Frome Valley Voice July 2024 by Fromevalleyvoice

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Mark is an inspiration

A FRAMPTON Cotterell man's ongoing fight against terminal cancer has inspired a huge fundraising effort.

More than 50 friends and supporters of Mark Butcher, 45, came together at a gym in Iron Acton to take part in a gruelling 15-hour workout which has raised thousands for the two charities helping him and his family, St Peter’s Hospice and Bowel Cancer UK.

It was named 'the Mother of all Workouts' after the 15-hours procedure father-of-one Mark spent

having his cancer cut out in a procedure called ‘the Mother of All Surgeries’ by doctors. As the Voice went to print the fundraising effort had raised more than £17,000, from more than 500 donors.

Mark's best friend David Champion, of Chipping Sodbury, organised the event and said it "proved what an unbelievably amazing place the world can be when people come together for a worthy cause".

Turn to page 3

Festival returns

FRAMPTON Festival is back this month, five years after the popular free event was last held in the village.

PAGE 5

Murder charge

A HAMBROOK man has appeared in court accused of murdering his father in the village.

PAGE 2

General election guide

All of the candidates standing in the Frome Valley area in July's general election have made their pitch to Voice readers.

PAGES 6-9

Taxi crisis

SOUTH Gloucestershire is at risk of running out of taxis – and councillors are so worried, they could scrap a planned rule that every one must be made accessible for wheelchairs.

PAGE 12

Mark Butcher (top row, centre) with best friend David Champion and fellow fundraisers at the Kokoro Fitness gym

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Local information

South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582

Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

Environment/trading standards 01454 868001

Complaints

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk

general enquiries: 101

Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk

General enquiries: 0117 926 2061

NHS Health Call 111

Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk

Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

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A member of the

Son is charged with father's murder

Police were called to this house in Mill Lane, Hambrook

A MAN has been charged with the murder of his father, who was found dead at his home in Hambrook.

Emergency services were called to a house in Mill Lane, Hambrook, at about 9.55am on Saturday June 22, where a man in his 90s was found dead.

Shortly afterwards they arrested another man on suspicion of murder.

Gary Moore appeared before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on June 25, charged with the murder of his father Robert Moore, who was 93 and known as Bob.

Moore, whose address was also given as Mill Lane and who is 64, was remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Bristol Crown Court on August 2.

A provisional trial date has been set for December.

Police have appealed for anyone who believes they may

have information that could help their investigation to call them on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5224 161 401.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Deb Hatch, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "Specially-trained officers will continue to support and update Bob’s family, and all our thoughts are with them at this very upsetting time for them."

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Steph McKenna said: “While there is not believed to be any ongoing risk to the public, the local community can expect to see an increased police presence while investigative work is carried out, along with highvisibility reassurance patrols.

"As always, if you have any concerns please speak to those officers and PCSOs on patrol as they will be happy to speak and try to assist as much as possible."

The Beesmoor Road Playing Field, Frampton Cotterell Car Boot Sale

Sunday 7 July

Set up from 0830, car boot 0900 - 1230. Gates closed at 1300. £10 per car, £25 for traders. £8 in advance.

SPREAD THE WORD field@beesmoor.uk

Mark inspires 'Mother of all Workouts'

From page 1

Mark, the marketing director for pharmaceutical company Accord Healthcare, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2021 after feeling an intense pain on his right-hand side.

A scan revealed that his bowel was completely blocked by a cancerous tumour and the cancer had spread to his liver.

He said: "At that point they believed they could cure it so later that day they took the biopsies and found that the cancer was in every section of my liver.

"They stopped counting at 18 tumours and at that point my diagnosis changed to palliative care. It was a huge shock and blow to me."

Last year doctors performed highly invasive surgery on Mark to cut out all the cancerous cells, followed by heated chemotherapy to remove any remaining cancer cells. He lost part of his liver, bowel and gall bladder in the procedure.

Mark said: “It's such massive, invasive surgery that there’s a risk you might not make it through.

"I had scans afterwards which showed no evidence of cancer, but then I some more scans which showed that some of the cancer cells have grown back.

"I’m a year down the line now and I wouldn’t have had that extra year if it wasn’t for the surgery. "My life is fairly independent at the moment – I get tired and I have a big scar but apart from that you wouldn’t know that I’ve had an operation of that magnitude, which is incredible really.”

Mark and David grew up and went to school together in Wiltshire and after Mark met wife Vic, from Iron Acton, David met Jo, from Yate, and also moved to the area.

Mark Butcher was a regular at the Kokoro Fitness gym where the fundraiser took place in June, having joined with David.

David said: “The gym’s held a very special place for us and is the perfect place to honour

Mark.

"He went into his diagnosis being the fittest and healthiest ever, which did help him in many of the treatments that he’s had.

"We planned a themed workout for every one of the 15 hours.

"We ended with ‘The Butch’,

an intense workout reflecting Mark’s endurance.

“The outpouring of emotion and support for Mark was absolutely mind blowing and the money and awareness raised the charities is incredible.

"Many of us struggled on the day, but knowing what

Mark has endured with such determination and perseverance continued to inspire us and kept us going –the fact that he and his family were able to be there on the day was amazing.

“I have to finish by saying that none of this would have been possible without the incredible Kokoro Fitness community.

"More than 50 members took part, 18 of us did the full 15.5 hours but so many others contributed in so many different ways.

"I feel incredibly proud to be part of this gym and I know that we all achieved something truly special for Mark and the charities.”

Mark said the event aimed to raise awareness of bowel cancer in young people, saying "it's definitely not an 'old man' disease," as well as providing a boost for the two charities.

He said: "The Emotional Support team at St Peter’s Hospice are providing counselling for me, my wife and daughter.

"The Clinical Nurse Specialist team checks in with me too and I know that if we desperately need something such as extra medicines, we can contact them too. It’s invaluable knowing that.”

David said: “Mark’s a very special character and he’s very stoic. He’s carried on relentlessly in his pursuit to not take no for an answer.

“One of nicest things about doing this is the lovely messages of support we’ve received. Friends we haven’t seen in years have been in touch, sending messages and donations.

"Many have shared messages about the support the Hospice has offered them and that’s made us realise what a valuable service it is to the local community.

We hope by doing this we can raise awareness that bowel cancer isn’t an old man’s disease and raise funds to support these charities.”

Donations are still being collected at the Mother of All Workouts JustGiving page, at tinyurl.com/2s67e3y3.

Mark undergoing treatment in hospital

Best friends Mark Butcher and David Champion

Footpath moved for water works

THE last two phases of a £5 million project to address sewage spill problems on the River Frome have got underway in Frampton Cotterell.

Wessex Water is building three underground storage tanks, capable of storing 885,000 litres of water between them, at Church Road in Frampton Cotterell, at Nightingale Lane and off Cloisters Road, Watley's End.

Work has started near Nightingale Lane, known locally as Hillyfields, on the second tank.

The seven metre (23ft) diameter tank will have a capacity of 180,000 litres and is being built on land next to the popular footpath which links Harris Barton with Court Road.

The footpath has been diverted into a neighbouring paddock, enabling workers to build temporary access for vehicles to a compound ready for the work.

The last phase, to install a 480,000-litre tank on private land within Sunny Acres Farm, began in the middle of June. It is the largest tank, with a diameter of 10.5m (34ft).

The tanks cover the three combined sewer overflows which discharged the most last year: 1,137 hours at Church Road, 923 hours at Nightingale Bridge and 1,155 at Sunny Acres, off Cloisters Lane.

The idea is to hold excess rainwater back from the rivers during heavy downpours, when the sewers can be overwhelmed.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “All three projects that form our £5 million investment towards protecting the River Frome in South Gloucestershire are now under way.

“The first of these, on land off Church Road in the village, is progressing well and remains on schedule for completion in October.

“The other two – near Nightingale Lane and at Watley’s End are in the early stages of construction and are expected to be finished in January of next year.

“When complete, these storage tanks will be capable of holding back nearly 900,000 litres of water, easing the flow of large amounts of rain into sewers during heavy storms, helping to significantly reduce the automatic operation of storm overflows.’’

River is election issue: Page 11

The diverted footpath in Frampton Cotterell

The regular footpath has been blocked

Frampton Festival is back

FRAMPTON'S free village festival is returning, five years after it was last staged.

The festival is returning to its traditional venue, the Centenary Field in Mill Lane, on Saturday July 13.

It was last staged there in 2018, moving to the Park, off School Road, for a year in 2019.

Since then the pandemic and difficulties with access to Centenary Field for towing vehicles have frustrated attempts to stage the event. But work by South Gloucestershire Council and Frampton Cotterell Parish Council to improve the entrance mean it can now go ahead.

Organisers say donations, sponsorship, advertising and support from the parish council were also key to enabling the festival to take place this year.

Committee member Ian Haddrell said: “The organising committee are extremely grateful to all those who have provided funds, which allow the festival to take place again.

"We know how popular the festival is with local residents and we are determined to continue providing the annual free event.

"I would like to thank the parish council for their support for the festival and generosity in providing a grant to help fund the – new for this year –silent firework display."

Live music towards the end of the day will be provided by The G&Ts, Brain Frog, Elvis impersonator Mark Knight and headliners Elevation.

Earlier in the day, Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir and line dancing with Laughter In Line will be among the attractions.

Stalls include face painting and glitter tattoos, Frampton Cotterell WI, Bristol Rabbit Rescue & Friends, children’s toys and sweets, Frampton Cotterell Rugby Juniors, handmade soy wax melts and Zeus Explorer Scouts.

Refreshments will include an on-site bar selling a range of beers, ciders, wine and lager, and numerous food outlets.

