SINGER Ava Mannings, who went to school in Winterbourne and Hambrook, was showered with praise by the celebrity coaches when her blind audition for The Voice UK won her a place on the ITV talent show's latest series.
Picture: ITV Plc
Full story: Page 3
A WINTERBOURNE man who was "at the centre of the violent mob" during anti-immigration protests in Bristol has been jailed.
Wayne Murray, who is 57, threw missiles at police during violence in the city centre on August 3.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Murray's involvement "fuelled" the violence, which lasted several hours.
He was arrested and charged with violent disorder by police in early September.
Murray was jailed for two years and two months on September 24, after pleading guilty to the charge.
His behaviour was described as "shameful" by the officer leading the investigation into the disturbances.
Turn to page 2
FRAMPTON Cotterell Rugby Club has held a "hugely successful" event to encourage more girls into the sport.
PAGE 22
A PRE-SCHOOL in Winterbourne has been praised for the "wonderfully inspiring opportunities" it provides for children to learn outdoors.
PAGE 5
PLANS for an electricity storage battery plant at Iron Acton have been approved by South Gloucestershire Council, despite objections from nearby residents.
PAGE 6
WINTERBOURNE Women cricket team finished the season with a trophy.
PAGE 20
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From page 1
His arrest followed a police investigation into violence in the city centre, firstly in Castle Park and then outside a hotel that houses asylum seekers on Redcliff Hill.
Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters were on the streets of the city, faced by anti-racism counter protesters.
The violence flared during a week of anti-immigration riots across the UK, sparked by false information spread online that claimed the killer of three girls in Southport on July 29 was a Muslim asylum-seeker.
An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: "Murray was seen aggressively shouting at and gesturing towards police officers before throwing objects at them during the disorder.
"The court heard Murray 'was at the centre of the violent mob' and that his involvement 'fuelled' the violence."
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert said: "Murray's behaviour that day was completely shameful and he has now received a lengthy prison sentence as a result.
"Two-dozen people have now been sentenced for their involvement on that day and we continue to work to identify and arrest others involved."
As the Voice went to print police had arrested 51 people in connection with the violence, with 40 charged so far.
Murray is the 24th person to be sentenced, with most receiving prison sentences.
Police have published images of a number of people they still want to trace and question as part of their investigation.
They can be found online, along with instructions on how to provide information, at tinyurl.com/mrxawzc3.
A MAN who died in a crash on the M32 at Hambrook has been named.
Police say Michael Stone lived in the Bristol area. No further details have been released, at the request of his family.
Four cars and a van were involved in a collision on the southbound exit slip road at junction one for the Avon Ring Road, shortly before 10am on August 22.
A member of the
Mr Stone, who was the driver of one of the vehicles, died at the scene.
Two other motorists were taken to hospital for treatment. An investigation into the collision is underway and police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.
No charges have been brought at this stage.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call 101 and quote incident reference number 5224 221 408.
SHE'S more used to singing to the dogs at the grooming parlour where she works.
But when Ava Mannings decided to try her luck on ITV talent show The Voice UK, she found a much more appreciative audience.
All of the celebrity coaches made a bid to add the former Winterbourne Academy and Hambrook Primary School pupil to their teams, putting her through to the main competition.
It means family, friends and customers of Top Groom in Downend will be able to follow Ava's fortunes as she bids to win the 13th series of the hit show.
Ava appeared on the second episode, in the 'blind audition' stage where the celebrity coaches – will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes, Sir Tom Jones and the joint team of McFly's Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones – sit with their backs to each contestant to hear them sing for the first time.
Coaches who want to add a singer to their team turn their chairs around.
Early in her performance of Damn Your Eyes, by Etta James, Tom and Danny turned around for Ava, followed soon after by the other three.
The coaches showered her with praise, with will.i.am telling her: "You're going to put Bristol on the map."
LeAnn told Ava her performance was "stunning", beautifully executed and had "incredible feeling".
Sir Tom said: "You're unique in yourself and I love that."
Danny told her: "I don't think you realise how good that was –that was absolutely impeccable, it was unbelievable. You're a one-off."
Ava chose Danny and Tom to coach her on the show, which was filmed between October and June this year. The result is a closely-guarded secret.
Ava, who is 21, grew up in Fishponds, Downend and Frenchay, and attended Hambrook Primary School and Winterbourne Academy.
It was at Hambrook that she was inspired by Sue Cessford, who led the school choir.
Sue, who passed away in 2019, encouraged Ava to sing after hearing her humming.
Ava told the Frome Valley Voice: "She made me believe there was something there."
Ava took part in school productions at Winterbourne Academy but says her love of singing goes back as far as she can remember.
She said: "I've been singing since I could talk.
"My mum always had music going and did am dram (amateur dramatics). I'd see mum doing acting and finding so much joy and happiness in music. By the time I could talk, walk and sing and dance, I wanted to be on the stage."
Ava's first stage performance was playing one of the von Trapp children in a production of The Sound of Music by St Mary's Players in 2014.
She performed as the voice of Audrey the killer plant in Bristol Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS) Youth's production of Little Shop of Horrors in 2018.
Ava said: "I've got so much love for BAOS, and a lot of them have texted me saying they can't believe I've gone on The Voice."
After leaving school Ava
cut short plans to study music, preferring to get a job and start earning.
During two years of working as a groomer she has sung publicly at the occasional event, including one-off gigs and funerals, "where it means the most".
She sings to the dogs at the grooming parlour "to make it through the day".
Ava's inspirations include George Michael, Michael Jackson and American rock band Tool.
But her two biggest influences are Barbra Streisand, who she "absolutely adores", and soul legend Aretha Franklin.
Ava said: "There are people out there that will hear that old soul in me."
