SUPPORTERS held a candlelit vigil outside a jail for climate campaigner Gaie Delap on her 78th birthday.
Gaie, a retired teacher, had served three months of a 20-month sentence last year after taking part in a protest on the M25 in 2022. She had been due to serve the rest at home in Montpelier but was recalled to prison on December 20 because a suitable electronic tag could not be found for
her. As the Voice went to print on January 20, she was still at Eastwod Park prison in South Gloucestershire, despite appeals from her family and friends, her MP and broadcaster Chris Packham.
Hundreds of people joined the vigil, including members of the Climate Choir and Redland Quaker Meeting House, which Gaie attends. Turn to Page 3
Supporters outside Eastwood Park prison on Gaie Delap's birthday
Photo: Suzanne Williams/Quakers in Britain
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No tag small enough – so Gaie remains in jail
From Page 1
Gaie’s supporters say she was arrested and taken back to jail because Serco, the company that manages electronic curfews for the Ministry of Justice, could not find a tag small enough for her wrist.
Carla Denyer, Green MP for Bristol Central, said, “My heart goes out to Gaie who spent her 78th birthday behind bars – all because the private company responsible for fitting electronic tags couldn’t find one the right size for her. I know her friends and family are desperate to see her come home. Gaie has not broken bail conditions, neither is she a threat to the public. I find it beyond belief that a solution cannot be found to get Gaie home.
“As Gaie’s MP I have tried everything I can to challenge the decision to send her back to prison – including writing to the
Gaie Delap was recalled to prison
prisons minister Lord Timpson and the probation service – and I will continue to push for her release.”
Gaie’s brother Mick Delap said Gaie was overwhelmed with the messages of support she had received.=.
Lily Pridie, her daughter, had this message for her mother, “Please stay strong and keep your spirits up. We are so proud of you. Thousands of people are
supporting you. Let’s hope that something positive comes out as a result of this awful situation.”
Mike Campbell, a friend and former probation officer, said Gaie’s situation reflected wider issues, with tagging failures affecting many women.
He said Gaie witnessed the daily struggles of prisoners with mental health problems, addiction, and mothers separated from their children, many of whom should not be in prison at all.
Hannah Greer, of the Good Law Project, said crowdfunding for Gaie’s legal fees and to help others who had problems with tagging had raised more than £21,000.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “Quakers have a long history of standing up for their beliefs, from 17th century persecution to the conscientious objectors of the World Wars, and today's climate
activists.
“Last Friday we heard that the world has already passed 1.5 degrees of warming. We are all watching as Los Angeles burns.
“Instead of imprisoning 78-year-olds, the government should be repealing draconian protest laws which punish those trying to draw our attention to this catastrophe.
“They should fix our criminal justice system and, most importantly, take proper measures to limit emissions and fund climate finance properly."
Melanie Jameson, clerk of Quakers in Criminal Justice, added: “With prisons overflowing, this is no place for peaceful climate protesters.
“In Gaie's case, we are appalled that Serco's failings have led to her recall."
Chris Packham, an environmentalist and broadcaster, issued an appeal on social media for Gaie's release.=
Pair to become Labour peers
FORMER Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire and the ex-city mayor Marvin Rees have been invited by Keir Starmer to join the House of Lords.
Ms Debbonaire represented the constituency from 2010 to 2024, when she lost the seat to the Greens’ Carla Denyer, and served as Shadow Culture Secretary.
Mr Rees was the directly-elected Labout mayor between 2016 and 2024, when the role was abolished.
Local heroes honoured by the King
THE executive headteacher of St Paul's Nursery School and Children's Centre has been appointed an OBE for her services to early years education.
Lucy Driver is one of several local people named in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Ms Driver, who has been at St Paul’s for 23 years, is a leading figure in early years education in Bristol and beyond. She has been honoured for her outstanding contribution to the sector.
She said she was surprised and humbled to learn of the honour.
Jane Jackson, from Henleaze, who founded the Bristol Grandparents’ Support Group in 2007, has been appointed MBE for her services to older people.
Jane started the group after a breakdown in family relationships led to many lost years of contact with her beloved granddaughter.
The group, developed and run by its members, now offers support to grandparents across the UK and beyond. It provides information through written media, telephone support and in-person meetings as well
as guidance and advice and awareness raising. In 2023, it set up a bench on the Downs to remember and acknowledge estranged grandparents.
Describing the moment she was told, Jane says modestly: “There was no mistaking that the envelope held something quite important, stamped with URGENT-PERSONAL and CABINET OFFICE. It isn’t often I am speechless but when I opened it and read the content I was lost for words.
“I have done nothing to warrant this honour. All I did was to set up BGSG, a group to
help me as well as others, at a time when there was so much darkness, so many unanswered questions.”
She insists that it is really the grandparents themselves who are at the heart of the group. They are, she says, “the ones who come with open hearts and no judgement and give so much love and care to others who are hurting just as much as they are. They are the ones who deserve the honour.”
Four people who play an instrumental role in serving the people of Avon and Somerset have been recognised in the
King’s New Year’s Honours List.
Desmond Brown, who is the founder of Growing Futures UK and Vice Chair of the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel, has been appointed MBE for services to the community of Avon and Somerset.
Senior Force Chaplain Andy Paget and volunteer Douglas Allen have also been appointed MBE and BEM respectively for services to policing and the community.
Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), has also been recognised for his distinguished service to policing and will be the recipient of a King’s Policing Medal (KPM).
Chief Constable Sarah Crew said all four recipients deserved the public recognition for years of outstanding public service.
The New Year Honours are awarded following recommendations by the prime minister or senior ministers. Members of the public can also recommend people for an award. Honours are also given out to mark the King's birthday in June.
Headteacher Lucy Driver Jane Jackson with husband Mark
BRISTOL City Council is set to make some tough decisions this month in the face of a funding crisis.
Suggested ways to make savings include closing museums, reducing the library service, raising fees for meals on wheels, charging for disabled parking spaces and cutting council tax benefits for the poorest families.
A proposal to axe school crossing patrols across the city provoked widespread cross-party protest and looks unlikely to go ahead.
The budget options were discussed by two finance subcommittees in January before being put to the strategy and resources policy committee on February 3 ahead of a final decision by full council three weeks later.
Council leader Cllr Tony Dyer wrote in a blog on the council’s website that a crisis in local government finances had been driven by rising costs, a lack of government funding, a national failure to reform the country’s health and care
Council bids to close £52m funding gap
system, a national housing crisis, and a growing need for vital safeguarding services for vulnerable children and adults.
He said: “Bristol is no exception and will face bankruptcy if we can’t close a £52million funding gap over the next five years.
“This needs to start straight away. There is no doubt that it means difficult choices, more taxes and charges, and we recognise that the money we raise does not go as far as it once did.
“We don’t like that any more than local taxpayers do, but it is the reality we must contend with.
“We need to take a bigger,
bolder, and more politically courageous approach to our budget.
