Danny's arms, with mum April Dickie coming on to the stage to join in the celebrations.
Ava's brother Rex was one of her guests at the final, and she also invited fellow contestant Kyra Smith and her mum.
Ava said one of the songs Kyra had performed, The Impossible Dream, was a favourite of one of her mentors, Hambrook Primary School teaching assistant and choir leader Sue Cessford, who passed away in 2019.
Ava said: "I was crying my eyes out behind the stage when Kyra sang it. It was a connection between me and Sue, so it's a massive connection with Kyra."
Since the show was broadcast, Ava said: "My life is changing –it's mad!"
FRAMPTON TAXIS
amazing, figuring out musically where we want to go.
"I've got so much creative energy flowing out of me and I'm trying to put that into my music."
Ava said:
Ava has been bringing her own material, from lyrics she has
She has been in the studio working with Danny Jones and Dougie Poynter of McFly, and another musician, Steven Batelle, who together write and produce music as SideQuest.
"They're absolutely
Ava Mannings performs The Long and Winding Road in the Voice UK final. Picture: ITV Plc
previously written to ideas she has on the train on the way to the studio, and working with the team to create original songs.
She said: "We're hoping to get an album together within the next few months, and get a few singles out.
"I have lots of material I've never recorded that I want to get out.
"I'm feeling so super lucky and thankful."
Two of Ava's performances from The Voice UK have been released.
The Long and Winding Road, made available as a download straight after the show, made it to number 3 in the Official Big Top 40 from Global, a chart that combines downloads and streams with radio play.
In November The Reason was released as a single, entering the Official Singles Download chart at number 10.
Ava wants to perform live in the New Year. She says a Bristol date will be top of her list, and she would love to play one of the city's well known music venues like the O2, SWX or The Fleece.
She said: "I've only got up with a microphone in a pub
before!
"I just want to sing to everyone who's been behind me."
The series was pre-recorded. Ava, who worked in a Downend dog grooming parlour before entering the contest, had to keep the result secret.
Since the show was broadcast, she has had messages from friends and people who have been part of her musical journey, including Bristol Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS) Youth, St Mary's Players and Winterbourne Academy.
BAOS Youth chair Frankie Duddridge said: "To see Ava's dreams coming true and her hard work paying off is incredible to see."
Winterbourne Academy head of arts Rachel Gittoes said: "We have very fond memories of Ava as an incredibly talented actor, dancer and of course singer.
"In her time in the school, Ava made considerable contributions to a number of school productions, including taking lead roles in both Oliver and Our House.
"Her ability as a performer was clear from the very beginning of her time here and
we thoroughly enjoyed watching this blossom and grow.
"We have followed Ava’s journey on The Voice with great excitement and are immensely proud of her incredible achievement."
Hambrook Primary School head teacher Jennifer Rubel said: "Ava’s exceptional achievement has filled our school community with immense pride and joy.
"She has always been a fantastic singer and showcased her incredible talent from a young age, in our school choir and performances led by Sue Cessford. It’s heart-warming to see Ava fulfilling her dreams and honouring the musical foundation that Sue helped build.
"Staff, both past and present, are extremely proud of Ava’s accomplishments and it has been a privilege to witness her talents blossom.
"Ava’s journey is a true inspiration to all our students, reminding us of the power of dedication, hard work, and following one’s dreams."
Ava said she had also received countless messages from people
she had never met, on social media.
She said: "I just feel such a connection with the whole world right now.
"Everything is falling into place, how I always dreamed it would be.
"I take every step as if I'm on a massive ladder – I'm not sure where the end is going to be but I'm looking up."
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Ava singing at Winterbourne Academy
n NEWS Mummers and bikers in festive return
TRADITIONS old and new are being kept alive this Christmas.
Perhaps the oldest is the mummers' play, which will be performed by the Christmas Boys and Winterbourn Down Border Morris Dancers in the streets of the village on Boxing Day.
The play's origins are mysterious and believed to be either medieval or pagan.
Abandoned following the First World War, when one of the players was killed in action, Winterbourne Down's version was revived in the 1970s: this year's play will be the 45th since it returned.
Players from the Christmas Boys are disguised with masks or face paint, and wear costumes with roots in folklore for their characters The Doctor, St George, The Turkish Knight, The Little-fellow and Old Father Christmas.
Alan Mildren, who plays the Turkish Knight, said: "Like all mummers plays, it is based on the theme of death and resurrection, the dying of the old season and the rebirth of
the new, but because it was an oral tradition, each village developed its own version of the story."
The Christmas Boys also use the play as an opportunity to raise money for a good cause.
Last year they raised around £1,240 for Paul's Place, the Coalpit Heath charity supporting adults with physical disabilities, and this year they will be collecting for the same charity again.
They will perform in four locations in the village on Boxing Day, starting at Stone Lane at 10.30am then All Saints Church Hall at 11.15am, Colston Close at midday and the Cross Hands Pub in Down Road at around 12.30pm.
A newer tradition is the fundraising motorbike convoy Santa's on a Bike, which raises money for Children's Hospice South West.
Around 900 bikers from across the UK are expected to form up at Winterbourne Academy in festive costumes from 10.30am on December 7, before riding to the charity's Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall, North Somerset, at 1pm.
This year will be the 21st anniversary of the ride.
Organiser Dave Sanders said: "It’s a fabulous event and it’s incredible what riders decorate their bikes with.
