Bishopston Voice January 2020 by Emma Cooper

bishopstonvoice January, 2020 Issue 86

Want to become a better leader? See page 23 for details

www.bishopstonvoice.co.uk

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Station mural's just the ticket! Respect the Downs campaign starts Residents have formed a Respect the Downs group to try to get more action to tackle van dwellers and travellers in the area. PAGE 6

Plea for ideas to improve area Redland and Cotham Amenities Society is seeking ideas on how to spend money on projects to improve the district. PAGE 12

Redmaids' High names new head Brightening up the view at Redland Station is a colourful new artwork. Inspired by the images created by pupils at Cotham Garden Primary School, artists Dave Bain and ZoĂŤ Power have painted a mural beneath the Lovers' Walk bridge.

Joining forces with the school, community group RCAS and Severnside Railway Partnership provided the funds to make lasting improvements to the appearance of this local asset. Full story: Pages 4 and 5

Paul Dwyer has been appointed headteacher at Redmaids' High School to replace long-serving Isabel Tobias in September. PAGE 21

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

Bishopstonvoice contacts Emma Cooper Publisher

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

Sue Thomas

News Editor

07976 706120 news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ Bishopstonvoice

Erica Benson

Advertising Sales 0117 908 2121 sales@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

February deadline Our February deadline is January 15. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by this date. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

Your views Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Bishopston Voice, 16 Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, BS31 1SX. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

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 Health Call 111 Well Aware (health and social care information) www.wellaware.org.uk Freephone: 0808 808 5252

Complaints

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Bishopston Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher. A member of the

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 10,700 copies copies will be distributed around Bishopston, Redland and St Andrews.

Work 'close to completion' at Bristol North Baths WORK at the former Bristol North Baths site is nearing completion, the developer has told Bishopston Voice. Berkeley Place, a property company based in Clifton, is bringing the Grade II Listed building back into use after it has been vacant for 13 years. Previously, the building was going to be turned into a health centre, but after long delays the original developer, Chatsworth Homes, ran into financial difficulties in 2015 and the scheme ground to a halt. In December 2018, the proposed change from swimming pool (Class D2) to office (Class B1) was granted by planning officers. Since then, work has started to convert the building, which dates from 1915, into offices on the first floor and ground floor, with a café and gym also being created on the ground floor. When Bishopston Voice spoke to Berkeley Place in June, managing director Nick Cryer explained that they had been doing a lot of work to clear a large amount of pigeon mess from the roof, and metal spikes have also been installed to deter them from landing on the windows. They have also spent time clearing a lot of mess from inside the building, and unblocking and clearing out the drainage system too. Nick now expects the building will be ready for businesses to occupy from January onwards. He said: “Once we started work we were very keen to put action into place. We have spent lots of time transforming the space into offices and a café, and we will also have a pilates/well-being space too. “We’re now in the decorating and carpeting phase, and local residents may have already spotted a black board at the front of the building which is currently covering our new glass frontage. “We’re so excited for businesses to start occupying the office spaces from mid-January onwards, and can’t wait for the community to see the results of our hard work.”

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

Man arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences DETECTIVES from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing South West (CTPSW), arrested a man in Bristol on December 9 on suspicion of terrorism offences. The 33-year-old was arrested following a pre-planned operation at a residential address in the Clifton area on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41b of the Terrorism ACT (2000). He remained in police custody as the Voice went to print. As part of the investigation, officers were also carrying out a search at the address. Det Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes, head of CTPSE, said: “At around 11pm, counter terrorism detectives arrested a man on suspicion of terrorism offences and are currently

carrying out searches at a residential property in Bristol. This was part of a pre-planned operation by CTPSE working alongside colleagues at CTPSW. “I would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we carry out searches and continue our investigation.” Superintendent Andy Bennett, area commander for Bristol, said: “I would like to reassure the local community that the arrest made today was part of a pre-planned operation by the Counter Terrorism Policing network. “We will have an increased policing presence in the local area and should anyone have any questions or concerns about this incident, I encourage them to speak to one of my officers.” The arrest was intelligenceled, linked to Islamist-related terrorism.