The festival will run from 2pm to 10pm, when the lighting of the parish beacon will be followed by what organisers promise will be a "spectacular" silent firework display.

They are advising that wellbehaved dogs are welcome but BBQ are not allowed.

The festival will be followed by a united church service on the Centenary Field at 11am the following day.

The committee is appealing for some more helpers on the day to ensure that the festival runs smoothly and safely.

The festival committee has been working hard to ensure popular attractions have been booked, including steam engine and a variety of fairground rides, children's entertainment and a wide variety of stalls.

Anyone with some time to spare on the say should contact the committee at info@ framptonfestival.co.uk.

Steam engine rides are among the attractions returning for this year's festival

A previous Frampton Festival

n GENERAL ELECTION

Thornbury & Yate: Your candidates

VOTERS in the Frome Valley area will be among millions around the country electing a new government on July 4.

Residents living in the area covered by the Voice cast their votes in one of two parliamentary constituencies: Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath and Iron Acton are part of Thornbury & Yate, while Winterbourne, Winterbourne Down and Hambrook are part of Filton & Bradley Stoke.

The Voice has contacted the candidates standing in the election, and all of them have sent statements to tell readers something about themselves and their priorities if they are elected.

Our guide starts with Thornbury & Yate, where Conservative Luke Hall is defending a majority of 12,369 from the 2019 general election. He won the seat from Liberal Democrat Steve Webb in 2015.

Lib Dem candidate Claire Young, the current leader of South Gloucestershire Council, was second in 2017 and 2019.

The constituency's boundaries have changed since the last general election, with the Pilning & Severn Beach council ward moving from Filton & Bradley Stoke, and Siston added from the Kingswood constituency, which has been abolished.

Parts of the Lyde Green estate that were in Thornbury & Yate are now in Filton & Bradley Stoke.

Thornbury & Yate is a top target for the Lib Dems, who held it and its predecessor Northavon from 1997 until 2015.

In last year's council election the Lib Dems topped the poll in every ward in the constituency, while in May's Police & Crime Commissioner elections the Tories were first and Labour second across South Gloucestershire.

Frampton Garage

Andy Banwell (Reform UK)

MY name is Andy Banwell, and I am honoured to stand as the Reform UK candidate for Thornbury and Yate. With a career spanning various roles including bus driver, lorry driver, and IT engineer, I’ve gained a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by everyday working people.

As a long-serving parish councillor for Dyrham and Hinton Parish Council, I’ve been committed to serving our local community, working tirelessly to address issues that matter to residents. My dedication to public service is rooted in my belief that effective representation starts with listening to the needs and concerns of the community.

If elected, my priorities will focus on strengthening our local economy, enhancing public services, and ensuring a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. I am passionate about supporting local businesses, improving transportation infrastructure, and ensuring access to high-quality healthcare and education.

I also believe in the importance of preserving our beautiful countryside and promoting sustainable development that respects our environment. As a family man with two grown-up daughters and three grandchildren, I am committed to building a future that provides opportunities and security for all generations.

I am determined to bring a fresh, common-sense approach to politics, advocating for policies that are practical, fair, and focused on improving the quality of life for everyone in Thornbury and Yate. I look forward to the opportunity to represent you and work together to make our community an even better place to live.

Thank you for your support.

n GENERAL ELECTION

Luke Hall (Conservative)

I HAVE lived in South Gloucestershire all my life. I grew up here, I am raising my own family here, and I want to make sure we keep delivering for our community.

We’ve got a lot done in the last few years, but I know there is more to do. Together, we managed to defeat the unsustainable proposals to build thousands of houses at Chipping Sodbury and Buckover, but now we need to fight the plans to overdevelop our towns and villages, and make sure Bristol takes a fair share of housing, too.

We are opening a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities school, and now we need to refurbish rural schools and ensure we have strong mental health support in local schools.

We’ve made progress on transport, introducing half hourly train services, opening the park and ride, and scrapping the Severn Bridge Tolls. Now we need to go further, by reopening Charfield Station and securing better bus services.

We supported businesses through Covid, but now we need to open ‘Banking Hubs’ and defeat the Council’s plans to introduce car parking charges.

We are tackling crime. There are over 500 extra police officers in Avon and Somerset, but I am fighting to see more of them on the beat in South Gloucestershire.

On Health, we have secured the money to rebuild Thornbury Health Centre, and expanded services at Yate MIU. Now I want to see more services delivered at Frenchay, and crucially, get the rebuild of Thornbury Health Centre done.

Alexandra Jenner-Fust (Green)

WE’VE just had the hottest month since records began, and climate change is the biggest challenge facing humankind – but to read the news you’d sometimes be hard pressed to know there was a problem. I feel let down by the main political parties and their failure to address this issue, which is the main reason I’m standing for the Green Party in this election.

The Greens are passionate about protecting more than just our environment. We are focussed on delivering a fairer deal for everyone in society. We want to restore the health of the NHS, ensure affordable, quality housing is built in the right places and to enable everyone to have a decent quality life.

I’ve grown up near Thornbury and raised my family here. I work in a local school and also as a gardener, and I volunteer with Homestart, helping families with young children. This gives me a wealth of experience of some of the challenges we all face. I’m already working hard in public service and as a volunteer to help others, and I’m ready to take this further as your member of Parliament.

We are so lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country, where we have a great opportunity to make things even better. I’m ready to serve the people of Thornbury and Yate and help your voice get heard where it matters. For real hope and real change, vote Green.

Read more about the Green Party in our manifesto: greenparty. org.uk/about/our-manifesto

THE country is looking for change – to move forward after fourteen years of division, low growth, high prices, high taxes and poor public services.

To take just one example, people are waiting too long for NHS treatment, while the current government is content to blame doctors and nurses for delays, rather than providing the support that the healthcare system needs and which the British public have a right to expect.

Labour is offering a positive choice – a choice of economic competence, shorter NHS waiting times, green energy, investment in schools and better policing. This is the change that the country needs.

Thornbury and Yate is a fantastic community, and somewhere personally important to me. My wife’s side of the family is based just outside Thornbury, and this is why we moved to the West of England when our first daughter was born, 17 years ago. We’d never leave now.

Thornbury & Yate needs a parliamentary champion who will contribute to this positive vision, and who will stand up for the local area. Yate and Thornbury can be vibrant, bustling town centres that are simple to travel to and full of life, but sadly previous politicians have not stood up for the things that matter to the local area, while our town centres have fallen behind. Re-opening Thornbury High Street as a popular destination has to be the first step.

We can change this. Labour can change this.

I hope you choose Labour.

Claire Young (Liberal Democrats)

WHATEVER your political views I think we can all agree something has to change.

We can’t carry on with an NHS that can’t treat people in A&E for 24 hours or offer doctors’ appointments for weeks.

We can’t leave family carers to cope with a care system that doesn’t work for them.

We can’t keep dumping sewage into our rivers and we can’t afford high food and energy bills.

I’ve lived in this community for 25 years, and I have fought against the impact of government policy on our local towns and villages.

I am standing to be your MP because, alongside other Lib Dem MPs, I want to take that fight to Parliament.

For example, the Liberal Democrats have costed plans to invest in 8,000 more GPs and to fine the water companies for sewage discharges.

I’ve been a councillor here for 17 years and am now Council Leader. I’ve introduced measures to tackle the changing climate and fought to protect our beautiful countryside. I’ve helped businesses get support and been there for residents when times have been tough. I’ve helped many of you over the years. I know I can make an even bigger difference as your MP.

The national polls show Labour in the lead. Here in this seat the situation is different. Labour have never won this seat, and it’s a close race between myself and the Conservatives. So if you think it’s time for a fresh start, please support me on July 4.

Alexandra Jenner-Fust (Green)

Claire Young (Liberal Democrats)

Thornbury & Yate

Rob Logan (Labour)

n GENERAL ELECTION

Filton & Bradley Stoke: Your candidates

IN the Filton & Bradley Stoke seat Conservative Jack Lopresti is defending a majority of 5,646 from the 2019 election.

Mr Lopresti has held the seat since it was created in 2010:

Labour has been second in all four previous contests.

This year Filton & Bradley Stoke's boundaries have moved east to take in Emersons Green and Lyde Green, losing areas north west of the M5, including Almondsbury, Easter Compton and Pilning to Thornbury & Yate, while Staple Hill becomes part of the new Bristol North East seat.

In last year's council elections the Tories won nine of the seats in the area covered by the constituency, with Labour winning six, the Lib Dems two and independents one, while in May's Police & Crime Commissioner elections the Conservatives were first and Labour second across South Gloucestershire.

As the Voice went to print the YouGov and Survation polls carried out polling at the end of May and beginning of June, both predicted a win for Labour in the seat.

Voting will take place from 7am until 10pm on July 4, with the votes being counted immediately afterwards and results expected to be declared early on July 5.

The deadline for registering to vote has already passed.

This will be the first general election where voters are required to present photo ID at polling stations.

An estimated 4% of voters are registered to vote but lack the necessary ID, according to a recent survey.

Voters can use passports, driving licences, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) cards, blue badges, Defence Identity Cards and some concessionary travel cards as proof.

I'M campaigning for our community on both a local and national stage for action to tackle the housing crisis, cost of living crisis, the NHS crisis and the ongoing sewage scandal.

I'm a former local councillor and deputy leader of the successful Somerset West and Taunton council and remain a dedicated community campaigner. During my tenure, the council began work on the first council houses to be planned and built in west Somerset for more than 30 years.

For years our area has been taken for granted by an out-of-touch Conservative Government that has failed to get the basics right and lurched from crisis to crisis – now it’s time for a change.

We need to see a return to politics that not only works for the country, but for our local communities.