"As they go along, there are stops for people to make donations, with collection buckets attached to the bike or being carried
by pillion passengers."
For more information visit www.santasonabike.org.uk.
Churches in the Frome Valley are inviting people to join them for the Big Christmas Sing for Christian Aid, at Zion United Church in Frampton Cotterell on December 3 from 7pm.
The free event features community and school choirs and a sing-along.
Fundraiser Alison Bray said: "This is always a hugely popular concert and will definitely get your Christmas off to a great start!"
What's on at Christmas: Page 18
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Christmas Boys of Winterbourn Down in the pub at the end of last year's performances
Dreaming of a bright Christmas
A COUPLE from Winterbourne Down are doubling down on their Christmas lights display.
Ricky and Chrissie Fenning have more than 100,000 individual lights in their Winterbourne Wonderland public light show at their home in Down Road – twice the 50,000 they had last year.
They believe it is one of the highest "bulb counts" of any home display in the country, and hope the extra Christmas magic will help push their fundraising total for the Grand Appeal for Bristol Children's Hospital over the £20,000 mark.
Ricky and Chrissie first put on a public display three years ago.
They said: "Winterbourne Wonderland visitors have raised just shy of £11,000 over the past 3 years, of which £8,000 was raised in 2023. That makes this year’s target just over £9,000!
"All contributions, however big or small, will make a huge difference so please give what you can."
The couple say they have created a "truly magical and immersive wonderland" for people to enjoy on their visits, including "Christmassy aromas", bubbles, and music on some evenings, as well as free candy canes and stickers for young children.
The display includes a miniature Santa’s workshop with moving worker elves, a
Frampton Garage
12ft Christmas tree circled by a Christmas train, a Nativity display, "enchanted forest" with a unicorn, a wishing well and a colour-changing fountain.
In keeping with the Grand Appeal's mascots there is an official lit Gromit figure, as well as Shaun the Sheep.
6pm, and after that the lights are due to be on every day from 4.30-9pm until New Year's Day.
Christmas music nights will be held on November 30 and December 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 and from the 18th to Christmas Eve, from 4.30-7.30pm.
Ricky and Chrissie have set up a secure box to take both contactless card payments and cash donations, as well as QR code to link to their online JustGiving page, which can be found at wbwonderland.com
Their fundraising is part of the Grand appeal's Shine Bright 2024 campaign involving dozens of Christmas and Halloween displays.
Winterbourne Wonderland also has a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
A switch-on event with Wallace and Gromit was scheduled for November 23 at
They are asking visitors not to block neighbours' drives or side roads, and consider parking further away on Hicks Common Road if they cannot find a safe place to park on Down Road.
Last year's display by Ricky and Chrissie Fenning
n LOCAL MP FOR THORNBURY & YATE
A battery change to improve the NHS
YOUR hearing is a precious thing.
Often you don’t realise that until it starts to go. For the past year I have been wearing hearing aids. My hearing has been deteriorating for a while, so getting them has been a real help.
As useful as they may be, they can also be a bit of a fiddle, in some cases expensive and, for some, potentially dangerous. This was underlined to me in one conversation I had on the doorstep.
The person was telling me that her mother, who has dementia, uses hearing aids.
She told me she doesn’t feel they are safe. This is because the hearing aids that are issued by the NHS use batteries.
These are small and, if you have a condition like dementia, the fear is you could swallow
them, thinking they are pills. If ingested, the batteries can cause severe damage.
Although battery-operated units continue to work for many, a real solution for others would be the option to use rechargeable hearing aids.
Not only would they be safer for vulnerable people, they would be easier to use, reduce waste and be cheaper.
I discussed this recently in parliament at a drop-in event organised by Specsavers.
The company provides hearing tests and hearing aids for the National Health Service, but when I brought up the idea of rechargeable hearing aids, they told me it couldn’t be done on the NHS.
It prompted me to submit a written question to the health
minister who deals with this.
The reply was that the NHS can provide rechargeable hearing aids, so I have gone back to Specsavers for clarification on this matter.
Having rechargeable devices available on the NHS is one battle: actually getting hold of them is another.
The only place to get an NHS appointment to pick up devices and free batteries in the constituency is at Specsavers in Thornbury. It can’t be done in Yate.
Failing that, the nearest options are the Specsavers shops in Emersons Green, Bradley Stoke or at the ENT department at St Michael’s Hospital in central Bristol.
I will push for NHS hearing services to be more widely
available at Specsavers.
It would be a massive bonus if it were available in the Yate branch.
Hopefully rechargeable hearing aids will be available to NHS customers.
It would make life safer for vulnerable people, and make life easier – and more environmentally friendly – for everyone who uses them.
Claire Young MP writes for Thornbury Voice
Families labelled parts of the body together in a science lesson
Grandparents join in
MORE than 100 grandparents jumped at the chance to go back to school and find out about how the younger generation learns.
Grandparents' Day was organised by St Michael's C of E Primary School in Winterbourne, and included science and geography lessons, art and craft activities.
Head teacher Kirsty Robson said the event in late October was a reminder of the importance of family and community.
She said: "The children were thrilled to introduce their grandparents to their school world, sharing activities and laughter.
"Thank you to every grandparent and family who joined us. Your presence and stories made a lasting impact, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future!"
Junior-aged children have also had a trip to nearby St Michael's Rooms for a day of exploring prayer spaces.
