Bishopstonvaugust2013 issue

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FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Bishopston & Redland August, 2013 Issue 8

Tracking down Gromit and more in

www.bishopstonvoice.co.uk

What’s ts On P26

Cooking with Cafe Rhubarb, P29 | Beautiful bird-themed buys, P33

Inside ‘Golden summer of fun’ at garden P8

Players tell Tales at latest show P18

Celebrating history at new development Plaque unveiled at homes – See P11

‘Traders must stick together on RPZs’ P2 Seven-month battle over parking fine P5 Debate steps up a gear on 20mph limit P13 Market marks its first year of trading P30

Call to save street’s trees from the chop Plus... Objections to plan for Prom – See P3

Letters... p10 On the Beat p12 Bishopston Mum... p15

Nostalgia.. Property... Sport... Classifieds

p28 p37 p38 p39


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August, 2013

News

Bishopstonvoice contacts Emma Cooper Publisher

Joni Mann Editor

0117 908 2121/ 07715 770448 emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

07887 561567 news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

Rebecca Day News editor

Erica Benson Advertising sales

07912 484405 news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

0117 908 2121 sales@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

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Your views Letters for publication can be sent to us by email at news@bishopston voice or by post to Letters, Bishopstonvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

September deadline Our September edition will be going to print on August 26. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by Thursday, August 22. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

Useful numbers Bristol City Council 0117 922 2000 Citizens Advice Bureau 0844 499 4718 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk General enquiries: 101

Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 NHS Direct 0845 46 47

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Bishopston Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Bishopston Voice is distributed each month to Bishopston residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. This month 10,000 copies will be distributed around Bishopston and Redland.

‘Traders must stick together on RPZ plans’ by Rebecca Day Despite plans being halted for a residents’ parking scheme in Bishopston, locals are still raising serious concerns about the effects of the zones elsewhere. At the end of June, Mayor George Ferguson gave his official approval for parking zones across a large part of Bristol, but decided to halt the process in Bishopston until after a “thorough review”. The scheme will be going ahead in Cotham North, Clifton, Redland, St Pauls, Easton, St Philips and Bower Ashton. However, changes to the outer boundary could be made in Redland, with streets to the northwest of Coldharbour Road being excluded from the zone. Janet Haigh, owner of Heart Space Studios on Coldharbour Road, claims that the parking scheme in Redland will create huge difficulties for her business, which she has been running for three years. “My objection is that the government are trying to make small businesses grow and this scheme is flying in the face of what [the government] are aiming to do,” she said. Ms Haigh runs regular craft workshops at her studio, where attendees often bring along their own sewing machines and materials. “People who come along to my workshops need their cars,” she said. “Do I consider doing workshops at the weekend, or in the evenings? I don’t want my sessions to be based around a parking scheme. There’s no provision for long-term parking.” Ms Haigh believes that Coldharbour Road needs “special attention”, adding: “The local traders in the area have been ignored, because we don't fit in with the sweeping ‘one size fits all’ plan.” Tom Murray, owner of Gloucester Road butchers T & P A Murray, is concerned that the parking scheme in Redland

will have a knock-on effect on Bishopston. “Redland is very closely linked with Bishopston, so all the traffic will end up moving up this way. “It was certainly worth challenging George Ferguson because [the scheme] has been stopped in Bishopston for a period of time – it’s good it’s being re-looked at,” he said. “But it’s just been put on the back burner and I reckon it will rear its head in the future – it wasn’t a categorical ‘no’.” Mr Murray suggests that there needs to be an independent traders’ association in Bristol, which is made up of traders from across the city, including those on Gloucester Road, Coldharbour Road and Zetland Road. “Although the scheme has been halted for Bishopston, we should still be supporting traders from other streets – we need to all stick together.” Michael Owen, a Redland resident who was behind the petition to halt the extension of the residents’ parking zones, claims that it was “sad” to see the mayor go ahead with his plans. He said he believed that the scheme fails to address issues associated with commuting and that it “punishes” residents. “George Ferguson’s profoundly divisive policy is based on blind ideology, dubious analysis and incoherent evaluation,” claims Mr Owen, “and the public’s questions were rarely answered.” Among a number of changes to the original proposal, Bristol City Council confirms there will also be an additional stage of consultation for zones not in the early phases of the scheme, whereby every resident and business will receive a letter and feedback form. Exhibitions and public meetings will also take place. Due to additional consultation, the amended scheme will be delivered by May 2015. Each permit zone will also be given a six-month review where residents and businesses will be able to give feedback.

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Concern as trees face chop The city council has been urged to rethink its plans to chop down 12 of the trees that line the Promenade in one go and replace them with younger specimens. Consultation on the £30,000 public realm improvement scheme for the stretch of Gloucester Road, which also includes a 30-metre bus platform, attracted 10 objections to the removal of the trees. Under the scheme, 12 of the strip’s existing lime trees would be felled, including those outside Ezo, the Gallimaufry, and the Blue Lagoon, and the stumps removed, with just one existing tree remaining. Replacement trees, of a minimum of 2-2.5 metres in height, would then be planted further back from the edge of the pavement. The city council’s arboricultural officer has responded to the objections, explaining the existing trees were not “good specimens” with one found to be in poor health and the rest soon

The existing row of trees on The Promenade, Gloucester Road to need replacing “due to damage and infection”. But Bishopston resident and high street regeneration specialist George Grace has raised concerns over the impact on the Promenade’s appearance as traders “wait for something better in 20 years’ time” as the proposed new trees mature and reach full height. He said: “The current proposals represent something that could be anywhere in the world. The only way our high streets are going to survive is if they offer a

unique and attractive experience. This cannot be overstated. And it starts with these trees.” Mr Grace, who advises Bedminster’s Town Team and is meeting with the Gloucester Road Traders’ Association through his work with consultancy TownCentred, said he believes the Prom could become a focal point for the street, making the most of its wide pavement to create a place to stop for shoppers. He added: “There is still time for a more considered and sensitive scheme to be created. We all know the Gloucester Road is long and linear but the Prom could be its heart with an appeal perhaps not matching an Italian piazza but certainly something a lot more attractive than what is being proposed.” The council’s response to consultation feedback says it expects the new trees “to produce a more attractive street scene” and adds that moving the trees back from the edge of the road would

also reduce the need for pruning, allowing the trees to grow in a more natural shape. Redland councillor Fi Hance said: “I myself was initially opposed to felling and replacing the trees but have been persuaded by tree officers, who in the main are a knowledgeable and caring bunch, that this is a chance to provide a much-improved vista of trees that will look good for years to come.” A spokeswoman for the city council said: “The trees need to be replaced, as our arboricultural officer advises that they aren’t thriving, and are unlikely grow well and remain green and healthy. The council shares everyone’s disappointment, but the scheme will replace them all plus one for luck. There is absolutely no plan to reduce the number of trees.” She added the scheme, which is being funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, is due for completion in December.

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Driver wins lengthy parking ticket battle by Rebecca Day A Bishopston resident has won a seven-month battle with the city council after receiving a parking ticket, and now wants to see the road sign removed. Eamonn Connaughton received the parking ticket on November 23 after he parked his silver Audi outside the Sainsbury’s Local on Gloucester Road, near the Elton Road junction. Mr Connaughton said he parked in the space “in good faith”, believing it to be “legitimate”. He added he was “very surprised” to have received the fine, and was not aware that the bay was a restricted area. A small signpost is displayed on the pavement indicating there is no parking between 7am and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday. "It's so ambiguous, peo-

ple think it’s OK to park here because of the road markings,” explains Mr Connaughton from Seymour Road. “I wonder how many others haven’t noticed the sign and have just paid the fine.” Mr Connaughton contested his fine three times between November and June to which Bristol City Council responded that there was “no justification” to withdraw the penalty charge notice. The council presented Mr Connaughton with a Notice of Rejection to which he appealed. The council believed the ticket was issued correctly, as Mr Connaughton’s vehicle was observed parking on a single yellow line during its hours of operation. On June 25, Mr Connaughton received notification from the Traffic Penalty Tribunal stating that the council allowed the ap-

peal without consideration of any evidence. He was therefore not liable to pay the penalty charge. The markings outside Sainsbury’s Local mirror the opposite side of the road where cars are permitted to park during the day, claims Mr Connaughton. There is a single yellow line against the pavement and a dotted white line highlighting the bay’s boundary. He received a £70 penalty charge for parking in the space – if paid within 14 days the fine would be reduced by 50 per cent. “A lot of people have questioned why contest a £35 parking ticket,” says Mr Connaughton. “I believe it’s not the money, it’s the principle of it.” A £30,000 scheme has been put forward by Bristol City Council to redevelop the Promenade, which contains the parking bay. The proposal is to develop the

Eamonn Connaughton at the spot he was handed a ticket spot into a 30-metre one-hour limited waiting parking bay (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Saturday, 8am to 6pm). Bristol City Council spokesperson Tim Borrett said: “The change is because we have funding for a general overhaul of the Promenade rather than specifically due to parking tickets or appeals, but we do hope it will make the area more accessible and pleasant for all. There is no word yet on when it will be done – we’ve just finished consultation and are looking at the designs in light of the results.”