YO LO U CAL CA F N OO TR D US T

Celebrating 7 years in Business This January, Lunar is delighted to be celebrating 7 seven years since opening their doors as a new business on Gloucester Road. With the help of local craftsmen, they have created a fresh new look, with handmade oak cabinets to complement the stunning range of fabulous frames and new warm and inviting and contemporary tones of mustard and teal. Owner Jill Sunderland told me “investing in a new look for Lunar is a commitment to our customers, who have supported us since our opening in 2013. We are very much enjoying being part of the independent Gloucester Road Community.

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

Mural inspired by children brightens A COLOURFUL mural is now brightening up the wall at Redland Station. Set beneath the Lovers' Walk bridge, it’s been created by local artists Dave Bain and Zoë Power in collaboration with students from Cotham Gardens Primary School. More than 85 students were involved, assembling imagery and shapes themed around the local area and aspects of the community they enjoy. This project has been coordinated by Severnside Community Rail Partnership with support from the school's Parent, Teacher and Friends Association, Redland & Cotham Amenities Society (RCAS), GWR, Network Rail and Hamilton & Hodson Upholstery who are based in the platform building. Funding has been provided by RCAS, the PTFA and Severnside Community Rail Partnership. The appearance of the station wall was brought to the attention of Cotham Gardens

chair of governors, Kate Price, by Hamilton and Hodson. Kate explained: “We thought it was a great community project to get involved in and approached Severnside for their help. It’s taken a long time to bring everyone together to make this happen but the result is worth it. Commuters have been commenting about how the mural is brightening up their journey.” Chair of RCAS, Alison Bromilow, added: “RCAS was delighted to work with someone who was able to provide improvements that benefit the wider community.” Dave Bain and Zoe Powell have completed many other artworks across the city including the colourful pillars in Hotwells and a large scale piece on Church Road, Lawrence Hill. “We ran a workshop with all of the Year 5 students using a theme of community and had them all creating characters in

their own mad-cap ways,” said Dave. “It was fun and there were lots of common themes that came out of the workshop that we kept spotting and thought that we’d feed into the mural such as football, high fives, a bit of nature and skateboarding. There was a collage workshop where they made these cut-out images together.” Zoe added: “We have our style that we work in to create murals and artworks around Bristol. I think it’s a fantastic idea to brighten up this railway line. To have that input from the children was fun and we’ve used primary colours to make it playful. Things like the moustache on the sun came out of the imagination of the children.” Cotham Gardens teacher Dave Milliband said: “We are a school that really pushes the arts and were delighted to join in a community project with murals where you give something back to the community.”

Seeing the finished mural for the first time were some of the year 5 pupils who took part in the creative workshops. Freya said: “I think it’s really nice and abstract. I like the hand and flag celebrating Bristol and the curls on the moustache.” Isabella added: “I like the heart that’s been added into the middle of the ‘o’ in Lovers Walk.” Faye Keane, art coordinator for Severnside Community Rail Partnership, which works with the rail companies and the community. Faye said: “We get lots of school children and commuters using the Severn Beach line and you can see tagging along the whole way. "We want to try and dispel that with things like this. The wall here was tatty and tagged but now it looks beautiful and it’s brightening up people’s journeys. It joins Montpelier and Avonmouth stations which have been spruced up too.”

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

January, 2020

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Proud pupils from Cotham Gardens Primary show off their artistic creation at Redland Station

up Redland Station

Surviving winter A CHARITY has launched The Surviving Winter Appeal as new data reveals 290 excess winter deaths in Bristol in the winter months of 2017/2018. Quartet Community Foundation are asking those who can afford it to donate their Winter Fuel Payment, or other contribution, to their Surviving Winter Appeal to help older vulnerable people get through winter. Sue Turner, Chief Executive of Quartet Community Foundation said: “Already this winter local people have donated to the appeal to help elderly and vulnerable people who are faced with choosing between paying the bills and putting food on the table, and those who are socially isolated.” To donate, visit the Surviving Winter Appeal donation page https://quartetcf.org.uk/news/ surviving-winter-2/