Even though she knew the result, Ava was nervous when her audition was screened in September.
She said: "I was sitting there biting my lip, not knowing what they were going to put in – it was a crazy experience.
"I'm extremely excited to finally be able to see it and for the world to be able to see it.
"I still feel extremely lucky to have had those chairs turn around for me, and very privileged."
Top Groom owner Caroline Clancy said: "Ava is singing all the time, the whole day, when she's here.
"Although she's potentially not going to be back with us, we're really rooting for her 100% – she's an amazing kid."
Ava will next appear on The Voice UK on October 12. The show screens on ITV1 on Saturdays at 8.30pm and is also available to stream via ITV's website.
BUS passengers in the region are “losing patience” with the pace of change to bus services, say campaigners.
After years of public pressure, the region’s leading politicians have decided to wait until at least next year before deciding how to reform the system.
Two options are now on the table for fixing the network and bringing public transport back under public control: bus franchising and municipal ownership.
Franchising would see politicians take control of setting routes, fares and standards, while companies like First Bus and Stagecoach would continue to operate services.
Municipal ownership would see a new publicly-owned bus company set up, something which is currently banned but could be allowed under a new law, the Better Buses Bill, expected to be tabled by the
government early next year.
At its meeting in September, the West of England Combined Authority committee decided to wait for the new law before pushing ahead with any potential reforms.
Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer said: "I hope we can be in a good position at that stage to explore options including bus franchising.
"We need to look at providing a timeline of actions that will actually happen. We are starting to exhaust the patience of residents of Bristol and the rest of the West of England."
Campaigners criticised the long wait for WECA's new eightpage report on bus reforms, and questioned why it has only just been published now, when other combined authorities have already taken real steps to franchise their bus networks.
Anna Mounteney, from Reclaim Our Buses, said: "After
framptontaxis@tiscali.co.uk www.framptontaxis.co.uk
years of delays and wasted public money, we were expecting a comprehensive report aimed at driving real change.
“Now we’re expected to wait again until 2025 for the prospect of tangible reform. This is just unacceptable."
She said resources had been diverted into "short-term election-driven schemes, quick fixes like WESTlink, publicity stunts like the birthday bus pass, and the use of public money for self-promotion images on buses".
Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who is now a Labour MP and promoted the WESTlink and birthday buses schemes, said: “Birthday buses are proving to be a phenomenal success.”
He said the authority wanted to "move quickly" but there are "likely to be a lot of significant changes" when the new law comes in.
He said: "I’d like to go further and see state control
of transport, because I think it’s a social service. I think that franchising doesn’t go far enough. But I have to live in the real world, I have to make decisions and work within the rules, and I’m afraid it does take time. I share your frustration about how long it’s taking."
WECA's plans for a mass transit scheme are likely to take even longer, with the committee being told no work would get underway before 2030.
*A new WESTlink service linking the villages of Charfield, Cromhall and Wickwar to Yate and Chipping Sodbury has been launched.
The Y8 service, operated by the Big Lemon bus company, runs two services in the morning and two in the afternoon in each direction between Charfield, Yate and Hawkesbury Upton.
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A PRE-SCHOOL in Winterbourne has been praised for the "wonderfully inspiring opportunities" it provides for children to learn outdoors.
Ofsted visited Winterbourne Early Years Centre's Rainbow Bears pre-school at St Michael's Primary School in July.
The education regulator said the pre-school, which has 29 children aged three and four on its roll, is 'good' in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
Inspector Rachel Howell highlighted the learning that takes place outdoors.
She said: "The centre provides children with wonderfully inspiring opportunities to be active outside and explore the natural world.
"Staff skilfully teach children to learn to manage risks and keep themselves safe.
"Staff encourage children to think, consider their approach and adapt their actions as needed. "They are proud of their achievements and develop their physical skills, independence and sense of responsibility very effectively."
The inspector also praised the way the six members of staff work together to form the curriculum with a choice of activities, adapting them to inspire each child.
She said: "Staff have high expectations for children's capabilities.
"They thoughtfully link to children's preferred interests and ways of learning. Children are inspired by the rich range of experiences on offer."
The inspector said children form strong relationships with staff, who support them and ask them questions to encourage their thinking and conversation.
Staff "show dedication to the
children and families", sharing information and supporting home learning, and parents are "very positive" about the support, the inspector said.
Winterbourne Early Years Centre has been running as a charitable preschool for nearly 60 years.
As well as the Rainbow Bears room at St Michael's, in Linden Close, it has a larger base in two rooms at the Greenfield Centre, next to Elm Park Primary School.
Centre manager Lisa O'Sullivan said: "We are so proud of the outcome from our recent Ofsted report. The inspector really recognised our passion as a centre for allowing children to be independent and confident learners.
"We pride ourselves in allowing children to be free in their play when exploring their surroundings in a safe, educational setting, and feel this was reflected throughout the
inspection.
"Rainbow Bears is a small committee-run, charity-led preschool which has a fantastic team of professionals, who all share the same ethos when providing the daily experiences for their children.
"Our days are mostly filled with the choices of being indoors or outdoors, whether in the forest, exploring a range of resources or within the community and learning through each experience in a child-led manner."
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PLANS for an electricity storage battery plant at Iron Acton have been approved by South Gloucestershire Council.
Energy firm Balance Power Projects applied for permission to build 19 battery enclosures and accompanying inverters and transformers, along with a substation at the site in Latteridge Lane in August last year.
The 2.26 hectare site is close to a National Grid supply point substation.
In a statement in support of the project, agents Pegasus Group said the battery plant would help "ensure the security and quality of the electricity supply" by helping to balance demand and supply.