Local health services have been brought to their knees, people’s mortgages and rent have skyrocketed and water companies have been allowed to pump their filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches.

All this by a Conservative government more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for the country.

People are at breaking point and the simple fact is that we need change at the very top.

This government is the first in almost a century to make the average person poorer. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a fair deal. It’s a vote for a party and a candidate that will stand up for our community and our health services.

■ Non destructive entry methods

and efciently from the initial

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Burgled? Need your locks changed or re-keying on a new home? Call us.

Full explanation and costs given before any works carried out. All work fully guaranteed. No call-out fee

Benet Allen (Liberal Democrats)

n GENERAL ELECTION

Stephen Burge (Reform UK)

My name is Stephen Burge. I have lived in and around Filton and Bradley Stoke most of my life, my father worked for Rolls-Royce, my children grew up and still live here, my friends live here, and I care about this community.

I’m an ordinary person, someone just like you, and I’m standing because I feel this constituency has been let down. Issues like the Hambrook Lights which cause traffic chaos, the link road bridge to Winterbourne, the asylum seekers in the local hotels, the talk of 30,000 new houses on the Woodlands Golf Course; how would the infrastructure cope that's already jammed at peak times?

I want to be your voice.

That’s the reason I’m standing: we have been let down locally. Of course we also need to look at the national issues, but locally is what is important to you, this is what impacts your lives.

Enough is enough, this is why I have decided to stand, to try and make a difference for this community.

Vote Reform UK.

IT’S been an honour to represent you as your Member of Parliament for the last 14 years.

Over that time, we have achieved so much together for our area, but there’s still more to do.

Our country is at a crossroads. We have all faced very difficult years: a global pandemic – the first in over a century, and the first full-scale invasion on the continent of Europe in 70 years. We have had to make difficult decisions to steer our country through these dark times.

Locally, I have been working hard to improve connectivity in Downend and surrounding areas like Frenchay and Emersons Green. I presented a petition to Parliament restore Hambrook Junction so traffic can cross the junction in both directions.

I’ll continue to push to reinstate bus services which have been cut by Labour’s West of England Mayor Dan Norris who, despite receiving £105 million to improve buses, prefers to waste money on gimmicks like a birthday bus pass, and adverts of himself and his dog.

When it comes to public services like health and education, I secured £49.9 million for Southmead Hospital and I’m working to improve access to local GP surgeries.

As for education, 93% of South Gloucestershire schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. Moreover, having already delivered a new school in Winterbourne, we must look to build another in Emersons Green.

We’ve turned a corner – we have a plan. We seek the opportunity, honour and privilege to continue to serve the British people.

I LIVE in Stoke Gifford and am from a family of teachers, NHS workers and RAF service members – their sense of public service runs deep in me.

I've worked in leadership roles for trusted national charities and in politics on big issues, including the housing and environmental crises. I knock on doors all year round and share your concerns.

We live in great communities but our potential is being held back.

As your strong voice in parliament, I’ll act to:

*Reduce the cost of living. Getting energy bills down with a proper windfall tax on oil and gas giants. Keeping bills down by switching on Great British Energy.

*Get our public services back on their feet. More doctors, dentists, teachers and police where needed most, and service reform. Funded by closing tax loopholes and exemptions.

*Build good and affordable homes, with infrastructure. Support local people to stay, while protecting the character of our growing communities.

*Public transport that works. Speed up bus franchising and give communities the opportunity to take back control of local bus services.

*Action on climate and good, local green jobs. Protect nature for future generations and back the skills we need, in aerospace and beyond.

This will take time, but I’ll work every day to deliver for you, serving as a visible, impactful and approachable MP you can be proud of. Labour’s always been the strong second here. I hope I can earn your trust in the most important election in a generation.

WE need to see a step change in how we fund our public services. As someone not far out of school and as the brother of a soon-to-be children's nurse, I have seen the devastation of austerity on our public services.

As a Green MP, I would fight to ensure those with the broadest shoulders paid for public services that are fit for the future.

We need to protect our waters, air and land. I have grown up appreciating our local nature and seeing the failure of the government to address the climate crisis.

As a Green MP, I would fight for sewage-polluting water companies to come under public ownership and for real ambition from the government to provide a green future for the next generation.

We need to deal with the cost of living with more than a sticking plaster.

I have met with many people feeling the squeeze while some large companies post record profits.

As a Green MP, I would fight for the tax on income from shares in companies to be raised to equal what you pay on your salaries from work, so that we can pay for a fairer, greener society for all.

I have lived in this area since I was two years old, I have seen promises made and then broken.

I believe in real hope and change for our communities. That’s why I’m asking you to vote for me on July 4th.

Read more about the Green Party in our manifesto: greenparty.org. uk/about/our-manifesto

Claire Hazelgrove (Labour)

James Nelson (Green)

Jack Lopresti (Conservative)

n GENERAL ELECTION

Betting probe Tory is former council assistant

ONE of the Conservative Party figures embroiled in a scandal over betting on the date of the general election is a former South Gloucestershire Council political assistant.

Tony Lee, who stepped back from his role as the party's head of campaigning after it was revealed that he and his wife were under investigation by the Gambling Commission, was the political assistant to the Conservative group on the council earlier in his career.

Mr Lee's wife Laura Saunders, a fellow Tory employee, was selected as the party's candidate for the Bristol North West seat at the general election.

But on June 25 the party announced it could "no longer support" her and another parliamentary candidate, Craig Williams.

As well as Labour incumbent Darren Jones, Ms Saunders is also on the ballot paper with Mr Lee's previous partner Mary Page, who

is the Green candidate for the constituency.

After leaving his role at South Gloucestershire Mr Lee, who attended Kingsfield School in Kingswood before studying modern history at Oxford University, went on to several roles within the Conservative Party, including field campaigner, deputy director of voter communication and strategic political and campaign advisor to former Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, who was one of the high-profile casualties in this year's local elections.

A spokesperson for Ms Saunders has said that she will be cooperating with the Gambling Commission investigation, and "has nothing further to add".

Mr Lee has not commented on the investigation.

The Conservative Party said he had taken "a leave of absence" from his role at Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

The party initially said it had

It’s good to talk...

Maria, Bristol “ ”

been "contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of individuals" but it "wouldn’t be proper to comment further" while the independent body was conducting its process.

However Mr Sunak later announced that an internal investigation was underway and in its subsequent announcement the party said: "As a result of ongoing internal enquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as Parliamentary Candidates at the forthcoming General Election.

"We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation that they are conducting, which is rightly independent and ongoing."

The investigation was launched after Mr Williams, the Conservative candidate in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr and a close aide of the Prime Minister, was alleged to have

placed a £100 bet on the date of the general election shortly before it was announced by Rishi Sunak in May.

The surprise announcement of the July 4 date caught most politicians, including many Conservatives, off-guard.

Mr Williams has since apologised and said he made a "huge error of judgement".

Both he and Ms Saunders will remain on ballot papers, as it is too late to withdraw.

A police officer from Mr Sunak's police protection detail has been arrested in connection with the scandal, and five other officers were being investigated as the Voice went to press.

The Gambling Commission has confirmed it is "investigating the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election".

It was hard but I’m so glad we had that conversation.

However a spokesperson declined to reveal further details or confirm the identities of anyone involved in the investigation.

It was hard but I’m so glad we had that conversation.

Together we planned a proper send off for mum, a whole morning to celebrate her life with the music and poetry she loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories.

Together we planned a proper send off for Mum, a whole morning to celebrate her life with the music and poetry she loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories

Maria, Bristol

n GENERAL ELECTION

Frome pollution on election agenda

CLEAN rivers campaigner Feargal Sharkey visited Winterbourne to highlight pollution in the River Frome ahead of the general election.

Until recently best known as the former lead singer of rock band The Undertones, in recent years he has become an outspoken campaigner against sewage and agricultural pollution of Britain's waterways.

Feargal has called out water companies and the government over water pollution and visited the Frome Valley Walkway in Winterbourne on June 12 as part of the election campaign of Labour's candidate in the Filton & Bradley Stoke constituency, Claire Hazelgrove.

In April the Voice reported that the Frome did not have a single stretch in good 'ecological health', according to environmental charity the Rivers Trust, which analysed Environment Agency figures for chemical pollutants and the presence of animal species.

In May we reported that raw sewage was flushed into the River Frome for more than 4,000 hours last year from eight combined sewer overflows between Iron Acton and Winterbourne.

Feargal, who is vice-chair of campaign group River Action and president of SERA, the Labour

Environment Campaign, said: "People in Winterbourne and across the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy time in nature with the Frome Valley Walkway here.

"There’s just one problem – the River Frome is highly polluted and essentially ecologically dead."

He said voting Labour would "send a clear message that this isn’t good enough and will kickstart the process of healing our rivers and seas under a Labour government”.

Ms Hazelgrove said Conservative "mismanagement has spoiled our natural spaces", and Tory Jack Lopresti had "voted to allow sewage dumping".

It was a point also made about her Tory rival Luke Young by Liberal Democrat Claire Young, who is standing in the Thornbury & Yate constituency, upstream.

She said: "The Lib Dems have been campaigning against sewage in the Frome for decades."

She said Mr Hall voted against a law that would have seen water companies in court for sewage spills.

The Lib Dems are proposing making water firms 'public benefit companies' and introducing a 'sewage tax' on water company profits.

The Conservatives have published a 'Plan for Water' in their manifesto, which includes "working with the regulator to further hold companies to account, including banning executive bonuses if a company has committed a serious criminal breach" and "using fines from water companies to invest in river restoration projects, including linking up thriving habitats to multiply the benefits for wildlife and water quality".