“We cannot keep salamislicing public services, nor can we pretend that words like ‘efficiency’ and ‘productivity’ hold all the answers. These approaches have been tried before. Too often the savings haven’t been made, the can has been kicked down the road, and we have overspent our budget.”
Cllr Dyer (Green, Southville) said it would “not be a perfect or painless process”.
At a finance sub committee meeting last month, councillors spoke up in support of the city's lollipop men and women.
Members heard that removal of the patrols would only save £314,ooo a year.
Cllr Ed Plowden (Green, Windmill Hill), chair of the transport and connectivity committee, responsible for crossing patrols, said: “If they are removed, more people may choose to drive and that could increase the danger for those, particularly deprived people, who may not be able to afford a car and will still be travelling actively.
“One way to reduce the impact of taking out school crossing patrols is to install zebra crossings where possible but often the patrol is there specifically because it’s not a simple site to do this and it’s not the same as a proactively attended patrol.”
“We can also review the need for them on an ongoing basis as we roll out school streets and liveable neighbourhoods and as we put in other measures to try to improve road safety overall.
“On disabled bays, the saving is so negligible, it would be a pity to take it forward.
Libraries network at risk Museums could shut
SOME of Bristol’s 27 libraries face closure as part of Bristol City Council’s efforts to balance the books.
Draft proposals offer a range of options from keeping the current provision unchanged to halving the authority’s £4.7 million annual libraries budget.
Following discussions at a finance sub-committee last month, it is probable that the most drastic proposed cuts - £2.4 million – will not go forward. However, doing nothing is also unlikely to be an option.
The chair of the public health and communities committee, Councillor Stephen Williams (Lib Dem, Westburyon-Trym and Henleaze) says he wants to modernise the library service, which he believes has suffered from years of “stealth cuts”.
But this is not a simple process, he told councillors.
“Usage of our libraries has
enormous variations across the city. Avonmouth library has about 3,000 visitors a year.
“Henleaze library and Bishopston on the Gloucester Road have about 70,000 visitors a year – an absolute massive difference.
“We need to think about what sort of library service we want.
“I would like, whatever the network is, for it to be open for when people find it convenient to go to the library, so that will require some evening openings, and can we deliver other council services from this
network of buildings as well?
Cllr Williams told the finance sub committee that cuts of £40 million were needed across the council so the library service had to make a contribution.
He said: “While we have 27 [branch] buildings across the city that have the word ‘library’ across their door, we do not have a comprehensive service.
“Across a given day, quite a lot of those libraries are closed.”
He said Bristol had more libraries than any other city, citing Liverpool, which has 16.
Councillor Kelvin Blake (Labour, Hillfields) said library buildings were not used only for library services but were a community asset. Keeping them open would mean services could be increased when finances improve.
Previous attempts to reduce the number of libraries in Bristol in 2018 and 2022 were dropped after a public outcry.
THREE museums might have to close because of swingeing cuts to the council's culture budget.
Among the options being considered are closure of Blaise Museum, Georgian House Museum and Red Lodge Museum as well as the reduction and closure of the Cultural Investment Programme and reduction of hours at the Archives Search Room.
Members of the Equity union have written to Bristol City Council warning that cuts would do significant damage to jobs and cultural activities in Bristol, which is a UNESCO City of Film.
Council leader Cllr Tony Dyer (Green, Southville) said the plan was to temporarily close the three museums, whose visitor numbers are a fraction of those of M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, and mothball the collections while work took place to explore other ways of running and funding them.
Bishopston Library
Anger over 'shameful' bin collection failings
HUNDREDS of bin collections in Bristol are being missed because of staff sickness and vehicle breakdowns.
Residents have flooded councillors with complaints over the “shameful” service by city council company Bristol Waste.
The problems are worst in north Bristol, with 250 streets missed in Clifton alone in December.
The local authority says measures are being taken to resolve the issues permanently, including introducing four new recycling crews and an evening collection, plans to extend the recycling processing operations at Albert Road depot to 24 hours a day, and bringing forward a similar new facility at Avonmouth tip, which would reduce transport distances from the kerbside in the north of the city.
Lib Dem group leader Cllr Jos Clark said every councillor would have had numerous complaints from householders about missed collections over Christmas.
Cllr Clark told member forum on January 14: “This situation is unacceptable.
“The contract that we, as a council, and the taxpayer have entered into is that we put our rubbish out each week and it gets taken away, but unfortunately over the past few
months that trust has broken down.
“Residents who live at the end of the pickup round have not had their bins emptied for weeks and weeks, quite literally.It’s shameful as a city that we’re in this situation."
Cllr John Goulandris (Conservative, Stoke Bishop) said residents’ impressions of Bristol Waste’s performance were that the council was poorly managed.
Environment and sustainability policy committee chair Cllr Martin Fodor (Green, Redland) replied that improving the service was a priority.
“There was a very high level of sickness and vehicle breakdowns in December. The latest figures show an almost complete, accurate rate in the last week and I’m really glad to say it’s caught up thanks to the measures that have been taken but we need to have a properly funded service and I will be pressing for that.”
In a reply to Cllr Jerome Thomas (Green, Clifton) he said: “Multiple missed collections is most frustrating for residents.
"We need to find out if there are recurrent missed streets because that means there is a pattern rather than something exceptional, so I will push for an answer to that.”
In a written reply to questions from Cllr
Nicholas Coombes (Lib Dem, Westbury-onTrym & Henleaze), Cllr Fodor said: “Since July 2024, Bristol Waste has introduced four recycling rounds to build capacity back into service delivery. Subsequently in October, Bristol Waste introduced a proactive evening collection. As a result, there were improvements to operational performance, however there remained challenges in the north of the city.
“Bristol Waste has worked closely with the council to progress a planning variation for the recycling bulking station in January 2025. This will increase processing capacity and improve the efficiency of the service.
“Also, the council client team and Bristol Waste are expediting the opening of the bulking facility at Avonmouth.
“This will lead to a significant improvement in the recycling service in the north of the city as transport distances will be reduced between doorstep and depot.
“This will also improve the recycling service reliability for the rest of the city.
“Bristol Waste is expected to collect missed collections within 24 hours of a report. Performance is closely monitored.” By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Turbo Island waiting game
THE future of Turbo Island remains in the balance, councillors have heard.
The corner of Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street has long been home to spontaneous raves and late night bonfires, splitting public opinion. Some say Turbo Island should be protected as a vital meeting place for the community, while others object to anti-social behaviour there.
Last October, the advertising firm Wildstone sold Turbo Island to a mystery buyer for £100,000. Shortly before the sale, the council received an application to register the plot as a town or village green, which would prevent any plans to build there.
But deciding whether to register Turbo Island as a village green will be a long and drawn out process, partly due to legal complexities. An update was given to Bristol's public rights of way and greens committee on
January 16.
Tom Dunsdon, a council solicitor, said objections to the village green bid had been sent to the applicants, who have until February 14 to respond.
The committee will then decided whether they need a specialist barrister to examine the application, or if they can decide for themselves whether to grant the application and register Turbo Island as a village green. Councillors raised concerns about the cost of appointing a barrister, but admitted the issue
might be too complex for them.