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August, 2013

News Dogs love being outside – but owners should keep an eye on what their pet is eating when out and about

New risk to dogs’ health Recently there have been a few articles in the press about a new disease that is being seen across the country: lungworm in dogs. Although still rare in this area, it has now been diagnosed in Bristol and more commonly in South Wales and further to the south and west of here. The disease can be fatal. The disease is caused by a worm called the “French Heartworm” or Angiostrongylus vasorum. The worm is tiny, about 2.5cm long, and lives in the heart of the dog. Microscopic eggs pass out in the faeces. Foxes act as a natural reservoir of the worm and the disease is spread to dogs via an intermediate host, which can be a slug, snail or frog. The dog needs to eat the intermediate host to become infected. However, some slugs and snails are very small and it is difficult to be sure that your dog is not ingesting them by accident when eating grass or if food or water bowls are kept outside. Symptoms of the disease are typically related to the heart and lungs, with a cough being the commonest symptom. However, there is a very large range including lethargy, bleeding disorders, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. Diagnosis can be difficult using microscopic examination of the faeces and chest x-rays. More recently a blood test has become available to

make it a little easier to detect. It is becoming more routine to treat any dog with a cough of unknown cause with the treatment for lungworm just in case. Once clinical signs of lungworm have appeared treatment is not always successful and the disease sadly can be rapidly fatal. Lungworm infections can be prevented by routine worming with specific products that kill the worm before any damage can be done. Not all wormers are effective and so it is important that you consult your veterinary surgeon for advice. The tablet wormer used routinely at Animal Health Centre is one of the two licensed products available. The other effective licensed product is a spot-on application. Preventative treatment should be given monthly. It is important that if you think your dog may be eating slugs or snails you should give him or her the best protection with a monthly preventative treatment. Please call us for more advice. There is no risk to human health from this lungworm and cats are also not affected.

Park retains green award St Andrew’s Park is flying the flag for the quality of Bristol’s green spaces once more. The popular site is among 11 across the city that have once again reached the prestigious Green Flag standard, which recognises park care, management and community engagement. The park, which offers a tea room, paddling pool, bowling green and play area, is managed by Bristol City Council and is supported by the Friends of St Andrew’s Park. “This is excellent news for Bristol’s parks and I want to congratulate everyone involved,” said Councillor Gus Hoyt, Bristol’s assistant mayor with responsibility for environment. “Achieving the highest standards year-on-year couldn’t be done with the active involvement of local communities, parks groups

and our contractors. Our successful partnerships and the retention of 11 Green Flags is certainly worth celebrating. “Parks and open spaces play a key role in the life of any community and our commitment to making them accessible places to visit and enjoy remains as strong as ever.” The 11 city parks that have achieved Green Flag status once again are: St Andrew's Park, Ashton Court Estate, Blaise Castle Estate, Canford Park, Queen Square, Netham Park, The Downs, Troopers Hill Nature Reserve, Greville Symth Park, St Pauls Park and Redcatch Park.

Nicky Bromhall, BVSc MRCVS

Animal Health Centre Gloucester Road’s Independent Veterinary Practice 358 Gloucester Road, Hor ield, Bristol, BS7 8TP 0117 9247832 www.animalhealthcentre.org

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Advertising feature

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An eye for detail, design, originality and innovation It’s rare I write just about one frame company. This month I’ve got to extol the virtures of Lindberg. Getting your first Lindberg is like getting your first Macbook, or Mont Blanc: you'll love your eyewear. At Lynne Fernandes Optometrists we partner with Lindberg because we share good design, a 100 per cent attention to the beauty in detail, innovation, originality in our company culture.

Lindberg use only Li db l the th best titanium alloys, lasercut into incredibly light frames. This creates a beautiful, minimalist design and a frame without screws, rivets and welds. The titanium is hypoallergenic, extremely flexible, lightweight and strong. This flexibility allows us to adjust the frame exactly to your face: it will not pinch or slide. The patented frame building design makes it possible to design a unique and personal frame – perfect in shape, colour and size. Lindberg also works with Italian-made acetate, a natural material made of cotton which provides the most exquisite, deep colour hues. The combination of titanium and acetate sets new standards for lightweight, flexible eyewear with the stunning new Lindberg Acetanium range. Come in and see why we are so proud to stock this gorgeous new design classic. Gerard Fernandes, Director and Optometrist at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists, 75 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AS

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August, 2013

Youth and education

Garden team holiday fun by Rebecca Day

The team behind a community gardening project will be providing a wild haven for children over the summer holidays. Starting from July 30, the Golden Summer of Fun will be running every Tuesday between 10am and 4pm during the school holidays at the Golden Hill Community Garden. The scheme will continue until August 27. “This is the first year we’ve run the activity days and we’re really excited about it,” says Lucy Mitchell, the community project worker. “We were inspired by memories of long summer holidays and were motivated by wanting to share this fabulous garden with a set of fabulous, energetic, creative young people and children!” The Golden Hill Community

Garden project will be transforming its garden into a place of exploration, wild fun, fire building, games and pizza-cooking for children aged 7-14. “Each day will be different,” explains Lucy. “One day we could be digging clay out of the pond to make sculptures, the next we could be building shelters out of branches and tarp to sit on while eating popcorn just cooked on the firewok. “Children could be going on blindfolded nature walks or creating art using a block of wood, a piece of cloth, some leaves and a hammer.” Golden Hill Community Garden can be found at the Horfield and District Allotment Association site, off Monk Road, in Bishopston. With a maximum capacity of 16 children per session at £25, booking in advance is

Filton Road Horfield, Bristol BS7 0XZ 0117 377 2000 admin@orchardschoolbristol.co.uk www.orchardschoolbristol.co.uk

Open events for 2014 entry Open nights

Thursday 12th September and Thursday, 3rd October 2013 From 6.30pm

Open mornings

Tuesdays 10th, 17th and 24th September, and 1st October; Thursday 10th October, From 9am

Come and get to know us!

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Youth and education

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host summer for children Golden Hill Community Garden is hosting a range of summer activities at the Horfield and District Allotment Assocation site essential. The price also includes a cooked lunch made from the garden’s fresh produce and pizzas made from the project’s new clay oven.

For more information about the scheme, visit thegolden hillcommunitygarden.com or contact Lucy on 07506 905394 or ghcgarden@gmail.com.

Visitors in their Strawberry Fair T-shirts at Bishop Road Primary School

Sun shines on Strawberry Fair The organisers of Bishop Road Primary’s annual Strawberry Fair are hoping this year’s busy, sundrenched event will have helped them raise around £5,000 for the school. The fair on June 29 welcomed hundreds of visitors who enjoyed live music from Woody and The Firesticks, two bouncy castles, face painting, wet sponges, dancing from the Annette Adams School of Dance, singing from Bishop Road Community Choir and a visit from Southmead Fire Station. Teachers also got involved and Mr Willis’s Obstacle Course and Mr Overment’s Beat the Goalie were popular features on the day.

The event is organised by the school’s PTFA and member Tracy Oakley said: “It was particularly special for me to head up the fair again this year as it’s my youngest child’s last year at Bishop Road and so mine too! Team Strawberry are a fantastic group of parents who do a brilliant job – massive thanks to all of them and the teachers who help make it a great day!” The PTFA’s fundraising helps in a variety of ways, from buying books and science equipment to helping to fund the climbing walls in the playground and setting up an “Enrichment Fund” to pay for workshops and other activities.

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Call for more ‘musketeers’ Bristol-based charity Meningitis UK is urging everyone to be a part of Bristol’s history while raising vital funds to fight the disease by taking on the 25th Bristol Half Marathon. Full support will be given for the silver anniversary run on Sunday, September 15. Our runners receive a free running vest or T-shirt and information pack on how to prepare. We have several Golden Bond places, which guarantee people a place for the charity, and any independent runners can choose to run for Meningitis UK. We would love for participants to become part of our Meningitis Musketeers team.

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Tragically, meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia continue to affect thousands of people in the UK every year and kill more children under five than any other infectious disease. Meningitis can strike with incredible speed and the symptoms are notoriously difficult to detect, often being confused with flu. We are fighting back on all fronts by funding research to eradicate the disease alongside supporting survivors with lifelong help and care. To take part and help us achieve our vision, contact Emma King on 0117 303 3345 or email emmaking@meningitisUK. org for a sponsorship pack. Emma King Events Fundraiser Meningitis UK

Let drivers stop in the bus lanes A terrible thing happened to me recently. I had to use the bus. The thing that surprised me most was how little it drove in the bus lanes that we have spent £30 million providing. Subsequent observation shows this to be quite normal.

