Sport: Page 28 100, not out!
Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club members are celebrating their centenary season with a series of special events - and their own beer.
Cup triumph for Fram
FRAMPTON Cotterell Rugby Club have won the Bristol Combination Vase cup, 20 years on from their last win.
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New bridge revealed
NATIONAL Highways has revealed a glimpse of what the replacement for the Badminton Road bridge over the M4 could look like.
PAGE 3
WINTERBOURNE'S MP has called for an end to the "intolerable" delays caused by traffic restrictions at the Hambrook lights – sparking a furious response.
Jack Lopresti has joined Conservative councillors representing wards near the junction of the Avon Ring Road and Bristol Road to call on South Gloucestershire Council to either reverse or rethink the restrictions.
They say they are backing residents who have signed an online petition, which has gained around
4,000 supporters, calling for the changes – which divert traffic heading towards Winterbourne around the M32 roundabout – to be reversed.
But the Liberal Democrat council cabinet member in charge of infrastructure says it is "ridiculous" that the Tories are demanding changes to arrangements they introduced when they were still in charge of the council in 2019, at the insistence of a Conservative government.
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Carnival is 'biggest yet'
ORGANISERS of this year's Winterbourne down Village carnival say this year's turnout was "absolutely the biggest yet".
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Lights display
VOICE readers have shared their pictures after the Northern Lights appeared above the Frome Valley.
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A COLLEGE with thousands of students across the region has been praised for its "clear and ambitious vision" for education and training.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud college (SGS) was rated 'good' overall by regulator Ofsted, with 'outstanding' ratings for its adult learning programmes and students' personal development.
The college, formed from the merger of Filton and Stroud colleges in 2012, has six main campuses from central Bristol to Berkeley and Stroud, with around 3,800 learners aged 16 to 18, the same number of adult learners plus around 300 14 to 16 year olds and 900 apprentices.
A team of 15 inspectors visited the college's campuses between January and February this year.
In their report, the inspectors said: "Learners and apprentices enjoy studying in the highly inclusive environment created by staff at all levels and in all areas of the college.
A POLICE firearms officer based in South Gloucestershire has been sacked for having sex in public places with a vulnerable woman.
Avon & Somerset police said PC Ross Knox exploited the woman, despite being told she suffered from mental health issues including bipolar and borderline personality disorder, and had been the victim of both childhood abuse and domestic violence.
A police misconduct hearing was told the married father,
"Learners and apprentices are taught curriculums that have been thoughtfully designed.
"Leaders and managers have a clear and ambitious vision for providing education and training that contributes strongly to meeting the needs of local and national employers."
College principal Sara-Jane Watkins said: "We are really proud of the judgements that Ofsted have made of SGS.
"They recognise the excellent work that staff across the college have made in their commitment and enthusiasm in delivering great education and learning for all of our learners.
"We are especially proud of the recognition that Ofsted has made of our many initiatives that we have developed in order to help so many of those disadvantaged in society.
"We want to make a positive difference to the lives of all of those we support."
who had been an officer for 23 years, had sex outdoors with the woman at least four times while off duty, in 2022 and last year, and also sent her degrading messages and photos of himself in uniform and with his gun to encourage her to meet him.
Chief Constable Sarah Crew found gross misconduct proven and dismissed PC Knox without notice on May 17.
PC Knox will now be placed on a barred list preventing him from serving in policing or other law enforcement agencies again.
NATIONAL Highways has revealed a glimpse of what the replacement for the Badminton Road bridge over the M4 could look like.
The government agency, which is responsible for the crossing, closed the existing bridge in July last year after engineers found "structural failures" during a routine inspection.
The bridge was being used by around 16,000 vehicles a day when it closed, severing the A432 between Cuckoo Lane and the Avon Ring Road for motor traffic.
Around 87,000 vehicles a day pass underneath it on the M4.
National Highways say the new bridge will be what is known as an "online replacement", following a similar alignment and footprint to the existing bridge. It says this is "the quickest and most economically effective option for replacement" as it uses the same land as the current bridge, with less planning red tape and consultation, less disruption and less impact on surrounding woodland than other options.
The agency says: "Pedestrian and cycling
facilities will be much improved, with wider shared footways and higher parapets."
National Highways has now carried out two of three planned closures of the M4 linked to the current stage of work, with the last one due on June 13, from 9.30pm until 6am.
There will be further motorway closures in the autumn and winter, as utilities like
pipes and cables currently in the bridge structure are rerouted under the motorway, before the bridge is demolished.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the bridge up until demolition, which is due to take place before the end of the year.
For more information on the bridge and diversions, visit tinyurl.com/368yk6yc and www.southglos.gov.uk/BMRclosure.
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Mr Lopresti joined with Tory councillors representing Winterbourne, Frenchay and Downend, Stoke Gifford and Emersons Green wards to call for a rethink.
The online petition, started by Moorend resident Angie Gay in February, calls on the council to either reinstate the right turn from the Avon Ring Road towards Winterbourne, and allow traffic to drive straight across from Frenchay to Hambrook, or to "provide a viable alternative route".
Calls to rethink the closure have increased since the closure of the A432 Badminton Road bridge over the M4 last summer. Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Mr Lopresti said: "The situation at Hambrook junction is intolerable and creates inconvenience for local residents and visitors alike.
"I have experienced this myself, and many constituents
have got in touch to voice their frustrations, too.
"That is why I will be petitioning the House of Commons and the government to urge South Gloucestershire Council to restore the junction to how it used to be, before these measures were taken."
Frenchay and Downend councillor Liz Brennan said:
"While I accept that the right hand turn restriction was initially introduced in order to improve air quality, the increased journey times that have resulted mean we risk pushing the problem elsewhere.
"We need a better solution that works for all residents."
Council cabinet member Chris Willmore, part of the Lib Dem/ Labour administration which took over when the Tories lost power last year, said the restrictions were put in place almost five years ago "following a direction from the Secretary of State" to tackle pollution at the junction.
She said: "It is ridiculous that councillors and MPs are calling for the council to change something set by the government in Westminster.
"The previous administration was unable to provide alternative solutions that would enable this layout to be changed."
Cllr Willmore said that to revert to the previous layout the council had to provide "two years of compliant data" for the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit to consider.
But she said the government had refused to accept figures from 2020-22 because of the effects of the pandemic on traffic levels.
Cllr Willmore said changes at the junction will only be allowed if the council can prove they would not make air quality worse – and the government might even insist on waiting for data from after the reopening of the Badminton Road bridge, in 2026.
She said: "The council has challenged the situation and
been told that the bridge closure does not provide any justification to bypass the statutory direction.
"I have every sympathy with residents and businesses struggling with difficult journeys whilst the A432 bridge is closed, but I also have sympathy with people who are worried about the quality of the air they and their children have to breathe.
"This situation is not of our making but we will strive to find ways to help."
A council spokesperson said the Joint Air Quality Unit had been given 2022 and 2023 air quality data and an assessment report would be published later this year to see if roadside nitrogen dioxide pollution levels were now within the legal limit.
Petition founder Angie Gay said: "It must cause more emissions travelling all the way down through five sets of traffic lights! It’s inconvenient and stressful."
The petition can be found online at tinyurl.com/fusdxhk5
LABOUR’S Clare Moody has been elected as Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner, narrowly defeating Conservative Mark Shelford.
Just over 300,000 people across the region voted on May 2 in the election to choose the person who will set the direction of policing and hold the chief constable to account for the next four years.
Ms Moody received 95,982 votes, 4,976 ahead of incumbent Mr Shelford, who had 91,006.
The Greens' Katy Grant was third and Liberal Democrat Benet Allen was fourth. For the first time since the post was created in 2012, no independent candidate stood in the election.
Turnout was just over 23% — down from over 30% in 2021, when the election was held on the same day as the West of England Metro Mayor vote.