Parking charge rethink
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is changing its plans for off-street parking charges to be introduced from next year.
The council says the changes were made after what it described as "helpful engagement" following its initial announcement in September.
The main changes revealed in November are in the proposed charges.
The short-stay charge for an hour will stay at 70p, but the charge for two hours will be £1.30 instead of £1.50, three hours will cost £3 instead of £3.50 and up to four hours will cost £5 instead of £4.50.
There will still be free 30-minute stays in "at least 10 per cent" of short stay car park spaces.
Proposed long stay charges are also being changed, with a new £4 rate for stays of between four and six hours and a £5 charge for stays of more than six hours. Previously the proposed rates were £6 for between four and eight hours, and £9 for a day. The lowest long stay charge of £3 for up to four hours is unchanged.
The council has reduced proposed season ticket charges for longstay parking to £20 for a week (from £24) £75 a month (from £90) and £840 a year (from £1,008), with a new six-monthly ticket for £435.
Winterbourne's Flaxpits Lane car park has both long and short stay spaces.
The council will change the designation of two Yate car parks it owns. Both Kennedy Way and the Leisure Centre car parks were originally planned to be designated as short-stay car parks.
But the council says that following "community conversations with local stakeholders", Kennedy Way will be a long-stay car park, while the Leisure Centre car park will be divided into both short-stay and long-stay spaces.
The car parks are close to the privately-owned Yate Shopping Centre car park, which is free and has a four-hour limit, as well as the Lidl and Riverside car parks.
Get ahead of the cold weather – keep your home warm and leak free this winter.
1. Look after your boiler. Get it serviced early, so it can keep your home warm.
2. Find your stop tap. You’ll be able to turn the water off quicker in an emergency.
3. Going away? Remember to keep your heating on low (min 14ºC).
4. Check your outdoor tap. Fix any drips, and wrap it up or fit a tap jacket.
5. Protect exposed pipes. Wrap up pipes that are exposed to cold air (e.g. loft or garage) to stop them freezing/bursting.
Tories and Greens unveil Metro Mayor picks
THE Conservative and Green parties have announced their candidates to be the next West of England Metro Mayor.
Former Bristol city councillor Steve Smith has been named as the Tory candidate, while Heather Mack, the city council's deputy leader, is the Greens' choice.
Both will stand in the election to replace Labour's Dan Norris, who is unable to stand again after being elected as an MP and banned from having two jobs by his party.
Mr Smith is a former Lord Mayor of Bristol, and represented the Westbury-onTrym & Henleaze ward from 2018 until May, when all three Tory incumbents were ousted by Lib Dems.
He is first major party nominee to be announced, following a meeting of local party members on November 9.
During his time as a councillor Mr Smith sat on the West of England Combined
Authority scrutiny committee, chaired the city council’s health overview and scrutiny committee and was Lord Mayor from 202122.
He has pledged to bring “grown-up leadership back to the combined authority” and boost economic growth.
Mr Smith said: "Our region has huge potential to lead in areas such as innovation, green technology and sustainable growth, but we need strong leadership to unlock that potential for everyone in our
community.
“I am committed to working tirelessly to create a West of England that works for everybody, where political leaders can be trusted to work together and where the West of England is able to reach its full potential and grow our economy for everyone’s benefit."
Heather Mack's selection was announced by the Green Party four days later.
The Lockleaze ward member was first elected in 2021. She previously worked for Oxfam and
on sustainable food systems.
Cllr Mack said: "We’ve seen in recent elections that there is a real appetite for green solutions in the West Country. I hope to add to our Green wins across the region this year and offer a vision of real hope and real change.
"We have been a consistently poorly performing authority, largely due to the lack of a serious commitment to public transport and vocational skills. As WECA leader, I would have the courage to use the powers and funding that go with the role to deliver the mass transit and sustained economic success our region needs."
Labour members were voting on their candidate as the Voice went to print. The two South Gloucestershire councillors originally on the party's shortlist, Sean Rhodes and Ian Scott, were cut by a selection panel before the vote.
Includes reporting by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Green Heather Mack
Conservative Steve Smith
Making a difference
CHILDREN at a Winterbourne primary school have been "busy making a difference in the community".
Elm Park Primary School head teacher Carol Bond said: "Thanks to generous donations from families, our Harvest service collected a fantastic amount of food for Yate Food Bank."
Year 4 and 5 students then led a Remembrance service, reflecting on and honouring those who served and died in conflict.
Mrs Bond said children and staff were "excited" at the prospect of celebrating the first Christmas in the school's new building, which opened in January.
Nativities for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils are planned, along with carols by candlelight and a PTFA Christmas fair on December 6 from 5-7pm.
For more information about the school visit www.elmparkprimary.com.
Children from Elm Park Primary School with their harvest donations
Cash boost for sports clubs
A SPORTS club based near Hambrook is among those sharing more than £1 million of funding from developers.
South Gloucestershire Council announced 13 projects to improve sports facilities and public open spaces that will be given a total of £1.17 million.
The money has been paid by the developers of eight building projects across the district, as part of legal deals required to secure planning permission.
Cleve Archers will receive £31,235 to fund the extension of its shooting shelter, install a wind turbine and buy new archery targets for its ground at Down Yonder, off Bromley Heath Road in Moorend, near Hambrook.
The club finished a nine-year, £500,000 project to create an accessible, year-round community sports club two years ago.