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS by Keri Beckingham A FED-UP group of residents has lost patience with the lack of a robust response from the council over the increasing number of vehicles using the Downs as a campsite. The ‘Respect The Downs’ group says that the rising number of semi-permanent van dwellers and traveller incursions on Clifton and Durdham Downs – and the apparently laissez faire attitude taken by the mayor and Bristol City Council towards their removal – has impacted huge numbers of residents and users of this part of Bristol during the last few years. The group says that inconsistent or non-enforcement of by-laws and council policies have directly contributed to the issue, and that the Downs now features as a free place to stay on camper van websites. Respect The Downs plans to harness the growing levels of frustration felt by many of those who live near and/or use the Downs for the range of activities for which this part of Bristol is intended. A spokesman for Respect The Downs said: “During the last few years, residents and users of the Downs have witnessed numerous incidents of anti-social, intimidating and in some cases outright dangerous behaviour from traveller encampments. These include littering, flytipping, defecating, emptying buckets of raw sewage into hedges and bushes and driving cars at speed on the Downs. “The police are doing their best to respond to reports of such incidents but responsibility squarely lies with Bristol City Council to ensure the Downs is

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Residents launch campaign to Respect the Downs

protected and maintained for its intended use.” A resident added: “Why are police resources being wasted on dealing with the consequences of a grossly inefficient process to remove traveller encampments from the Downs? Why are van dwellers being allowed to game the currently inadequate parking restrictions that cover only a subset of the Downs? Bristol council tax payers seem to be the only users of the Downs who have to abide by the law!” The group’s objectives include the extension and strict enforcement of five-hour restricted parking limit to all roads around the Downs and extension of the no-return time period and the introduction of a blanket “no overnight sleeping” Traffic Restriction Order that covers all roads on and around the Downs. They are also calling for modification of the council’s traveller management

policy to re-balance residents’ rights with those of travellers and the provision of full transparency and accountability regarding their current traveller removal process, including the involvement of affected residents from the point of Impact Assessment through removal. Respect The Downs will provide a ‘hub’ for up to date information about what is being done to expedite removal of any traveller camps and van dwellers that appear on the Downs. Additionally, it will act as a focal point for documenting and sharing any incidents of antisocial behaviour, harassment and intimidation. Supporters will be asked to provide details and photographs or video footage of any such incidents and to report all of these by calling 101. The group says recent experience has demonstrated that increased volumes of resident complaints have a

significant effect on the speed with which the council, and hence the police, take action. Avon & Somerset Police actively encourages such incidents to be reported, and the group has already engaged with council officers, the police and other organisations associated with the Downs and will use these links to ensure that all responsible parties are held to account. To find out more about Respect The Downs and their campaign, visit: www. respectthedowns.co.uk Councillor Paul Smith, the council's abinet member for housing, said: “In September, we adopted a new policy for dealing with different types of encampments, which takes into account the fact that rough sleeping and living in a vehicle can be very different circumstances, and for some people, vehicle dwelling is a life style choice. “Enforcement action is taken when there have been significant public health and safety concerns, and we’re working closely with local community groups and the police to monitor the situation. “We have a duty of care to everyone in the city and don’t believe that sleeping in a vehicle is necessarily a safe, long term option. Ultimately, we are committed to helping people find more sustainable housing options.”

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n ELECTION RESULTS THE General Election of 2019 - the third in the last five years saw Thangam Debbonaire retain her Bristol West seat for with a large majority. The Labour Party retained all four seats in Bristol, despite heavy losses to the Conservatives nationally. The battle for the Bristol West seat has been fierce with the Green Party targeting it as a possible second seat in Parliament. Despite a high profile campaign run by the Green Party to get Bristol City councillor Carla Denyer elected, the result was that the Green Party came second and the Labour Party held onto the seat. Thangam Debbonaire received 47,028 votes, giving her a majority of 28,219. Carla Denyer received 18,809 votes, a strong vote for the Green Party, but not enough to take the seat. Suria Aujla took third place for the Conservative party with 8,822 votes. The other candidate standing for election was Neil Hipkiss of the Brexit Party who

Third win for Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire

polled 869 votes. The turnout for the election on December 12 in the Bristol West constituency was high - 76.5 per cent - but less than

the 2017 voter turnout of 77.19 per cent. The vote share for the Labour Party was substantial at 62.3 per cent but down by 3.7 percent since the 2017 election.