The Green Party is proposing bring the water companies back into public ownership as "the only way to end the scandal of our filthy water".

RiverBlitz: Page 21

Clean rivers campaigner Feargal Sharkey with Claire Hazelgrove on a bridge over the Frome in Winterbourne

Taxi crisis prompts wheelchair rethink

SOUTH Gloucestershire is at risk of running out of taxis –and councillors are so worried, they could scrap a planned rule that every one must be made accessible for wheelchairs.

The number of hackney carriages, which can be flagged down by passengers on the street, has plummeted from 300 in 2016 to 81 this year.

Seven years ago, the council decided all taxis must be wheelchair accessible. But the deadline for compliance has been pushed back twice and the rule has never come into force: only 25 of the current fleet have the necessary ramps and facilities.

Now councillors have agreed to delay the deadline again, until June next year, while officers review the authority’s licensing policy and consult the public.

The biggest concern is the huge cost of converting a vehicle, at a time when many drivers have already given up on the trade.

A report to the council's regulatory committee in May said that, should the decline in the number of hackney cabs continue, the district "runs a risk of having no, or so few, Hackney Carriage taxi vehicles that any policy would be ineffective and be of detriment to all members of the public".

The total number of licensed vehicles has increased, from 450 in 2016 to more than 3,000 last year. But this includes a huge rise in private hire vehicles, which have to be pre-booked, including via apps like Uber.

The report said most wheelchair-accessible vehicles currently available are diesel powered, and there is "genuine concern" drivers will be required to buy hybrid or electric vehicles if the council’s goal is for all licensed vehicles to be electric by 2030.

The report said wheelchairaccessible electric vehicles

are "currently prohibitively expensive", and the council could not force private hire vehicles to be accessible.

Imploring councillors not to scrap the policy, David Redgewell, of South Gloucestershire Disabilities Equalities Network, told the meeting in May: “We’re very concerned about the level of wheelchair accessible taxis in the district. We only have 25 to cover an area from Filton right up to Wickwar, Charfield and the villages.

“It’s very difficult to get a wheelchair taxi in South Gloucestershire.

“We would urge you not to go backwards.”

Council service director for place Andrew Birch said a "full-scale review of the whole taxi policy", including a 12-week public consultation, would happen this year.

Mr Birch said the number of

wheelchair-accessible vehicles had fallen from 31 in 2016 to 25 now, prices were rising and moving from a saloon car to a wheelchair-accessible vehicle costs drivers "tens of thousands of pounds extra".

Mike Drew (Lib Dem, Yate North) said: “Ideally any disabled person should be able to hail down any passing taxi and make use of it."

But he said the "very difficult situation" meant councillors had been weighing idealism against practicality.

Keith Cranney (Con, Stoke Gifford) said there was not a "gigantic" number of people wanting to take a wheelchair into a taxi.

He said: "How can you just hail a taxi and expect them to have a wheelchair ramp and hoist and everything else on board? It comes at a great cost."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Day Centre Activity Club

Living the best life in later life

Join us for laughter-filled sessions with intergenerational events, chair-based sport, art & painting, craft, day trips and much more! Bristol & South Glos Venues Transport available Hot Healthy Lunch included

n NEWS

Beacon burns to remember D-Day

HUNDREDS of people attended an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Frampton Cotterell's Centenary Field.

The community event organised by Frampton Cotterell Parish Council on June 6 culminated in the lighting of the field's ceremonial beacon at 9.15pm.

It burned simultaneously with more than 1,000 others across the UK, Channel Islands and Overseas Territories, as well as on the four Normandy beaches where the Allied invasion that hastened the end

of the Second World War took place on the same day in 1944.

Around 300 people, young and old, came out to mark the occasion, which included a drill by the Air Cadets, wartime music by the Crossbow Singers and Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, and poppy-themed cupcakes and drinks provided by the parish council.

Guests were able to have a close-up look at a military vehicle and fire engine and find out some Second World War history through local historian Liz Ferguson’s WWII Mini Museum exhibition.

Frampton Cotterell Scouts, who took part in the parade also were on hand to help during the evening and treated visitors to freshly cooked popcorn.

Parish council chair Linda Williams lit the Centenary Field beacon, as bagpiper Andy Ferguson played and the International Tribute by Rev Sharon Lovelock of Zion United Church.

Cllr Williams said: "This was a poignant and moving evening, appreciated by everyone who came together as a community to commemorate the D-Day landings.

"I was honoured to light the beacon to mark the 80th anniversary, keeping the memory alive of all those involved who bravely fought for the peace that we currently enjoy."

The parish council has thanked all the local volunteers who supported the event, including the Frampton Cotterell Scouts and Guides, the Air Cadets, Patchway Fire Brigade, Jamie Meachin, Shirley Wilcox, the Crossbow Singers, Liz Ferguson, Andy Ferguson and Rev Lovelock, as well as everyone who attended.

Rev Sharon Lovelock reads the International Tribute as the beacon is lit

The Crossbow Singers and Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir sing

The burning beacon is captured on a smartphone

Scouts, cubs and guides lead the parade into the event area

Changes to dentist website criticised

CHANGES to the website set up to show which dentists have places available for new NHS patients have been criticised by the leader of the profession's representative body.

The Voice reported earlier this year that adults in the Frome Valley area searching the NHS Find a Dentist website faced a 34-mile trip, to Marlborough in Wiltshire, to reach the nearest one accepting new adult NHS patients.

For children aged 17 and under, the nearest practice open to new NHS patients was almost 17 miles away, in Bradford-on-Avon.

Since then the website has changed the way it lists dental practices. The label indicating that a practice was open to new NHS patients has been replaced by one which says a practice will accept them "when availability allows".

That means more practices are now shown as accepting NHS

patients – but the site no longer indicates if any actually have places available at any given time.

As of June 25, eight practices within five miles of Frampton Cotterell were listed as accepting new adult NHS patients subject to availability: the nearest was in Bradley Stoke.

Winterbourne's Apple Dental Practice was listed as not accepting new NHS patients and the Frampton and Flaxpits practices stopped all NHS treatment in 2021.

The Voice asked NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care why the change was made, and whether there is any way for patients to find out which practices actually have vacancies for new NHS patients, other than contacting each one individually.

We also asked if practices were still reporting, to either NHS

England or their local integrated care board, when they have places available for new NHS patients.

In response the DHSC said: "The website was updated in April to make it easier for members of the public to identify practices that might be able to accept new NHS patients."

However the department did not say whether practices were still reporting available NHS places, even though it claims the website provides "operational information at the current point in time to show where an individual can find an NHS dentist".

The changes to the site were made after the announcement of a 'recovery plan' aimed at increasing access and funding millions of extra appointments and treatments nationally, which included an announcement by ministers that 500 more practices were taking on new NHS patients.

But the changes were criticised by the chair of the British Dental Association, Eddie Crouch, who said: "They are sidestepping the fact that they’ve just changed the definition of access from a simple ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, to taking on new patients 'when capacity allows'."

Writing in a blog that dentistry was now "at the forefront of voter concerns", he said: "We’ve called on all parties to offer real urgency and ambition to save the service and put a halt to widening inequalities."

Earlier this year the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for NHS services in the area, said access to NHS dentistry in the area was "challenging".

The ICB said people with an urgent dental need could call 111 to access one of 64 appointments available each week.

Could you give around 5 hours per month to prepare and attend a monthly meeting, and discuss decisions affecting a wide range of topics in your community?

As a Parish Councillor you can help address local issues and make a real difference for residents:-

• Influence the allocation of thousands of ££’s of parish community benefit funds.

• Improve facilities for the public such as youth activities, play areas and Bitterwell Lake.

• Discuss & influence SGC plans for the area including building, traffic and parking measures, cycling provision, green spaces, footpaths.

Children on the trail of dinosaurs

CHILDREN at a Winterbourne primary school journeyed back into prehistory to discover facts about dinosaurs.

As well as history, the Reception children at St Michael's C of E Primary School in Linden Close had dinosaur-related lessons in art and even maths, and are due to visit a dinosaur trail for a school trip later in the year.

Reception teacher Jo Wilton said: "History can be a difficult concept for the youngest children, who struggle to understand that there was life many years before they arrived.

"The children were amazed to find huge dinosaur footprints in the classroom on their first day back at school after Easter.

"We began our topic by asking the question: 'How do we know that Dinosaurs lived?'

"This led to lots of work on fossils and dinosaur bones.

"The children loved examining pictures of fossils and handling some real fossils. We then had a go at making our own fossils using salt dough and printing the shape of a dinosaur into it.

"We also had a go at being palaeontologists and carefully excavating bones in the sand using paintbrushes.

"It was fun to find out lots of interesting

facts about the different dinosaurs before writing about what we had found out.

"In maths we used cubes to measure dinosaur pictures and even went out into the playground using trundle wheels to measure how long full-sized dinosaurs would have been.

"We also used 2D shapes to make dino pictures and made 3D models using play dough and pasta in art.

"We are really looking forward to our class trip to Avon Valley Country park soon as they have a new dinosaur trail."

(Right) Dinosaur art. (Below) Dinosaur prints appear in a classroom

LOOKING FOR LEGAL ADVICE?

Battery plant plans thrown out again

COUNCILLORS have refused permission for a battery compound to store energy in the countryside between Frampton Cotterell and Thornbury, despite hearing it could be “crucial” in cutting bills and preventing blackouts.

For a second time, a South Gloucestershire Council committee decided that protecting open countryside from development should take priority over the plans.

Immersa, the company behind the controversial plans at Earthcott Green Farm, threatened a legal challenge to the decision.

Representatives said their 200-megawatt battery compound would protect schools and hospitals from power failures.