The biggest grant is £254,789 to Frenchay Cricket Club towards construction of a new pavilion at the Bob Stone Ground in Common Mead Lane, Hambrook
The club made a planning application to demolish its existing pavilion and replace it with a new one in August this year. The plan is currently awaiting a decision on permission.
It follows an award of £624,322 of developer funding to the project last year.
Neighbouring Downend and Frenchay Tennis Club will receive £86,758 towards the construction of its new clubhouse, adding to £366,579 it was awarded last year.
Yate Town Council will receive £232,123 towards the conversion of the Howard Lewis Park tennis courts to a Multi-Use Games Area, and another £84,777 towards the building of a 'changing places' welfare facility for people with severe disabilities at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex.
The money has come from building projects including the redevelopment of land at Lodge Road, Engine Common.
Birthday buses are back after over a million free journeys
Thanks to West of England Mayor Dan Norris, local residents across the Frome Valley Voice area will once again be able to enjoy free bus rides throughout the whole month of their birthdays.
Birthday Buses are back and the Mayor says that he hopes the popular plan will go from strength to strength in its second year, after passengers took almost 1.2 million free journeys during its first year.
The Birthday Buses offer entitles every resident (young and old) in the West of England to take unlimited free bus journeys, at any time, across the 350 square miles of our region, throughout the entire month of their birthday. In addition, young people aged under 21 will receive a second month of free travel. The offer runs for 12 months from 1 December 2024.
Speaking at the Birthday Buses re-launch at a First Bus depot, Mayor Dan Norris said: “Birthday Buses has been a big hit with passengers so I’m delighted to
bring it back for a second year.
“Last year more than 72,000 passengers took, on average, around 19 free journeys each. That saved them almost £40 each in fares – not a bad birthday present!
“Even more importantly, people who tried out buses for free during their birthday month have started to make new habits. They are leaving the car at home and now using our region’s buses more often. That’s always been a vital end goal which is so important during the climate emergency.”
The more people that use the bus, the stronger the future for services in the West of England. A more sustainable and growing bus network has many benefits, including faster journey times for passengers and less congestion for everyone else on the road.
An independent report from auditors KPMG found that the first year of Birthday Buses helped cut an estimated 1,100 tonnes of carbon emissions. That’s equivalent to a petrol car driving more than 5 million miles. And for every £1 spent on Birthday Buses, the region saw £2.20 of benefits.
This year, Birthday Bus passes will also bring more birthday bonuses with discounts at local stores and tourism attractions.
In just the first week of registration, 26,500 people signed up. Frome Valley Voice readers can apply for their free Birthday Bus month pass at BirthdayBus.
We used Birthday Busesyou can too:
Howard: “I made over 20 journeys. It opened my eyes to routes I hadn’t considered.”
Karon: “It was a lovely gesture to have the pass and if I wasn't given it, I would not have done the journey.”
Georgina: “We applied for a birthday bus pass for each family member. We went to Bath, into town shopping, to an appointment and I increased my use of the office. My son and daughters could catch the bus to school everyday and had the freedom to go out with friends on weekends too. I have been using buses much more since.”
co.uk. Anyone who had a Birthday Bus pass last year will receive an email, which will fast track their application, with no need for a new photo or another form.
Dan Norris added: “I look forward to wishing even more passengers many happy returns and singles.”
n NEWS
CHIEF Fire Officer Simon Shilton has announced his retirement following a "turbulent few years" for Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
His successor could come from outside the service, after it was announced that applications from "leaders with comparable experience" elsewhere are being encouraged.
Mr Shilton submitted his resignation with six months' notice in September, and the news was announced in early
Fire service chief to step down
November.
It came after he acknowledged there was "still more to do" to improve the service, following new criticisms from inspectors.
The cross-party Avon Fire Authority committee, which is in overall charge of the service, has been asked to commit £20,000 for an executive search company to find suitable candidates for a
successor in his role, which has a salary of £164,351 per year.
The authority says it is looking for a "Chief Fire Officer/ Chief Executive".
Its recruitment announcement says: "While an understanding of fire and rescue services and related public safety challenges would be advantageous, AF&RS
encourages applications from leaders with comparable experience in managing large teams and budgets in similarly vital public safety or crisis management sectors.
"AF&RS particularly welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds and those from groups traditionally underrepresented in leadership roles, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace."
Mr Shilton stepped up from the position of assistant chief fire officer in March 2022.
Announcing his retirement, Mr Shilton said: "After fulfilling 32 years of a lifelong dream to be a firefighter, it comes with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire from Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
"It’s no secret, it has been a turbulent few years for the service, but my unwavering goal and focus has always been to ensure the organisation is in as strong a position as possible for a much brighter, sustainable future, a future built on a foundation of achieving outcomes, embedding continual improvements, and doing the right thing, recognising the right thing isn’t always comfortable, takes courage and time."
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published a series of critical reports on Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
An inspection last year found the service was 'inadequate' in areas including responding to fires, sexist and inappropriate behaviour among staff, and control room computer system “crashes” during 999 calls.
After revisiting in September, inspectors said the 999 mobilisation system had been fixed and good progress had been made over fire prevention and safety work.
But they said senior leaders need to do more to continue improving the service’s culture, following the introduction of an independent reporting line which had been badly communicated and caused distrust.
Chief Fire Officer
Simon Shilton
n FRAMPTON NATURE
The holly and the ivy
HOLLY and Ivy have long been associated with Christmas, and there are many traditions and much folklore surrounding them.