The Green Party increased their vote share by 12 per cent to poll 24.9 per cent of the vote. The election result was announced at around 4am and Thangam Debbonaire MP thanked all the candidates for running a robust, clear and strong campaign. She said: "People voting and campaigning - this is the mark of a free and democratic country. "Obviously this evening this has not resulted in the Labour government I would have liked. "I will do my best to try and serve the people of Bristol what they voted for. "It will be harder under the government we hoped not to have but we will always try our best to serve each and every one of you."

ELECTION VOTES Thangam Debbonaire Carla Denyer Suria Aujla Neil Hipkiss

Labour Party 47,028 votes Green Party 18,809 votes Conservative Party 8,822 votes Brexit Party 869 votes

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS A BOWLING club has received a grant to fund windows and doors refurbishment improvements. Work to improve Bristol St Andrews Bowling Club in Bishopston, will begin this January, thanks to a £10,860 grant from Ibstock Enovert Trust (IET). Work is expected to be completed by the end of February. The grant will help to improve the building energy efficiency rating and security through the installation of new doors and the replacement of the dozen dated and worn single pane windows in the lower changing room, upper veranda and two windows in the upper function room which were not included in the major refurbishment completed via Enovert Community Trust a couple of years ago. Associated Windows, a local contractor of Gloucester Road North, Bristol have been chosen to undertake the works. Glen Wintle, who is leading the project for Bristol St Andrews Bowling Club said: “The club committee and our members

Delight as bowls club is given £10k grant for refurbishment

are grateful to IET for accepting our grant application. It’s only been a couple of years since the major refurb, so this is a delightful surprise for all. We

would like to thank everyone who has supported the process so far, from the application stage, to the club user groups, local councillors and community, who provided letters of support.” The historic clubhouse was opened in 1924, with an extension added to the building in the 1960s and a skittle alley installed in 1985. A £50,000 major grant was awarded by Enovert Community Trust in 2017, with building work completed by Mogford Prescott, and solar panels installed via Ecocetera. An official opening followed when a Bowls England team visited the club in 2018. Angela Haymonds, trust secretary of Ibstock Enovert Trust says: “This is just one of the many community projects

Ibstock Enovert Trust has funded through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). The scheme offers funding to projects that benefit communities living within 10 miles of a landfill site. Groups interested in submitting projects should visit our website www.enovert.co.uk/Trusts/ Ibstock+Enovert+Trust to find out more." The club currently has more than 60 members and also has provision to host private functions in the downstairs skittle alley and upstairs function room. Regular updates throughout the project will be published on the club’s website and social media pages www. bristolstandrewsbowlingclub. co.uk/ and www.facebook.com/ bristolstandrews

HowZat? Residents’ group relaunches as CG2 IN response to significant development proposals at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2009, HowZat? was set up as a residents’ group to promote sustainable development and to mitigate adverse effects on the locality. Ten years on, we have reviewed and refreshed our role, and emerged with a new name and slightly amended objectives. So please welcome CG2 - Cricket Ground Community Group - to Bishopston. Our aims are: • To promote sustainable development and mitigate negative impacts on the neighbourhood of the cricket ground • To encourage good two-way communication with the Club • To communicate effectively with CG2 supporters and other residents. In discussion with the Club, a new liaison group has been established to bring together those affected by their proximity to the ground. The group’s aim is to identify issues and implement actions that will promote the best interests of both the ground and its neighbours. CG2, GCCC, and local councillors are all represented, with other parties such as the City of Bristol College and Brunel Field school being involved as necessary. We recently held the first meeting of this group where we agreed to focus on topics that will have the most impact, and initially concentrated on traffic and stewarding. We noted that stewards’ approaches are often inconsistent and together with limited local

knowledge this can often mean a poor experience for residents and visitors alike. These concerns will be addressed for next season, hopefully supported by a single traffic plan to be used whenever required, so that residents are always clear what to expect. The fixture list for 2020 is now on the GCCC website www.gloscricket.co.uk with the biggest game on Thursday 16 July when England play Australia, and the Gloucestershire v Somerset T20 now on a Sunday, 12 July.