I attach two photos showing Gloucester Road at 5pm on a recent Thursday. Despite the bus lane being clear the bus isn't using it. This suggests to me a way to preserve the independent shops on Gloucester Road. Allow limited waiting in the bus lanes. No one is going to queue up for

the bus, get off at the Promenade, pop into a shop and then queue up for another bus to go home, are they? But if they could park free for half and hour they might stop to shop on their way home. How about it, George? Barry Cash Bishopston

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History remembered as homes are unveiled A plaque marking the site of what was once a shop owned by a Bristol furniture maker and benefactor of the City Museum has been unveiled at a new development on Gloucester Road. The homes on Pigsty Hill, next to the One in Eight charity shop, have been named Stone Hodges in honour of the site’s former occupier and residents, city councillors and the team behind the development gathered at a ceremony on Friday, July 26. The name was put forward by Bishopston resident Glyn Duggan, who had been researching Joseph Stone Hodges, his furniture business based on Gloucester Road from 1903 to the 1970s and the large collection of ceramics Joseph and his wife donated to the city’s museum. Mr Duggan: “This was something I felt was very much worth doing, not just because of the

Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Patsy Hudson, vice-chair at United Communities and Bishopston resident Glyn Duggan with the plaque at Stone Hodges local connection but because of their status as generous benefactors of the city.” The Stone Hodges development has been opened by housing association United Communities, formerly Bristol Community Housing Foundation and United Housing Association. It offers 24 homes with a mix of rental and shared-ownership affordable housing, all of which

will soon be occupied. Assistant Mayor with responsibility for transport, planning, strategic housing and regeneration, Councillor Mark Bradshaw, revealed the silver plaque which will be displayed on the new buildings. He said: “We have a proud history in Bristol and lots of local crafts and enterprises and it’s important that you are keeping that alive on this site.”

Mr Bradshaw praised the team for the work that went into transforming the site into affordable housing. Referring to the 15,000 people currently on housing waiting lists in the city, he said: “There are lots of sites in the city which are waiting, but are stuck for various reasons, and I want those to be developed to create the homes that the city needs.” The site was designed by Oxford Architects and built by Halsall Construction. Bishopston councillor David Willingham, who attended the ceremony, said he was pleased to see the area brought back into use. He said: “This has regenerated derelict buildings and by turning this site into housing, it is putting people into homes with good transport links and close to employment opportunities.”

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On the Beat

Trader hopes to reopen store

News from the local policing team with PCSO David Said

A Gloucester Road store that has catered for customers on a budget since the early Eighties has closed down. Steve Wyatt, who runs Credit Cruncher, is hoping to relocate the shop nearby but is still yet to find somewhere suitable. It has been confirmed that the owners of the building are looking to sell. Abrahams & Johnson Ltd own the freehold of the property. Credit Cruncher sells an assortment of products, from household essentials to cosmetics, at low-cost prices. The store –formerly known as Poundsaver – moved out of the building on July 27. Steve Wyatt told the Bristol Post: “It’s a nice area and we’ve got a great following of loyal customers here who desperately don’t want us to go. “But hopefully, if we can reopen nearby, our customers will follow us there.”

Hello readers, the recent good weather has meant many people have been leaving their windows and in some cases front and back doors open. I don’t want to suggest anything that will overheat anybody but please be aware that many of our most recent burglaries have involved no forced entry. A burglar wants to gain entry with as little effort as possible. I recently attended a burglary where the householder had left all her front ground floor windows open and gone out. She said she only popped out for ten minutes, but most burglars are in and out in just a few. I should mention a recent success with have had. A gentleman had decided to leave his old “bus” close to Gloucester Road. We were receiving constant calls regarding this vehicle

August, 2013

‘Many of our most recent burglaries have involved no forced entry’ – some were saying it was a fire risk; others stating it was simply an eyesore. If a vehicle has tax and a registered keeper it is difficult for the police to simply get it removed. However, the owner of this vehicle was told about all the complaints and asked what his plans were for the bus. After some gentle persuasion the bus has now been moved off the beat. We have also had some vans and small flatbed lorries going round the beat “collecting” people’s unwanted scrap from their front and rear gardens. This has included garden furniture and other items that were certainly not scrap. Please report any incidents or suspicious vehicles

that you see that may be involved in this type of activity. Our new police station is nearly ready, and we will be moving from Bridewell in the city centre to a new office just off Whiteladies Road, in Kings Parade Mews, next to the NatWest bank this month. The coverage of the beat will remain the same. The date has changed for our next Bishopston neighbourhood forum; the new date is Wednesday, September 11, 7-9pm at Ashley Down Primary School, Lower Hall, Downend Road Entrance, BS7 9PD. The forums are where local policing priorities are set.

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20mph debate steps up gear As Bishopston and Redland residents are being invited to tell transport chiefs their views on plans to introduce a 20mph limit on most of the two wards’ roads, a city councillor has branded the proposals an “expensive experiment” and urged the Mayor to think again. Areas in the first phase, including the city centre, Bishopston and Redland, could see the new speed limit introduced on all existing 30mph roads by October 2013, and public consultation on the proposed traffic regulation order (TRO) to implement the scheme has begun. After the limit was piloted in two areas in 2010, the previous Lib Dem Cabinet gave a citywide roll-out the go-ahead last year, with the aim of improving road safety and encouraging more people to walk or cycle. Mayor George Ferguson has also voiced his support for the proposal, recently quoting

RoSPA statistics on Twitter that pedestrians were two or three times more likely to be killed in road collisions at 30mph than at 20mph, adding: “I can't ignore evidence.” But Councillor Mark Weston, the Bristol Conservative group’s transport spokesman, said he felt the scheme could have a negative impact on the city’s road network, increasing travel times, congestion and pollution. He said: “I am worried that traffic planners are really driving this idea and it is a transport initiative merely inherited from a previous anti-car administration. “I fear our Mayor is being led by the nose to simply accept its widespread introduction. “We do not believe the

justifications for this expensive experiment are evidence-based. Furthermore, this speed ceiling fails to reflect local needs, demand or conditions. “Such indiscriminate coverage of the road network will result in longer travel times, increased congestion and pollution and damage the city’s economy.” He and fellow Tory councillor Charles Lucas have submitted a written objection to the proposal. A report on feedback from the initial public consultation in the Phase 1 areas revealed that views “ranged from strong support to strong opposition”. Concerns raised by members of the public who responded included the blanket application of the 20mph limit, how the limit

would be enforced, increased journey times, increased emissions, and fears it could create a false sense of safety on the roads. Those who voiced their support said they believed the scheme would increase safety, lead to more cycling, improve the environment, reduce noise and have a positive impact on health issues. The phase one boundary would be Muller Road and Kellaway Avenue, which are not included in the 20mph zone. As an A road, Gloucester Road would be included in the 20mph zone. Comments on the 20mph proposals for Bishopston, Redland and the rest of the Phase 1 area are invited in writing until August 15 and can be sent by email to tro.comments@bristol. gov.uk, quoting reference CAE/ NMT/P-842 or to TRO Comments, Third Floor, Wilder House, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8PH.

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News Rugby and rat runs on agenda Residents can join discussions on a range of issues affecting their areas at upcoming neighbourhood forum meetings. Rat runs, the Rugby League World Cup and the Local Cycle Safety Fund will be on the agenda for Bishopston Neighbourhood Forum on Wednesday, September 11, from 7-9pm at Ashley Down Primary School, Lower Hall, Downend Road entrance. Redland Neighbourhood Forum will be discussing Redland Green – Your Play Park, Your Say on Thursday, September 12, from 7-9pm at Redland Green School, in Redland Court Road. Cotham residents will be invited to discuss how Whiteladies Road could be improved, including parking and transport, when their neighbourhood forum meets on Thursday, September 5, from 7-9pm at Ss Peter and Paul RC Primary School, Aberdeen Road, Redland.

The forum meetings are open to all residents, groups and people who work or use schools in the area. Find out more at www.bristol partnership.org/neighbourhoodpartnerships/bishopston-cotham-a-redland.

Report it if you spot a pothole Residents are being urged not to walk on by if they spot potholes or missing double yellow lines. People can report areas that need attention by contacting Bristol City Council via its website, www.bristol.gov.uk, or by contacting customer services at neighbourhood.partnerships@ bristol.gov.uk or on 0117 922 2100. In the case of potholes, the council is responsible for maintaining public highways to a good standard. Where road markings have been removed through roadworks, the council can get them reinstated by the utility company responsible.

Toby Gritten, Joshua Witchard, Giles Pushman and Joshua’s class

A foraging masterclass for pupils Youngsters went on a nature walk with a difference thanks to a Bishopston company. Pupils from Crossways Junior School, in Thornbury, joined chef Toby Gritten as he foraged for food on Clevedon’s coast before cooking lunch from what they found. Their classmate Joshua

Witchard, 11, won the trip as a prize after designing a logo for 102 Cookery School, based at Nailsea Electrical. Giles Pushman, who runs the cookery school on Gloucester Road, added: “Foraging is free and provides really fresh ingredients which are 100 per cent natural.”