They added: "Battery Storage facilities play a fundamental role in decentralising the grid system, enabling power to be generated and stored in localised areas where it is required.
"Increasing the amount of operational storage developments reduces the over-dependence on centralised, fossil-fuel facilities, which in turn has a cumulative effect on reducing CO2 emissions and decarbonising the grid."
Four people wrote objections to the plans, published on the council's website, citing reasons including potential contamination from leaking batteries and fire risks.
Neighbour Sue Anstey said: "We are continually at risk of losing our valuable Green Belt land around us because of the convenience of connecting to the Grid.
"I believe that it is unacceptable to install this Battery Energy Storage System so close to local residents."
Council officers approved the plans using delegated powers with 21 conditions, ranging from safety and security to biodiversity. An officer's report said the scheme's "significant public benefits constitute very special circumstances that outweigh the harm caused by inappropriate development and the other identified harms".
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has awarded a new eight-year, £120 million contract to collect waste and recycling from homes and businesses to current provider Suez.
The council says the new contract, which is subject to final ratification by the ruling Lib Dem-Labour cabinet in November, follows an "extensive, competitive tendering process".
The new contract will start in August next year, and replaces the current 25-year PFI (Private Finance Initiative) arrangement.
The authority says it will "deliver improved value for money" and also allow for the council to improve its recycling rate.
The contract only covers kerbside waste and recycling collections, as the council is taking the running of its Sort It recycling centres and waste transfer stations back in-house.
It says most improvements will be "behind the scenes", but residents will be able to use a new app to make it quicker and easier to report problems.
Cabinet member for waste and recycling services Sean Rhodes said: "The new contract will also allow us to make even greater progress to increase recycling rates.
"It provides the flexibility to, over time, recycle more and different materials from households at the kerbside, making it easier for everyone to play their part to improve our environment and reduce waste." Earlier this year the council said that it wants to eventually make black bin collections every three weeks instead of every fortnight, with bidders for the contract asked to submit costs for three-weekly as well as fortnightly collections.
But a spokesperson said at the time that changes to the frequency of black bin collections would only happen after steps to recycle more had reduced the amount of recyclables and food waste being put into black bins, which currently make up almost two thirds of their contents.
ORGANISERS of a village craft and flower show have hit out at the "petty" vandals who tore down and stole banners advertising the event.
St Saviours Church held its annual horticultural and craft show on September 7 and in the run-up, banners advertising the event were put up around the village.
Vandals tore one of them from a fence next to the Manor Primary School then stole another one which had been put up opposite the Beesmoor Road church.
Show secretary Karen Bidwell said: "It's just mindless vandalism. It wasn’t in the way or hurting anyone.
"My husband and I looked for the missing one, to no avail. It was just to let the villagers know it was due to take place as usual."
The show wasn't as well attended as usual this year and raised just under £200, down on previous years' totals of closer to £500.
The money goes towards church funds and in previous years has helped pay for renovations and improvements to the church hall and to buy tables and chairs.
Karen said: "The banners were bought when we had a sponsor, many years before the before the pandemic.
"I hope it can be found and returned to us."
A DONATION of £1,000 has been made to Diabetes Research UK in support of a family’s fundraising efforts in memory of their son.
Liam Scarman, from Winterbourne Down, was 22 years old when he passed away on Boxing Day 2017 as a result of Type 1 Diabetes.
Since his death, parents Trevor and Sue have dedicated their lives to raising money for Diabetes Research UK and so far have raised £15,500.
Liam's ashes are interred at Westerleigh Crematorium, and staff who supported Trevor and Sue in creating his memorial within the grounds decided to help their fund-raising efforts.
The donation came from the crematorium’s metal recycling fund which, with the consent of families, uses metals recovered during cremation to raise money for charities.
Trevor said: "Since Liam passed away in his sleep, we have raised money through activities such as charity days at his local pub, collection tins, someone running a half-marathon, two others taking part in ‘dry January’ and others.
"We are fighting for a world where diabetes can do no harm, and we believe that, with such generous donations from companies such as the money from Westerleigh Crematorium, research can help eradicate Diabetes Type 1 and 2."
Trevor and Sue visited Westerleigh Cemetery & Crematorium to accept the cheque on behalf of Diabetes Research UK from the crematorium manager, Shaun Chapman-Young.
Shaun said: “We knew about the amazing fund-raising Trevor and Sue have done over the past few years, and wanted to do something to support them, in memory of Liam."
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A FRAMPTON Cotterell nursery's "friendly and nurturing" staff and wide range of activities have been praised by an inspector.
Ofsted visited Partou 100 Acre Wood Day Nursery and Pre-School in Church Road in July.
Inspector Victoria Nicolson said the setting, which has 79 children aged four and under on its roll, is 'good' in all areas –quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
The inspector said: "Staff are friendly and nurturing.
"Children settle quickly and confidently explore the wide range of resources and activities available to them."
She said the nursery's curriculum "focuses on helping children learn to have respect for themselves, respect for others and respect for the world around them".
This includes teaching older children about their environment and community through litter picking and helping to recycle their waste.
The inspector said: "Staff set clear and consistent boundaries to keep children safe and to help them learn to keep themselves safe. Children behave well."
The nursery's "high focus" on promoting
children's communication and language skills was highlighted in the report, from reading and teaching words and signs to asking children questions and listening to what they have to say.
The inspector said: "Staff spend time getting to know the children. They make accurate assessments of children's progress, and this helps them to identify when children need more support with their learning."
The report said children benefit from "lots of fresh air and exercise" in a garden area, and staff help them to learn to be
independent and confident in their abilities
The inspector said: "Staff engage with children well, playing alongside them using their interests.
"Partnerships with parents are good and well-established.