The plans were first refused by members of the council's development management committee in May, after villagers raised fears of “toxic gas plumes in a lithium explosion” near homes.

Because that decision went against officers’ advice to approve the application, it was referred to the more senior spatial planning committee, which turned it down again on June 20.

The committee first heard from local residents and councillors about their concerns.

Alveston parish councillor Marion Reeve said: “Do we really want vast amounts of the country becoming wind farms, solar farms and now battery farms?

"Lithium explosions are very dangerous. Nuclear is also known to be dangerous — the difference with this project is the nuclear plants are not being built in a field behind homes where the people of

Earthcott live.

"This is absolutely horrendous, to have something like this so close.”

She also raised concerns about the risk of a fire from batteries overheating.

But experts from Avon Fire and Rescue consulted on the planning application told the council they were happy for the battery compound to be built, with adequate fire safety measures in place.

Immersa representative Sian Griffiths said: “This development would provide energy security to the 300,000 people in South Gloucestershire, protecting the electricity supply in the event of a grid failure.

"This proposal comprises 200 megawatts of storage capacity, sufficient to supply the homes in South Gloucestershire and Stroud with power for six hours.

"This project will protect schools, homes, hospitals and emergency services from power blackouts on the wider grid.

“This isn’t just about net zero. Gas-fired generators using expensive imported natural gas have massively increased energy bills over the last two years.

"Battery storage helps reduce energy bills by undercutting these expensive generators and maximising the use of low-cost renewable energy, crucial in this cost-of-living crisis.”

The committee decided to

refuse permission because the compound would be built on the Green Belt, a protected area of the countryside.

Committee member Liz Brennan (Con, Frenchay & Downend) said: “We have to work out the balance with this and the Green Belt.

"I think we need to create a better policy on this, otherwise we’re just going to keep getting these sites which will likely be on the Green Belt, and we need better guidance for developers.

"I think this would potentially harm the Green Belt and it’s inappropriate.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The site of the proposed battery farm at Earthcott Green

n NEWS

Tony thanks stadium team who saved life

A FRAMPTON Cotterell man who collapsed while watching an England match at Wembley has returned to thank the medics who saved his life.

Tony Tardio had gone to watch England's European Championship qualifying match against Italy, where the side secured its place at Euro 2024, when he suffered a cardiac arrest while walking to his seat.

Tony had gone to the match with his dad, who shouted for help, and six medics on duty at the stadium rushed to try and save him.

They took it in turns to perform CPR and administered shocks from a defibrillator seven times as they waited 30 minutes for an ambulance crew to fight their way through the crowds and reach them.

His heart was restarted but in the ambulance Tony, aged 62, had another cardiac arrest, going into pulseless electrical activity (PEA), which means the blood supply to the brain and breathing has stopped.

The ambulance crew had to administer adrenaline on the way to London's Harefield Hospital, where he was operated on within 27 minutes and then put into an induced coma for a week.

He was then moved from the critical care unit to intensive care and was in hospital for a total of three weeks.

After recovering Tony, who runs a key cutting and shoe repair business in Kingswood, wrote to Mark Cutler, head of emergency services at Wembley Stadium, to thank his staff for saving his life.

That led to an invitation to May's FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Manchester City, where Tony got to say thanks in person.

Tony said: "Had this happened outside the stadium, I wouldn’t have made it.

"My life hung in the balance, but it wasn’t my time.

"Unfortunately dad was on his own and absolutely beside himself. It was horrendous for him and he was too traumatised to go back to Wembley.

"I was a bit apprehensive about going but I wanted to say thanks to the amazing staff at Wembley Stadium – a few broken

ribs was a small price to pay for being alive."

As Tony recovered in hospital, he realised that he couldn’t remember where he had parked his car, and his dad and brotherin-law couldn’t find it.

Eventually his daughter called the local council to ask if they had found the car illegally overstaying a parking limit and they found it on their system.

Tony says the parking fines

he had clocked up were dropped, adding: "Sorry I couldn’t move the car, but I was clinically dead!"

The return to Wembley was "poignant and emotional" for Tony.

He said: "What they did was remarkable – they didn't give up on me."

During the Cup Final he also met Oscar-winning film star Gary Oldman, who was sitting in a VIP area near his seat.

Tony is now working with the landlord of the building where his business is based to get a defibrillator installed.

He said: "You only have three minutes to save someone, and the nearest one is more than three minutes away.

"I'm lucky it happened to me in a public place – if no-one is there to help you, you have no chance.

"You don’t get any warning."

Tony Tardio with the Wembley medics who saved his life

Meeting Gary Oldman at the FA Cup Final Tony in the stadium

Meadows ready for superstar Lesley

FINAL preparations are underway to welcome Britain’s best-known soprano to Iron Acton as part of a weekend of al fresco music.

Acton Aid, the charity which raises funds for local good causes, is presenting two evenings of live music in the Iron Acton Parish

Meadows on July 5 and 6.

Performing on the Saturday night will be Britain’s best-known soprano, Lesley Garrett, who regularly appears in opera, musical theatre and on television, and has been performing for over 30 years, winning critical acclaim across her

Backing her will be Bristol’s only debut appearance in the Meadows.

The evening culminates with Last Night of the Proms music and a firework display.

On the night before the Mash in the Meadows event will be headlined by Elton John tribute act Nearly Elton. Frontman Lee Brady and the band play at theatres and festivals throughout the UK and Europe.

Opening the Mash will be Joey the Lips, returning after playing last year. Organisers describe them as “the nation’s funkiest 10-piece band” providing a high-energy show, with well known songs from the last 30 years. www.

Bus operator needed

A SCHOOL bus service used by some Winterbourne Academy pupils needs a new operator after the current one announced it was pulling out after the end of term.

Stagecoach, which runs the 459 to and from Lyde Green and Emersons Green, says it will no longer be able to run the service on a commercial basis.

South Gloucestershire Council has responsibility for funding services where pupils are entitled to free transport to school, which includes some children using the 459.

A council spokesperson said: "Stagecoach have advised us that they will no longer be able to operate services 427 and 459 on a commercial basis from the end of this academic year. We will be beginning the process for tendering their replacement and will keep the school informed of our progress.

The council said the West of England Combined Authority was working on the tender on its behalf.

A WECA spokesperson said "solutions have been found" for both the 427 and 459, and said the authority has also requested that the Y6 timetable be changed by First Bus to accommodate changes to Winterbourne Academy’s school day.

However some parents have warned that overcrowding on the 459 could become worse from September, as a service for Downend and Fishponds pupils is set to be axed.

The school says it can no longer bear the £30,000 cost of running its own replacement service for the 458.

Parents whose children currently use the 458 say that if no solution can be found, more families will try to use the 459, which already sometimes has to leave some pupils behind to catch the school's late bus in the afternoon.

A good time on the pitch!

MORE than 15,000 people attended a series of concerts in Yate at the end of May.

The Good Times on the Pitch festival at Yate Town Football Club hosted pop superstars McFly, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Scouting for Girls, Aston Merrygold of JLS and TV presenter-pianist Jools Holland.

Event organiser James Murden said: “I am thrilled that a whopping 15,700 guests joined us at the shows, we had the best time with everyone.

"Our focus is always on the guest experience and the feedback we’ve had from audience members has been outstanding”

Production designer Tom Campbell said: "We had ambitious plans to create a world class production site and I think we achieved it, these are the biggest shows that our area has ever seen.”

James said: “The all-important question on everyone’s lips is ‘will Good Times be back in 2025?' And the answer is, we hope so.

"There are a lot of elements to factor in before committing to next year, however, things are looking good. We are in talks with more amazing acts so watch this space for news soon!"

Help check our rivers' health

PEOPLE are being asked to help check the health of the River Frome and other waterways by taking part in a large-scale 'citizen science' project.

Charity Bristol Avon Rivers Trust runs the annual RiverBlitz every summer, and invites residents to help sample water in local rivers, streams, and ditches to find out pollution levels.

People can apply for a free water testing kit, including a sampling tube and testing paper to collect data on nutrient pollution levels and also make visual observations of the water.

Last year, a record 193 people collected samples from the Avon, Frome and other waterways in the area.

The idea is to collect a snapshot of the state of the region's rivers at a given time – this year samples can be taken between July 5 and 12 for the project.

Anyone who would like to take part should sign up before July

1 on BART's website at tinyurl. com/66zfue89.

Those taking part are sent up to three kits to take to a spot at a river or stream of their choice, along with detailed instructions on how to accurately collect data.

BART chief executive Simon Hunter said: "At BART, we believe that understanding the true state of our rivers requires evidence.

"The RiverBlitz is a wonderful opportunity for people to get actively involved in monitoring their local watercourses.

"It helps us better understand the condition of our water environment and guides future protection efforts.

"The data collected by our volunteers allows us to identify areas most at risk and determine where management and restoration efforts will be most effective.

"Our volunteers are part of a growing citizen science movement that underscores the importance of local stewardship in safeguarding our valuable freshwater resources and ecosystems."

Afterwards the information will be published on BART's RiverBlitz website.

Show time

GROWERS and crafters have days left to enter the 79th Frenchay Flower Show.

The event takes place on Frenchay Common on July 13 from noon, with events throughout the afternoon up to the produce auction at 5pm.

This year all entry forms have to be submitted before the show, by 6pm on July 10, either online at www.frenchayflowershow.com or at Frenchay Museum in Begbrook Park, where paper copies are available during opening hours on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

In addition to the exhibits in the marquee there will be over 60 stalls, more entertainers, new food outlets, classic cars, displays, exhibitions and WI cream teas in the village hall.

Tickets cost £4 for adults and unaccompanied over-14s: accompanied under-16s are free. They are available on the gate or in advance at tinyurl.com/yxu6cp63. Beckspool Road will be closed at the show site from 8am to 5pm on the day.