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Bishopston Mum Welcome to August’s Bishopston Mum column! It has been wonderful to have had sunshine recently and start the summer holidays off on a high. My son has now finished pre-school for good and will be starting “big school” in September. I took him to his “transfer afternoon” at his new school a couple of weeks ago; an opportunity for children to meet their new classmates and teacher. Luckily the afternoon was a success. When the teacher led the children off to their new classroom, my son went off smiling without a backwards glance and when he returned an hour later, he was positively beaming. My daughter also recently attended something similar at the pre-school she will be starting in September. It was as much as of a success. Both my children are clearly ready for the new chapters in their lives to begin. Now that the summer

holidays have officially started, I have been on the look-out for activities to occupy my children. My children are Gromitobsessed and we have enjoyed much Gromit spotting recently. Bishopston has two Gromits of its own: one outside Nailsea Electrical on Gloucester Road and the other just inside the entrance to the cricket ground. We have also enjoyed visiting The Golden Hill Community Garden. It is open to the public every Wednesday, 10am-4pm, and one Saturday a month and is a great place for children to

learn about nature. One of the volunteers there kindly let my son pull up a carrot which delighted him (and which he gobbled down soon after!). My kids loved the pond and found its inhabitants fascinating. There is a little lane that surrounds the pond, hidden by tall grass and reeds and my children had great fun exploring this. Unlike other playgroups which shut down for the summer, there is one playgroup that remains open through much of it (apart from the last two weeks of August). Cairns Cafe is aimed at 0-5s and is open Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays. There is lots of space and apparatus for toddler and pre-schoolers to climb as well as a secure area for babies and crawlers. Cairns Cafe also provides heavenly homemade cakes! I am sorry to report that Chatterbox, the wonderful playgroup at Horfield Baptist Church, has now finished. Valerie Harwood, Heather Davidson and Sheila Walsh volunteered at Chatterbox for more than 17 years but are unable to continue and there is currently no one to take over from them. However, if new volunteers come forward, then Chatterbox could carry on. So, if you are able to offer one or two afternoons a week, please email office@horfieldbaptist.net. Have a fantastic summer! Bishopston Mum www.bishopstonmum.com

After-school club awarded £450 An after-school club has been awarded £450 to help set up a new group to meet rising demand. Ashley Down After-School Club currently caters for nearly 180 families, collecting youngsters from Ashley Down Infant and Primary schools at Downend Road and the new Brunel Field site and taking them to the group’s base at Horfield United Reformed Church. Now they hope to open a new after-school group at the Brunel Field site to provide up to 24

places and applied to the Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Neighbourhood Committee for a £1,100 Wellbeing grant to buy equipment, including a laptop, storage boxes and items for children’s activities. After recommending that the group might be able to find “better value for money” on some purchases, the committee voted unanimously to hand over £450, while members added a further application could be made in September. The group plans to open the new club in January.

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A find for fancy dress fans A new Redland shop is aiming to bring even more character to Cheltenham Road – with fancy dress costumes made by a professional theatre and TV seamstress. From flamboyant Georgian attire to superhero costumes, the rails in Fancy Dress Fanatics are teeming with original hire outfits – most of which are made by owner Fran Gore’s grandmother, Jo Lindsay. Jo, who is 75, has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Pinewood Studios and the BBC, and owned nine fancy dress shops throughout the Seventies and Eighties, and specialises in designing and creating period outfits. “My grandmother’s a great lover of period costumes,” says Fran, 30, who launched the shop with her fiance, Simon Minifie, after initially renting out costumes from her home in Bristol. “She believes anything past the 1920s is boring.”

Fran Gore and Simon Minifie at the launch of their new shop Fancy Dress Fanatics in Cheltenham Road The fancy dress store – near the Arches – opened its doors on July 13. Fran said: “Rather than purchasing costumes and throwing them away after, we offer a service where customers can hire high quality outfits which are original and affordable.” As a child, Fran recalls going round to her grandmother's house and being surrounded by

an assortment of outlandish, handmade attire. It’s her grandmother’s passion for fancy dress which inspired Fran to start up her own business. “I’ll always remember dressing up in my grandmother’s costumes,” says Fran. “I’d ask, ‘Can you make me a princess costume, please?’ and she'd come

back a couple of hours later with this amazing outfit!” The shop also sells packet costumes, wigs, accessories and face paints for all ages. If a costume is not in stock, then customers are welcome to make a special request. Find Fancy Dress Fanatics at 212 Cheltenham Road and follow them on Twitter @FancyDressFtics.

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News Photos: Phil Evans

Members of the Kelvin Players entertain crowds with a production of the Canterbury Tales at Blaise Castle Estate

‘Bawdy’ fun with Players The Kelvin Players swapped their Bishopston studio for the grounds of Blaise Castle for their latest production. The theatre company put on a series of open-air performances of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales from July 10-13 and combined the show with a medieval festival, including jesters, jugglers, acrobats, morris dancers, singers and musicians, as well as games and market stalls. Spokesman Mat Rees said: “The production wasn’t just a play, it was intended to be a festival and people really bought into that vibe, coming along with picnics, taking part in all the games and visiting the stalls. “The play itself was presented as close to how Chaucer had intended it, had he written it as a play, as possible. It was big, bawdy, bright and boisterous

with lots of audience participation. And the feedback was really positive – everyone left with a smile on their face!" The theatre company also raised funds for Children’s Hospice South West at the shows. The Players’ next production in October will be a real change in tone, says Mat, as they tackle Jean Paul Sartre's most famous work No Way Out (Huis Clos). For more information about the Kelvin Players, visit www.kelvin players.co.uk.

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News

Open doors at green homes Some of the city's greenest homes will be opening their doors to the public over one weekend to share energy-saving tips for the future. More than 30 of Bristol's most energy-efficient properties, including a number in Bishopston and Redland, will be welcoming visitors as part of Bristol Green Homes open homes weekend on September 28-29. The properties on show will range from eco new-builds to homes undergoing whole-house makeovers to cut energy use to a minimum. There will also be a number of examples of family homes where the owners are installing various features to gradually make their property more green, such as under-floor and internal wall insulation, alternative energy sources such as wood-burning boilers or solar PV, draught insulation and rainwater harvesting. There will also be homes that have benefited from Bristol City

A Bishopston home that will be displaying a range of green features during Green Homes open weekend Council’s Home Energy Upgrade scheme and measures financed through the government’s Green Deal. Kate Watson, Bristol Green Doors director, said: “Bristol Green Doors is all about sharing experiences and this year we have a fantastic range of different

homes opening their doors. More and more people are looking for ways in which they can improve the comfort of their homes – and crucially cut their energy bills. The homes taking part this year show a complete range of the different measures people can take to do this – from

low-cost every day changes to complete energy makeovers. It is all about making our homes fit for the future.” Maps showing details of all the properties taking part will be available from August, with details online from September at www.bristolgreendoors.org.

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Advertising feature Come to our FREE event on Thursday, August 22 6.30pm for 7.00pm start Venue: Holistic Building Centre, 19 Zetland Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 7HA Places limited, book now on 0117 909 8090 or email info@holisticbuilding.co.uk

Holistic Building Forum 2013 HBF ‘Streets Ahead’ project – register your interest NOW! With energy prices set to rocket over the next five years, if you could get a substantial grant towards energy efficient measures such as solid wall insulation and high performance windows, would you be interested in upgrading your home? We are looking for householders in NW Bristol to register an interest as we continue to explore all options into accessing ECO

Don’t miss this opportunity to get ‘streets ahead’ when it comes to saving money ....and saving the planet!

Building Professionals Are you a local builder or tradesman interested in up-skilling for the Green Deal? Or keen to get involved but not sure where to start? Come and talk to us about your ideas and aspirations – together we can help make Bristol cleaner and greener.

money. Even better would be a whole street – so get together with your neighbours and then come and tell us about it.

Sponsored by

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Inside story with interior designer Zoe Hewett While seemingly everyone is going abroad for their summer holidays, I got to thinking that although it’s always great to get away, it’s also nice to come home. Nothing beats laying a lazy, travel-weary head down on your own pillow. If you’ve time before heading off, or even if you’re staying put, it’s certainly worth investing in making yours a bedroom you can’t wait to get home to. The importance of a good night’s sleep is often undervalued. It’s not just about having a comfy bed – the whole space can impact on how well you rest and rejuvenate. All too often bedrooms suffer from poor storage and an invasion of household clutter, making them far from restful. Beds physically dominate the space in most bedrooms, so changing the dressing with the seasons is a relatively inexpensive way of instantly and easily

injecting style and newness. A change is as good as a break, after all! Muted shades that felt cool during last month’s heatwave may look drab in lower, late summer sunlight. Bolder pattern, colour and texture can lift your bed from the doldrums and make it a statement feature. Market stalls at your holiday destination might stock the perfect fabric for you to have made up into bespoke linens that will transform your space, and give you a lasting memory of a special trip. For period-style inspiration, Hampton Court Palace is showcasing Baroque Beds in Secrets From The Royal Bedchamber. Open until November 3, the exhibition covers the conservation of these spectacular regal resting places. Or take a stay-cation in Bristol and surf www.hrp. org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace to see the show, and design your own bed for a bit of fun!