"Parents praise staff for how they support children's dietary and medical needs, and they say that their children enjoy attending."
To improve further, Ofsted recommended that the nursery provide more targeted support for staff, provide more challenges for older and more capable children, and develop partnerships with parents by involving them in home learning.
The setting is run by Partou, the UK’s fifth largest day nursery group.
Nursery Manager Stacey Oliver said: "It is a particularly upbeat report, which reflects so well on the hard work put in by the team.
"We have endeavoured to create a welcoming ‘home from home’ atmosphere, making use of all-natural toys and equipment to stimulate the children and encourage imaginative play.
"A lot of emphasis is also placed on our bespoke curriculum, which is tailored around the needs and interests of each child.
"I am thrilled at the progress the nursery has made."
IN early September I attended a packed debate in Parliament on provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
During the 90-minute debate, we heard so many horror stories of how pupils and parents from across the country are being let down by a system that is simply unable to meet their needs and give them the learning environment they need.
I was one of the small number of MPs who was lucky enough to be able to speak in the debate, drawing on the experience of local parents and their concerns about the current system.
This includes how the current SEND funding formula is broken, leaving schools and councils and schools without the financial support they need to deliver these vital services.
All of this has a real human impact on our children.
Many either spend long periods
out of the classroom or are placed in schools that are unable to support them in the way they need.
Every parent knows the struggle of wanting to see your child supported to achieve their potential, and this inability to get the tailored support that these children need pushes many parents to breaking point.
The following week, I raised the issue yet again in Parliament, this time focusing in on the challenges facing those councils who have entered into ‘safety valve’ agreements made with the Department of Education under the previous government.
These were an attempt to address the huge deficit in SEND spending, although they’ve ended up being little more than an ineffective sticking plaster.
This is because these agreements come with rigorous targets that were set in stone before the
pandemic.
Since then, we’ve seen a huge rise in demand, with no steps being taken to revise these agreements.
This leaves local councils slogging away to try, in vain, to meet targets that are just not achievable and lead to worse outcomes.
Leaving decision makers working with one hand tied behind their back, fruitlessly trying to meet targets that simply don't reflect the reality on the ground, undermines all the work being done to make these services better and get our children the support they need.
As a former council leader I've seen this first-hand.
That’s why I am glad to have secured the promise of a meeting with the Education Minister, and I plan to use this to show why our SEND services here in South Gloucestershire need greater support – making the case for
change.
This includes fixing the funding formula, reviewing all existing safety valve agreements, and a full review of how absence and informal exclusions are treated.
I know this is a very difficult topic, with a big emotional impact and no silver bullet solution.
That’s why I’ll continue to do all I can to keep this issue on the national agenda and am keen to work with anyone who’s willing to help deliver a better outcome for SEND services across the country.
METRO Mayor Dan Norris will be blocked from running for the job again, after a change in Labour's rules about MPs having
second jobs.
Delegates at the party’s annual conference in September approved proposals from the party’s National Executive Committee to extend an existing ban on MPs being local councillors to other office holders, including mayors.
Mr Norris was elected head of the West of England Combined
Our Services
Authority in 2021 and the post is up for re-election next year.
At July’s general election, he ousted Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg to become MP for the newly-created North East Somerset & Hanham constituency.
Mr Norris previously said he would do both jobs until "at least" next May, sparking
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criticism that he was being paid for two roles that should both be full-time.
It was unclear as the Voice went to press whether Mr Norris, who has been approached for comment, will have to resign as mayor before the end of his term.
A Labour spokesperson said the party was "committed to MPs focusing on being MPs".
FRENCHAY Flower Show aims to mark its 80th anniversary by returning to the place where it all began.
9am - 1pm
The volunteer-run community show attracted a record 4,000 visitors in July and is outgrowing its current site on Frenchay Common, which requires part of Beckspool Road to be closed.
The first ever show in 1945 was held on the grounds of the then Frenchay Hospital – and next year organisers hope to return to the same site, on an open space which has been protected from development as hundreds of new homes are built around it.
The new 'village green' site opposite Jenkins Way is bordered by Lime Tree Avenue, Loverose Lane, Frenchay Park play area and the tennis club, as well as the woodland area next to Begbrook Park.
With the support of Winterbourne Parish Council, which is taking responsibility for the green space from developers, the flower show organisers hope next year's show, on July 12, will be the first major public event to be staged there.
Organisers are planning to offer early bird discounted tickets for sale online in the new year, and are giving an early shout-out to stall holders, traders, and food concessions to contact them.
They are also appealing for "crucial" local business sponsors to get in touch.
Anyone who is interested in sponsoring next year's show or having a stall at the event can contact the organisers by email at enquiries@ fenchayflowershow.com.
YEAR 6 pupils at St Michael's Primary School in Winterbourne are proving to be a dab hand at impressionist painting.
Children worked to recreate artist Claude Monet's famous Water Lilies painting, using different brush techniques and colour mixing.
Teacher Rebecca Harriman said: "We learnt that impressionism was about interpretation and not about creating a perfect image of what we see."
The pupils, who are now in their last year of primary school are also taking up some new responsibilities, including looking after a 'buddy' in Reception who has just started school.
Miss Harriman said: "The children have now been paired with their buddy and have met them on a couple of occasions.
"Some of the responsibilities include reading stories to them, listening to them read, playing and socialising with them during buddy play and supporting them at lunchtimes.
"We have loved playing with them so far and helping them settle into the routines of school life."
The school is starting its first full year as part of the newly-formed Mosaic Partnership Trust, reported in last month's Voice.
OCTOBER always starts with celebrations of sunshine and harvest, but ends with much darker thoughts about death and other worlds.