One potential obstacle is whether a planning application has been submitted for Turbo Island. When the land was sold, the estate agents said that discussions had begun about a four-storey building on the site with a shop on the ground floor. No application appears to have been made to the city council, but one could have been submitted to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Cafe shuts
BOSTON Tea Party has shut its Stokes Croft branch.
The Bristol-based chain, which opened its first cafe on Park Stree 3o years ago, said in a statement: “We’ve been proud to be part of such a tight knit, loyal community of independent cafes, bars and shops for so long.
“Across the industry, we continue to face challenges outside of our control.
“With our lease nearing its end, we’ve made the difficult decision to close BTP Stokes Croft."
When a new sign for the Pipe and Slippers in Cheltenham Road was delayed, the pub turned to graffiti artist Inkie to make a temporary one.
I am Labour’s candidate for the West of England Mayor in May 2025.
This area is my home. I grew up on the outskirts of Bristol, my family live across the West Country and I’m now raising my three children here.
Our region is a great place to live but I know there are challenges too. I will work every day to put our region on the map and deliver good well-paid jobs, reliable public transport and more affordable homes.
Get in touch and let me know what your priorities are for the West of England.
n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS
Redland: Emma Edwards and James Crawford (Green Party)
IT"S been a busy start to the year as the Council works towards setting the budget. Councillors have been looking at all options on the table and have been working through them all in committee. While we know difficult savings need to be made, we want to reassure residents that all care and consideration for the city's most vulnerable is being taken. All the different policy committees are looking at their areas very carefully. If you want to ask any questions about the budget or budget process then please do get in touch.
Bin collection update
We received reports of missed multiple bin and recycling collections over the last few weeks. We know this is unacceptable and inconvenient for residents and have been feeding back to Bristol Waste and working with the chair of the sustainability and environment committee to rectify this. We understand from Bristol Waste that due to issues such as staff illness that there were delays over Christmas and therefore they decided to take a week off collections in order to catch up. They have assured us that they were able to catch up and normal service should be resumed. However if any streets continue to be missed please do report via the Bristol Waste website and let us know and we will continue to hold Bristol Waste to task.
Area Committee deadlines
The deadline for the next area committee proposals draws closer.
Area committees decide how to spend funds in the local area that have been raised from levies on developments. Applications opened in January for submitting new project ideas, with a deadline of 28th February. If you are a group looking to secure local funding do get in touch with us to find out if your project is eligible to apply.
Motion on Gaza passed In January the Green group brought a motion to full council to ask the council to write to the government to support a Ceasefire in Gaza. This motion also called for the council to look at divesting their petition fund, Avon Pension Fund, from arms company complicit in the conflict and from making sure all future council procurement is also free from these investments. The motion passed with cross-party support.
Safer routes to schools
We are working on our campaign to improve safer walking routes for school children in the ward. We recently got an area prone to flooding near Fairfield School looked at and fixed and are now looking at improvements in routes to the other schools as well as putting pressure on Network Rail to put lighting in the tunnel under the new Ashley Down train station. If you have any suggestions for more safer route measures we can look at then please get in touch.
Cllr.james.crawford@bristol.gov.uk
Cllr.Emma.edwwards@bristol.gov.uk
Claire
HAVEN’T heard of ‘plogging’?
No, nor had we, but a mum from Horfield is hoping to change that and spread the word when she takes part in the World Plogging Championships later in the year.
Plogging began in Sweden in 2016 and is a growing initiative around the world that involves picking up litter while you jog.
Claire Petrie is excited to be one of a team of four representing Great Britain in the annual event, which originated in Italy in 2021. Claire co-ordinated a Bristol plogging community event last November, for which people were encouraged to sign up and join in. Similar events took place in London and Exeter and were put on by Planet Earth Games, which has joined forces with A Future Without Rubbish to bring plogging to the UK.
Having resumed a childhood interest in running as an adult, Claire qualified as a personal trainer.
She said: “I wouldn’t call myself an eco-warrior but I care hugely about the planet.
“I don’t find I am on the frontline constantly shouting about it, but I try to live my life in a green and environmentally friendly way.
“When I heard about plogging I thought it was great as it was an opportunity to first of all go out for a run, but also meet new people and do good for the planet.”
Claire has established a plogging group in Bristol, which has made significant steps towards cleaning up litter, as well as giving people the chance to enjoy exercise with new friends.
Claire and her plogging crew
LEASEHOLD OR FREEHOLD PROPERTY: THE DIFFERENCES
When considering purchasing a property it is useful to know some of the differences in property ownership in England and Wales. AMD Solicitors’ Laura Wilkinson discusses some of these differences.
FREEHOLD: Freehold ownership means that you own the property and the land the property stands upon and is commonly seen in houses.
Freeholders have:
• Greater freedom over the use, improvement and additions to their property subject only to restrictions contained in the title deeds or matters governed by legislation, planning or Building Regulation rules.
• Sole responsibility for maintaining their home and external grounds.
• Freedom to sell their property without seeking permission.
LEASEHOLD: Leasehold ownership is governed by the terms of the property’s Lease. An owner of a leasehold property (the “leaseholder”, “lessee” or “tenant”) will own the right to live in
the property for a set number of years subject to conditions in the Lease.
The building and land it stands on will be owned by the “freeholder” or “landlord”. Flats and maisonettes are sold as leasehold, houses can also be sold as leasehold.
Lease Term: The Lease will have been granted for a fixed term for example 999, 125 or 99 years. The Lease and its remaining term will be passed on each time the property is sold, the remaining length of the term reduces as time passes.
Leaseholders should be aware that mortgage lenders may not lend where 80 years or less remain on the Lease. It is possible to extend the term by statutory right or negotiation with the landlord, however, there could be significant cost in doing so, these costs will increase significantly once the term falls below 80 years.
Ground Rent: The Lease usually requires a leaseholder to pay ground rent to the landlord which may be a nominal sum of no financial value, or may be more significant, especially if
the Lease provides for periodical increases. If the ground rent rises significantly, the amount could become unaffordable and you may have more difficulty selling or mortgaging the property in future. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 was introduced to restrict the overcharging of ground rent in new or replacement long leases but this does not affect existing leases.
Service Charges: The costs of maintaining and insuring the building will be arranged by the landlord or management company and are passed on to all leaseholders by way of “service charges”. The amount payable varies depending on the services provided and works required in any given year. There may be other charges collected for example a reserve or sinking fund for major projects.
Restrictions and Obligations: Leases may contain restrictions or obligations which limit the use of the property including:-
• A requirement for landlord consent to certain activities or actions (e.g. having pets, hang-
ing washing over your balcony, installing external aerials, removing carpets, subletting or selling the property).
• A requirement to seek permission from the landlord for certain internal alterations to the property. Consent should not be unreasonably refused unless the terms of the Lease specifically prohibit you from the proposed alteration. This is in addition to compliance with legislation, planning and Building Regulation rules.
• Obligations to not do anything that would cause a nuisance to the building’s other property owners.