This time the only place an all-out vote was happening at the
I'VE been saying this for the last three years, but this was absolutely the biggest turnout we’ve ever had.
Thousands of you enjoyed this year’s Winterbourne Down Village Carnival. Down Road was a constant crowd of people for hours and hours.
With more stalls and food this year, we expanded.
A constant programme of entertainment throughout the day meant there was something for everyone.
We welcomed new acts Frampton Male Voice Choir and Fascinating Rhythm, along with regular entertainers like the Mundi Dancers and Frampton Shanty Men.
In contrast to the forecast the rain held off, at least until 3pm, but that still didn’t scare the visitors away: many of you headed for cover at our sponsors, the Cross Hands, just in time for Dreamscape.
The day began with the procession from Bradley Avenue and it was so wonderful to see hundreds of children join in. We had Scouts, Beavers, Explorers, Brownies and Rainbows, plus those that took part in the fancy dress – our
youngest still in a pushchair!
The Bristol Pipers, along with the Greatest Showman, aka our chairman and his grandson, led us ceremoniously through the streets to Winterbourne Down Methodist Church.
Volunteers from Suicide Prevention UK were overwhelmed by your engagement and support. They raised hundreds just from their stall. I know you’re all eager to find out what the grand total was but funds are still coming in but to give you a hint, we think we’ll smash last year’s £3,500.
Our chair, John Turner, couldn’t get over the success of the day, noting everything ran like clockwork, with no dramas or crises: all down to the preparation and delivery by committee members.
A truly Herculean effort by all, not forgetting our volunteers on the day.
The Winterbourne Down Carnival is a true example of the community coming together.
Just one question remains: how are we going to top it for next year?
A COALPIT Heath charity is set to launch a new service for adults with disabilities, thanks to a £66,000 grant.
Paul’s Place will launch a brand-new inhouse volunteering service to help physically disabled adults to volunteer, thanks to the award from national grant giving charity Global's Make Some Noise fund.
Global supports hundreds of small charities across the UK.
Paul’s Place, which is currently based at Coalpit Heath Cricket Club but is set to take over the Shire Way Community Centre in Yate later this year, says it will use the funds "to upskill and build confidence for physically disabled adults to actively volunteer through its brand-new in-house volunteering service".
The charity said: "Many of the people using services at Paul’s Place have untapped skills and knowledge that they’re eager to use in the community.
"They could also gain vital work experience through volunteering that could lead to future employment. Yet, many volunteer opportunities are not fully accessible outside of our day facility and evening programmes."
The charity will use the money to recruit a volunteer development officer and fund the resources needed to enable physically disabled
adults to volunteer.
The volunteer officer would work closely with the 37 members of Paul’s Place to build their self-confidence and skills.
Paul's Place says the project is inspired by current member Andy Batten, from Coalpit Heath, who had to leave his career as a builder after becoming disabled following an accident later in life, which affected his mental health.
When the charity discovered Andy was a builder by trade, staff offered him the chance to use his skills around its day facility, doing light maintenance and DIY work, in line with its aim of empowering disabled people.
He now runs regular woodwork and archery skill sessions for other members.
Andy said: "It’s something that keeps me alive.
"The accident made me feel useless.
"Paul’s Place is a lifeline for me. I now feel useful and enjoy being here.
"Sometimes people think I’m just another member on the days I am in.
"It sometimes surprises them to learn I’m volunteering that day. It’s changing people’s perceptions."
Paul's Place wanted more of its members to get similar opportunities, to either learn skills to enable them to work or to give them the
social and personal benefits of volunteering.
The charity's fundraising and communications manager Kayley Waller said: "We are honoured to have been chosen by Global’s Make Some Noise and look forward to being able to share more stories of the disabled adults taking part in the project.
"We want to show what people are capable of when given the right opportunities, as well as removing preconceptions some may have about what a disabled life could be."
For more information visit www. paulsplace.org.uk.
PUPILS at a Winterbourne primary school had an unexpected chance to get close to a famous sporting prize.
The World Snooker Championship trophy made a surprise visit to St Michael's Church of England Primary School in the village, less than 48 hours after it had been won by Kyren Wilson at Sheffield's Crucible theatre at the beginning of May.
The visit was down to Eugene James, a director of World Snooker, which has its headquarters in Bristol, and is a former Chairman of the PTA at St Michael’s.
It was his job to bring the trophy safely back to the West Country after the final of the sport's longestrunning, richest and most prestigious tournament, and he decided it would be a nice surprise to pop into school with it.
Eugene said: "I live in Winterbourne and my own children attended St Michael's over 20 years ago.
"I was best known as the cook on the barbecue at school fairs – and our family cat had to be rescued by the fire brigade from the tall willow trees in the school playground!
"This is a fantastic school, run by a great team of teachers and staff.
"As I had the opportunity of transporting the trophy back to WST headquarters, I took advantage of the situation and took it to the school for all the children to see.
"They were very engaged with this and asked several
questions about it."
Head teacher Kirsty Robson said it had been an exciting day.
She said: "What a fantastic opportunity for our children, to have the trophy visit our school just a few days after it had been awarded to the new world champion, Kyren Wilson.
"The children were so excited to see it.
“Maybe it will inspire the next Bristolian following in Judd Trump's footsteps?"
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A FAMILY business founded in Coalpit Heath is one of the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise winners, for international trade.
The Pitchmark Group, which is now based in Emersons Green, is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with one of the awards in May.
Previously known as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, they were renamed last year.
The group employs 29 people, was founded in 2010 and is a market leader in pitch line marking, working at Wembley Stadium and the 2022 Qatar World Cup among others.
Managing director Tim Rodman said: "“We are incredibly proud to have received the King’s Award for International Trade, having previously received the Queen’s Award 5 years ago.
"The award is testament to the team and proves that the business continues to grow and prosper.”
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has sets out its "overarching strategy" and vision for the district to be "a fairer and greener place for all in 10 years' time".
Members of the authority approved its new Council Plan at a meeting in May.
The plan aims to set out how the council manages a growing, ageing and more diverse population, while building the right infrastructure and protecting the environment.
It aims include:
*Focusing on renewable energy, green infrastructure, nature recovery, low carbon transport and decarbonising heating to drive the "green transition".
"Ensuring every child is able to thrive.
*Strengthening "social infrastructure", taking action to help communities cope with climate change and reduce long-term health inequalities.
*Using council powers in planning, transport and housing to "build better places", increasing
its influence on the West of England Combined Authority and government.
Council leader and Frampton Cotterell councillor Claire Young said: "We want to set a fresh direction for a fairer, greener future.
"Since the last local elections, we have had hundreds of community conversations with local people, community groups, and town and parish councils.
"The message we have heard loud and clear is that this and future generations want more affordable homes, but to retain what makes South Gloucestershire special, with its balance of places to live and our beautiful countryside.
"People also want it to be easier to get around and to be able to make the choice to travel in cleaner and greener ways, not always relying on the car.
“The vision is underpinned by a range of action plans and we will report on and demonstrate our progress to ensure that we can be held to account for our work.”
HEALTH bosses have warned that there is a "real danger" of a walkout by the area's GPs after they overwhelmingly rejected a new contract from the Government.
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), which funds health services in the region, said industrial action could result from the row over funding.
The British Medical Association’s GP committee chair Katie BramallStainer has warned local NHS bosses that they need to start preparing for coordinated action, expected later this year before a general election, amid a “profound workload and workforce crisis”.
In a letter to the ICB – the local health authority – she said 99.2 per cent of 19,000 GPs and GP registrars who took part in a referendum in March voted to reject the contract changes for 2024/25.
Dr Bramall-Stainer said: "Over the past decade, England has lost over 1,300 practices and thousands upon thousands of GPs.
“Despite NHS England ‘hailing hard-working GPs’, continued consecutive years of underinvestment have resulted in a profound workload and workforce crisis. This will be recognised by all ICB colleagues.