Winterbourne Barn’s community events reflect this transition, with the joyful annual Orchard Harvest Day, celebrating the heritage of British orchards, followed by spookier events such as a showing of the world’s first ever Dracula film, and a talk about death in Medieval times.
New for this year's Orchard Harvest Day on October 6 is Bristol’s finest pirate-themed raucous sing-along folk-rock and shanty band, Piratitude, who performed at Glastonbury this year.
Firm favourites returning again include Winterbourne Down Border Morris, ferret-racing with Terry Moules, and the Bygonz minstrels
There's free parking at Winterbourne Academy and free shuttle bus to and from the Barn all day.
The lead-up to Halloween starts on October 10 with a talk about death and dying in England, from 500 to 1500AD, with historian Dr Helen Frisby. Some of our ancestors’ practices and views about mortality may seem rather strange and unsettling to us now!
On October 11 we are screening the spooky classic silent film Nosferatu, which started the horror film genre, in the atmospheric Medieval Barn. In 2022, English Heritage commissioned Chris Green to compose a new soundtrack to accompany the film for its centenary, and we are delighted to welcome Chris to play that soundtrack. It is a haunting blend of electronic and acoustic instruments, and combined with the iconic images on screen, it makes for a genuinely remarkable and powerful cinematic experience.
There are also a number of hands-on craft workshops in the coming weeks.
For more information visit the website www.winterbournebarn.org. uk or ring 0117 403 1536 to arrange a time to book an event in person. Louise Harrison
YOU are probably well aware of the popular notion that doing something for the first time in a long time can be "just like riding a bike" in that, allegedly, it never leaves you.
Having spent 20 years dedicating time to music, as a child and then professionally, followed by the last seven years where I have had only rare opportunities to play and perform, I find myself increasingly doubtful about this bit of popular wisdom.
Sure, I can sit down at a piano and play a C major scale, but ask me to play a Bach invention and my fingers soon find themselves tripping each other over.
The other thing about this popular notion of being able to return to riding a bike is the assumption that there is still a bike to ride on.
I would love to share with
you 'Michi', a marimba solo by the Japanese composer and percussion virtuoso Keiko Abe, but as I don’t have the space to store a marimba, I have not got a suitable instrument to play it on.
I am increasingly worried that similar situations are beginning to play out in many communities on a larger and more complex scale. It seems many of us assume that the activities and institutions which have helped foster strong relationships within communities will always be there, ready for us to re-engage if we happen to fancy it in the future (much like a rusty bike in a shed or a garage, which may or may not see the light of day again).
At the same time, activities and institutions which have been at the heart of communities for decades, if not centuries, are increasingly being lost, locally and
FOLLOWING a summer break over August, members met up for a cream tea at the Cup Cake tea rooms in Yate.
In midSeptember we had a very interesting tour of Berkeley Castle, focusing on the women who have helped to shape its history.
This was topped off with the added bonus of a display of some of last year’s Strictly Come Dancing costumes, where we saw the original dresses as worn by the likes of winner Ellie Leach, Annabel Croft and the outfit worn by Angela Rippon dung her famous 'leg lift'!
Other talks and activities for the rest of this year include a visit from women’s welfare charity Happy Handbags on October 22 and our AGM and quiz night on November 26.
We have many other events and socials lined up, including visits to
nationally.
This is due both to a decline in usage and in volunteering.
The accountancy firm Price Bailey reports that 769 independent pubs closed in 2023 (2.1 per day). At the same time, a report by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations reports that the number of adults helping to run activities dropped from 14% in 2018 to 7% in 2023.
If you’re not familiar with the Parable of the Talents (a financial unit, not a reference to natural abilities), it's worth having a look at Matthew 25:14-30, even if just as a piece of wisdom literature. The message is simple: without confident commitment to something you’ve been given, you're likely to lose it.
Perhaps it's time to get that rusty bike out of the garage and go for a ride, or perhaps to pass it on to someone who can care for it and cherish it?
Perhaps it’s time to consider if and how you might offer some confident commitment to the
things we treasure within the Frome Valley?
If more of us don’t, I fear we will lose those activities and institutions which bring out the best in our communities over time, until we become little more than geographic areas full of houses but with no community.
the theatre and meals out. We also have a monthly lunch club, open to all members and held at a different local venue each time.
Visitors 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 new members can join on the night.
Watch this space and our Facebook page for confirmation of future event dates and more details.
WE welcomed Richard Lewis, a volunteer for the Great Western Air Ambulance for the last ten years, to our September meeting.
The charity is supported only by public donations and was formed in 2008.
Originally based at Filton airfield, since 2018 the helicopters and critical cars have been based at Almondsbury, covering an area including Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
The five members of each helicopter crew are all trained to the highest standards and skill
levels, and they work in shifts, constantly on call day and night.
The helicopters are like hospitals inside, equipped to deal with the most critical of patients, who are taken to the hospital that suits their needs – not necessarily the nearest.
At least six cases are dealt with every day, either by car or helicopter.
Air ambulance teams and volunteers work hard to raise awareness of dangers and give lifesaving workshops in CPR, basic life support and knife wounds.
Representatives also attend events to raise the charity's profile and fundraising to meet its rising
running costs.
It was very interesting finding out more about the air ambulance we regularly see flying above us.
Carol Shield
AUTUMN has arrived, and our thoughts are turning not just to replenishing the plants in the planters around the village, which will happen gradually over the next few weeks, but also to our Autumn Fayre.
This year it will take place on Saturday November 2, from 10am to noon.
Do come along and enjoy the refreshments, shop for some early Christmas gifts and, hopefully, win a raffle prize!
The prize-giving for the winner of the scarecrow trail will take place at 11am.
Floral Friends are entirely funded by donations and we would like to thank all who have supported us recently.