It is important to comply with restrictions or obligation as the landlord may be entitled to take legal action if you do not.
Conclusion: Whatever type of property you are buying, you should make sure that you understand your obligations as owner. If you would like advice or assistance with any property matters please call on 0117 973 5647, email info@amdsolicitors. com or drop in to one of our four Bristol offices.
bishopstonvoice
Cycle hangars come to city's streets
NEW cycle hangars are being installed this month at 40 sites across Bristol including St Werburgh’s, Montpelier, Bishopston Ashley Down, Cotham and Redland.
Cycle hangars are covered, lockable pods that take up about the same amount of space as one parked car, offering secure storage for six bikes per hangar.
The locations have been chosen by Bristol City Council from a shortlist of 48 sites suggested through a survey run by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority in 2023.
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “I hope this will encourage even more people to start cycling regularly, which has so many benefits for your health and wellbeing, as well as helping to reduce congestion and air pollution across the city.”
It costs £55 a year for one space in a cycle hangar, plus a £25 refundable key deposit.
Households wishing to store bikes in these hangars will need to apply for spaces. The application process for the cycle hangars will be launched at www.bikenest.co.uk soon after
An example of a cycle hangar
they have been installed. In the meantime, residents can register their interest in having a space in a nearby cycle hangar by emailing bikenestservices@lockit-safe.co.uk or phoning 01472 346382.
Letters have been sent to properties close by the new cycle hangars, setting out when they will be installed and more information about the sign up process.
The cycle hangars project has been made possible through funding secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority from Active Travel England.
Among the hangars due to be installed during the first two weeks of February are:
Ashley
• On St Werburghs Road at the end of the cul de sac.
• On Badminton Road, just before its junction with London Road.
• On St Werburghs Park, close to its junction with Glenfrome Road.
• On Fairlawn close to its junction with Fairfield Road.
Bishopston & Ashley Down
• On York Avenue as it meets Ashley Down Road.
• On Beech Road close to its junction with Thornleigh Road.
Cotham
• On Springfield Road outside number 69-71.
• On Alfred Pace near its junction with Henrietta Street.
Redland
• On Wentworth Road opposite number 7.
THE VOICE KEEPS YOU UP TO DATE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA
Rolex - Gentleman's Oyster Perpetual Submariner bracelet watch ref. 5513 Sold for £6,000
American Interest - William Faden, (1749-1836) - Plan of Charlestown South Carolina, 1780 Sold for £7,000
& Sons armchair Sold for £3,000
n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS
Redland: Martin Fodor and Fi Hance (Green Party)
Blaise Castle Plant Nursery
It's not all doom and gloom! Some of you may be familiar with Blaise Castle nursery which is owned and run by the Council. Over the last few years, officers have worked hard to expand the business and it now sells a vast array of products predominantly to other Councils but increasingly to the public. Its also supplied Bristol based projects such as the Bear Pit, One Tree per Child and hanging baskets for Business Improvement Districts across the city, along with apprenticeships and work placement opportunities with Leyhill Prison.
At the Public Health and Communities meeting in January (which Fi sits on) increased funding was agreed so that the business can expand and continue to generate even more funds for Parks and green spaces within the city. So please do feel free to visit the nursery (just along the road from Blaise Castle estate) next time your green fingers are itching.
Budget worries
The council budget remains in jeopardy as we write. In law the council must have a balanced budget to match income and expenditure for each year.
The last financial year was marked by continued failure to save money that was meant to be saved. The current year started with this shortfall and also included further savings proposed which had never been realistic, so this year has been £tens of millions short of a balanced budget. This means council reserves we inherited are low and budgets have had to be frozen for many services that we all need and expect.
Council tax is high but actually most money spent by the council is controlled by government. Now the next year's budget from April has to be drawn up and shown to be balanced as well. This means that a very large number of savings and cuts are having to be considered which we’d all rather not have to introduce. The council must set a balanced budget in time for the new financial year otherwise the government will simply send officials in and slash anything that isn’t strictly required in law. This would be the worst outcome for us all. We’re continuing to call for the government to offer adequate funding solutions for local services after years of shrinking budgets.
Collection woes
Recycling and bins have been a problematic issue since November 2023. We know how utterly frustrating this has been for people and it’s affected us too as local residents.
Unfortunately our ward - with streets scheduled for Friday services - been one of the worst affected by unreliable collections since funds were taken out of the Bristol Waste collection budget by the previous administration. There have been three re-
routings seeking to maintain the services with fewer crews but this simply hasn’t worked. In September Martin’s committee discussed a report trying to come clean for the first time about what had gone wrong and how it was being put right again. There have been real improvements since four extra crews were put back onto the rounds across the city and in November recycling reliability was back to the year before. Unfortunately sickness, staff shortages, and vehicle breakdowns have impacted again and were really sorry about the unreliability and disruption.
With escalating collection costs from fuel, staff, vehicles and national insurance these issues won’t be resolved easily. Removing waste will keep costing more due to new carbon charges, with 51% of what’s in black bins being recyclable. Only enhanced recycling with better containers eg sacks and more capacity for cardboard can help pay for better services. But we want to hear from you. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to study the planned consultation documents and tell us what you’d like to see. Our aim is to get these basic services right again and restore them in a way that’s fit for the future, putting the useful materials back to work in industry.
Local Area funds.
We reported last month how the area committees are finally beginning their work. We're hoping there will be much more scope for local issues to be discussed through them.
Our area includes Redland and three other nearby wards in the city. There's an annual opportunity to identify local projects which could create useful facilities for the community or road safety. Unfortunately ours is an area with very little development and the latest tally of funds from developers shows just over £43,000 available for the whole area. This leaves very little scope for any significant project. However we'd still welcome any suggestions from groups in the ward which we could at least put forward for future consideration.
Investments
Green Councillors in Bristol put forward a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the UK to end its arms trade with Israel. The motion, debated at a meeting of the
Full Council on 14th January, called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and for Council leaders to write to the Labour Government asking the Prime Minister to end the UK’s arms trade with Israel and other conflict zones.
It notes that in January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world court, handed down an interim ruling affirming there is plausible evidence Israel going attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza are in breach of the Genocide Convention.
The motion also called for the Avon Pension Fund, of which Bristol City Council is a member, to divest from any companies complicit in Israel’s attacks on Palestinians, including arms companies. As the council's representative on the Avon Pension Fund Committee Fi said, “Like so many people in Bristol and across the world, I have been horrified by the events in Gaza and am in full support of this motion. I am already doing all I can to investigate how the Avon Pension Fund can divest from companies that are linked to this ongoing genocide and the arms trade. By passing this motion, Bristol City Council makes it clear that it does not support profiting from arms sales from companies who choose to sell to governments responsible for the terrible scenes we are witnessing. I will continue to look over all options and work with campaigners, other local authorities and the APF to do whatever we can to make sure our investments are aligned with our values both in relation to weapons and the environment.”