“GPs are telling us in their thousands, via both the referendum result and in our 2024 national survey of GPs, that the current status quo is not sustainable nor safe.
“The imposition of the 2024/25 contract will continue to see practices close, patients lose their GP services, and local NHS systems face increased costs as a direct result.”
ICB chief executive Shane Devlin told a board meeting in May: “The letter really highlights very clearly the notification of the real chance of some forms of industrial action within General Practice.
"We are talking about 1.4million appointments, we are talking about the front door of the health service and we are now starting to build what are the mitigations that we could put in place to keep patients safe should GPs go this particular direction."
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Frampton Workshop: 6 The Causeway, Coalpit Heath, BS362PD
PEOPLE living in the Frome Valley had a rare chance to see the Northern Lights above their heads, thanks to a huge solar storm.
The green, red, purple, pink and blue lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are caused by ejections from the Sun disturbing gases in the Earth's magnetosphere, and are more commonly seen in the Arctic Circle, with northern Scotland usually the most likely place to see them in the UK.
But on the night of May 10-11 an extreme geomagnetic storm, caused by the approaching peak in the 11-year solar cycle, combined with clear skies overhead meant the lights could be seen late at night across the UK, including over South Gloucestershire.
The lights could be more easily spotted using a smartphone or digital camera than the naked eye, as the devices enhance the colours.
David Phippen and son Feliks took a picture of the aurora from next to Zion United church in Frampton Cotterell.
Jenny Allam captured the
lights from Clyde Road, while Debby Spence took her image near Crossbow House.
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The lights are expected to be visible again in the coming weeks,
if the weather allows: experts say sunspot cluster that caused the last display will be facing the Earth again around the beginning of June.
Self-guided audio tours Wednesdays to Sundays 10:30 13:00 & 14:00 16:30
Admission to Acton Court gives access to the grounds, the Royal Apartments, the ground oor area and any activities that may be taking place on the day.
Admission £12 plus Eventbrite booking fee.
Thursday 27 June | 16:00 18:30
The King’s Heralds Heralds and Heraldry at the College of Arms
A talk by one of His Majesty's heralds Dr Dominic Ingram, Portcullis Pursuivant.
Admission £10 plus Eventbrite booking fee. Light refreshments included.
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 June
Tudors, Magic and Music Acton Court’s end of season weekend
Including Magician Greg Chapman, The Merchant’s House Musicians, King Henry, Lady Samantha, birds of prey, art activities and lots more. See website for details.
Admission £15 plus Eventbrite booking fee.
On Thursday 16th May, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council hosted the 2024 Annual Parish Assembly.
At this year’s Assembly, we heard reports and updates from the parish council chair, parish council committees, and other local groups including Beesmoor Road, Frampton Cotterell RFC, The Floral Friends, FACE youth group, and Rev. Sharon Lovelock of Zion Church, among others.
office@framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk www. framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk
01454 864442
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council @
Brockeridge Centre, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol, BS36 2LQ
Those in attendance also had the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues for discussion. Many useful conversations were started, including sharing ideas for local environmental work, and the importance of volunteers and working together as a community.
We would like to thank all who attended this year’s annual parish assembly. If you were unable to attend, or if you would like a recap, the minutes of this assembly will be available on our website.
Join us from 2pm - 4pm on Saturday the 8th of June for our official opening of the newly refurbished tennis courts at The Park! Everyone is welcome to this fun, free, familyfriendly afternoon (with refreshments!). Learn about the new tennis courts, what’s on offer, and what we have planned for the future.
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is pleased to announce that the newly refurbished tennis courts at The Park, School Road, are now open for bookings!
Full details on prices, how to book, free sessions, court rules & more can be found on our website, at:
www.framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk/ book-a-tennis-court
We also have a new, dedicated email address for all tennis queries:
tennis@framptoncotterell-pc.gov.uk
Could you help us provide free group tennis sessions on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings? No experience needed, full training provided! To find out more, visit our website or get in touch!
Join us on Thursday 6th June, 7:45PM9:15PM, at Centenary Field in Frampton Cotterell, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
This free event will feature a performance by the Crossbow Singers, a drill by the Air Cadets, a parade and popcorn-making by the Scouts, Liz Ferguson’s WWII Mini Museum, a fire engine, pipe player, declaration readings and the lighting of the Frampton Cotterell Beacon.
Visit our website to learn more!
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council is honoured to announce the 2024 Frampton Cotterell Community Awards winners:
Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club
Frampton Cotterell Nature Group
Paul (Charlie) Chaplain
Sophia Higgenbottam
Geoff Bell and Nick Knight.
Congratulations to our winners!
You can learn more about this year’s winners on our website and social media.
FRAMPTON Cotterell Primary School's engineering club have rolled out the school's latest Greenpower Goblin electric racing car.
The team of Year 6 pupils are taking part in a total three racing events, pitting the car they designed and built against machines from other schools.
Following a pre-season friendly against other local teams to put their car through its paces, the teams went to the first official race at the end of April at engineering firm Renishaw's Miskin base, near Cardiff.
They were plagued by some technical difficulties at the first two events, and retired engineer Steve Harrison, who started the club six years ago, said: "The team handled these situations really well and they were useful lessons in real-world engineering.”
Despite not being able to complete the races, the team were proud to won the 'Best Portfolio' award at Miskin, for the sixth time in a row.
The young engineers were hoping for a clear run at the final event at Renishaw New Mills, Wotton-under-Edge, which was taking place after the Voice went to print.
Bristol research and development firm
Actuation Lab is sponsoring the team this year, after the children made a "very persuasive presentation" in support of their bid.
Head teacher Debbie Fisher said: “It was fantastic to watch the children’s presentation.
"They talked so passionately about their
project and really articulated how Actuation Lab’s support would enhance the children’s work."
The firm sent representatives to the Cardiff event and has paid for new solarpowered lights in the club shed.
The team has also been supported by Eagle Plant, Amalgam Modelmaking, Surecar and Prodtex.
Greenpower Education Trust is a UK-based charity which inspires young people around the world to excel in science, technology, engineering and maths by designing, building and racing an electric car.
The Goblin electric car comes as a kit, which the pupils have to assemble and then add their own custom bodywork.
The project helps them learn about finance, planning and teamwork as well as engineering.
Other schools interested in starting a team can contact Steve at steve.harrison@ greenpower.co.uk.
For more information about Greenpower Education Trust visit www.greenpower. co.uk.
‘Look up! The Story of Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol’ will put hot air ballooning history on display, offer a behind-the-scenes look at how hot air balloons are made, and give visitors the chance to enjoy a packed programme of family activities.
From Britain’s first modern hot air balloon, the Bristol Belle, to the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta and the incredible colours and shapes that decorate the city’s skies each August, Bristol is the home of hot air ballooning in the UK.
This summer, Aerospace Bristol and Cameron Balloons will celebrate that heritage with a temporary exhibition at the museum and a special programme of hot air balloon themed activities running throughout the summer holiday.
‘Look Up! The Story of Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol’ will give museum visitors the chance to
discover how and why hot air ballooning took off in Bristol, find out how Bedminster-based Cameron Balloons design and manufacture their amazing special shapes, and get hands-on with a range of hot air balloon themed activities.
Sally Cordwell, CEO of Aerospace Bristol, said:
"Aerospace Bristol tells a fascinating story of aviation achievements spanning more than
a century, from the early days of powered flight to the supersonic Concorde and beyond. Thanks to this new partnership with Cameron Balloons, we’re excited to expand that story and celebrate hot air ballooning as an important part of our city’s rich aviation heritage.”
Jess Siggers, Marketing Manager of Cameron Balloons, said:
“Cameron Balloons are thrilled to be partnering with Aerospace Bristol this summer. Since our
company’s inception in 1971, we’ve proudly created and built thousands of hot air balloons for pilots and operators around the world from our home of Bristol, born from the passion and vision of our founder, aeronautical engineer Don Cameron.