Donations can be made in person or online. Our bank details are: Floral Friends of Frampton, Lloyds 30-98-97, account number 70582363.
I WROTE last month about the worrying decline in butterfly numbers this year.
The results of this summer’s Big Butterfly Count have shown a hugely concerning fall, and Butterfly Conservation have declared a national ‘butterfly emergency’.
Our gardens are really important habitats for butterflies, and there are simple things we can all do that will help.
Here are my top five things everyone can do in their garden to help butterflies:
Nectar plants: A selection of nectar-rich plants that bloom throughout the year will attract butterflies to your garden to feed. Favourite plants include bird’s-foot trefoil, wild marjoram,
THERE was a real autumnal feeling to our September meeting but our spirits were lifted by our speakers Dave and Jean Nash, who entertained us with their game based on the TV quiz show Family Fortunes.
There was a lot of laughter and it definitely brought out the competitive spirit in all of us. Prizes were awarded to the winners.
Dave and Jean will be retiring this year, which is a shame, but they have raised a fantastic £10,000 for charity over the years that they have been entertaining groups with their game show.
Future meetings will include a talent contest of members and for our Christmas meeting we will be entertained by a singer.
Our next meeting will be held on October 3, when we will be welcoming Jenny Smith for a talk and demonstration of tai chi, and our AGM.
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down.
knapweed, honeysuckle, verbena bonariensis, scabious, red valerian, sedum and heather. Caterpillar plants: Butterfly caterpillars can be quite fussy about what they eat. Nettles provide food for the caterpillars of peacocks, red admirals, small tortoiseshells and commas. Orange-tip and green-veined white caterpillars eat lady’s smock and garlic mustard. Common blue caterpillars eat bird’s foot trefoil, whilst
We welcome all visitors.
Carol Tremlin
WE started September by holding a skittles match.
Everyone had a really good time, enjoying a lovely buffet lunch and having a go at hitting the pins down.
The top scorers were awarded prizes for their skittling prowess and those with the lowest scores received a small token as well. It was agreed by all that it was a fun way to spend a few hours and we hope to have a repeat match in the near future.
The Speaker at this month’s meeting was Richard Lunn who gave an extremely interesting talk on the Dramway. Members asked lots of questions and also gave information to Richard of their own and their families experiences years ago of this coal transporting system.
We hold a monthly coffee morning at 10.30am on the last Wednesday of each month at Kendleshire Golf Club.
Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, so, if you have time on your hands and would like to socialise with a friendly group, we meet at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down.
The meeting is at on October
holly blues eat holly and ivy.
Long grass: Letting your grass grow long has been shown to increase butterfly numbers by up to 93%. Long grass provides shelter and food for the caterpillars of Gatekeepers, meadow browns, ringlets and skippers. Try to create a variety of habitats – some short grass with flowers, some long grass with flowers which can be cut and raked off in autumn, and some areas of long grass which are left untouched for caterpillars, eggs and chrysalises to overwinter. Places to shelter: Butterflies need places to escape the weather, to roost and to overwinter. Good options to provide include a native hedge, ivy, log piles, leaf litter and uncut flower stems. Work together: Sign your garden up to be part of the Frampton Community Nature Reserve by filling in the form at tinyurl.com/37hmmacv. Working together we can share plants, seeds and ideas, encourage more people to garden for nature, and help connect gardens and other green spaces together for butterflies and other wildlife.
David Hanks
21, when Carolyn Darling will be talking on The Confessions of a Lawyer”.
For more information please call 01454 773647.
Sue Humphreys
WE were delighted to welcome back Frances Carlaw, the 'Pearl Lady' to our latest meeting.
This time her talk was about pearls and Art Deco jewellery. We had the opportunity to handle some gorgeous pieces and learn about Louis Rousselet, a celebrated Parisian bead manufacturer.
Frances had some jewellery for sale to support the Jabulani project in South Africa.
Our day trips group tried out modern calligraphy, with mixed levels of satisfaction. Getting to grips with the pen and ink was challenging, however it was another fun evening.
The Badminton Road fence has now had a revamp with its fantastic new banner to complement the sunflowers.
Crafty-minded members have been invited to help out with this year’s poppy display and the half term scarecrow trail.
Three of our ladies, aptly named the Sparkly Wanderers, undertook
the 10k Shine Night Walk around Bristol, raising money for Cancer Research and in memory of two of our WI members.
If our meetings sound like something you would enjoy, you would be most welcome to come.
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm - £4 for visitors.
Our next meeting is on October 2, when Rob Jones talks about catching a serial killer. Look out for updates on our Facebook page or Instagram.
Caroline Johnston
WE are looking for a volunteer for our Singalong Group, which has now been running for eight years. We would love someone to come and join our happy group and help with Meet and Greet, serving refreshments and setting out the chairs.
We meet on the first Wednesday of the month, except August and January, at Crossbow House in School Road, Frampton Cotterell, from 1pm to 4pm.
Anyone interested should call 07515 351813 or email jays.music@ mac.com.
Hilary Jay
OCTOBER 6
n WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL
BARN Orchard Harvest Day, 11am4pm. Artisan and craft stalls and displays, food and drink, music, puppeteers and ferret racing. Adult £5, child £1. Free parking at Winterbourne Academy with a free shuttle bus to and from the barn.
OCTOBER 16
n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
MINES RESEARCH GROUP TALK, the Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, from 7pm. Talk: History of Vertical Steam Engines at Brandy Bottom Colliery by Hamish Orr-Ewing of Avon Industrial Buildings Trust. Non members welcome - £2 each. More details at www.sgmrg.co.uk.