The ancient druids wore holly leaves in their hair to ward off evil spirits, and the Greeks and Romans apparently believed that wearing a wreath of ivy leaves would prevent you from getting drunk.
Making wreaths of holly and ivy dates back to the Roman winter festival of Saturnalia.
It’s a fun project to make your own wreath with materials foraged from local hedgerows. Collecting natural materials to make decorations is a great way to get outdoors and connect with nature during the dark days of winter.
You’ll need some secateurs, gloves and a bag to gather materials.
Start by collecting lengths of flexible wood to coil into a hoop for the base – willow is good for this. Then collect the materials to weave in – holly and ivy, berries, rose hips, evergreen leaves, pine cones – anything that you find interesting, really.
You might need some string or wire to hold things together and to hang it to your door.
Holly is dioecious, meaning that individual trees are either male or female, with only the female trees producing berries. Holly leaves can be prickly or smooth, and it has been suggested that the trees develop prickly leaves as a defence when they are cut back or browsed by grazing animals. The fossil record shows that trees in the holly family were already widespread during the time of the dinosaurs.
Ivy has an undeserved reputation as a strangler of trees, but really it just uses trees for support and does not generally damage trees at all.
It is an amazing plant for wildlife, producing fruit, pollen and nectar at times of the year when other sources are scarce. Ivy supports at least 50 different species, including bees, wasps, hoverflies, moths, butterflies, birds and mammals. Both holly and ivy are needed by the holly blue butterfly, which is a regular visitor to gardens. During December this species will be overwintering as a chrysalis hidden amongst the Ivy. There are usually two generations each
year, with eggs being laid on holly in the spring and ivy in the summer.
It is well worth growing Holly and Ivy in the garden to attract this beautiful species. If you’d like advice about gardening for nature, and access to free trees, plants and seeds, then sign your garden up to be part of our Community Nature Reserve project – email framptoncotterellnature@gmail. com for details.
David Hanks
Almshouse Vacancy
A residence has become available within the Perry Almshouses in Winterbourne, Bristol for anyone who is in need within the Fromeside Benefice (Parishes of Winterbourne, Winterbourne Down, Frampton Cotterell, Iron Acton and Coalpit Heath).
The house is single occupancy and comprises of a lounge, small kitchen and bathroom, an upstairs bedroom with communal laundry and gardens. The successful applicant will be required to pay a monthly maintenance contribution and must be able to live independently.
In accordance with the Trust Deed, applicants must be unable to afford a home of their own; should be 60 years old or over (or if younger, are unable to maintain themselves through ill-health, accident or infirmity); if born within the Parish should have been resident there for not less than five years or if born elsewhere should have been resident for not less than 10 years prior to application; with preference being given to those who are actively involved in a Christian denomination.
For further information and/or an application form please phone 07535433987 or email tony.bebbington62@gmail.com,
The deadline for completed applications is midday on 2ND December 2024
Holly blue butterfly. Picture: David Hanks
n COMMUNITY NEWS
A year of community action for the environment
HERE at Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group we are so very proud to be part of this generous community.
We have been bowled over by the support we have received this year from over 11 partners to include schools, community groups, Winterbourne Parish Council and Winterbourne Library with a whopping 10,278 m2 of land
improved for pollinators.
The Frome Valley Pollinator Pathway, funded by the West Of England Combined Authority, is a partnership project which aims to link people and land along the Frome Valley in Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire. The Pollinator Pathway has created a biodiversity corridor by developing multiple new pollinator friendly
sites and encouraging community garden activity.
Our mission has been to create and enhance pollinator biodiversity in our local area and connect local people to nature.
We have worked with nearly 500 children during our community events, school trips to the Frome Valley Growing Project and visits out to schools.
We have loved visiting lots of the local schools in the area, working with children, learning as we go about the more-thanhuman world and how to care for our important pollinator species. We built bug hotels, hibernacula, made seed bombs, planted trees, developed herb gardens, and did some meditation in nature.
Incredibly, we have had over 1,000 hours of volunteer support at our 48 community events over the last year.
Volunteers have been integral to developing and maintaining a number of wildflower meadows across the locality.
We have planted over 13 kg of native, British grown wildflower seed.
Volunteers have also been integral to the development of Frome Valley Growing Project, which acts a hub for learning, food growing, seed and plant exchange, and community connection.
We are also working in partnership with Winterbourne Parish Council and 16 local home owners to develop a Community Nature Reserve.
These homeowners have generously donated a portion of their garden to set aside for the more than human world, by leaving sections of their land uncut, or with lots of ground level cover to provide food and habitats for the web of life.
Additionally, thanks to support from local Geographer Richard Spalding, you can now find 3 local walks available on our website to follow, along with an audio recording to support the journey. Please do give these walks a try and feedback to us if you would like to see any changes or more walks added.
If you would like to get involved in any of this rewarding and vital work, please email winterbourneenvironmental@ gmail.com or visit the website winterbourne-environmental.uk.
Kate MacDonald & Laura Fogg Rogers
A new take on Christmas pudding
'TIS the season to be jolly – but if you’re the one organising your family’s get together, it can be stressful too.
Part of that is making sure everyone has food they enjoy, that there’s enough – but not so much that food gets wasted.
That’s where my recipe for this month comes in handy.
I love Christmas pudding but not everyone does, particularly kids. So I’ve come up with a chocolatey, luscious alternative.