We’re looking forward to telling the story of Bristol’s ballooning heritage alongside Aerospace Bristol’s innovative ethos and educational qualities, celebrating the boundless possibilities of aviation together and hopefully introducing the joy and excitement of ballooning to some pilots of the future!”
‘Look Up! The Story of Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol’ will run from Wednesday 24th July to Sunday 1st September. The exhibition and activities are included with museum admission and Aerospace Bristol tickets include free return visits for 12 months.
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
VOICE readers have the chance to win tickets to the Music in the Meadows event in Iron Acton.
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.
The winners of the competition will get a pair of tickets worth over £50 for either night of live music.
The Mash on Friday July 5 is headlined by the Nearly Elton tribute show, featuring the UK’s top Elton John tribute band. Frontman Lee Brady and the band play at theatres and festivals throughout the UK and Europe.
Opening the evening will be the tenpiece band Joey the Lips, who played last year and are back by popular demand. 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.
On the following night, Saturday July 6, Britain’s best-known soprano, Lesley Garrett, will be performing.
Lesley regularly appears in opera, musical theatre and on television, and
has been performing for over 30 years, winning critical acclaim across her international career. She will be singing popular classical numbers plus songs from musical stage shows.
Backing her will be Bristol’s only professional orchestra, the Bristol Ensemble, who are making their debut appearance in the Meadows. The evening culminates with Last Night of the Proms music and a firework display.
Tickets are available at www. actonaid.org.uk.
To enter the competition for Voice readers, go online to www.actonaid. org.uk/2024-music-competition and answer the following two questions:
1) What was the colour of the brick road that Elton John sang about?
2) In what English county was Lesley Garrett born?
The competition closes on Monday June 17 and the winner will be contacted by Monday June 24.
IT’S a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve the people of South Gloucestershire as your newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.
My commitment to you was to be visible and accountable to all residents of Avon and Somerset, and I intend to fulfil this commitment now I have taken up this role. I will also be focused on the twin challenges of reducing crime and raising public confidence in our police.
I bring a wealth of experience to the role, gained from working across different sectors. I served as a Member of the European Parliament for our area, I worked at the heart of government in No. 10 Downing Street, and I was a trade union officer for over 20 years.
Prior to being elected to the PCC role, I was co-chief executive of an equality and human rights national charity. These roles have
given me a good understanding of how institutions work, and effective strategies for getting things done.
As your PCC, I will be tireless in speaking truth to power, calling out the uncomfortable, and above all, I will work to build a safer future for everyone. To do this, I will be working with community partners, police staff and police officers to understand and address the challenges we face – I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
In my time running up to the elections, the people of Avon and Somerset made their most pressing priorities clear to me. I heard that people want to see a greater connection to their local neighbourhood police and for their police service to address and reduce violent crime, particularly knife crime and male violence against women and girls. I also heard how people would like prevention of crime to be a higher priority, for the police service and
for others who run services within and for communities.
I am here to listen, and I am here to represent you. To do this, I need to truly understand how you feel and where you would like our police to prioritise their time and resources.
As I begin my term as your PCC, I will be getting out and about to hear from as many groups and individuals as I can across Avon and Somerset.
I’m also going to create a comprehensive Police and Crime Plan to address the evolving challenges in policing and to deliver lasting solutions.
I’m committed to actively listening to the concerns and priorities of residents – one way I will do this will be to run a public survey. The details for how you can take part will follow soon.
Please follow my office on our social media accounts for regular updates – you can find us
on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn – search ASPCC.
I commit to being a PCC who stands for you, actively engaging with and understanding the diverse communities our police serve.
Please reach out to me and my office with any concerns or suggestions you may have.
For more information visit www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.
I AM delighted to confirm the Government have agreed to make available the full funding that we asked for to redevelop Thornbury Health Centre.
At last, we have achieved what we set out to do all those years ago – getting the money we need to build a new health centre for Thornbury.
It hasn’t been easy and it has certainly been a long and hardfought campaign. But back in October last year, for the first time in decades, we received a real glimmer of hope that we could make progress.
Following a debate in Parliament and a petition calling on the Government to make progress on Thornbury
Health Centre, we secured £1.3m to fund an initial business case for the rebuild.
It has now been announced that the Government are making available the full £14.4m we need to build a new health centre and the Health Minister Lord Markham has been clear that enabling construction work should begin as soon as possible.
NHS officials have also explained that the new health centre will be able to deliver both the existing services and host new and expanded services too, including enhanced primary care services, outpatient services, GP services, and better mental health
support.
I am now in talks with local NHS officials, the Department of Health, and the council about the next steps and will be pushing for preliminary construction works to start as soon as possible.
Attempts to make this happen have been going on for decades and is something I have been working on before being elected as our local MP.
I could not be more excited to confirm that together, we have finally secured this vital funding in full.
This could not have happened without support from the community.
Thank you to everyone who
Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice
signed my petition, filled in the surveys, and lent their support to this campaign. Without it, we simply could not have got this far, and we are now agonisingly close to getting on with the rebuild once and for all.
I will not stop fighting until our community has the health services that it deserves. It’s now time to finish the job and finally start the redevelopment of our new health centre.
We have received some funding from the Quartet Community Foundation to assist with costs for these trips but the fares will be £10 for those with a bus pass and £12 for those without. Huge thanks to Quartet for their grant to enable us to continue these trips at a lower cost for our passengers. We will endeavour to get every passenger onto at least one trip, we want to make it as fair as possible. We will have two buses for each trip, so we will have buses collecting in different areas but you can meet up with friends when you arrive. These are designed to be Days Out! Generally passengers can choose what they want to do at each destination but if you want some help booking somewhere to eat we’re more than happy to help. Earlier pickups likely to make sure you have a full day out!
Give us a call on 01454 228706 to book or you
Mon 24th June - Bourton-on-the-Water
Mon 1st July - Bradford on Avon
Weds 17th July - Weston Super Mare
Tues 30th July – Moreton-in-Marsh
Fri 9th Aug - Malmesbury
Tues 20th Aug - Ross on Wye
Mon 2nd Sept - Swindon Designer Outlet/ Museum of the Great Western Railway
Tues 29th October - Cirencester
Tues 12th November - Gloucester Docks
Tues 10th December - Bath
A PENSIONER who is still playing golf despite turning 90 celebrated his milestone birthday with a gentle round of nine holes and a party.
Jack Lavers is a member of the Kendleshire Golf Club at Coalpit Heath and has played socially for nearly 50 years.
Kendleshire operations director Rob McCullough said: "Jack still gets out in the fresh air each week in all seasons and holds the honour of being the Grandee of the club –but keeps up with those amongst the thriving 'Super Seniors' section.
Jack Lavers out on the course with his 'super
"Always bringing a cheesy joke and a huge smile along with him, Jack is the first to admit he's never been brilliant at golf but has always enjoyed himself.
"The camaraderie amongst his peers is infectious and they all celebrated his milestone birthday with a surprise meal and birthday cake."
A POPULAR Mexican restaurant in Chipping Sodbury is looking forward to a busy summer after overturning a council decision to refuse permission to use outside space for extra tables.
Last year, Amigos Cocina had used two parking spaces outside its premises for four tables and eight benches to be used during good weather. But the restaurant’s application to Sodbury Town Council to use the space outside on The Pitchings again this year was unexpectedly refused in April.
Councillors decided that the space had not been well used last year and that the loss of two parking spaces for the whole summer was not justified by the amount of use by restaurant customers.
Owner Shamsi Kabbara organised a petition which attracted over 1,600 signatures, from people who urged the council to rethink – and at a council meeting on May 14, attended by supporters of the restaurant, the decision was reversed.
On the restaurant’s Facebook page where Shamsi told her
supporters: "We got our seating approved.