Cleaning up our rivers
We know how upset people are by continued pollution of rivers with sewage. At the December council meeting it was resolved that we’d look into what can be done with our city partners through the One City Environment Board that Martin is co-chair of. This work started right away and a meeting of key partners including the local water and sewage companies is planned. We’ll look at what can be done to make it easier to know how polluted rivers are and whether they can be safe for swimming. We’ll also be seeing if there are more ways to promote sustainable urban drainage which stops storm water rapidly flooding into streams causing sewage overflow. We’d also like to get more rainwater butts into use to slow the flow of storm water into drains.
Contact us:
Fi: Cllr.fi.hance@bristol.gov.uk.
Martin: Cllr.martin.fodor@bristol.gov.uk
Fi: 0117 3534720. Martin: 0788 4736101
Facebook.com/cllrmartin.fodor or /cllrfi.hance
Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals
Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.
The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.
The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.
From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.
In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.
Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.
“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone
into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.
“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And
you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”
And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.
The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.
In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.
For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
THE year is 2013 and we find ourselves in a remote area of south west France. The main character and our narrator is 34-yearold Sadie Smith, an American undercover spy, hired by shady employers, to infiltrate a group of eco-activists called Le Moulin.
The novel is based on a real-live issue, the diversion of local water supplies into vast mega-basins to support agribusiness at the expense of local farmers and the environment. Sadie is a complex and engaging character. She is good at what she does. She likes wine, enjoys driving and prefers older unreconstructed men. She is proud of her surgically enhanced body which she uses to full effect in seducing the men she is paid to spy on. These include Lucien Dubois, who she accidently, on purpose, bumps into in Paris.
Lucien has contacts in Le Moulin and she is invited to join their commune.
We follow Sadie as she gradually wins the trust of the eco-activists. We are also led backwards, through her life, and a long list of undercover assignments. Sadie hacks into the activists e-mail account, where she is fascinated by a series of messages from a 76-year-old activist called Bruno Lacombe, who lives alone in a cave. Bruno has forthright views on the superiority of Neanderthals and the inferiority of us Homo Sapiens. He believes not in revolt but in a return to our ancient past.
Although Bruno and Sadie are destined never to meet, his emails and Sadie’s analysis and her commentary on them form the
backbone of the book.
This novel is an enjoyable and engaging read, providing the reader with both a spy thriller and a thoughtful examination of larger issues including the future of humanity, individual motivation and the trajectory of our civilisation. A must read for 2025.
If you are seeking a New Year resolution which you can easily achieve, come and visit us at 100 Gloucester Road, and sign up for a library card giving you free access to more than two million books. You will receive a warm welcome.
Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library
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n FROM BRISTOL CENTRAL'S MP
2025 gets off to a busy start
I HOPE you all found time over the festive period for rest and recuperation. I was able to take a short break to spend time with friends and family, but there’s also been lots happening over the last month to tell you about.
I was devastated to hear the news just before Christmas that Gaie Delap, a Bristol resident, was recalled to prison because the private company responsible for security monitoring couldn’t find a tag to fit her wrist. Gaie is 78, a peaceful climate protester and clearly no threat to the public. As Gaie's MP I tried everything I could to challenge this decision - including writing to the prisons minister and the probation service. Recalling Gaie to prison is disproportionate, unjust and a waste of resources, and I will continue to do what I can to fight for justice for her.
In December I joined a cross-party group of MPs outside
Parliament to call on the UK Government to stop arming Israel, took part in a Parliamentary debate on this issue, and met with Jewish and Muslim people working together for peace through the ‘Solutions Not Sides’ programme and the Arava Institute’s ‘Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza’ project.
I know that people in Bristol, including me, feel incredibly strongly about this. That’s why I will continue to push the UK Government to take action, as I did when I recently spoke with the Leader of the House of Commons about Amnesty International’s report which sets out that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza. I will not stop campaigning on this until we see an end to suffering in Palestine and Israel.
I’ve heard from several constituents in recent months who have concerns about the rise
n FROM BRISTOL NORTH WEST'S MP
in employers’ National Insurance contributions and the impact this could have on GP surgeries in particular. These changes would be hugely detrimental for patient care and could lead to the cutting of vital services like social care. I, along with the other Green MPs, have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to urge her to rethink this rise. Thank you to those of you who raised this issue with me; I always appreciate hearing from you about the things that matter to you.
Finally as last year came to a close, it was an honour to be named Bristol24/7’s person of the year. 2024 was the best year of my life (so far!); a huge reason for this has been because of the wonderful people in the city that I have worked alongside, and because I’ve been able to represent the issues that truly matter to Bristol in Parliament.
Bins must not be a postcode lottery
WHEN you finish reading this wonderful issue of The Voice, you'll no doubt pop it into your recycling bin. You're a conscientious citizen who has done what you can to limit your waste and you’ve correctly sorted your recycling, ready to be collected. But bin day comes around and, once again, you’re left frustrated that the waste collection truck is nowhere to be seen on your street. Sound familiar?
It's a story my office is hearing a lot from constituents of late. And on the day of writing this column (9th January), my team noted there were 486 streets listed on the Bristol Waste website for missed recycling collections!
Bristol Waste has said the missed collections are down to a huge increase in the amount of recycling waste being put out after Christmas and New Year –with as much as 40% more than normal, much of it cardboard and
glass. There's a limit to how much waste its trucks can transport, and then the extra material takes longer to process at the recycling facility.
I can appreciate the extra strain put on our waste collectors at this time of year, but we cannot have a postcode lottery for bin collections, with some streets ‘winning’ and others missing out. This is, after all, a service we all pay for in our council tax bills.
And we know that problems with bin collections don't only occur over the holidays. Bristol Live reported during a random week last October that 301 streets had reported missed general waste collections and 53 streets where recycling was missed.
I have contacted the council to share the concerns raised by constituents and to ask for an update on problems affecting refuse and recycling collections for specific postcodes in Bristol North West.
Carla Denyer writes for the Voice
If you live in Bristol Central and have a local issue you need support with, you can email me at bristolcentraloffice@parliament. uk or write to Carla Denyer MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
For enquiries about national issues please email carla.denyer. mp@parliament.uk
On a national level, a new packaging policy will come fully into play later this year, called Extended Producer Responsibility, that will make businesses with a turnover of at least £1 million responsible for covering the costs incurred from the household packaging waste that they create, whether that's in importing goods or sending boxed products to customers across the country. Money raised from this levy will go back to councils to help pay for better recycling facilities.
In addition to taking the financial burden away from councils, it is hoped that this will help to reduce the amount of packaging waste produced and how much of it ends up in landfills.
To end on a local feel-good story about bin collections, it was wonderful to learn that Zac Jones, a constituent in Sea Mills, was recently awarded the Lord Mayor’s Medal for his tireless litter-picking
efforts and for helping people in his community on bin day, particularly elderly residents. Thanks Zac!
As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can contact me at darren.jones. mp@parliament.uk, by calling my office on 0117 959 6545 or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
DAN Simson, the head of Sefton Park Infant and Junior Schools, will become headteacher of Bristol Grammar School Infant & Junior School in September. He will replace Heidi Hughes, who is stepping down after six years in the role.