 Zoë Hewett is an independent interior designer. Call her on 07974 544 734 or email zoe@zoehewett interiors.co.uk to let her reorganise, revitalise and rebalance your bedroom

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News

Big vision as small gallery becomes hub for local art Photos: www.thephoto.co.uk

Taking a look inside the shop and gallery, above; Sarah Thorp with guests and some of the artists involved with Room 212, top

There are big plans for a tiny pop-up gallery on Gloucester Road, which is set to become a focal point for local artists as well as the area’s popular arts trails. Artist Sarah Thorp, who helps to organise and promote the North Bristol Arts Trail and West Bristol Arts Trail, has taken over Room 212 and has lots of ideas for the exhibition space and shop. She hopes to expand the shop and offer taster sessions, workshops and an after-school arts club as well as providing a place artists can come together. She said: “There are so many fantastically creative people in Bristol, and the Gloucester Road is gaining a national reputation for independent shops and galleries. I aim to provide a friendly and inspiring atmosphere where artists, makers and local people can meet, create, shop and swap ideas. “Although the shop is very small at the moment more than 16 artists are already showing their work. I plan to extend the shop to create more display space and also an area for people to gather, be creative and share ideas.” Last month, Sarah held a launch event attended by many of the artists who will be exhibiting their creations at the gallery, as well as shoppers. Sarah is planning to offer a range of crafty items for youngsters as well as jewellery, accessories, homeware, paintings and more for

Sarah Thorp with guests at the Room 212 launch event the adults. She said: “I love rich bright colours and I hope to keep the windows full of interesting and vibrant work. I’d like to run Room 212 on a theme base, say ‘Day of the Dead’ in October or Narnia after Christmas.” And as the arts trails approach in the autumn, the shop will give a taste of what will be on offer by showing work from the artists involved. Sarah added: “I have so many ideas for Room 212. It has been a wonderful opportunity for so many artists to show their work over the years. I really appreciate the history of the place and want it continue to be an affordable place for artists to exhibit.” Drop in at the shop, visit www.room212.co.uk or find Room 212 on Facebook for the latest on exhibitions and events.

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August, 2013

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Wellbeing with acupuncturist Eleanor Breen

August: Summer Fire In Chinese medicine our energy changes with the seasons. The ‘Fire’ energy of summer is associated with joy and our extrovert qualities are at their peak. Here’s how to let your Fire energy thrive while looking after yourself: 1. Be Active: This is our most energetic time so get outside, play with the kids, swim in the sea. Just don’t overdo it in the heat. 2. Eat raw foods: In China foods are seen as warming or cooling. In hot weather, cooling raw foods like salad, juices and fruit will keep you balanced 3. Spend time with people: Express your Fire energy by

connecting with others. Friends and laughter are important. Say yes to that barbecue. Talk to a stranger. Enjoy time with your partner 4. Spend time near water: Fire can rage out of control sometimes, we get overexcited and overheated. Water can cool and calm our minds and bodies. 5. Get enough sleep: it’s natural to sleep less in summer but rest is still important. Make sure you recharge that energy you’re using.  Eleanor Breen is an acupuncturist in Bishopston and Westbury Park. See her advert on page 28.

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In the Garden

We (that is the royal “we”) have planted some radish seed and some small lettuces, lollo rosso, in the raised bed and have been enjoying them. So has a squirrel, happily digging into the fine soil. Fortunately it only disturbed one short row. I very promptly repaired the netting frames that fit onto the bed, so depriving the squirrel of its fun. The lettuces were undisturbed, and we have high hopes of some good salad food. Beetroot are following along with spring onions. As I have said before I am not good with seeds and small plants, so I shall only watch and wait, as well as watering them. Amazingly slugs and snails have hardly appeared. Perhaps Rent-a-Hedgehog has been in operation.

I was reading a gardening paper recently and came across an article talking about mowing lawns. What can anyone say about cutting your grass? Quite a lot apparently. It was talking about a competition for professional gardeners. The prize was for the best pattern cut in the grass. The winner, who worked in a large private garden, had mown the grass into a fan shape with the base of the fan at the base of a large tree.

Others had cut in diamonds, hatched and circular patterns. I thought that was good and tried a square pattern, where I started at the edge and worked until I reached the middle. Having surveyed my effort I decided there is more to it than I thought. So I quickly ran the mower over the grass to return it to normal, and nobody knew! During July we had the pleasure of some very fine

weather, and we took advantage of it and put out some garden furniture, which set me thinking. We could produce 13 chairs of reasonable comfort, five garden beds/sun loungers, one permanent table, one light table, one table left from camping days, and two small folding table. Enough, I thought, for a decent party. And an old barbecue which came into use recently. After this I was in a large garden centre and noticed a good-looking garden set. One good-sized table, four chairs, one large parasol, and the price of £986. I looked at our motley set and doubted if the most expensive piece cost more than £60. And I wonder where it all came from. We have had an amazing run of very hot weather just recently which has exhausted all the water butts. Resorting to the hose is something I do not like to do but now it is inevitabe so this evening, when it is cooler, that is where I shall be.

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An attractive pond created by the Allgardendesigns team; right, Henry Phillips and Francis Wilson at work

A creative approach to get the most from your garden Allgardendesigns is a small garden design and build company based in Horfield. The company has been a running concern for 29 years. Originally based in south London they moved away from the capital to bring up young families and have now been operating in Bristol for 24 years. They provide a creative design service to enable customers get the most from their gardens. It all starts with a free initial visit to discuss the possibilities of the garden and the desires of the customer. During a second visit a detailed design can then be drawn up to take into account all elements that need to be included. Once this is finalised and all the costs agreed the building can begin! In this example the before photo shows a small overgrown back garden with broken fences

Before and a rough patio. The design was to include a small Indian sandstone patio next to the house. This needed to be large enough to accommodate a large outdoor table for al fresco dining. Raised beds were built around the perimeters which gives scope for occasional seating and easy maintenance. The remaining area of the garden

After was planned as a small lawn. After much thought we decided to use artificial lawn to keep the maintenance to an absolute minimum. The Allgardendesigns team are Tom Phillips, designer, and Francis Wilson, the main garden contractor. Francis has 18 years’ experience in all aspects of garden construction

as well as many years’ experience in the construction industry. Tom’s son Henry Phillips has joined the team in the last couple of years and adds his bricklaying skills to the mix! The key words at Allgardendesigns are creativity with quality.

Contact us on: 07739 456765 or visit our website allgardendesigns.co.uk To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk


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August 8

Poochadelic at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club

Canine capers at Watershed With the city going barking mad for Gromit this summer, the Watershed cinema will be screening canine capers throughout August. Gromit, who is the star of Bristol’s fundraising art trail Gromit Unleashed, will of course feature in Gromit’s Movie Marvels programme, first appearing on August 1 in The Wrong Trousers alongside other short films and then again from August 19-22 in another Aardman favourite Wallace & Gromit In The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. There will also be other doggy stars sharing the spotlight with Gromit, including Snoopy in Race For Your Life Charlie Brown (August 2-4), Dalmatian puppies aplenty in 101 Dalmatians (August 9-11) and Tintin’s loyal sidekick Snowy in The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (August 30- September 1). Maddy Probst, programme producer at Watershed, said: “Gromit has tremendous taste in dog films and I must

congratulate him on curating such a remarkable season. He’s made sure there’s something here for all the family and we are especially pleased that a percentage of the profits from his programme to our friends at The Grand Appeal.” Watershed is also hosting dog-themed Stop Motion Animation Summer School workshops every Friday during August, where 6-11 year olds can try their hand at creating canine characters out of plasticine – and then see their work on the big screen the following Friday. Tickets for Gromit’s Movie Marvels are £2.50 for under12s. For the full programme and more information on events and activities at Watershed, visit www.water shed.co.uk. For more on the Gromit Unleashed trail, which is supporting Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital, and where to find the 80 statues, visit www. gromitunleashed.org.uk.

Children’s Summer Film Club, Hotel Transylvania, 2pm at Eden Grove Methodist Church, The Community Centre, Horfield, BS7 0PQ. Free entry, refreshments available. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 0117 969 0011 for a list of films or visit www.uhct.co.uk/filmshows.

August 8-11 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, BS41 9JN. Hot air balloon ascents at 6am and 6pm. Thursday and Saturday evening, the night glows. Arena and air displays, numerous stalls, entertainment and refreshments available. Free entry.

August 11 Sunday car boot sale at Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Road, BS6 7YA . Gates open at 9am-1pm (8.30am for sellers). Vans £10, cars £6. Refreshments available. Contact James Chidgey on 07811 647851 for more information.

August 15 Children’s Summer Film Club, ParaNorman, 2pm, at Eden Grove Methodist Church, The Community Centre, Horfield, BS7

0PQ Free entry, refreshments available. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 0117 969 0011 for a list of films or visit www.uhct.co.uk/filmshows.

August 22 Children’s Summer Film Club, Tangled, 2pm, at Eden Grove Methodist Church, The Community Centre, Horfield, BS7 0PQ Free entry, refreshments available. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 0117 969 0011 for a list of films or visit www.uhct.co.uk/filmshows.

August 24 Len Rawle in concert, Wizard Compton 1927 Cinema Organ, Eden Grove Methodist Church Hall. Tickets £7, doors open 6.30pm, including refreshments. Tickets on door or available from Byron, 523 Filton Avenue, Filton, Bristol, BS7 0QF.

August 29 Children’s Summer Film Club, The Croods, 2pm at Eden Grove Methodist Church, The Community Centre, Horfield, BS7 0PQ. Free entry, refreshments available. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 0117 969 0011 for a list of films or visit www.uhct.co.uk/ filmshows.