The bonus is that you can use slightly stale croissants, brioche or even panettone, which we buy as a treat then leave in the bread bin.
Whatever you are doing, I wish you peace and joy, and the chance to make memories with those you love – maybe a few food memories, too!
Chocolate croissant baked pudding
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
6 pain au chocolate, cut into slices 1 cm thick
500ml whole milk
120ml double cream
4 large eggs
1-2 squares 70% cocoa solids dark chocolate, or other chocolate of your choice – cut into small chunks
25g unsalted butter
3 tsps golden caster sugar
1-2 tsps vanilla essence
Here’s what you do
Pre-heat oven to 180 °C, or 170 °C fan assisted oven, Gas mark 4
Grease a medium sized, deepish, ovenproof baking dish with a little butter.
Whisk the eggs, cream, milk and vanilla essence together until well
combined.
Cover the bottom of the dish with the sliced croissants and sprinkle half of the chopped chocolate over the top.
Pour half the milk mixture over the first layer of croissant pieces.
Note: The bottom layer of croissants should evenly cover the dish to soak up the milk mixture, but the top layer should be smaller pieces of croissant, layered so they overlap.
Then top with another layer of croissants.
Continue until all the sliced croissants have been used. Sprinkle with the other half of the chopped chocolate.
Then pour over the rest of the milk/egg mixture,
Dot the top of the pudding with small pieces of butter and sprinkle with the golden caster sugar.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 mins until golden and flaky.
Serve immediately, with crème fraiche, cream, ice cream with a splash of Baileys for a treat.
Cook’s tip:
Leftovers can be frozen in small microwavable/oven-proof containers, defrosted and reheated at 150C for 15mins.
Panettone, or brioche also work well. A shake of cinnamon over the sliced croissants gives the pudding a festive touch.
You can leave out the extra cubed chocolate if you like!
December 1
n CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOPS, Winterbourne Barn, 10.30am or 2pm. Learn how to make a traditional festive door wreath. Suitable for age 16+, includes hot drink and mince pie. More details at www. winterbournebarn.org.uk or call 0117 403 1536.
December 3
n BIG CHRISTMAS SING with community and school choirs, plus carols, singalongs and fun for all. Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell, 7pm. Free entry, retiring donations for Christian Aid. Call 01454 776618 for more details.
December 4
n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINES RESEARCH GROUP TALK, Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, starts 7.30pm prompt. Talk: History of the Capper Pass Smelter in Bedminster, by Dr Richard Smith. Non-members welcome (£2 each). More details from www.sgmrg.co.uk.
December 5 & 14
n BOARD AND CARD GAMES CLUB for friendly folk who enjoy playing games, Winterbourne Library, 5-7pm. New members welcome. More information from
GamesClubWinter1.2@aol.com.
December 7
n SANTA'S ON A BIKE. Fundraising ride from Winterbourne Academy to Charlton Farm, Wraxall, raising money for Children's Hospice South West. Bikers meet from 10.30am, setting off at 1pm.
December 7 & 8
n CAROLS IN THE BARN at Winterbourne Medieval Barn. Traditional carols and light-hearted Christmas drama from members of St Michael’s Church. Ticket includes mulled wine and mince pie. Performances Saturday 3pm, Sunday 3pm and 6pm. More details at www.winterbournebarn.org.uk or call 0117 403 1536.
December 8
n FESTIVE FAMILY FUN at Beesmoor Road Playing Field, Frampton Cotterell, from 10am12.30pm. Free event with Santa's grotto, children's crafts, music, sparklers and refreshments.
December 9 & 10
n CROSSBOW SINGERS
CHRISTMAS CONCERT at Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell, 7.30pm. Monday tickets from Rose on 01454 772675, Tuesday tickets from Mary on 01454 887885, £8 each.
December 13
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n FRAMPTON COTTERELL MALE VOICE CHOIR Christmas concert at Zion United Church, Woodend Road 7pm. more information from Sec.fcmvc@gmail.com.
December 13
n FILTONES CHOIR CHRISTMAS CRACKERS CONCERT, 7.30pm, St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park. Tickets £10 from choir members or at the door; schoolage children free. Supporting charity Jessie May Children's Hospice at Home. Call 07870 984760 for more information.
December 19
n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Talk by Callum Weaver: Behind the scenes of Magic. More details from Sally on 07946 508316.
December 21-January 5
n WATERMORE WINTER TRAIL. Free activity organised by Watermore Primary School PTFA. Spot 8 penguins and 8 reindeer hidden in 16 windows around the village. Request your map by emailing winterfayre@ watermoreptfa.co.uk from December 21.
December 26
n CHRISTMAS BOYS AND WINTERBOURN DOWN BORDER MORRIS DANCERS open air
Mummers, Winterbourne Down. Stone Lane 10.30am, All Saints Church Hall 11.15am, Colston Close noon, Cross Hands, Down Road, around 12.30pm. Donations to Paul's Place.
December 29
n FAMILY CRAFTS AT WINTERBOURNE BARN, 10am or 1pm. Aimed at children aged 5-11, must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More details at www.winterbournebarn.org.uk or call 0117 403 1536.