"Thank you all for your support -we are so overwhelmed.
"A huge thank-you to everyone that attended the meeting and spoke – I did get a little emotional.
"Let’s pray for some good weather now!”
Amigos Cocina is a Mexican family restaurant run by Shamsi, her husband Dave and daughter Yasmine.
Dave received a double lung transplant in 2019, but despite the medical issues they have faced, the family have since built a thriving eatery.
The town council had said the outside area with four tables and eight benches, taking up two parking spaces, "wasn’t well used last year – and was hardly ever used during the day except on occasions when the High Street was closed to traffic for other events.”
Chipping Sodbury businessman and former town mayor James Ball was among those who baked the family, saying they had been "singled out".
FRAMPTON Cotterell Male Voice
choir held three concerts in April and May as part of their 99th season: their traditional annual concert, a performance of celebration for the Winterbourne Down Carnival and a visit to the Y’s Men in Hanham.
Enthusiastic applause from a crowded Zion church greeted a varied programme of 16 pieces, including three Cornish folk songs, arranged by musical director Tim Warren, at the annual concert
on April 27. As is customary, it featured solos from a young local performer, this year Zoë Battiwalla, whose crystal clear soprano voice charmed the audience with Ave Maria and Fascinating Rhythm, accompanied by her father Rustom Battiwalla, who also played three folk songs and ragtime numbers on the piano. A presentation was made to Eric Ruff, who is standing down as choir president after eight years. The concert raised £1,275 for Cancer Research UK.
The choir sang at the service
"WHY do you wear black?”
Black is a symbol of death. The traditional colour for clergy isn’t black because they are ignoring the Easter story and grieving because of Good Friday (although we would all do better to grieve for the callous and vengeful form of humanity we all share, which put Jesus and many others on crosses).
It’s a sign of ‘mourning’ for the ‘self’, who Christians are called to put to death, which is fantastic news.
Far too often Christians like to think of nice things like heaven and love, and forget the words quoted on Ash Wednesday, that we are first and foremost dust, and will one day return to dust. We want to talk about finding life’s meaning in love of God and Neighbour, even though the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes say that life, wisdom, pleasure and
launching Winterbourne Carnival on May 5, with 30 minutes of celebratory songs despite an unexpected descant from the Bethesda church parrots.
On May 18, with added solos from choir members and the Frampton Shantymen, we entertained the Y’s Men supporting their Mission Fund and Freewheeler’s Emergency Voluntary Service.
The choir have also sung at several care homes this spring with a repertoire adapted to stimulate the memories of Alzheimer’s sufferers, efforts acclaimed by carers and residents alike!
The season will extend through until the middle of July this year, with performances with Cornish choirs in mid-June, the Yate Rocks Choir Showcase on June 23 and Frampton Festival on July 13, before we start our centenary season in September.
The choir welcomes new members, with no previous experience or audition required. Rehearsals are on Friday evenings from 7.30pm in Zion United Church.
For more information visit www. fcmvc.co.uk or email sec.fcmvc@ gmail.com
Alan Fromberg
WINTERBOURNE Wind Band started their performing season with a scintillating concert at WADCA Community Centre.
The show on may 10 portrayed the 'Best of British' hits and culture from the start, with I'm Still Standing from Elton John.
The band produced a big sound but were versatile, too, to make quiet subtleties feel meaningful.
The programme mixed classics such as The Planets and Enigma Variations with Queen and The Beatles.
The arrangements were exciting for the big wind band of almost 40 players, and musical director Joe Galuszka energised the audience with his fun and diverse conducting style and clothing, even using a sonic screwdriver to conduct the encore of Doctor Who themes!
The Band has a busy season to
work are all meaningless.
The problem of this is that we end up denying ourselves the freedom that God has given us: if I am going to die, if I am just dust, if life is meaningless, then why worry?
The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche halfunderstood this, which has informed a sorry modern secular belief that a meaningless life means we might as well enjoy it and not care about anyone else.
The thing is, this kind of thinking is a non-starter: if it was real, none of us would care about those we love, and we wouldn’t be offended by the injustice we suffer or see in the news.
It’s also boring, creating some of the least attractive people in history (Nietzsche himself had a dire track record with relationships).
When we appreciate that life
is meaningless, we can embrace the freedom to create radically, think radically, and love radically without being anxious about what others think.
This is demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He knew he was going to be killed as a result of the jealousy and hatred of his rivals, and yet he kept on bending religious conventions, speaking up for the poor and oppressed, and standing against abusive powers.
He said a genuine ‘yes’ to the freedom not to worry about what others thought about him, about the political consequences, or the pain he would suffer in death, which he didn’t try to escape from or avoid.
He accepted the meaningless life of a carpenter from Nowheresville, didn’t worry about others' opinions and, ironically, ended up providing one of the most
meaning-imbued lives of human history.
So, that’s why I wear black: to remember I am dust and will die, that life is meaningless, and so to try to embrace the freedom to live and love so radically that God might transform my meaningless life into something much more interesting.
Maybe you should give black a try?
come, including a concert of all four South Gloucestershire wind bands in Page Park, Staple hill, on June 2 at 12.15pm, a songs of praise service on Frenchay Common on June 23 at 2.30pm and a concert for Ukraine in Acton Turville on June 29.
For more information, visit www. winterbournewindband.co.uk.
Peter BruceWINTERBOURNE Musical Theatre performed The Pirates of Penzance in May at WADCA Community Centre to packed houses and rapturous applause.
The production used the original script and music, dating back to the 1880s, but added plenty of modern references and jokes, covering everything from mobile phones, the internet and Alexa, to Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, EastEnders and Alan Carr's Interior Design Masters.
The group has vacancies for
pirates, policemen, princes, generals, guards, kings, rogues, wizards… you get the picture! Winterbourne Musical Theatre is looking for some more men, especially basses (lowest voices), to join them.
Their next show will be a pantomime in late November, and rehearsals at WADCA on Thursday evenings will start in late July. No stage or singing experience is necessary at all, although the group would be delighted to welcome men who can read music or who have previous performance experience.
Auditions are only held for lead roles in each show.
There are currently no vacancies for women on stage (unless you can sing tenor or bass) nor for children, but you can contact the group if you'd like to be on a waiting list.
We can always find jobs for people who'd like to get involved with set-building, tech, backstage, and costumes.
We are a sociable, all-age group, with around 35 adults and children on stage, plus others who support with
rehearsals, backstage, admin and organisation. We do two shows a year, mainly comedy, and make our own scenery and many costumes. If you think you might be interested in giving it a go, contact us via the website Winterbournemusical. co.uk, Facebook, email WinterbourneMTS@gmail.com or call 07974 280708.
BRITAIN’S railway system is the oldest in the world; we invented the railways and introduced them to the globe. That is something to be really proud about.
And we should celebrate our region’s role in this story. Britain’s most famous engineer, Brunel, changed the face of the English landscape with his groundbreaking viaducts, bridges, and tunnels for the Great Western Railway. He set standards for a well-built railway.
Fast forward to the present day, and I’m really pleased to be able to point to some great stats about how our local railways are going full steam ahead, with more passengers than ever before.
It’s now 12 months since half-hourly services were introduced to and from Temple Meads serving Filton Abbey Wood, near Parkway, and Yate, as well as in Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath and elsewhere.
In that time, over 3.4 million journeys have been made by passengers. This is a year-on-year increase in passengers of 27%.
This impressive growth is a great news for passengers and the planet.
The new and improved services have been funded by a £7 million-plus investment by the Combined Authority and delivered by GWR
and Network Rail. This substantial investment underscores our commitment to upgrading and improving our transport infrastructure.
Growing passenger numbers is my biggest priority in terms of building the sustainable West of England public transport system we all want to see.
Increased usage not only supports economic growth but also contributes significantly to our environmental goals, by reducing car dependency and lowering emissions.