A young volunteer on last year's RiverBlitz

McFly on stage

(Right) The crowd on the pitch and Sophie Ellis-Bextor

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Keep cool

JUNE wasn’t so flaming this year, so I’m hoping July will be scorching.

And to keep you cool and give your taste buds a sensation, do try my newest frozen dessert.

It’s dead simple, doesn’t require an ice cream maker and, whilst it has a fabulous flavour, it’s lower in calories than traditional ice cream. Bonus!

It’s called a sherbet and I only came across it a couple of years ago.

It’s like a cross between an ice cream and a sorbet in that it has a little dairy, but not as much as an ice cream.

Funnily enough, I was on holiday in Malta a month ago when I had this particular recipe made, with blood oranges. It was so delicious I wanted to try and reproduce it when I got home.

I served it the other night to my sister, who doesn’t give compliments easily. She thought it was delicious.

See what you think.

Blood orange sherbet

A refreshing, clean, light dessert, ideal after a rich or spicy main course. When blood oranges are in season (between December and May) they make a beautiful pale pink sherbet because of the red colour of the juice. But you can make it all the year round with ordinary oranges.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

● Juice from 6 blood oranges –about 275ml

● Whole Milk 200mls (6 fl oz)

● Caster Sugar – 300g (10 oz)

● Liquid Glucose – 4 tsps (available in the supermarket baking section)

● ¼ tsp good quality vanilla extract or paste

● Greek Yoghurt – 400 g (14 oz)

● Double Cream – 75 ml (2½ fl oz)

● Natural orange extract (Waitrose do a good one) – ½ tsp

● 2-3 waffle ice cream cones –smashed into a powder with a rolling pin or pestle and mortar

● Fresh raspberries to serve

Here’s what you do:

● Squeeze the oranges into a medium sized bowl with the milk. Then stir the vanilla extract or paste, the Greek yoghurt and cream into the milk/orange mixture.

● Pour the mixture into a suitable 1 litre container, cover and freeze. (This will take 3 or 4 hours).

● Take the sherbet out of the freezer about ¾ hour before you want to serve it and put it on the top shelf of the fridge to allow it to soften slightly.

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

● Put a couple of small scoops into glass bowls.

● Add some fresh raspberries or fruit in season. Sprinkle with some of the smashed waffle cones for a little extra texture.

Cook’s Tips:

● For a slimmer’s version, you can use half vanilla yoghurt and

whipping cream instead of the double cream.

● As with all home-made frozen desserts, they are best eaten as soon as possible after being made. I try to make mine the day before I need it.

● Do not store in the freezer for longer than 1 month, as the flavour will be diminished.

n FRAMPTON NATURE

Voting for Nature

A GENERAL election has been called for July 4.

This will be an important election for nature. One in six UK species are now at risk of extinction, and the next government needs to take urgent action to reverse the decline in biodiversity.

To achieve this more land needs to be protected and managed for nature, naturefriendly farming needs to be given a greater priority and action must be taken to end the pollution of our rivers. Please be a voice for nature and let your candidates know that nature is an important issue for you!

Balsam

Himalayan balsam is now in flower along the Frome and we need your help to remove as much as possible before it sets seed.

This is an invasive non-native species, which damages river

ecosystems. It outcompetes native wildflowers and causes erosion of river banks. The plants are quite shallow rooted, so easy to pull out, and should be snapped, trampled or hung up in a tree to prevent re-rooting.

You can help by learning to recognise the plant and pulling any that you see, or by joining one of our volunteer balsam bashing sessions.

Hedgehogs

Can hedgehogs access your garden? Hedgehogs need access to gardens in order to travel safely and find food.

As part of our Community Nature Reserve project we are offering to help create hedgehog highways in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath.

If you would like a hole cut in your fence for hedgehogs, then please get in touch!

This summer we are asking

people to send us their sightings of hedgehogs so we can monitor our local population.

Please let us know about sightings on our Facebook group, or via email to framptoncotterellnature@gmail. com.

Please let us know your name, the date seen and the location (address or What3words location reference).

Swift and house martin survey We are again carrying out a survey

of swift and house martin nesting sites this summer.

These birds have suffered sharp declines, and we want to keep track of local populations. Last year we recorded 20 active house martin nests in Frampton Cotterell.

If you’re lucky enough to have swifts or house martins nesting in your house, or you know of any nest sites locally, then please let us know on Facebook or by email.

David Hanks

Himalayan Balsam (David Hanks)

n WHAT'S ON

JULY

JULY 1 & 2

n CROSSBOW SINGERS SUMMER CONCERT: Songs from the Movies Across the Decades, Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell, from 7.30pm each night. Selection of songs and medleys from films across the last century. Tickets £8 from Rose (Monday tickets) on 01454 772675 or Mary (Tuesday) on 01454 887885.

JULY 5

n MASH IN THE MEADOWS AT THE PARISH MEADOWS, Park Street, Iron Acton, 6-11pm. Outdoor music festival with Nearly Elton and Joey the Lips. Tickets available from www. actonaid.org.uk.

JULY 6

n LESLEY GARRETT & THE BRISTOL ENSEMBLE – LIVE IN THE MEADOWS, at the Parish Meadows, Park Street, Iron Acton, 6-10.15pm. Includes Last Night of the Proms music and firework display. Tickets available from www.actonaid.org.uk.

JULY 7

n CAR BOOT SALE, Beesmoor Road Playing Field. Set up 8-9am, gates open 9-12.30pm. Pitches £10 per car, £8 in advance. Free parking. Refreshments. All proceeds to park running costs. Book by emailing field@beesmoor.uk.

JULY 7

n HAMBROOK CRICKET CLUB FAMILIES DAY, Whiteshill Common, from noon. Free 6-a-side softball cricket competition, games, bouncy castle, tombola, stalls. Food and drink available, Hambrook Sports Club bar open.

JULY 12

n FILTONES CHOIR ANNUAL CHARITY CONCERT in aid of charity Jessie May, St Teresa's Church, Gloucester Road North, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 at the door. More information from 07870 984760.

JULY 13

n FRENCHAY FLOWER SHOW on Frenchay Common. Stalls and attractions open from noon-6pm, marquee and exhibits open from 1.30pm. Entertainment, classic cars and cream teas. For more details visit www.frenchayflowershow.com.

JULY 13

n FRAMPTON FESTIVAL, Centenary Field, Mill Lane, Frampton Cotterell, 2pm-10pm. Music, steam engine and fairground rides, children's entertainment, stalls, ending with lighting of parish beacon and silent firework display.

JULY 14

n CHURCHES TOGETHER FOR FROMESIDE Festival Praise Service, Centenary Field, Mill Lane, Frampton Cotterell, 11am.

JULY 25-28

n HAM FARM FESTIVAL. Worldclass double-bill evening concerts, plus daytimes packed full of workshops for all ages, free daytime concerts, children's concerts and an autism/SEND specialist concert, all in an intimate garden setting in Emersons Green. Tickets and more information from www. hamfarmfestival.com.

REGULAR EVENTS

MONDAY

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

n WINTERBOURNE DOWN LADIES PROBUS CLUB meets at meets at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Join us for an interesting talk and refreshments. £3.50 visitors, £25 annual membership. Call 01454 773647 for more details.

n SINGALONG WITH THE JAYS AND JOY first Monday of the month

at Miners Social Club, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, 2-3.30pm. Live music: song books and refreshments provided. £5, carers free. Bring a friend free, first time. Details from Hilary, 07515 351813.

TUESDAY

n WINTERBOURNE SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB meets every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1.30 until 4.30 pm at WADCA, Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Also on Fridays, 1.30-4pm. All welcome. Free trial and tuition available. Call 07542 052837 for more details.

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

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

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

n OPEN DOOR at Winterbourne Down Methodist Church, Down Road, every Tuesday 2-4pm. Social gathering - enjoy tea, coffee, cakes, games, music and friendship, especially for those who live on their own.

WEDNESDAY

n WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY: ADULT BALLET- COALPIT HEATH Improve fitness, strength, flexibility & co-ordination. No experience necessary. Wednesday 9.30am Beginners/10.30am Over 60s Ballet- St Saviours Church Hall. Saturday 9.15am Beginners/ 10.15am Intermediate- Manor Hall. Book £5 trial. Contact georgiarsmart@yahoo.co.uk / 07751812701

n GENTLE SHIBASHI TAI CHI AND RELAXATION, accessible to all, 10.30-11.30am, 11.45am12.45pm and 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne.Contact Jenny on 07855 560257 or jksmith@blueyonder. co.uk for more information.

n TABLE TENNIS Henfield Hall, Ram Hill on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 2-4pm. All abilities welcome. Equipment provided. £2 per session including tea, coffee, biscuits. For more details email henfieldhall@ yahoo.com or call 0785 119 8434

n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217 for information.

THURSDAY

n WINTERBOURNE WINDS, friendly amateur wind band rehearses at Holy Trinity Church, Bradley Stoke, every Thursday from 7.30-9.30pm. New members welcome. For more information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com

n WINTERBOURNE DOWN WI meets on the first Thursday of each month in All Saints Church Hall, Church Road, Winterbourne Down, at 7.30pm. Speakers, demonstrators & craft evenings. Guests welcome. More details from aspbury.m@gmail.com.

n DOWN ART GROUP meets on Thursdays from 2-4pm at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Friendly non-profit making group welcomes new members of all abilities. More information from Alison Sansum on 01454 775133

n COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET-UP, every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For more details email volunteering@ coeliac.org.uk.

n CROSSBOW CAMERA CLUB meets every Thursday evening at 7.45pm at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell. Small friendly group who enjoy looking at and taking pictures. Call 0789 026 6650 or just turn up for free taster sessions.

n HAMBROOK MEN’S PROBUS CLUB meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 10am-noon at Whiteshill Chapel, Hambrook, with a speaker at each meeting. Friendly group, new members welcome. For more details call the secretary on 01454 778250.