REGULAR EVENTS
n FRIENDSHIP AND EXERCISE GROUP FOR SENIORS St Saviours Church: Thursdays 101130. A friendly group, exercising for over 5 years together. We aim to improve balance, strength and fitness in a fun and friendly environment. An hour of gentle exercise, followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. £5 per session. Contact Adam: 07875503586 Adam@alwaysdeveloping.co.uk
Our other regular events listings will return next month
Winterbourne library
WINTERBOURNE Library holds a Winter Wonderland free holiday crafts activity on December 20 from 2-4pm.
Suitable for children aged 4-11, craft bags can also be collected to make at home.
The library will be closed from 1pm on Christmas Eve until 10am on New Year's Eve.
Lego club meets on December 14 from 10-11am, for children of all ages – all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Adult craft group meets on December 7 and 21, from 10am-noon: join a friendly group, do your own work and chat –refreshments available by donation.
Coffee morning is 11am every Wednesday: coffee, chat, friendship and crafts.
Children's Rhymetime (up to 18 months) takes place on Wednesday at 10am; story time (18 months to four years) is on Fridays at 10am. Both sessions are term time only.
Computer Thursdays take place during term time – enrolment with SGS College is required. For further information contact Cindy on 0117 909 2296 or email cindy.corbett@sgscol.ac.uk.
A digital champion can help people get online, use a PC or phone or print documents. The volunteer is available on Friday mornings: booking is essential.
Staffed hours are Tuesday from 10am-3pm, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm.
Open Access, when the library is unstaffed, is between 8am and 7.30pm, every day except Christmas Day. For more details, visit the library, phone 01454 868006, email Winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk, or visit www.southglos. gov.uk/libraries.
n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Give your heart this Christmas
WHEN choosing the carols for this year’s Christmas services I began reflecting on the 19th Century writer Christina Rossetti’s poem, In the Bleak Midwinter, which is now a well-known and muchloved Christmas carol.
I can assure you we will certainly be singing it at all the carol services held in the five Fromeside Benefice churches this year.
It seems many years since we had a crisp and frosty winter on the scale of 1957, 1962, 1976, 1982, 1996 or 2010 – and even longer since we had a proper white Christmas.
The last substantial one was 2010, although 2022 is officially the last one we had, as it only needs one flake of snow to land on a UK weather station for one to be officially declared.
I guess at the time that Rossetti wrote her poem people were used to harsher winters – after all, the Thames used to
freeze over, with the Frost Fairs being held on the ice, well into the 19th century, during a period that was known as the ‘Little Ice Age’.
Whilst global warming is forcing us to reflect on the impacts of severe weather patterns caused by, amongst other things, our excessive use of fossil fuels, the truth is that the real focus of Rossetti’s poem is not really the weather at all, but an exploration of the story of Jesus's birth, the meaning of the Incarnation and, more importantly, how we should respond to this eternal truth.
In a world that is in such a mess, with conflicts raging, politicians and leaders taking up extreme and somewhat uncaring positions, with increased poverty and large numbers of people struggling on the margins of society, this carol does bring an extra challenge to us all this Christmas in how we respond and
Malcolm
Strange
Rector, Fromeside Benefice
care for each other.
For me, the required response is so beautifully captured in the carol's final verse: "What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would give a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give him, give my heart."
At the heart of Christian values is the call for us to love one another, which is not a bad aspiration for us all, whatever our faith, and for the believer, living our lives this way is how we can best give Jesus our hearts.
Happy Christmas, everyone!
Services
St Michael’s Winterbourne
December 20, 6pm: Candlelit carols
Christmas Day, 10am: Family communion
St Peter's, Frampton Cotterell
December 22, 6pm: Carol service
Christmas Eve, 4pm: Crib service. 11pm: Midnight mass
Christmas Day, 10am: Family communion
St James, Iron Acton
December 22, 6pm: Candlelit carols
Christmas Eve, 4pm: Crib service. 9pm Bethlehem midnight mass
St Saviour's, Coalpit Heath
December 20, 6pm: Carol service
Christmas Eve, 4pm: Crib service. 11.30pm: Midnight mass
Christmas Day, 10am: Family communion
All Saints', Winterbourne Down Christmas Eve, 4pm: Crib service. 9pm: Bethlehem midnight mass Zion Church
December 15, 10.30am: Nativity for all
December 22, 10.30am: All-age Christingle. 6pm: Candlelight carol service.
Christmas Eve, 11.15pm: Christmas communion
Christmas Day, 10.30am: Christmas celebration
Crossbow Singers
THERE’S snow time like Christmas – and the Crossbow Singers have a wonderful festive concert ready to get everyone in the seasonal mood.
Winter Wonderland will set the scene, followed by an array of songs and carols. There will also be a guest performance from a group of handbell ringers and a surprise guest at the end.
Performances at Crossbow House are December 9 and 10, from 7.30pm. If you need tickets, call Rose on 01454 772675 for Monday and Mary on 01454 887885 for Tuesday.
The Crossbow Singers will be participating in the Big Sing at Zion Church on December 3. The evening is always uplifting and as enjoyable to sing at, as for the audience to watch.
Members have been spreading festive cheer in several local care homes, and we are singing at the Brockeridge Community centre on December 6, at 6pm.
We would all like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mary Darby, who has been with the choir since it started and has been the brilliant accompanist for all our concerts over the last 40 years.
Mary has reluctantly decided it is time to retire and pass on the role. We are delighted to welcome the wonderfully talented Anthony Davies, who will be performing at the December concerts.