But I am not stopping there: we’re planning for the future.
I’ve revived plans to electrify railway lines in the West, starting with tracks from Temple Meads. Electrification is a crucial step towards a greener, more efficient rail network, reducing delays and environmental impacts.
Additionally, I have launched a new station study. This is doing very early-stage work to look at the case for building additional stations in Lockleaze, St Anne’s, Saltford, and Ashton Gate.
Expanding our rail network with new stations is essential for improving accessibility and convenience for our passengers. These new stations could help to better connect our communities, providing more travel options and support the local economy.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice
Our efforts to improve the railway system are not just about numbers and infrastructure; they are about creating a better quality of life for the residents of our region. By providing efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport options, we are making it easier for people to commute, travel, and explore.
The future of our region’s railways is looking brighter. With continued investment, innovative projects, and a clear vision, we are on track to create a transport system that is not only a source of regional pride, but also a model for others to follow.
Let’s celebrate our progress and look forward to even more improvements that will keep our trains – and our region – moving forward.
MY article this month is a departure from the norm.
I like to think in my cooking I keep abreast of the times, so here goes – I am a huge convert to the air fryer!
I never thought I would utter those words, but I am unashamedly admitting that I was prejudiced.
I had somehow got it into my head that air fryers were just for chicken nuggets and chips, and that no self-respecting cook would want one.
It turns out that I was completely wrong.
I will still be using my super Neff ovens and hob for certain recipes, but there are many dishes that I will now do in my air fryer (AF for short).
These can be done quickly, economically and often more healthily than with traditional ovens and hobs. Especially as we move towards summer, it makes great sense to spend less time in a hot kitchen and less time washing up pans.
There is plenty of advice out there on which AF to buy, so I won’t go into that. What you need to bear in mind is the number of people you will be cooking for routinely and, most importantly, your worktop space. Remember the AF has a lid, so you will have to allow clearance for that, so no shelves directly above. As these are very much the thing at the moment - it's estimated that 30% of households now own one –
there are lots of offers on.
So there you have it, I've been converted. But don’t just take my word for it, have a look at Jamie’s Channel 4 series. We can’t both be wrong, can we?
This is a light, quick summer dish, perfect for a casual lunch. You can cook it in either an air fryer or a conventional oven – I've included the traditional method at the end.
As a sceptic, I was delighted and amazed at how crispy and quick this was cooked in the AF.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
● Chicken fillet – 2 medium chicken breast fillets beaten out with a rolling pin between 2 pieces
of cling film, or get your friendly butcher to do it.
● Panko breadcrumbs (lighter and crispier than ordinary breadcrumbs.) – 50g
● 1 small egg- lightly whisked
● Plain flour – 25g
● Dried mixed herbs – 3- 4 tablespoons
● Olive oil
● Lemon wedges
To serve: Salad of watercress, thinly sliced strawberries and cucumber.
Frozen sweet potato fries can also be cooked in the AF. Use the 'cook and crisp' tray at the bottom on 200C for 15 mins after you have cooked the schnitzel. Cover the chicken in foil to keep warm whilst cooking the fries.
Here’s what you do:
● Mix the panko breadcrumbs with the dried herbs. Place in a shallow dish.
● Place the egg in another shallow dish.
● Place the flour on a plate.
● Preheat the AF to 200C for 3 mins
● Season the chicken on both sides.
● Dip the schnitzel in the flour,
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.
shaking off the excess.
● Dip n the egg, then the breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to coat.
● Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the chicken all over.
● Arrange the schnitzels in a single layer in the bottom basket having brushed the bottom of the basket with oil.(Cut each schnitzel in half if it fits the bottom of the basket better.)
● Set the timer for 12 mins, turning halfway through. The schnitzel should be golden, crispy and cooked through. Cook for a further 4 mins if not done.
● Cook sweet potato fries to serve if wished. See above.
● Serve with plenty of lemon wedges and a salad of your choice or try my suggestion above.
IF COOKING CONVENTIONALLY:
● Prepare the schnitzel as above.
● Heat a pan to a medium heat.
● Add 1-2 inches of olive oil to a sauté pan. Sauté the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side.
● Lift out onto kitchen paper and blot to remove any excess oil.
● Serve with lemon, salad and fries as above.
WINTERBOURNE and Frome Valley Environmental Group and Frome Valley Growing Project are working together on the Frome Valley Pollinator Pathway, a ‘superhighway’ for bees and other wildlife.
Over the past month we have been busy with all sorts of wonderful planting to promote biodiversity and produce food, and also raise awareness about how we can improve pollinator habitats to improve biodiversity locally.
We visited Winterbourne Library, which has a wonderfully biodiverse garden where we carried a bioblitz and spotted lots of common – and some rather uncommon – creatures.
We saw attendance at the weekly Frome Valley Growing Project Wednesday volunteer day rise, as the sun has begun to shine so much more.
Perhaps the highlight of our month, though, was attending Winterbourne Down Carnival.
We were bowled over by the support and sign-up from local residents for the No Mow May campaign.
Coming up we have some exciting events and collaborations.
On June 9, as part of the Festival of Nature Week, we are holding a Big Community Action Day at Frome Valley Growing Project, where we will tend to the land, each other and the morethan-human world. Bring along a packed lunch, some drinking water and be willing to get dirty!
All are welcome as we plant native wildflowers in our meadow, tidy up our space with a litter pick, do some plant and animal spotting and learn about growing food using 'no dig' growing methods.
This event is free to attend and
is funded by the West of England Combined Authority, which has given a £25,000 grant to the Frome Valley Pollinator Pathway.
It is part of the Festival Of Nature, a national incentive supported by the National Lottery.
We also have a day of nature celebration at the new and beautifully-renovated St Michael's Community Centre, where you can come along and learn how to help with all the wonderful work happening locally in support of our biodiversity and wildlife, and plant a nature-friendly wildflower bank there.
Finally we have joined up with Winterbourne Parish Council and WECA to offer extremely low cost scything workshops, and we can't wait!
The ancient, meditative art of scything and leaving seed to drop is essential for the maintenance and prosperity of species-rich meadow lands.
Scythes are a low-tech, lowcarbon and quiet alternative to a noisy machine. This workshop is designed for beginners but will also be good for those who would welcome further instruction, or a refresher.
Kate Macdonald of the Frome Valley growing Project with Metro Mayor Dan Norris
Taking place at the Frome Valley Growing Project on June 22 and Whiteshill Common, Hambrook, on October 12, from 10am to 4pm each day, there will be instruction from Austrian scythes expert Chris Riley. Courses cost £20, including loan of an Austrian scythe, and places are limited to eight participants per day, so if you would like to come contact thegrowingproejct123@gmail.com.
Please note there is no drinking water available on our meadow sites, so you will need to bring plenty, suitable clothing for rain or sun and a packed lunch.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who is in charge of WECA, recently visited the Frome Valley Growing Project to see how the authority's money is being put to work.
He said the pollinator pathway scheme was part of a ‘bee superhighway’ linking the Frome Valley with Frenchay, Oldbury Court and Eastville, downstream on the Frome.
Mr Norris said: “Imagine trying to travel around South Gloucestershire without any roads or railways. It would be almost impossible. But getting around is the challenge faced by our pollinator pals.
"It is exciting to see this vital project come together to help the Frome Valley's bees who make sure our crops are pollinated and we have delicious West of England produce to eat and drink yearround."
Kate Macdonald
JUNE 9
n MEDIEVAL FAYRE, WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL BARN, 11am-4pm. With living history group camp and demonstrations, music, stalls and displays. Entry £5 adult, £1 child. Free car parking and shuttle buses from Winterbourne Academy all day. Cycle parking at barn. Dogs welcome on lead.