What’s on on a regular basis Mondays Playful Café, Chandos Road, Redland, Hokey Cokey, from 9.30-10.30am all year round and drop-in sessions so no need

with Bristol poet and author Deborah Harvey All’s Well That Ends Well, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Friday, July 19, 2013

Feathers at Nailsea Electrical on Gloucester Road

August, 2013

All’s Well That Ends Well is regarded as one of Shakespeare’s “problem” plays. Its main theme can be summarised as “how to be a man” and concerns Bertram’s rite of passage from arrogant ward of the King of France to returning war hero

and belatedly loving husband of fellow ward Helena, their arranged marriage having been the spur for his departure for war in Italy without consummating it. That Bertram resents having to marry Helena even though she is beautiful and otherwise universally admired can be explained by the fact that he is still young and immature, and

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to book. £4 per family/childminder and includes squash and biscuits. There is also a free sensory play time from 10-10.30am for carers and their children to come along and have a look at what we will be doing.

at Heart Space Studios textile workshop, 4 Harcourt Road (just off Coldharbour Road) Tel: 0117 9232391. A friendly group offering a chance to swap creative ideas and inspiration. The cost is £35 per term including tea and coffee.

Tuesdays Food and Friends at Cairns Road Baptist Church 12-2pm. A monthly meeting point for senior citizens. The first Tuesday of every month. Lunch will be served at a cost of £2.50 followed by coffee and fellowship. Transport can be arranged. Tel: 0117 942 5669 KudaCan, 7 Dongola Avenue, Bishopston, BS7 9HG. Join the Bishopston Mum for an NCT Cafe every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 10.15 11.30am, you can drop in any time during this slot. Bristol Ladies Hockey Club. A friendly club based at Orchard School, Filton Road. Training on Tuesday, 7.30-9pm, play on Saturdays. All ages welcome. If you would like to join us contact Michelle on 07980 598761 or: michesaunders@hotmail. com.

Wednesdays Knit & Stitch Club 9.30-11.30am she is of lowlier birth. What is more difficult to understand is why she so ardently loves a man who not only despises her, but has few redeeming characteristics. The ultimate success of the play hinges upon the actress in the role being able to make you believe in her passion, and unfortunately Joanna Horton’s portrayal falls somewhat short. Her Helena lacks that witchy spark that becomes evident when she cures the King of France of his apparently fatal illness, and the fact that she tends to recite her lines rather than say them doesn’t help. More pleasing is Jonathan Slinger’s portrayal of the odious and cowardly Parolles, an inveterate liar who is quite

The Golden Hill Community Garden, 10am-4pm. Come and get involved in your local community garden! No experience necessary and kids welcome. Learn about growing and relax in our beautiful space with a cup of tea. No need to come every week or stay all day. Our site is wheelchair accessible including our toilet. For more information contact Lucy, ghcgarden@gmail. com or 07506 905 394. We’re just through the gates at the end of Monk Road BS7 8NE. Website: www.thegoldenhill communitygarden.com

school is fully accessible and has free parking. No experience is necessary and there are no auditions. You don’t have to read music either as all the songs are taught by ear. Our repertoire includes pop, folk, gospel, jazz, show tunes and world music. So if you enjoy singing, come and have some fun each week with this relaxed group of about 50 singers. Bring a friend too! You can listen to us, and find out more about the choir, at www. bristolvoices.org

Thursdays Bristol Ladies’ Choir sings a wide range of music from classical to light. The choir rehearses weekly and gives two main concerts each year. The choir also participates in approximately nine to 10 other concerts in the Bristol area each year. Meet 2.153.45pm at Church of the Good Shepherd, Bishop Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NA. New members welcome. For more information contact Hazel on 0117 924 6587 or visit www.bristolladieschoir. org.uk Knit & Stitch Club, 7.30-9.30pm at Heart Space Studios textile

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workshop, 4 Harcourt Road (just off Coldharbour Road) Tel: 0117 9232391. A friendly group offering a chance to swap creative ideas and inspiration. The cost is £35 per term, including tea and coffee. Avon Harmony Ladies Acappella Chorus meets for rehearsals every Thursday 7.30-10pm at Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road BS7 9NL. Visitors are always made welcome, and we are actively recruiting new members. There is no need to be able to read music; we provide teaching tracks for learning by ear. See our website for more details or contact Mandy on 0117 965 2693 or Barbara on 07717 424421 or email enquiries@ avonharmony.co.uk. Visit www. avonharmony.co.uk.

Bristol Voices Community Choir will welcome new members at the start of next term, beginning on Wednesday, September 4. Try this first session for free to see if you like it. After that fees are £5 a week (£3 concs) payable at the start of each term. We meet each Wednesday evening during the school term from 7.30-9.30pm in St Werburgh’s Primary School, James Street, BS2 9US. The prepared to betray his fellow soldiers to save his own neck. Using the typewriter upon which his defamatory statements were recorded as a block for his mock beheading is inspired, given that his name translates as “Words”. Less well conceived is the periodic, over-energetic dancing to loud music to signal to the audience that young soldiers work hard and play hard. It reminded me of the Young Generation on the Rolf Harris Show in the late 60s and early 70s, and felt almost comically out of date. Quibbles aside, it was a delight to catch this rarely performed play and I would recommend a trip to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to see it.

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News Turn spotlight on ‘silent killer’ Runners who take part in a 5k fun run on the Downs in September will be helping to raise awareness of a “silent killer”. The annual Run for the Future returns on Sunday, September 8, not only raising money for prostate cancer research at Southmead Hospital’s Bristol Urological Institute but also turning the spotlight on a disease that claims the lives of 11,000 men each year. One organiser of the race, David Miller, knows only too well how the illness can take people by surprise, saying: “At the age of 59, I was fit, healthy and had none of the symptoms – however I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.” Mr Miller underwent successful surgery at Southmead Hospital. To sign up for the run, which is being supported by Carol Vorderman and Noel Edmonds, visit www.runforthefuture.org.

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August, 2013

Nostalgia Picture courtesy of Bygone Bristol

This is a rare picture showing potato fields on the site of what is now Kings Drive in Bishopston. For more on pictures and publications available from Bygone Bristol, call 0117 942 3177.

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Creepy fun for young readers

Homemade lemon wheat and gluten free cake with Mandy at Cafe Rhubarb Ingredients 250g of Doves wheat gluten free flour 4 eggs Splash of vanila 200g of butter 200g of caster sugar Method 1. Mix the sugar into the bowl with the butter, stir untill it becomes creamy.

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2. Add the eggs one by one. 3. Stir in the flour untill the mixture is quite thick. 4. Pour into two baking tins then put into the oven at 160C, then cook for 25 minutes. 5.Take the cakes out of the oven then let them cool until they are

cold.Spread the lemon curd over one cake and then put the other cake on top. Ice the top.  Cafe Rhubarb 388 Gloucester Road BS7 8TR Tel: 07501083147

Youngsters across Bristol are invited on a spine-tingling reading adventure as the city’s libraries take part in the Creepy House Summer Reading Challenge. Any child who reads six books over the summer can collect stickers to add their own Creepy House fold-out with a medal and certificate up for grabs at the end of the challenge. Young readers can get involved by visiting their local library where the challenge, which is free to take part in, is running until September 14. More information about the challenge is available at http:// summerreadingchallenge.org.uk. There will also be a range of themed events taking place at libraries, with creepy-crawly crafts and petrifying poetry-writing on offer at Cheltenham Road library. See the library’s regular column on Page 32 for more details and this month’s book reviews.

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News

Market ‘by local people, for local people’ is one year old by Rebecca Day

Nestled into Pigsty Hill is a market boasting unique stalls and delicious food. Gloucester Road Market, which is home to various independent businesses, runs every Saturday from 10am until 5pm. Established by Chaun Raj exactly a year ago, this quaint market has become a popular spot with local residents. “I set up the market because I wanted to do something local, which had a social value,” says Chaun. “The market is by local people, for local people.” Gloucester Road ramblers and regular visitors will find a variety of stalls, including Herbert’s Bakery, The Spotless Leopard, Lee's Teaks and Sam’s Jams. There are six regular stallholders in total at the market, also selling

Lee’s Teaks, The Spotless Leopard and Herbert’s Bakery at the weekly Gloucester Road Market antiques and plants. Herbert’s Bakery – which has been around since the 60s – sells speciality breads such as olive bread and

sour dough, as well as a variety of more usual kinds. Also selling tasty vegan food is The Spotless Leopard – run from a white van by Louise, a fully-fledged vegan of four years. The Gloucester Road Market was the first place she ever traded and has been there since October. “I always wanted to own my own business and thought the van was a good place to start – it’s been a great way to learn

the ropes of running a business,” says Louise. “It’s also good because you get to move around a lot.” The Spotless Leopard prides itself on being 100 per cent vegan, with food sourced from Essentials, a sustainable cooperative which provides ethical food products to businesses. Lee’s Teaks, which sells quirky hand-crafted animals and furniture from Indonesia and Bali, has been operating at the market since the beginning of the year. The business has been running for five and a half years, with products being sold across the country. Stocking homemade jams and chutneys, Sam’s Jams uses a range of locally-sourced ingredients to create original flavours, such as orange and walnut marmalade. With the Gloucester Road Market running all year round, Chaun hopes to have the market inside St Michael’s and All Angels Church hall over Christmas.  Have Twitter? Follow the Gloucester Road Market – @GloucesterRoad – to keep up to date with what products will be on sale.