BGS headteacher Jaideep Barot said Mr Simson had done an outstanding job at Sefton Park, where he demonstrated a committed focus on the care of each child, and on knowing them and their families, to ensure they are able to grow and fulfil their potential.
“Mr Simson believes, as do we, that the key to a successful and fulfilled child is that they feel known, nurtured, challenged and celebrated,” he said.
Mr Simson said: “Taking on the role of Head of BGS Infants & Juniors, an amazing school in the city I love, is both hugely exciting and a real privilege. Working with children – and their families – to help to shape their futures, is a responsibility I take on with pride, humility and respect. BGS is renowned for excellence, care
Headteacher is on the move
and a progressive outlook. It seeks to be at the vanguard of educational development and to be at the pinnacle of local and national expertise, and I share that drive and ambition. I look forward to meeting pupils and parents in due course and to working alongside the leadership team and many brilliant colleagues, for the benefit of all at BGS.”
Mr Barot added: “We remain indebted to Miss Hughes, her leadership team, and her whole staff, who will continue to work with energy and commitment to lead the school through this academic year. Miss Hughes has been an outstanding leader for I&J since she joined us in 2019, and I know that she will continue to lead the school with the passion, care and commitment that are her hallmarks.”
Sefton Park has appointed Alex Powell, currently assistant head, as its new headteacher.
Dan Simson, who will leave Sefton Park for BGS in the summer
Opportunity follows
Prep School Open Morning
Thursday 6 February
Senior School & Sixth Form Open Morning
Friday 28 February
Whole School Open Morning
Friday 2 May Scan the code to book your place
badmintonschool.co.uk
n COMMUNITY NEWS
THE HARBOUR
IT’S a universal issue, but when it comes to dying and bereavement we’re struggling to talk. Half of us worry about ‘saying the wrong thing’ to a bereaved person; and a quarter of us deal with bereavement by keeping as busy as possible.
Difficulty discussing grief heightens loneliness; and grief itself significantly impacts our mental and physical health.
The Harbour is a charity providing counselling for people facing their own death, the death of a loved one, or following a bereavement.
They have been providing specialist, affordable counselling to help thousands of people in Bristol to live well with grief since 1992. They provide a safe space to talk and be listened to within a culture which shuts down conversations about grief. Through counselling, you can process your most uncomfortable
emotions about death, dying and bereavement … feelings that can be difficult to share with family and friends.
Find out more about this longstanding Bristol charity: www. the-harbour.org.uk
All are welcome at their fundraising ceilidh on Saturday March 8 at the Elm Grove Centre. Go to Headfirst Bristol for tickets or scan the QR code.
WINDOW WANDERLAND
PREPARATIONS are well under way for the eleventh Bishopston Window Wanderland next month.
People in the area will be decorating their windows from March 8-10.
The launch event is at St Bonaventure’s Primary School in Egerton Road from 6-8pm.
Any individual or business that would like to get involved is urged to email wwbishopston@ gmail.com
SHAKESPEARE IN SONG
Music lovers are in for a treat this month at a concert at St Alban's Church in Coldharbour Road, Westbury Park.
Three musicians are presenting William Shakespeare in Song on Sunday February 16 from 2.303.15pm.
They are Charlotte Newstead, soprano, Rebecca Chellappah, mezzo soprano and Claire Alsop,
piano, The programme includes songs by Dring, Corngold and Quilter., Tickets are £10 each in cash on the door.
n NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence
A weird, wonderful and warm wild plant
WINTER is the time for admiring those beautiful naked trees, frosted seedheads and other chilly things. But come February we are longing for signs of spring and one of my favourites is the emerging leaf-spikes of lords and ladies. Also known as cuckoo pint (rhyming with mint), it is one of our most remarkable wild flowers. The enfolded leaves open to become broadly shield shaped and are often spotted with darkest purple. They reveal another structure – another spikeconsisting of an elegant diamond shaped leafy cloak (called a spathe), wrapped tightly around a long proturberance (a spadix) which has the plant’s tiny flowers arranged around its base.
When fully in bloom the spathe unfurls to reveal the spadix, whose phallic appearance has given rise to many suggestive names (cuckoo pint being the most widespread). The spadix contains starch which, as the flowers mature, breaks down rapidly, creating heat. This in turn wafts chemicals, made by this cunning plant, which mimic the smell of carrion, attracting carrion-eating flies. The flies eagerly follow the scent down into a small chamber at the base of the spathe where hairs prevent their easy escape and where they will rub against the tiny flowers. If they have been
fooled before they will spread pollen from their last adventure onto the female flowers, if not the plant waits. It is only when some pollen-strewn flies do arrive and the female flowers are successfully fertilised that the male flowers release a shower of pollen onto the frustrated flies. This intricate procedure ensures cross-pollination. The hairs then wither, the flies escape and, being of little brain, repeat their mistake many times in the flowering season. At least their little prison is warm!
You may recognise the unusual flower
shape from various houseplants, which, like most plants in the Araceae, or Arum family, originate in the tropics. There is also a silver-striped Italian arum to be found in our gardens. Our native cuckoo pint is one of the northernmost outliers of this family and its striking purple and green flowers add a touch of exotic mystery to our hedgerows and woodlands. The convoluted process described above is typical of the Arums, whereby an insect that normally feeds on carrion is recruited by fraudulent means to effect pollination.
Also typical is the fact that most parts of the plant, especially the bright orange and green berries, are poisonous. You won’t nibble the leaves for long though, as the sharp calcium oxalate crystals will sting your tongue and warn of danger. The starchy root was once roasted and used as a substitute for arrowroot, however, it found more popularity as laundry starch because it has a rather bitter taste. In looking into this intriguing species I have found a reference to it glowing at dusk – part of a Fenland legend. It wouldn’t surprise me if it does do this (after all, it generates heat). But perhaps it is just a weird story to attach to an equally weird plant – I'm determined to find out.
Cuckoo pint, Arum maculatum, in full bloom. Photograph copyright Des Colhoun
n ADVERTORIAL
A rare treat for G&S lovers!
BRISTOL Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society proudly presents The Grand Duke, Gilbert and Sullivan's final and rarely performed operetta, in a grand, traditional production. BGSOS invites you to an exciting opportunity to see a show that even some of our most seasoned members, who have been performing G&S for over forty years, have never had the chance to do.
Our upcoming production will be directed by Sarah Nash, who previously brought Princess Ida to life for BGSOS audiences. Sarah’s vision this year emphasises authenticity, returning to a traditional approach after last season’s bold D&D-inspired Pirates of Penzance.
The story unfolds in the whimsical Grand Duchy of Pfennig-Halbpfennig as a spirited theatrical troupe hatches a bold plan to overthrow the miserly Grand Duke Rudolph. When their scheme is discovered, the
actors rely on a peculiar “statutory duel” – a satirical legal loophole in which the character who draws the lower card meets a “legal” end. What begins as a staged coup leads to a whirlwind of chaotic rulership, as the hapless actor Ludwig finds himself unexpectedly wearing the crown. With romantic entanglements, twisted misunderstandings and Gilbert’s signature wit, The Grand Duke is a captivating mix of hilarity and farce.