FRIDAY

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

SATURDAY

n WINTERBOURNE AND FROME VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP repair cafe, every third Saturday of the month, 10.30am, All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Free electrical, textile and woodwork repairs, with voluntary donations going to the work of Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group.

n WINTERBOURNE LIBRARY NEWS

WINTERBOURNE Library launches the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, Marvellous Makers, on July 6.

Read six library books over the school holidays, before September 14, collect rewards, a medal and certificate.

The library is running a series of free children's activities for the summer holidays.

Starting with Marvellous Makers colouring and puzzles on July 26 and August 2 from 10-11am, There will be a puppet workshop on August 9 from 10am-12.30pm (booking essential)

Other sessions are Story Crafters on August 16 from 10-11am, Junk Box Builders on August 23 from 10-11am and more Marvellous Makers on August 30 from 1011am.

Adult craft group meets on July 6 and 20, from 10am-noon: join a friendly group, do your own work and chat – refreshments available.

Staff Crafty Saturday on July 2. Coffee morning, 11am every Wednesday. Join us for coffee, chat, friendship and crafts.

Story time is every Friday from 9.30-10am, suitable for children aged 18 months to four years.

Lego club meets on July 13 from

10-11am, for children of all ages –all children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

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.

The library is staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm. Open Access is seven days a week between 8am and 7.30pm.

Due to an update to our computer system, library access will be during staffed hours only until June 3.

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

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

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Frome Valley Patient Participation Group

DID you know that you may get help quicker and more easily by speaking to your pharmacist first?

Ask your pharmacy first if you have any of the conditions listed here: urinary tract infections (UTIs); shingles; sore mouths and throats due to tonsillitis, oral thrush, cold sores, and mouth ulcers; bowel problems such as diarrhoea, haemorrhoids (piles) or constipation; eye problems such as conjunctivitis, redness and soreness; infected insect bites; ear infections; impetigo; skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis; hay fever and other allergies.

In certain circumstances the pharmacy can offer you antibiotics if you need them.

Please note, there will be some cases that may not be suitable to treat in the pharmacy and they will advise you to make an appointment with the GP surgery, where they cannot provide safe and appropriate treatment.

Your pharmacist will offer you a

n LETTERS

We need our roundabout back

With reference to the article on the need for changes at the Hambrook lights (Voice, June).

When we arrived here some 40-plus years ago, there were no lights at this junction. There was a perfectly serviceable roundabout.

Then some smart-pants put lights on the roundabout, I seem to recall. Then another genius took the roundabout away, leaving the lights.

Now someone has really messed it up and closed the right turn into Hambrook.

Can we have our simple roundabout back please, and sack all these clever traffic ‘engineers’?

David Smith

Poster is a distraction

A POSTER has been erected on railings just outside the library in Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne. It is very garish and says 'Distractions Slow Down Your Reactions'.

It is aimed at children not using mobiles when crossing busy roads. The poster itself is very distracting if you are walking down Bradley

Avenue to cross the road and reading it when crossing a very busy junction.

It is also distracting for traffic trying to negotiate this busy junction.

The correct place for it is in the school grounds, where staff can talk to pupils about the hazards.

Winterbourne resident

Join our families day

HAMBROOK Cricket Club are really looking forward to hosting our Families Day on Sunday July 7.

Everyone’s welcome for a fun packed day at Whiteshill Common in Hambrook, kicking off at 12pm. Centre stage will be a free to enter 6-a-side softball cricket competition for adults and children.

The only requirement for each team is that there must be two ladies and two children minimum.

Other activities include fairground games, bouncy castle, tombola, and plenty of stalls. Plenty of food and drink will be available and the Hambrook Sports Club bar will be open!!

We are looking to further strengthen ties with the community and for new players to the ladies, allstars (5-7), dynamos (7-11) and youth (11-17) group.

Ben Ray

private consultation space and you can feel confident and assured that you are getting good advice and treatment for these conditions. If they are not able to help, they will advise you to make an appointment with the GP surgery.

If you are registered at Frome Valley Medical Centre, you can get self-help for musculoskeletal issues such as back pain and muscle soreness, mental health concerns and lots of other issues that concern you or your family, by following the link on the web site fromevalley.nhs. uk. If you are registered elsewhere, please contact your own GP Practice for self-help options.

Frome Valley Patient Participation Group (FVMC PPG) is a group of patients who support the practice and enable patients and carers to be involved in decisions about the range, shape and quality of services provided by the practice.

You can contact the group at fvmcppg@gmail.com

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Crossbow Singers

CROSSBOW Singers were joined by many friends from other groups to participate in the 80th D-Day anniversary commemorations held in the Centenary field in Frampton.

A beautiful balmy evening ended with the beacon being lit at dusk.

The choir was led by Louise Harrison, who had assembled a programme of nostalgic songs from the era: troubles were packed away, luck was wished, the white cliffs of Dover were visited, the home fires kept burning. Many

joined in singing favourites such as Run, Rabbit, Run and the Dad’s Army song.

Louise gathered singers from the Frampton Male Voice choir, Shanty Men and musical theatre groups to join the Crossbow singers in an a cappella performance, with blended harmonies and rousing choruses.

Crossbow Singers musical director Carolyn Dutton said it was delightful to see so many people in the audience joining in and singing along.

Many members of the choir had family members who were in the D-Day landings.

Ann Powell was very proud to remember her own father, Gilbert Powell from the 5th Gloucestershire Regiment. A Dunkirk veteran, he landed on Gold Beach and went on to be part of the force to liberate Paris.

Linda Lewis, who has sung with the Crossbow Singers for more years than she cares to remember, said it was wonderful that the event was so well supported, with so many young people from the local area, including the air cadets, cubs and scouts.

Members of the choir have been singing at more community events this year, including at several local care homes. As they

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

sang Good-Bye-Ee! and We’ll Meet Again, they were looking forward to seeing friends again at the summer concerts, singing songs from the shows through the decades, in Crossbow House at the beginning of July.

Anne

Angus

June's car boot sale

FRAMPTON’S car boot sales have been revived, with a new community spirit.

The car boot held at Beesmoor Road Playing Field in June was the first for more than five years, reviving memories for many of the regular gatherings of the past.

Stall holders and customers reported a friendly and inviting event, attended by several hundred buyers through the morning.

The event was organised by the volunteer trustees of the playing field to help raise funds for the maintenance of the field, including the large wooden children’s play area, and the football pitch.

The event included an ice cream van and Asian street food stall. Volunteers served hot and cold drinks and snacks in the pavilion

Coming together at Frampton Festival

WE are full of joy, excitement and anticipation at being part of the Frampton Festival on July 13 and 14.

Together for Fromeside is the overarching name for the churches and communities from Frampton and surrounding villages, coming together to serve and to share with all.

This year on the Saturday of the festival, from 2-10pm, we will have a double pitch as we are joined by Gloria.

Gloria is part of the Flourish Framework in the wider Bristol Methodist area: she is a van, a pretty wonderful, welcoming van! With Gloria, we shall be welcoming you, providing a place to rest and, if you like, chat and

share for a while.

We will be sharing water (on hopefully a lovely warm day!) and a chance to reflect on joy and peace (maybe a chance for you to have your own thoughts written down and put on a large sign). What brings joy and peace in this community?

There will be a chance to place a flower, too, in a small pool, watching it open and flourish. Please do come along and say hello – it’s also an opportunity to find out more about the churches and our partnerships in this community.

The Flourish Framework celebrates and shares life together, remains radically open to God’s future, and values

curiosity, creativity and individual uniqueness. We will be sharing goody bags too (while stocks last).

On Sunday 14 at 11am we have a special celebration praise service on the field, too, as part of the festival.

This is open to everyone, celebrating our differences and how we are all important in the building up of community and the sharing of God’s peace and joy. Do come along, bring a chair if you’d like to, or a blanket. If the weather is very wet we will be at St Peter’s Church instead.

This will be my first Frampton Festival and I’m really looking forward to having a look around, meeting new people and finding out more of what’s going on in

kitchen, thanks to sponsorship by Budgens in Woodend Road.

It felt like a real community effort, bringing the people of Frampton Cotterell out to meet each other and socialise.

The trustees hope to gradually build Beesmoor into a community hub, where people can come, share a laugh and get to know their village neighbours.

We plan to hold a few car boot sales, and maybe this could become a regular event in the village.

The park is home to several local football teams, including Frampton Athletic FC Veterans and Frampton Rangers youth teams, and Novo3 Fitness.

Beesmoor Road Playing Field is a charity, supported by grant funding from Frampton Cotterell Parish Council.

All proceeds from the boot sales goes towards running costs of this much loved public open space.

The next car boot will be on July 7 and there will be another on August 4: set-up for sellers from 8am, gates open to the public from 9am-12.30pm.

Pitches are £10 per car, or £8 if booked in advance, by emailing field@beesmoor.uk

Phil Kerswell

the area.

Thanks to the organising team of the festival, who are working hard to make sure this is a fun, safe event for all.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Singing at the D-Day commemoration

Rev Sharon Lovelock

Zion United Church

n WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL BARN

VISITORS to our Medieval Fayre had a wonderful day seeing what life was like back in the 1300s, with living history group the Company of Chivalry.

They showed what a military camp was like during the Hundred Years War, talked about the clothing and armour worn by different classes of medieval society, and demonstrated the development of archery and gunpowder in the 14th century.