OCTOBER 17
n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Talk by Joseph Trinder on the Arts and Crafts Movement. More details from Sally on 07946 508316.
OCTOBER 26
n South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group Pucklechurch Collieries guided walk with Steve Grudgings. Meet at 10.15am at the parking area at northern end of Parkfield Rank, BS16 9NR. four hour walk - bring packed lunch, suitable clothing and walking shoes/boots.
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.
TUESDAY
n WINTERBOURNE SHORT MAT
BOWLS CLUB meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1.30 until 4.30 pm at WADCA, Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. 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 SINGALONG WITH THE JAYS AND JOY, first Wednesday in the month at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell, 2-3.30pm. Themed singalongs, friendly welcoming group with live music, refreshments. £5 carers free. Details from Hilary, 07515 351813. 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
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
WINTERBOURNE Library is changing its staffed opening hours and activity times from November.
Staffed days will still be the same – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Details of the new hours will be listed at www.southglos.gov.uk/find-a-library from November 4.
For more details sign up for the library e-newsletter at bit.ly/sgLibraryNews.
Our half-term holiday activity, What a Hoot, takes place on Friday November 1 from 10.30am. Free children's free seasonal craft session –you can also collect a craft bag to make at home. Suitable for children aged four to 11.
Lego club meets on October 5 from 10-11am, for children of all ages –all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Adult craft group meets on October 12 and 26, from 10am-noon: join a friendly group, do your own work and chat – refreshments available by donation. Staff Crafty Saturday is on September 21.
Coffee morning is 11am every Wednesday: coffee, chat, friendship and crafts.
Story time for children aged 18 months to four years, on Fridays from 9.30-10am, restarts on September 6.
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.
In October the library will be staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm.
For more details of events or bookings, visit the library, email Winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 868006.
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
THURSDAY
n FRIENDSHIP AND EXERCISE GROUP FOR SENIORS St Saviours Church: Thursdays 101130. A friendly group, exercising for over 5 years together. We aim to improve balance, strength and fitness in a fun and friendly environment. An hour of gentle exercise, followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. £5 per session. Contact Adam: 07875503586 Adam@alwaysdeveloping.co.uk
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.
n FRIENDSHIP AND EXERCISE GROUP FOR SENIORS. St Saviours Church; Thursdays 10 - 11.30. We are a friendly group that have been exercising for over 5 years together. We aim to improve balance, strength and fitness in a fun and friendly environment. Gentle exercise, followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. £5.
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.
OCTOBER for me really does mark the entrance of another season and with it, a whole host of different recipes.
My taste buds start to yearn for hearty casseroles, comforting steam puddings and, of course, tasty soups.
Soups are an economical way of using up stray veg in the bottom of your fridge or veg basket. And don’t ever be fooled into thinking you need a soup maker.
A large saucepan to cook the veg, stock and other ingredients, a stick blender or liquidiser to blitz it, and away you go!
Incidentally, if you don’t have either of these you can just make a very chunky soup, but basic stick blenders are only about £20, and well worth the money.
This month's recipe gives parsnips the glam treatment!
Serves 4 as a lunch or supper, 6 as a starter
Ingredients:
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1-2 very large parsnips (about 700g), peeled and cut up into quarter-inch
pieces
75g (3oz) streaky bacon cut into strips or Italian pancetta
1-2 tablespoons olive oil or rape seed oil
570ml (1 pint) chicken or vegetable stock
20g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Small handful of finely chopped flat leaf parsley or sage
Optional – single cream – sufficient for 1 tablespoon per bowl
Dry fry (i.e. no oil) the pancetta or bacon and add the garlic and onion. Add a little oil if the pan becomes too dry.
Cook over a medium heat until softened.
Add the parsnips and cook for a further 5 mins.
Pour the stock into a large saucepan
and add the mixture from the pan.
Cook on a medium heat for another 10-15 mins, or until the parsnips are really soft.
Blitz with stick blender or liquidiser.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour into warm bowls.
Scatter a little Parmesan over each bowl and sprinkle the parsley or sage on top.
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.
If you want to add some luxury, then perhaps a swirl of single cream on the top would do the job.
Try this recipe with other root veg like turnip, squash or celeriac. Get creative!
If you’re making this for vegetarians you just leave out the pancetta or bacon.
The soup freezes beautifully.
cricket team concluded their 2023-24 season on a triumphant note.
The side secured a victory in the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation 100 Ball Plate competition.
This success showcased the team's adaptability and skill in different formats of the game.
Building upon the momentum from the previous year, the team's performance continued to impress throughout the season, and a third-place finish was secured in the 35-over league.
The team's progress can be attributed in part to the regular coaching sessions they have enjoyed throughout the season.
These sessions have provided valuable guidance and development opportunities for the players.
As we look ahead to the
This will help maintain fitness and skills while the outdoor
If you are interested in playing cricket in a friendly and
supportive environment, please get in touch by emailing the captain at leannebirley2@gmail. com.
FRAMPTON Cotterell Cricket Club rounded off its centenary celebrations with a tour to Leeds.
More than 30 club members made the trip north in September, with an age range from teenagers to those in their 70s.
Players made a stop off at Collingham Cricket Club in Nottinghamshire, who hosted a friendly match.
One player who had a foot in both camps was Matthew Spry, who originally played for Frampton but now works
in the Midlands and plays for Collingham.
Although he was a member of the tour, Matthew chose to play for Collingham: a decision he may have regretted after being dismissed for a second-ball duck!
Matthew was the only international player on the field, having represented Peru when living in South America.
The touring party also took in the one-day international match between England and Australia at Headingley; the dress code was the 1920s to reflect the
centenary of the club.
For those who were still firing on all cylinders after a night's partying, golf was the order of Sunday before heading back to the West Country.