JUNE 15
n BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE, Iron Acton Parish Hall, 8-11am. All proceeds to From Bristol With Love for Ukraine. More information at actonaid.org.uk/events
JUNE 15
n ROCKHAMPTON FOLK AND WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL, from 2pm, by Rockhampton church. Traditional folk from Tarren and Intarsia, African songs from the Ganda Boys, Tango Calor, Lochrian Ceilidh. Children's activities and free workshops with musicians. More information and tickets from rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk.
JUNE 20
n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Illustrated talk by Justine Hopkins, 'Landscape Art'. More details from Sally on 07946 508316.
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 first Wednesday of the month, 2-4.30pm. 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
WINTERBOURNE Library is looking for friendly volunteers to join the team running the Summer Reading Challenge. Volunteers support children, help with activities and must be 14 or over – speak to a member of staff for more details.
Adult craft group meets on June 8 and 22, from 10amnoon: join a friendly group, do your own work and chat – refreshments available. Staff Crafty Saturday on June 1 and 29.
New coffee morning, 11am every Wednesday, replaces tea at 2pm on Fridays. 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 June 15 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.
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
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.
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.
A HUGE thank-you to everyone who has already signed up their gardens and allotments to be part of the Frampton Community Nature Reserve.
If you live in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath, and manage your garden with nature in mind, then please sign up here: tinyurl.com/37hmmacv
Our launch party at the Legion was a great success, with more than 60 people attending and over £100 raised.
Thanks to Alan for a very entertaining quiz, and to everyone who came along.
Next month we’re going to be helping people to make hedgehog highways – if you’d like some help to put a hole in your garden fence, then get in touch!
Moth club
During the summer we hold a monthly moth club, where we open up the traps and identify
which moths were caught overnight.
This is a chance to learn more about moths and moth trapping, and get up close to some beautiful moths.
We’ll be in the Brockeridge Centre garden from 10am on June 22, July 13 and August 24. These are free events and there is no need to book. Come along and meet the moths!
Nature walk
Our next guided nature walk will be on Sunday June 9, from 10am to noon, as part of the Festival of Nature Community Day.
Join us to explore the wildlife of the Black Rocks Nature Trail.
This will be a circular walk of around one mile, alongside the River Frome and through meadows, farmland and woodland.
The route includes stiles and uneven ground, which can be muddy after rain, so is not accessible to wheelchairs or buggies.
Families are welcome but no dogs, unless assistance dogs.
Meet at Mill Lane, Frampton Cotterell – between the Globe and St Peter’s Church – at 10am.
It's a free event – no need to book, just turn up.
Hope to see you there!
David Hanks
WE were delighted to welcome the very talented Samantha Rees from Tudor Royalty Experiences to our May meeting.
With her mother in law Jo, who was our model queen, she demonstrated the stages of dressing needed for an outfit befitting a Tudor queen – at least seven layers including a farthingale, a bum roll, a U-fronted petticoat and a kirtle.
Some parts were held in place by long pins and as a lady in waiting you didn’t want to be the one to stick a pin in the queen, even accidentally, as it could result in a broken finger!
Samantha’s fabulous outfits can be seen again during June at Acton Court.
The Badminton Road fence has had a refresh with some cheerful sunflowers made from recycled plastic bottles now added. We hope they will bring us all some sunshine after the recent rain. If you'd like to come along and join us, we meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm. Visitors £4.
Our next speaker is Lindsay Gough, of the University of 3rd Age, on June 5.
Look out for updates on Facebook or Instagram.
Caroline JohnstonAPRIL’S speaker was David Hardill from Yate Heritage Centre – his talk was about World War I history around the local Yate and Chipping Sodbury area, which was of great interest to members. Many gems of information were revealed, such as the fact that a runway used to exist in the Cranleigh Court area of Yate. It was great to see old photos taken at the time.
Our May meeting on the 28th was for discussing WI resolutions, with a quiz night with the usual tea, cakes and chat!
Our June meeting, on the 25th, is a talk by the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.
We usually meet on the 4th Tuesday of every month, at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm.
We have many other events and socials lined up for the year ahead, including visits to the theatre, gardens and meals out. We also have a monthly “lunch club”, open to all members and held at a different local venue each time. Watch this space and our Facebook page (search for FramptonCottWI) for future event dates and more details.
after what seemed like months of rain. The speaker for the evening was Tim Fussel of Fussel's Fine Foods. He had already set up a display of rapeseed oils and other foods made with the oil that the company produces.
Tim gave a highly entertaining talk about how the business was started from growing rapeseed on their farm in Somerset, their appearance on TV in Dragons' Den, and the ups and downs, advice and family differences. He was a very entertaining speaker and salesman!
Members were invited to sign up for events including a jacket potato lunch in June and a tea party in July, and also advised that in August an outing to West Lavington Manor Gardens was being organised for members, family and friends.
Our next meeting is on June 13 at 7.30pm, when the speaker will be Diane Saunders on the subject: “You would not believe it."
We meet at St Michael's Primary School the second Thursday of the month, and visitors are always welcome.
OUR May talk was from Claire Bounds, who is a fraud protection officer with the Avon & Somerset Police.
She was quick to advise us not to lose sleep over this but to be vigilant at all times as fraud constitutes 43% of all crime, and costs the economy a massive £216 billion.
There is a golden rule we were encouraged to learn, which was ‘take 5, tell 2’. This means that when you receive an unusual request by phone, email or social media, you should stop and think about it for five minutes before responding and ask two other people whether they think it is genuine. Don't let fraudsters pressure you into an instant response.
Claire distributed a very useful booklet demonstrating most of the types of scams that are circulating and told us how we should deal with them.
Our latest coffee morning took place at the Kendleshire Golf Club.
We meet on the first Thursday of
the month at the All Saints Hall in Winterbourne Down at 7.30pm. Our speaker for our June 6 meeting will be chiropractor Matt Poulter.
All visitors are made very welcome.
A replanted planter
OUR new refurbished and replanted planters are starting to flourish.
They were refurbished as they were looking very bedraggled after a long, wet, grey winter. Summer bedding plants are being added to make them look much brighter and more colourful.
The hanging baskets at the Brockeridge Centre have also been planted up and placed in situ.
Let’s hope for some warm, dry weather so that everyone can enjoy the displays.
To donate to Floral Friends, our bank details are: Floral Friends of Frampton, Lloyds 30-98-97, account 70582363.
We'd love to hear from new volunteers, at floralfriendsofframpton@gmail. com.
WINTERBOURNE Medieval Barn celebrates some British traditions this June, with our Medieval Fayre, a proper barn dance, and a talk about traditional fairies.
The Medieval Fayre takes place on Sunday June 9, from 11am4pm.
In 1393 King Richard II granted Blanche Bradeston of the Manor
of Winterbourne the right to hold a weekly market and two fairs a year, in June and October. The Medieval Fayre in June and Orchard Harvest Day in October celebrate that ancient right. Living history group the Company of Chivalry will set up camp, with authentic tents and fire pit, to show how people lived,
worked and fought in the 14th century.
There will be demonstrations and talks about aspects of medieval life, live medieval music, artisan and craft stalls, displays, food and drink.
Entry is £5 per adult, £1 per child and there is free car parking, with a free shuttle bus, at Winterbourne Academy.
On June 22, we have a traditional barn dance in a real barn – suitable for all ages, no experience necessary.
Gloucestershire traditional folk music band Sargent's Mess have an experienced caller telling you the steps as you go along. The bar opens at 6pm and you are welcome to bring your own food for a picnic in the grounds, with free parking on site.
On June 24 the fabulously entertaining historian Professor Ronald Hutton gives a talk called Traditional Fairies at 7pm, looking at the British and Irish folklore that inspired them and the older, darker world they inhabited. The
talk can also be watched live on zoom.
We also have craft workshops and Tai Chi sessions in June. Pre-booking for all events is recommended at www. winterbournebarn.org.uk. If you do not have internet access call 0117 403 1536 and leave a message.