Visitors were able to watch members of the company prepare a meal from a cookbook from 1381 (The Forme of Cury), and learn all about herbs, potions and dyes.

Wandering minstrels Bygonz and singing group The Barrelscrapers entertained the crowds with a wide variety of medieval music.

The Medieval Barn housed a superb display of arts and crafts, and artisan stalls. There was fabulous food from Old Sodbury Lamb, The One Pizza, Harcombe catering, and Tommy's Ice Cream. Children enjoyed trying on medieval costumes and armour, and taking part in both a colouring competition and an owl hunt.

Over the summer, Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust offers a wide range of community activities, including drama, nature walks, talks, and craft experiences, with something for all ages.

by local volunteers to raise funds to maintain this unique Grade II*listed heritage building.

The Barn is a fully accessible venue, with free parking on site.

On July 18 the brilliant Festival Players bring another professional Shakespeare production to the Barn – this year the Bard's last play, The Tempest, full of intrigue, magic, and humour. Tickets are on sale on Ticketsource or via the Winterbourne Barn website. If you do not have internet access, ring 0117 403 1536 and leave a message.

There will also be a variety of walks and talks, starting with an illustrated talk on the barn's own history on July 11.

There's plenty of fun for families with younger children too, including a summer Sunday afternoon with IKP's unmistakable brand of "delightfully daft" family-friendly theatre with The Little Mermaid on July 21.

In the school holidays families can enjoy a variety of crafts activities together in July and August, from mosaics and jewellery to bushcraft.

Booking is essential for all these events – for more information visit www.winterbournebarn. org.uk.

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The Company of Chivalry give an armour demonstration

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Frampton Cotterell WI

AT our May meeting we held our annual WI Resolutions discussions – this year’s topic for debate/ decisions being the case for access to NHS dentistry to be improved for all who need it.

We then moved on to lighter matters – a fun quiz with the usual tea, cake and chat!

More importantly, a card and gifts were presented to our President, Jan Moore, in honour of an important pending “special” birthday!

Our July meeting, on the 23rd, includes a presentation on handmade jewellery with Lynne Cullen.

We have many other events lined up for the year ahead, including visits to the theatre, gardens, and a summer tapas evening in early August.

We also have a monthly lunch club, open to all members and held at a different local venue each time.

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

There is a charge of £4 for the evening and any new members can also join by paying a membership fee. Watch this space and our Facebook page for future event dates and more details.

Coalpit Heath WI

AT very short notice we discovered we were without a speaker in June.

However we were able to still entertain our members and visitors with some challenging word games, which we completed in teams. It was definitely a case of thinking outside the box!

Sadly, one of our members recently passed away, and we held a minute's silence and signed a card of condolence. Lynne had been on the committee and held several roles during her time with us and was an active participant until very recently.

Our Treasurer arrived straight from the National Federation annual meeting at the Royal Albert Hall. Hearing 5,000 women singing Jerusalem was spine tingling.

The theme of this year’s speakers was No More Violence Against Women. Nazir Afzal OBE was an inspirational speaker who received a well-deserved standing ovation. Mel B, a patron of Women’s Aid, was interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire and Timothy Watson from The Archers spoke with Teresa Parker of Women’s Aid, who helped advise on his recent challenging storyline.

The resolution, ‘dental heath matters’, was passed.

If our meetings sound like something you would enjoy, come along and meet us – you would be most welcome.

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm. Our meeting on July 3 includes a talk on reflexology with Sarah Weaver.

Caroline Johnston

Winterbourne Down WI

JUST a few members attended our June meeting, due to holidays, but our enthusiasm was still high.

The speaker this month was Matt Poulter from the KASA chiropractic clinic in Clifton.

Matt talked about posture and the causes of back pain: the main causes are incorrect posture, stress and everyday living. The spine is designed to last 120 years, but our

lifestyles cause wear and tear.

We were told the dos and don’ts of posture and he gave us recommendations for standing, sitting and sleeping positions to reduce wear and tear and maintain the correct position for our spines.

It is not possible to cure wear and tear or remove it – we can only receive treatment for the symptoms, which will improve your situation. Sometimes treatment can be painful but this is normal and will improve over time.

The KASA clinic recommends weight resistance exercises, together with calcium and vitamin D supplements to increase bone density in older age. We should also eat dark green leafy vegetables, especially recommended for the over 60’s.

Our July meeting will be a strawberries and cream event at our president's home; we usually meet on the first Thursday of each month at the All Saints Church Hall in Winterbourne Down at 7.30pm. We welcome all visitors and would be pleased to see some new faces if you think this is something you would enjoy.

Carol

Tremlin

Winterbourne WI

OUR guest speaker, Diane Saunders, kept us wonderfully entertained with her talk about living and working in Zambia for three years.

We learnt about the people she met, where she lived and worked, supervising girls using accounting machines, and everything in between.

She had displayed a range of very attractive copper items from a mine that was near to her Zambian home.

Diane got the job, for which she had no qualifications, not even being able to recognise an accounting machine, and wondered if she was the only applicant.

President Di Woodman thanked Gill Parker for a successful plant sale at her home, after which many members went home with new plants for their gardens and pots.

Sadly the death of past member Margaret Pearce was reported, with the details of her funeral.

There are a number of events coming up, including an afternoon tea in July and our annual outing in August, this year to West Lavington Manor Gardens: family and friends are also welcome.

The president drew members’ attention to the fact that additional committee members would be welcome.

Events happening in the Avon Federation include the annual meeting at BAWA in September, which members are welcome to attend.

Our July talk is on road safety. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm at St Michael's Junior School, where visitors are always welcome.

Susan Marshfield

The WI at the Albert Hall

Diane Saunders and Susan Marshfield

Matt Poulter with a model spine

Members discussing this year’s WI resolution

Floral Friends of Frampton

A big thank you to everyone who supported us at our recent Spring Fayre and Plant Sale.

Your plant and raffle ticket purchases and generous donations for refreshments mean that we took over £700, every penny of which will be spent on maintaining the displays around the village.

All the planters have now been replenished with colourful summer bedding plants.

All we need now is the weather to help them flourish, and for

everyone to enjoy them.

Floral Friends are entirely funded by donations and we would like to thank all who have supported us recently by making donations. It is very much appreciated Donations can be made either in person or on-line. Our bank details are: Floral Friends of Frampton, Lloyds 30-98-97, account number 70582363. It takes time, effort and funds to maintain the planting around the village benefiting the local community, the environment, and

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the wildlife.

You can help in various ways, from regularly maintaining planters near your home or business to sponsoring a planter or gateway for an annual fee, with a plaque.

If you can help in any way, please email us at floralfriendsofframpton@gmail.com

Winterbourne Down Ladies Probus Club

OUR meeting in May proved to be a very enjoyable and interesting afternoon.

The speaker was Andrew Stowe from Auctioneum, Bristol and Bath Auctioneers.

He gave us a light-hearted and useful insight into the world of auctioneering, with some really helpful tips as to what was, in his experience, a valuable item and, disappointingly for a lot of the audience, what was not.

Instead of our normal meeting in June, we went to Eastwood Park Hotel for our annual summer lunch.

This was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours. The weather was beautiful, which enabled us to sit on the patio and enjoy the countryside views before indulging in a lovely meal.

Our next meeting is at 2pm on July 15.

If you have time on your hands and would like to socialise in a friendly group, you would be very welcome at Winterbourne Down Ladies Probus Club.

We meet at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down.

Meetings start with a short business session followed by a talk from a visiting speaker. We then have tea and biscuits and time for a chat before the meeting ends at 4pm.

Visitors can attend five meetings per year for £3.50 per meeting or pay an annual membership fee of £25.

If you would like to visit us, or would like more information, please contact me on 01454 773647.

Sue Humphreys

Refreshments ready to be served

Centenary celebration

FRAMPTON Cotterell Cricket Club marked its 100th birthday with a week of celebrations.

The weather stayed fair for a host of cricket matches, including against local rivals Winterbourne and Frenchay.

There were also games against an Old Boys XI and Frampton Cotterell Rugby Club, who celebrated their own half century last year.

At the start of the week there was a youth cricket day which included a barbecue attended by almost 200 people.

More events are planned throughout the summer, including an end of season tour to Leeds and celebration dinner at the County Ground, along with the launch of a new women’s team and two centenary beers.

Syd's MND diagnosis

ONE of the best-loved figures in Gloucestershire cricket has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Gloucestershire Cricket said it was "devastated to announce" that former player and current president, David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, has been diagnosed with the debilitating brain and nerve disease, which has no known cure.

The 60-year-old former England international, who earned five Test caps for his country, was diagnosed with MND in June following a series of tests.

Gloucester born and bred, Syd played in 280 matches for his home county between 1981 and 1997 and took 625 wickets during his career at Nevil Road.

A popular figure among the fanbase, Syd was unveiled as club president in 2022 and despite his MND diagnosis, has said he wishes to see out the entirety of his Presidency at Gloucestershire.

The club said: "David and his wife, Gaynor, are hugely appreciative for the unwavering support they have received and will do in the future from friends and family.

"While devastated at the diagnosis, David will fight the disease all the way and has expressed his thanks to the Club, the PCA and the Hornsby Trust, for all their support during this extremely difficult time."

Chief Executive Will Brown said: "David is an icon of the game, a club legend and a trailblazer as the first British-born Black player to play for England.

"More than that he is the best of people, kind, loving, considerate and an inspiration to all of us here at Gloucestershire.

“I know I speak for everyone associated with the Club in sending all our love to David, Gaynor and all of their family and friends.”

The start of Cricket Week celebrations

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