Anne Angus
Beesmoor Road Playing Field
FOLLOWING the success of our summer car boot sales, the trustees of Beesmoor Road Playing Field in Frampton Cotterell are planning more social activities for the village.
On December 8 there will be a Festive Family Fun event at the field between 10am and 12.30pm.
Activities will include Santa's grotto, children's Christmas crafts, festive music, sparklers and refreshments, including mulled wine.
The event is free and open to all, especially families with children.
Proceeds will go towards running costs, which include maintenance of the wooden play area, insurance and hedge trimming.
The car boot sales in the summer were
attended by hundreds of people, and raised £780.
Next year the trustees plan to hold them every first Sunday of the month from spring through until late summer.
Beesmoor Road Playing Field is a small charity, managed by unpaid volunteers and supported by donations and a grant from Frampton Cotterell Parish Council.
If you would like to know more, email field@ beesmoor.uk.
Shopmobility
SHOPMOBILITY South Glos has announced its Christmas and New Year opening times.
Our last day of opening will be December 20, and we will reopen on January 2.
Shopmobility South Glos is based in Yate Library at Yate Shopping Centre, and provides mobility scooter and wheelchair hire on a daily and longer-term basis, to help people who have limited mobility to retain their independence, use the facilities of the centre and access other services.
Its opening hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am-4pm.
There is free daily hire with a concessionary bus pass.
To contact the scheme call 01454 868718 or 07999 574474, or email shopmobilitysouthglos@ yahoo.com. David Bell
My collection day should be… My collection will take place on…
Wednesday 25 December
Thursday 26 December
Friday 27 December
Monday 30 December
Tuesday 31 December
Wednesday 1 January
Thursday 2 January
Friday 3 January
Monday 6 January
Tuesday 7 January
Wednesday 8 January
Thursday 9 January
Friday 10 January
Friday 27 December
Saturday 28 December
Monday 30 December
Tuesday 31 December
Thursday 2 January
Friday 3 January
Saturday 4 January
Monday 6 January
Tuesday 7 January
Wednesday 8 January
Thursday 9 January
Friday 10 January
Saturday 11 January
From Monday 13 January collection days will return to normal.
Check your collection day at ���� www.southglos.gov.uk/collectionday
Anthony Davies and Mary Darby duet at the piano
Coalpit Heath WI
WE were very excited to be voted winners of the Scarecrow trail for our Red Riding Hood, which was displayed on the bench outside St Saviour’s church.
Two members attended a village event at the Brockeridge centre to receive our prize.
We were also proud to add a tribute for Remembrance Day to the Badminton Road fence. Members added knitted poppies to letters on canvas, to spell out "Lest we forget", as well as adding a wreath by the church entrance.
We held our AGM in November, thanking our outgoing president for all the work she has done over the past six years, and voting in a
replacement. We have one new committee member.
Our service of carols and poems is on December 11, with mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. The collection will be shared between the church and a local food bank charity.
If our meetings sound like something you would enjoy, our next meeting is Christmas Crafts at St Saviour’s church hall on December 4 at 7.45pm – visitors £4.
Programme updates can be found on Facebook or Instagram.
Caroline Johnston
Frampton Cotterell WI
FOLLOWING our AGM on November 26, Frampton Cotterell WI's next event is a Christmas social and reindeer drive on December 12.
We meet at St Peter's Hall on School Road, usually on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7.45pm.
Our first meeting of 2025 will include a Vietnamese cuisine demo
Loft Boarding & Insulation
from Noya’s Kitchen in Bath, on January 28. There is a charge of £4 for non-members.
Do feel free to come along and meet us if you think you fancy joining – we have quite a varied and active programme booked up, further details of which will shortly be confirmed.
We have many other events and socials lined up for the year ahead, including visits to the theatre, meals out, garden and historic visits.
We also have a monthly “lunch club”, open to all members and held at a different local venue each time.
Watch this space and our Facebook page for confirmation of future event dates and more details.
Winterbourne Down WI
OUR November meeting was one with a difference, as we held an evening of entertainment provided by some of our members.
Our assistant treasurer June presented a number of poems, some by well known poets such as Pam Ayres and the French Poet Du Bellay, together with some of her own poetry. She then performed a couple of songs on her mandolin and guitar – a very talented lady.
Poetry was also presented by two other members, Helen and Jenny, who had both written their own pieces.
At our next meeting we will welcome a singer, Danny Guest, and will enjoy a Christmas-themed American supper.
We will start 2025 with a talk from Fauve Birch, who was a contestant on TV show The Great British Sewing Bee.
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month in All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down, at 7.30pm.
We also enjoy many other social events during the year, and make all visitors very welcome.
Carol Tremlin
Winterbourne Down Ladies Probus
Club
WE were entertained by Carolyn Darling at our October meeting.
Her talk, 'The Confessions of a Lawyer', gave us an amusing and informative insight into the British judicial system.
There were both darker and lighter tales to tell of her experiences, some making your hair curl whilst others were sidesplitting, to say the least.
Our next meeting is at 2pm on December 9, when we will be having a good old sing-along with Danny Guest. He will be entertaining us with a variety of popular songs, including some with a definite Christmas theme.
Visitors are always welcome to our meetings, which usually take place at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. They include a short club business session, a talk from a visiting speaker, tea and biscuits and time for a chat.
For more information please contact me on 01454 773647.
On behalf of us all at Winterbourne Down Ladies Probus Club, Merry Christmas everybody!
Sue Humphreys
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