Louise HarrisonAT the end of April we took our long-awaited coach trip to view the bluebells in Savernake Forest. It turned into a bluebellspotting adventure led by a highly-entertaining coach driver directing us to quickly look left and then right to catch the somewhat sparse areas of floral beauty.
A coffee break revived us before
we set off to visit the lovely village of Lacock. The weather was kind to us so we were able to have a good walk around before traumatising the poor ladies in the National Trust shop, who weren’t expecting over fifty visitors that afternoon!
We usually meet at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down.
However instead of a meeting, on Monday June 17 we have our summer lunch at Eastwood Park.
If you are recently retired, have time on your hands and would like to become an intrepid bluebell spotter and socialise in a friendly group, you would be very welcome.
Visitors can attend five meetings per year at a cost of £3.50 per meeting or pay an annual membership of £25.
For more information, please call 01454 773647.
Sue Humphreys
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FRAMPTON Cotterell Cricket Club members are preparing to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a hectic calendar of events, culminating with a dinner at the County Ground.
A major focus of the summer will be a cricket week in June, along with an end of season tour to Leeds, while the centenary is also being marked with the launch of a new women’s team –and two special beers!
Vic Cater – surely one of the longest-serving chairs in the country after taking up the role in 1980 – well remembers Frampton’s 50th anniversary, as he dismissed former West Indian opener Roy Marshall without scoring, in a game against a starstudded Whitbread Wanderers team.
The 76-year-old chair is proud to be at the helm as Frampton reflect on their humble beginnings and look to the future.
He said: "This used to be a field that belonged to the church who back in 1924 gave us exclusive use of The Park for cricket, and that was the way it was for many years until it was acquired by the parish council.”
In common with many village
clubs, Frampton have had to deal with their fair share of challenges recently, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism at this seminal moment in their history.
Vic, who played his first game here aged nine or ten, said: “We’ve got 60 youngsters signed up for All Stars and Dynamos on Sunday mornings, and that gives us a lot of hope for the future.
“We’re also running U11s, U13s and U15s this year, and still manage to get out three sides on a Saturday as well as a team in the Midweek League.
“We recently held a first women’s and girls session which went well so there's a lot of good signs.”
Frampton’s cricket week will begin with a parents and juniors' pairs knock-out on June 23, with T20s to follow against Eastonin-Gordano and local rivals Winterbourne – one of their first opponents 100 years ago – along with a special challenge on June 28 against Frampton Cotterell RFC, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary.
An Old Boys match and
get-together is set for June 30 – former players are welcome to pop along to play or simply reminisce on the boundary edge – while tickets will be sold all summer for a raffle, with prizes including a limited edition Jack Russell print and Alistair Cooksigned bat.
Frampton are also hopeful that their aspirations for installing permanent nets will be boosted by sales of two beers produced for this special season by South Gloucestershire-based Tangent Brewing Company.
Already available – and selling fast – is Not Out, a hazy IPA that carries the club logo and information about the history of the club on the can.
There are plans for a second brew – a pale ale which will be named after a poll of club members, who are coming up with a short list of options.
The Yate-based brewing company, created by three friends who share an interest in craft beer recipes, will have the new been canned and labelled with the winning name in time for the ‘Week of Cricket’ starting on June 23.
Steve HillA LEAGUE title triumph was the highlight of another successful season for Coalpit Heath Youth FC.
With teams spanning from four year olds up to newly-formed Under-18s, it has been a season where the coaches and players have worked tirelessly together.
We saw successes with our U10s and U11s teams, whilst our newly-formed U7s team had a great start to development football.
However our standout moment is the U13s, who won their league in a dramatic last game against the team in second place.
Huge congratulations to lead coach Lee Jarman, his supporting coaches, the players and the parents, for all their support.
We're all proud of the lads. It was a real
team effort - everyone brought their best selves to the game, and that made all the difference. The team dominated the play and there was some great football on display.
A lovely bit of feedback from one of the
parents really backs up our ethos as a club.
They said: "You don’t win a league with individuals but a community of team players, coaches, parents and carers. That has been evident all season."
Lee said: "It’s been a pleasure to coach at Coalpit Heath for the last three years, and watch a good group of lads develop as a football team, and as a great bunch of lads."
As we look into next season we've got lofty ambitions for various teams and are looking to set up a couple of girls' teams plus a new U18s team as well.
We always welcome players or prospective coaches. Contact us via our website: coalpitheathfc.org.uk
Stuart ArisFRAMPTON Rangers Under-13s secured a well-deserved double after a season of great football.
Having already secured the Avon Youth League Division 4 title, they met Shire Colts Pumas – the team they pipped to the title by a solitary point – in the Plate final on May 12.
Frampton’s run to the final had seen victories against Ashton Boys, local rivals St Nick’s and Coalpit Heath, and a hard-fought 3-1 semi-final win over a strong Hanham Abbotonians team.
Honours were even coming into the final at Mendip Broadwalk, with each team having a win against the other in the league, but Frampton blew the Pumas away a 6-1 victory.
With keeper Reggie Hemmings out injured after a mountain biking accident, forwards Jack Rhodes and Liam Heal donned the gloves for a half each.
Frampton's ‘Red Arrows’ forward line of Daniel Broom, Ethan Bright and Ollie Hall were a constant threat in behind the Shirehampton back line, with Ollie scoring first after a mercurial run from Ethan.
Frampton pressed the ball high up the pitch and it wasn’t long before midfielder
Frampton Rangers Under 13s: Coach Stephen Beazer, Alex Beazer, William Bright, Rhys Hartley, Daniel Broom, Jack Rhodes, Colby Walker, James Rogers, Liam Heal, manager Carl Tomlin, Mascot Franklin ‘Fez’ Tomlin, coach Mark Broom, Harrison Tomlin, Seb Ford, Ethan Bright, Ollie Hall, Olly Walsh (captain), Oliver Moore, Reggie Hemmings
James Rogers played Daniel Broom through to score his 20th goal of the season.
With a defence marshalled by the towering Rhys Hartley, Frampton managed to limit Shire to a couple of half chances.
Not long before half-time, Ethan Bright recovered the ball high up the pitch and
duly dispatched his 27th of an exceptional season, before midfielder Harrison Tomlin had to be carried off after a late, crunching tackle.
Shire pushed hard to get back into the game and Frampton had to withstand a number of attacks but showed why they have been the stingiest defence in the league, with very little for the keeper to do.
Ethan Bright created a chance for Olly Walsh to score and put Frampton 4-0 up before Ollie Hall returned the favour from the opening goal by laying the ball on for Ethan to score his 28th of the season.
Shire had a goal to cheer with a welltaken penalty that was very nearly saved by Liam Heal.
With the minutes ticking down, captain Olly Walsh put man of the match Daniel Broom through one-on-one and he rolled the ball around the onrushing keeper to calmly pass it into the goal.
We have a number of teams through the age groups, including a Saturday U14s team, and are looking for new players and sponsorship for next season.
For more details, email framptonrangersyfc@gmail.com.
Carl Tomlin
FRAMPTON Cotterell Rugby Club have won the Bristol Combination Vase cup, beating Old Colstonians 21-18 in an exciting and tight final at the Lockleaze rugby venue.
The victory in the knock-out club cup competition came 20 years after Fram’s last win, which was also against Old Colstonians, so the club and first team players were over the moon.
Fram seemed to be in control and were never behind in the game but, with one score being the difference most of the game, Charlie Hill’s 100% success rate with the boot was an important factor.
Fram’s development process is really working, as 90% of the team came through Frampton's Junior and Colt set up: that camaraderie and team spirit was definitely a factor in the last 10 minutes, as they held on for victory.
It was difficult to pick a man of the match: coaches Olly Slym and Nige Smith singled out hooker Cameron Smith, but it was a real team effort.
Mike Weaver
Coaches and players hold the trophy aloft
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