Choir is recruiting after holidays The Bishop Road Community Choir is pictured here during a recent performance at St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Gloucester Road. The group rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7.459pm in the Silverthorne Hall at Bishop Road School. The choir is open to all, regardless of ability or experience and with no audi-

tion. Sessions will begin again on Thursday, September 5, and the first is free to anyone who’d like to give it a go and members are looking forward to welcoming some new faces. Listen to some of the songs performed by the choir, including Someone Like You, on the Bishop Road Community Choir Facebook page.

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What is the best part of running your business and working in the area? We are very proud to be affiliated with Bristol's famous Gloucester Road and its numerous independent retail outlets. We are a bright, vibrant shop surrounded by bright, vibrant people. We are here to add colour and fun to customers' houses and lives. What makes your service different from other companies? With a large amount of our products being made from beautiful fabrics we create a friendly, helpful environment where customers are encouraged to rummage, touch and open up the products in order to fully explore the nature and feel of the item they may wish to purchase. Our hands-on approach to service is their hands-on approach to purchasing!

For August we meet Dean and Lela Williams, the owners of Shanti Tell us about your company. Shanti is nothing less than a real Aladdin’s Cave in the heart of Bristol. It has become an integral part of the rows of independent retail shops and services for which Gloucester Road is renowned, selling a wide range of products including cushions, throws, wall hangings, handbags, scarves, Tibetan blanket shawls, gifts and incense with the cornerstone of the business being a large selection of good quality, 100 per cent cotton rugs of all shapes, sizes and colours. All products are made in India or Tibet and are sourced from Fair Trade-certified suppliers. Established 2008, we came over from Cape Town, South Africa, to buy the shop upon Lela's parents’ impending retirement and took over officially in November 2012. We have one very friendly and helpful staff member who helps us. Her name is Jane and she is a student at UWE. What service do you provide to the people of Bishopston and Redland? Our customer base is wide and

includes the local residents of Bishoposton, Redland, Horfield and surrounding areas. We have regular clients from as far afield as Brighton, Devon and Wales. We cater to a large student market as well, which is very important to us. We keep our prices as low as possible in order to accommodate our clients from every walk of life. We like to think of ourselves as supplying “quality products at affordable prices”. Buying soft home furnishings is often more of a process than

an event and so we operate on the premise that even if you are just browsing and have no immediate intention of purchasing we are still happy to show you and display as many items as you wish to see so that you have something to think about. As far as we know, no other retail outlet in Bristol stocks our selection of rugs and most other products are also relatively exclusive to Shanti. We are also a premier destination for birthday and Christmas gifts.

What are your plans for the future of the business? We are entering a very exciting period for Shanti. We have already grown our selection and range of stock which we offer and the shop has never looked so good or had so much to offer. In addition we are extremely excited about going online and our website, www.shantionline.co.uk will be going live on September 1 this year. This will enable people from far and wide to browse and purchase at their leisure from the comfort of their homes. We are aiming to supply a fast, efficient and user-friendly website service to grow and expand the Shanti concept. Contact: Shanti, 125 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8AX. Call: 07909 103 700 Website: www.shantionline.co.uk Email: shantidean@yahoo.co.uk Facebook page: Shantionline

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Amazon review: “Brilliant writing style, but disappointing story. The book was quite promising at the beginning. The writing style is very detailed and clear. The present tense for the actual journey he is under-

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 The Lighthouse by Alison Moore (Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2012) Blurb: The middle-aged, recently-separated Futh heads to Germany for a restorative walking holiday. On his first night in Hellhaus, a small, family-run hotel, he encounters an inexplicably hostile barman. Putting the episode behind him, he sets out on his week-long circular walk along the Rhine, and contemplation of his life. Returning to what he sees as the Hellhaus sanctuary, he is unaware of events which have unfolded in his absence.

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with staff from Cheltenham Road Library taking is contrasted against the past tense for his backstory, and this is done very well. However, the book is written throughout in very close focus, which gets a little wearisome after a while.” Children’s Fiction – Read and enjoyed by Theodore RubinPetrovic (10 yrs old)  The Doomspell Trilogy by Cliff McNish (The Doomspell Trilogy is three books in one volume: The Doomspell, The Scent Of Magic and The Wiz-

ard’s Promise) Blurb: Rachel and Eric are snatched away by the Witch, like thousands of other children before them, and hurtled to a terrifying place. But the Witch h has met her match. Rachel and Eric discover they have astonishing powers and together embark on a journey from which there may be no return. The Witch will stop at nothing to enslave them. The fate of all children lies in the balance – will Rachel and Eric save them, or will the Witch finally triumph? Theo’s review: Rachel and Eric live a normal life until a villainous witch kidnaps them. She plans to use them to help her escape from a planet, and defeat all of the wizards. As they fight back against the witch, Rachel discovers that she is an extraordinarily skilled magician and Eric finds out that he is not a magician but a destroyer of spells. These three books were filled

with suspense, which made me want to read on, even when I was supposed to be getting ready for school. I also loved the description of the settings, it was so well done that I felt I was there for real. I highly recommend this book for a good summer read.  For these books and many, many more titles, come along to Cheltenham Road Library and let us point you in the right direction. As part of the Summer Reading Challenge, we have two Creepy House-themed events. Join us for a creepy-crawly craft session on August 7, 11am-noon, for ages two to eight. On August 12, there will be petrifying poems and revolting rhymes from 10.30am-noon, for ages seven to 11, with an exciting session of spooky poetry reading and writing. The cost is 50p per child and booking is essential. Under-eights must be accompanied by an adult  Opening hours: Monday: 10–1 & 2-5pm Wednesday: 10-1 & 2-5pm Friday: 10-1 & 2-5pm Saturday: 10-1 & 2-5pm

One to Watch with film reviewer Chris Worthington The Bling Ring (15) Directed by Sofia Coppola and Starring Emma Watson The Bling Ring is based on the “burglarisation” of the homes of celebrities including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan by a teenage gang in Los Angeles in 2011. Leaving aside the youth of the teenagers and idea that the wealthy victims could possibly afford their losses these were serious crimes with a total haul in excess of $3million dollars. The film follows the escapades of the criminal gang closely, with Emma Watson (Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films) playing Alexis Neiers, the ring leader of gang, renamed in the film as Nicki Moore. Watson is convincing as a

spoilt, narcissistic, celebrity-obsessed teenager with delusions of grandeur. The other female members of the gang are less convincing and for the most part are only mildly irritating. A sharper edge to their characters would have added some spice to the film. The only male member of the gang is Marc Hall (played by Israel Broussard). At the start of the film in his first day at a new school he is befriended by Rebecca Ahn (played by Katie Chang) and is soon involved with planning and executing the burglaries. Marc is a plump teenager with a terrible hairstyle and low self-esteem. He is flattered to be adopted by the gang and enjoys the excitement of the burglaries, the money, the drugs

and being admitted to the top clubs in LA. The gang continue with their crime spree and clubbing lifestyle until the inevitable arrival of the LAPD at their respectable middle-class homes. For a while Rebecca manages to avoid capture by fleeing to Las Vegas leaving Marc holding the stolen goods. Nicki’s self-belief continues to the end. It has been nurtured by being home-schooled by a friend’s mother who has strange religious and spiritual beliefs and who is convinced that Nicki can do no wrong. Following her arrest Nicki tells journalists: “The whole episode has been a learning lesson for me, I want to lead a huge charity organisation, or a country for all I know.

I want to do something that people really notice...” failing to see that she already has, but not in a good way. Sofia Coppola is on record as saying she did not want to add to the celebrity status of the criminal gang. However, this seems to be an inevitable consequence of making the film. Chris Worthington chrisworthington32@ yahoo.com

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1. This glass bird will really lift your spirits. Made from kilnformed glass by Robyn Coetzee, one of the Fig artists. A variety of shapes and colours available, starting from £8.50. Fig cooperative is at 206 Gloucester Road. 2&3. Fox + Feather, at 43 Gloucester Road, have succeeded in their quest to seek out the freshest brands and styles not found in your average shopping centre. Handmade wooden owl brooch by Maria Allen, £38, and glittery owl dress ring by Rosie Fox, £18. 4. These great products will be flying out the door, galvanised bird feeder, £15.95, and bird ornaments £6.95 each. All found for you and available at Reason Interiors, 73 Gloucester Road. 5. iota at 167 Gloucester Road have oodles of beautiful objects featuring birds. Our favourites include: seagull satchel, £43; owl mug by Bristol designer Tom Frost, £7.99; Chirpy vanity case, £16.99; and the flamingo flask, £15.99. 6. Vintage-inspired fabrics and sewing kits from Flo Jo Boutique at 36B Gloucester Road. Winter birds button-bag craft kit, £11.50, age 6+; bird tape measure, £4.50; Do it Yourself Owl Craft Kit, £7.50; and lots of beautiful bird-inspired fabric, from £14 per metre.