Complete with a professional orchestra to capture Sullivan’s dynamic score, The Grand Duke promises an unforgettable experience. The Grand Duke will light up the stage at the Redgrave Theatre, Clifton, from 27 to 29 March 2025. We look forward to sharing this rediscovered classic and creating memories for both G&S aficionados and new audiences.
Tickets available now at www. bristolgsos.co.uk or directly from the Redgrave Theatre.
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n VINEYARD NEWS with INGRID BATES
Chilling out in winter sunshine at vineyard
LIFE in the vineyard is continuing to plod along. We've started pruning the vines and are continuing to pollard the willow windbreak as well as mulch some of the drier areas at the top of the vineyard to help the soil retain more water in summer. All these tasks, like many winter vineyard tasks, are quite methodical and repetitive so tend to be quite relaxing. Everything is geared toward preparing for the next growing season. The only break from the stillness tends to be the occasional flurry of bird life in the hedges or the sound and visual spectacle of the rooks suddenly taking to the air en masse which they seem to do a couple of times a day.
There have been some beautifully sunny days recently which made working in the vineyard feel almost euphoric! It’s amazing how a bit of sun can completely change the feel of a
place from being slightly austere and lifeless to full of warmth and birdsong. As always we seem to go from one extreme to the other with the weather and ground conditions - extremely wet to extremely dry. These extremes are not great for the vines or wildlife but we know they are quite resilient.
On the wine front, we have sold out of sparkling white wine but we still have sparkling red, sparkling rosé and still rosé available. Our still rosé recently won a silver medal in the WineGB West awards which was nice and we are beginning to think about prepping our red col fondo for sale!
n SPRING CEILIDH at the Elmgrove Centre, Redland, 6.309.30pm with All At Sea and caller Hannah Moore. Raising funds for The Harbour charity. For tickets go to Headfirst Bristol.
Saturday March 22
n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR WITH BRISTOL ENSEMBLE conducted by David Bednall perform Haydn’s Nelson Mass and CPE Bach’s Magnificat in St Peter’s Henleaze at 7.30pm . Tickets from £5 www. bristolbach.org.uk
FOLKSTARS: We are looking to expand the Folkstars project in the local area. If you would like your school to be considered email info@folkstars.co.uk ADULTS, want to try out guitar / violin or improve your playing? Folkstars are running a new tuition club in BS7 where you can learn weekly from experienced musicians in a relaxed / sociable setting. We have a limited number of FREE guitars and violins available to borrow for the first to join. The group will cover folk music alongside pop and rock songs as chosen by the members. To register your interest visit www. folkstars.co.uk/adult-tuition INSTRUMENT AMNESTY: If you have an unused guitar or violin gathering dust Folkstars would love to hear from you! Any condition, we will fix and use to give more kids in Bristol the chance to play an instrument. Smaller sizes a bonus but all sizes useful. Email info@folkstars.co.uk or text 07927746661 to arrange a collection.
REGULAR EVENTS
Various days
n PILATES classes, Northcote Scout Hall, BS9 3TY. Mondays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Mixed Ability inc. Beginners); Tuesdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Gentle); Thursdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.45am (Mixed Ability - inc Beginners). Small, friendly classes. Please register interest before attending. Full details at www. mindbodypilates.org. Contact; Leanne 07817189474 or leanne@ mindbodypilates.org
Monday
n SHARED READING AT ST PAUL’S LIBRARY. Meet and connect with others Mondays 2pm – 3.30pm. St Paul’s Learning Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road, Bristol BS2 8XJ. Email: support@thereader.org.uk
n REDLAND WIND BAND has vacancies for some woodwind, brass and percussion players. This friendly group meets 7.30-9.30pm at Redland Church Hall, Redland Green. Contact via email on redlandwindband@gmail.com
n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. See www.dickenssociety.org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875.
n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) 2-4pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www. goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk
n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided. Contact: Les on 07305695579
n WESTBURY AND CLIFTON
AREA DISCUSSION GROUP are a merry band of retired people who meet at Westbury on Trym Baptist Church every Monday morning (9.45) and like to challenge ourselves with topical debate on what’s happening in the world. If you would like to join and help to solve some of today's challenging issues, contact James Ball 01454 415165 or Ian Viney 0117 9501628.
n BRISTOL COMMUNITY
GAMELAN play the music of Java at Cotham School from 6.30-8.30. We play by numbers – only 1-6, without the 4 ! So no auditions, no need to read music. If you fancy a different musical experience, contact us via email on keithripley27@gmail.com
n WESTBURY ON TRYM
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield
Road, BS9 4AG, from 2.00 - 4.00 pm. We have interesting speakers, and extra activities of crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. For more information call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917
the end of life. To join/support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices. org. Visit www.facebook.com/ CompanionVoicesBristol and www. companionvoices.org
Tuesday
n THE ARTS SOCIETY BRISTOL welcomes new members. Our lectures, given by specialists in their own field, take place on the second Tuesday of the month from September to May at 7.30pm at Redmaids' High BS9 3AW and by internet. For more information visit our website www.theartssociety-bristol.org. uk
n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR and band sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www.bristolharmony. wordpress.com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.
n POETRY UNLIMITED – poetry circle meet on the First Tuesday of every month 11am - 12 midday. Basement Room, Café Kino, 108 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RU. £2.50 - £3.00 donation towards the cost of the room. Bring a couple of poems to share, other poets or your own. Contact Dee: wetwo@ gentlyblown.co.uk Web: www. poetryunlimitedbristol.weebly.com
n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL
We are a 'threshold choir' looking for new people to join us. We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn songs by ear and build skills in sensitivity/compassion/ loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing
n BRISTOL A CAPPELLA: Tuesdays 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church. Bristol A Cappella is an award-winning mixed barbershop chorus of around 30 members who love to sing close harmony a cappella. Our songs are mainly from pop music, with a bit of rock and some musicals. www.bristolacappella. co.uk/ Contact: membership@ bristolacappella.co.uk
n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) on Monday afternoons 2.004.00pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www. goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk
Tuesday and Saturday
n BRISTOL HF RAMBLING CLUB
We are a friendly sociable club with a variety of walks. We have 2 Tuesday walks of either 8-9 miles or 5-6 miles. On Saturdays we have varying length walks including a hill walk eg Brecon Beacons once a month. If you would like more information please visit our website.