Gary Winsor, one of the organisers, said: "We had a brilliant weekend celebrating our centenary year in Leeds.
"Touring at the Fram is a massive part of who we are and it was amazing to have 30 of us attend, and of all ages.
"We played cricket, watched cricket and partied hard!"
BRISTOL & West Hockey Club members are looking forward to playing on a new pitch thanks to a refurbishment project carried out at Mangotsfield School.
The club has been based at the school on Rodway Hill for the last two years, after its previous pitch at Winterbourne Academy was switched to a 3G artificial surface, which is unsuitable for hockey.
This summer the pitch at Mangotsfield School was relaid with a new 2G surface, with new LED floodlights and safety barriers for spectators.
Club chairman Andy Bryce said: "The pitch refurbishment project was funded by Castle School Education Trust. B&WHC also contributed some money to the project for the provision of the spectator barriers.
"The school considered the option of conversion to a 3G pitch, which is a type of surface that is primarily suitable for football.
"However, after consultation
with B&WHC and recognition of its heavy use for youth and adult hockey by the local community, the school opted for replacing the existing 2G surface.
"We are extremely grateful that Mangotsfield School and CSET took the view to safeguard the provision of hockey in the area."
Bristol & West have also
the reliable,
and
loft
unveiled a rebrand for the club ahead of the new season, which starts this month.
A new badge, combining elements of Bristol & West and Jaspers Ladies, will go on a new kit made out of 100% recyclable shirt fabrics, manufactured from recycling waste fibres and plastic bottles.
The current club kit has been
in use for over 10 years and has served us very well.
Main club sponsor Danco, along with local businesses, Bryant Associates Wealth Management and TA Baylis Electrical Services, have helped massively in subsidising the new playing kit.
On the pitch, B&WHC men came second overall in the Southport Se7ens hockey festival, with the women coming third and a mixed team second against clubs from across the country.
The club also entered teams in the Keynsham Hockey Club Annual Memorial Tournament in support of Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, winning the tournament for a second year running and helping raise £1,434.37 was raised over a fun day of social hockey.
For more information about Bristol & West HC, visit www. bandwhc.org.uk.
Harry Bryant
FRAMPTON Cotterell rugby club has held its first Girls Takeover Day as part of a drive to promote women's and girls' participation in the sport.
The event in September consisted of a range of rugby skill sets and small-sided games for players from under-fives all the way through to U18s.
The day included a special guest appearance from Gloucestershire County Women’s captain Beth ‘BLT’ Taylor, who not only provided inspiration for the girls, but also brilliantly assisted the coaching team.
As well as the rugby, the girls had plenty of fun activities to get involved with, from a bucking bronco and buzz wire to target nets, along with a very busy BBQ serving free hot dogs to everyone taking part.
A huge thank-you to Mark Whiteside for the sausage donation, and cooking up the dogs alongside Si Oakley and Tommy Harris.
The club also celebrated its partnership with Her Game Too, a proactive initiative across sports including rugby, football and cricket to tackle sexism and promote equal opportunities within the game.
A stand was set up for the girls to take part in various activities along with winning some HGT goodies, managed by Frampton's HGT club representative, Kirsty Mitchell.
After the girls had their coaching, it was the turn of FCRFC women's touch team, who were able to show off their brand new leopard-themed playing kit within the arranged inter-club game, kindly officiated by RFU match official Fiona Brunt.
A further thank you to Fiona for dedicating her time to come down with the whistle and playing a big part in the day.
In all, it was a hugely successful day promoting the female game, and has led to an immediate increase in participation, with new players having joined the club across a number of age groups.
It may well prove to be just the first of what could become an annual event for the club.
FCRFC girls train and play every Sunday at 12.30pm, with midweek training for all age groups on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6.15pm, with the women’s touch team training Mondays at 6.30pm.
Families of girls who are interested in
COALPIT Heath FC have kicked off the new season with new teams and more players than ever before.
Even though it's only early in the season, there have already been a few notable achievements.
Our new Under-7s team played their first game on September 15 and put in a brilliant performance, coached by the new team of Craig and John.
The team started off really well, and the game also saw the debut of a couple of our players from the girls' Wildcats team, who both scored!
The Wildcats programme was launched last year, to introduce girls aged from six to 11 to the skills of football.
We're now in the process of setting up the club's first ever dedicated female teams, as we've identified coaches and a very keen bunch of girls who want to play competitive games.
We successfully saw our partnership with Football Fun Factory kick off on a Saturday morning with brilliant numbers coming along to the Coalpit Heath Football Stars sessions.
If you’re interested in joining our Wildcats team, the girls' team – plus we have limited spaces in our U7s, U9s and U10s teams –then please do get in touch at info@coalpitheathfc.org.uk.
Stuart Aris
getting involved in the game can contact 07969 479942 for more details.
FOLLOWING
a great preseason, Frampton Cotterell's first team got the new season off to a winning start with a fine 10-9 win over bogey side
Old Elizabethans, who beat them home and away last season.
With new captain Zak Smith at the helm, Fram are looking forward to a great season but left it late, with the final kick from new fly-half Cameron Hill sealing the win.
Fram have added extra layers to their existing coaching team of Olly Slym and Nige Smith, to enable a more professional approach to the players to achieve success.
Mike Weaver has been appointed team manager/kicking coach, Mark Smith fitness/nutrition, Nigel Ball physiotherapist and Helen Smith kit/equipment.
New president Peter Zaffiro was "over the moon" with the first weekend as the Firsts and Seconds both won at Old Elizabethans.
The 3rd XV lost in a close encounter with Yate – but not many teams in Bristol are getting three teams out on a Saturday in the Bristol area.
Mike Weaver
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