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This month a bird inspired theme – such beautiful gifts are sure to be flying off the shelves from the Gloucester Road traders…

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1 7 7. And finally… Plenty for real birds from the lovely people at Roxfords Pet Shop at 155 Gloucester Road. Squirrel-proof bird feeder, £32.99; peanut bird feeder, £5.99; Meal’o’worms 1 litre, £6.99; un-netted fat balls, 30p each; Fat’n’Berries 300g, £1.99; no-mess bird seed 1kg, £1.75.

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News

August, g , 2013

Sudoku How to play: The objective of sudoku is to enter a digit from 1 to 9 in each cell, in such a way that: 1) Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once 2) Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once 3) Each sub grid (3x3 grids marked by thick lines) contains each digit once

Solutions on page 38

Dr Nicola White and Dr Catherine Spalding at the launch evening

Dentists all smiles at launch event Two dentists have celebrated the opening of their new surgery in Westbury Park by welcoming members of the community to a special launch event. Dr Nicola White and Dr Catherine Spalding raised a glass to their new practice Beau Monde Dental Care in North View and introduced guests to the team on June 21. The business partners say creating a welcoming atmosphere for patients is a priority and the well-attended launch event was an opportunity for the com-

munity to find out more about their approach and the services on offer. The pair both qualified as dentists at Birmingham University in 1997, and Kate has studied medical hypnotherapy to help patients feel at ease, while Nicola also has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. The practice is running an offer for new patients, which includes a full 30-minute examination, x-rays, scale and polish for ÂŁ65. Contact Beau Monde Dental Care on 0117 330 3495.

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August, 2013

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Computer tips with Graham Simmonds of goto iT

The future of computing The Red Lodge: Bristol’s Hidden Gem features 12 actors and explores the building’s history through some of the characters who have lived there over the centuries

Life inside historic lodge inspires film The hidden Tudor splendour of a historic Bristol building is the inspiration behind a new film created by a Bishopston resident. Actress and journalist Theresa Roche said she was left with “burning questions” about the past occupants of the 16thcentury Red Lodge, in Park Row, after paying a visit to what is now a museum. Theresa’s research uncovered a host of interesting characters connected to the house between the 1580s and the 1920s, who she has brought back to life in a documentary. The Red Lodge, Bristol’s Hidden Gem premiered at the Orpheus Cinema in Henleaze in June and is now available online. Theresa, a history graduate, said: “I’d often walked past the bleak-looking walls of The Red Lodge vaguely thinking that I ought to pop in there one day, though suspecting the interior would be a bit like an enormous cowshed. “Of course when I did finally visit I discovered jaw-dropping Tudor splendour, for the lodge is one of the last surviving luxury domestic interiors in South West England showcasing wooden-panelled walls in The Great Oak Room, ornate plasterwork on the ceiling and

Theresa Roche presents the film in period costume a magnificently carved stone fireplace.” The 25-minute documentary, produced by Theresa’s independent film company Galliard Films, features 12 actors who recreate scenes from the building’s history, from the knighting of diplomat John Young by Queen Elizabeth I before he built the lodge, then following his wild son and heir Robert Young to wealthy merchant Derek Popley, whose business dealings landed him in jail. The film covers the lodge’s various incarnations as family home, elegant boarding school for ladies and as a reform school for young offenders. Theresa added: “My subsequent research uncovered the fact that, rather like the building itself, some of these historical

occupiers were themselves “hidden gems” because some of them were major players in politics, medicine and social reform. I became determined to make a film specifically about them and so give contemporary Bristolians a glimpse of these fascinating citizens.” Theresa said Carnival Costumes in Redland and make-up artist Claudia Spoto, also of Redland, were instrumental in dressing the cast, while Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery staff provided invaluable help and curator Karin Walton is the featured expert in the film. Theresa, who is working on another local history film, added: “I do hope it will tweak the interest of both visitors to Bristol and also of local families who want a quick trip out to somewhere fascinating during the school holidays and, after all, entry to the lodge is free.” The Red Lodge, Bristol’s Hidden Gem can be viewed at www. youtube.com/watch?v=TbPZYYx _8iw&feature=share The Red Lodge Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10.30am to 4pm, during August. Visit Bristol City Council’s Museums and Galleries webpage at www. bristol.gov.uk for more details.

It is always to fun to speculate about what might be. Sci-fi films and dramas give a peek into what technology advances might come next. But what is around the corner? Well for us the next big and fun thing is the Leap Motion. This is similar to the Xbox Kinect where you don’t have to touch anything to move the mouse or write on the screen. Priced at under £90 we will be getting some soon if you would like to come and have a look. For those who get frustrated when their computer crashes, there is a new PC being developed that will supposedly never crash. It is based on the randomness of nature and can recover corrupted data. Google Glass is currently being trialled where the internet and other information is projected onto a pair of glasses you wear when walking around. You can appear like a genius, accessing all the information on the internet without anyone knowing! And a quick look back to the past as we would like to tip our hats (or click our buttons) to the inventor of the mouse, Doug Engelbart, who died recently at the age of 88. Amazingly he invented it in the 1960s! If there is anything you would like to see a short article about, please contact us on 0117 969 8767 or visit us in our shop on the corner of Filton Avenue and the A4174.  See advert on Page 2

Yournews Got a story? Contact us at news@bishopstonvoice. co.uk or call 07887 561567. You can also share your views and send your letters to Bishopstonvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Selling? Ask the experts... Detached? Semi-detached? Maybe a terraced house? And then there’s the question of how many bedrooms. A recent survey conducted by Relocation Agent Network asked its estate agent members which properties are currently the most sought-after by homebuyers – a good indication for potential home sellers wanting to enter the market. According to Relocation Agent Network, over 60 per cent of estate agents surveyed said that semi-detached houses are by far the most sought-after among buyers. The next most popular are terraced houses, with nearly a fifth of Network agents indicating so. When asked what property sizes are most in demand, the vast majority of respondents (80 per cent) said it was threebedroom properties. Network members also report improvements in the property market, with 80 per cent of

respondents having sold more properties in the last two months compared to the same time last year. When considering Relocation Agent Network’s findings, it would appear that more sellers are needed to meet demand. Ross Kieran, director of Ocean, said: “Whether you’ve got a one- or five-bedroom property, terraced or detached, we are Relocation Agent Network’s appointed Local Expert in Bristol and have the expertise to guide our customers through the selling process. “Our Network membership also means that we have access to potential out-of-town buyers moving into the area, providing an additional avenue for you to sell your home. Visit www. relocation-agent-network.co.uk for more information on what our Network membership really means or contact us directly 0800 65 25 446.”

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Cromwell Road

ÂŁ450,000

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Situated in a popular area of St Andrews this spacious six-bedroom family house has planning permission for a loft conversion and also features two bathrooms and a conservatory. What more could a growing family ask for? Accommodation comprises entrance hall, impressive bayfronted living room, second reception room, dining room, kitchen and conservatory, plus a second shower room on the ground floor. The first floor has four double bedrooms and the family bathroom, and benefits from views over Bristol to the front. The basement level has two further rooms currently used as bedrooms.

Externally there is an enclosed rear garden, front garden with steps and sloping path up to the front door. To arrange a viewing or to get some advice get in touch with Andrews’ Bishopston branch on 0117 944 4400 or bishopston@ andrewsonline.co.uk.

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Sport

Counting days until world cup rugby comes to stadium by Rebecca Day Excitement is in the air now the countdown has begun until the day Bristol hosts a Rugby League World Cup match. Horfield’s Memorial Stadium will be welcoming potentially thousands of visitors, from near and far, to watch the Cook Islands vs USA on October 30. Bristol will be playing host to the Cook Island team ahead of the match. Bristol City Council have partnered up with South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol Rovers Football Club, Destination Bristol, West of England Sport Trust, University of the West of England and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College at Filton. “This is a great chance to showcase Bristol on the world stage, and highlight Bristol’s potential for being a premier sports venue,” says John Hirst, Destination Bristol’s chief executive. “We hope to see fans extending their time in Bristol, before and after the match, so that they can experience some of the wonderful attractions that our great city has to offer.” It is thought that the world cup will also have benefits for businesses in the local area. Local school children have

Participants in the UWE Bristol Corporate Touch Rugby Challenge tournament celebrating the 100 days to go until kick-off on October 30 been involved in projects related to the world cup, while youth groups and clubs from around the region have been learning a new dance move to promote the game. With the match taking place during half term, Ian Waters, the region’s representative on the RLWC 2013 Fans Local Advisory Group, believes that it will be a “perfect treat” for all the family.

“Imagine having the chance to experience a live world cup match – right here in Bristol – with all the promise of a fantastic family atmosphere and the excitement and thrills only a world cup can offer,” says Ian. “Now everyone will get the chance to see some of the world’s top rugby league players, as team USA take on the Cook Islands.” Rugby fans can expect a

pre-match spectacle, including cheerleaders, music, dancing and a procession, all taking place before the 8pm kick-off. Tickets for the Cook Island vs USA match on Wednesday, October 30, are now on sale – £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. To find out more or to purchase tickets, visit www.bristol.gov. uk/rlwc2013 or call the 24-hour ticket hotline on 0844 847 2013.

Puzzle solutions

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