Wednesday
n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE
For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30 start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www. westburyparksc.org
n GOLDEN HILL WI Meets the first Wednesday of every month. 1-3pm. Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Rd, BS6 7YA. A vibrant, lively new afternoon WI in BS6. We have an exciting and varied programme to offer to members. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact Pam Scull at goldenhillwi@gmail.com. n HEALING SESSIONS Spiritual
n WHAT'S ON IN OUR AREA
Healing is available from 2pm to 3.30pm by the accredited healing team at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www. westburyparksc.org
n WELCOME WEDNESDAY
Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your local area. Call 0117 435 0063 for more information.
n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB
meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Tania by email at tanialake@yahoo.co.uk
Thursday
n HIGHBURY BADMINTON
CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www.pete4458.wixsite.com/ highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm
mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall
n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR are now recruiting new members. We are a friendly auditioned choir of between 30 and 40 singers. All voice parts are welcome. We rehearse on a Thursday evening at Bristol Grammar School from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. If interested please contact Julie at membership@bristolbach.org.uk
n SWIFTS INCLUSIVE SPORTS
swimming sessions are for adults 18+ with any disability (hoist available) on Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm. £5 per session at Henbury Leisure Centre. Contact Karen Lloyd at 07734 335 878.
n BRISTOL VOICES COMMUNITY
CHOIR welcomes new members at any time. We meet at 7.30pm in St Werburghs Primary School during term time. See www.bristolvoices. org.uk for details.
n ENJOY SCOTTISH DANCING
]Looking for a new hobby? Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First
Loft Boarding & Insulation
and
for all
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and loft insulation
evening free! Thursdays: New/ Inexperienced dancers 7–8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/Advanced dancers 7.30–10pm (£6). St Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www.rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 01179683057.
n THE STEPFORD SINGERS
WOMEN'S COMMUNITY
CHOIR meets at Horfield Baptist Church, Bishopston on Thursday afternoons, 1pm to 3pm. No auditions and no need to read music! Come for a free taster session with our friendly, supportive group and learn to sing in harmony. For info, contact Fran franbolton66@gmail.com
n HENBURY SINGERS welcomes new members at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park BS9 1BW, 7.30 – 9.15, a warm welcome awaits you at Henbury Singers. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www. henburysingers.org Contact the secretary at secretary@ henburysingers.org
n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR
Join us as we fill St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze with a
diverse selection of music. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278
n HEALING FOR WELLBEING Feel more relaxed, peaceful, calmer. Drop-in at Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. NEW TIME 3.30 to 4.45 pm. Donation basis. Supported by Healing Trust members. Contact Selina 0117 9466434 or selinanewton@yahoo. co.uk for dates and information.
n BISHOPSTON COMMUNITY
CHOIR
Meet on Thursday evenings, 7.30pm to 9.00pm at Horfield Baptist Church, 160a Gloucester Road, Bishopston BS7 8NT. Everyone welcome, no audition necessary. Contact us on bishoproadchoir@gmail.com
Friday
n BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLE
Come and meet a group of friendly people and enjoy talks in Spanish, musical events and social evenings. We meet every month
Family
Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate
from September to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For more info, see https://www. spanishcirclebristol.com/ n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB. Come along at 5.45pm on Fridays to see if bowling could be the sport for you. Coaching available. Experienced bowlers welcome. Situated in Grange Court Road, by Newman Hall. This is a friendly Club with good bowling facilities and social events throughout the year. Phone, Tom Logan, on 0117 962 1669 or email hbcsec@ henleazebowlingclub.org.uk for further details.
Saturday
n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am-12pm, every second Saturday of the month (except August). This is a voluntary service run by experienced repairers. Donations welcome. FFI see Facebook @seamillsrepaircafe
n COMMUNITY NEWS
HORFIELD ORGANIC COMMUNITY ORCHARD
DID you help wake up the apple trees at January’s Wassail of Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO)? Our orchard is a place of joy, labour, and learning. Fruit trees need love and care, and people love fruit. In 2025 we are planning learning activities and new projects to sustain a fruitful and resilient orchard for the future.
Caring for fruit trees calls for knowledge and skills best developed by working with real trees, over several seasons, and alongside expert growers. Books and YouTube videos don’t cut it when it comes to pruning. Going down online rabbit holes won’t feed lively soil that upholds trees in drought or deluge. Are you keen to get active and get growing fruit trees? We welcome new Harvest-share members joining us and taking part in an Orchard Learning course at HOCO.
Do you fancy a hands-on introduction to the orchard before joining as a member? Come to a boots-on-the-ground working session on Saturday 8 February for a taste of early-season orchard activity. See our website for more details and sign up: https://community-orchard.org.uk/
Help HOCO grow a community of supporters by joining as a Friend of the Orchard. Friends are welcome to volunteer at events and activities, and also enjoy discounted course fees.
Shannon Smith aka The Apple Tree Lady
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and included
n NEWS Panto season – oh yes it is!
THE Bartholomites return to the stage at Horfield Methodist Church, Churchways Avenue, this month for their annual pantomime.
Performances of Rumpelstiltskin will be on February 20, 21 and 22, all at 7.30pm with tickets at £10 for adults; £6 for under 16s. A relaxed show will be held at 2pm on Saturday February 22 – an inclusive show aimed at those who cannot always access theatre so easily. All tickets for this are priced at £6.
Tickets are available by calling 07779 991697 or at www.ticketsource.co.uk/thebartholomites (note a fee for online booking). Contact thebartholomites@gmail. com with any queries.
n PHARMACY BLOG
Infected sore throat? Walk-in NHS pharmacy treatment can help you
A SORE throat can be most unpleasant; the pain and discomfort makes eating, drinking, or speaking hard. Most cases are harmless, but the NHS-funded assessment and treatment offered at Kellaway Pharmacy enables children from 5 years and adults to access appropriate therapies, including antibiotics.
What causes sore throats? A sore throat is a symptom usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection. Viruses, including cold and flu viruses, cause four in five sore throats. Sore throats are common. Around half of us will have at least one sore throat a year. Most will usually get better without treatment within one to two weeks.
If the sore throat hurts so much, it must be tonsillitis, right? Tonsillitis is a precise clinical diagnosis denoting inflammation of the tonsils. It occurs when the clumps of tissue on either side of the back of your throat (tonsils) become painful and swollen.
Patches of creamy pus can appear on the tonsils. It may cause fever, and usually, there is no cough. Sore throats can turn into tonsillitis.
The NHS service available at Kellaway Pharmacy offers a physical examination of your throat alongside a comprehensive review of your medical history.
Many people require support to adopt effective, evidence-backed self-care to recover; sometimes, a shared decision to offer antibiotics will be appropriate. However, we are also looking out for worrying symptoms or patient groups like immunosuppressed patients, where more urgent care is required.
Cool drinks, cool, soft food, and ice lollies can ease the pain of sore throats. Adults can suck ice cubes or hard sweets and gargle with warm, salty water.
Taking paracetamol and ibuprofen can help reduce symptoms of sore throats, as well as temperature and headaches.
Lozenges, gargles and sprays are also available in the pharmacy, medicines that will numb the pain.
Come into Kellaway Pharmacy for help; no appointment is required. We will use our clinical expertise to help guide you to the best decisions for you or your child. The NHS-funded assessment and treatment offered at Kellaway Pharmacy is designed to enable children from 5 years and adults to access timely appropriate assessment, treatment and advice, including antibiotics where necessary.]