The pre-season residents’ meeting will take place at the club on Wednesday 11 March 2020 from 7.00 – 9.00pm. Please come along to hear about progress and to ask questions. And if you’d like to get involved in CG2 as a volunteer or supporter, please contact us at CG2bishopston@gmail.com Alison Boulton Photo credit: A Boulton

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS A SURVEY of residents’ views about parking and traffic in their streets has been welcomed by the Bishopston and St Andrews Traffic and Parking Group (BOSA). A spokesperson for BOSA said: “We urge everyone to take part. BOSA’s hard work campaigning as a community group has got us this far and it would be great to have as many responses as possible so that the council can understand our feelings properly.” Bishopston and St Andrews residents have received a survey postcard from the council that contains a unique reference number, linked to an address which will be used to assess the views of people working or living in specific parts of the BOSA area. The survey will mean that the council can learn more about parking problems and residents’ views on solutions including, but not exclusively, residents’ parking zones (RPZ) such as those introduced successfully in other parts of the city. The deadline for completing the online survey is 6 January.

Your chance to have a say over traffic and parking

BOSA’s view is that it is crucial to take part in the survey, whatever opinions are held. One BOSA member stated: "I support this survey because the quality of life and community spirit has significantly deteriorated as the multitude of parking and traffic issues have increased. Life in our neighbourhood has become aggressive, stressful and dangerous. Verbal abuse is common place, as is vehicle damage, emergency vehicles getting stuck and vulnerable pedestrians struggling to use the

pavements. This once cohesive and supportive neighbourhood has become divided between the haves and the have nots - this time the division is based on driveways and distance from key commuter hot spots." Gavin Spittlehouse, a local resident, is concerned about the impact on parking and safety when the new diesel ban is introduced: "When the city centre diesel ban comes in (April 2021, part of the Clean Air Zone), if we don’t have an RPZ here then we'll be the obvious place for commuters heading into the centre to park their diesel cars,” said Gavin. “We'll be the nearest they can park to the centre without being in an RPZ. They can get a bus from here down Gloucester Road to work. That means parking spaces will fill early in the

morning and we'll have hordes of diesels driving around in circles looking for somewhere to park, with all the congestion, traffic danger and air pollution that comes with it." Other residents who live outside the proposed survey area are are worried that any scheme will simply push the problem further up the Gloucester Road where there is already pressure on parking. Residents are using their own survey to provide evidence to the council and councillors of their concerns. BOSA’s view is that a city-wide parking strategy is needed urgently. For more information on parking, traffic and safety please follow BOSA on facebook.com/ bosatrafficandparking/ or visit the website bosatrafficparking. org

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n NEWS

GCCC 150th anniversary GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club will celebrate its 150th anniversary back in Division One of the County Championship for the first time in over a decade. As part of the club’s anniversary celebrations children from 150 local schools can watch Gloucestershire next summer at the Community Day, set to be held during the Royal London Cup match against Lancashire on Sunday, July 26. There will be more actionpacked one-day cricket and the Bristol County Ground will host two of The Hundred – Women’s Competition matches to ensure a bumper season of cricket for all fans. For a full list of 2020 fixtures see https://www.gloscricket. co.uk/

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

Bishopston Society leadership crisis persists - can you help?

THE possibility of The Bishopston Society (TBS) closing down is looking a little less likely following a community meeting that gave enthusiastic support to its civic work and outreach projects, though the crisis of leadership that led to its viability being questioned is not over. Thirty six concerned Bishopstonians turned up to The Bishopston Society’s Special (VIABILITY) General Meeting on November 18 to consider the question of whether TBS has a future - or not - and if it has, then how it might continue to survive, or even flourish, in a reimagined and restructured form. It was clear that the overwhelming consensus of the meeting was that TBS should continue. It was felt the organisation is worth keeping, so a decision to close down the Society Abbey hp ads AW.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:33 Page 1

was postponed until the possibility of at least partial resuscitation and rejuvenation has been further examined. At the same time it was recognised that this possibility of TBS operating in some form in the future depends crucially on new blood - new volunteers being prepared to carry out the work and coordinate and lead the organisation. An appeal was therefore launched to find out who is willing in any way to be involved in future TBS organisation and work, and if so what aspects, interests or issues they would be most interested in.

r ou n i Jo family l

These interests and offers will contribute to the feasibility investigation on TBS viability and help inform any decisions on the future structure and functioning of the society. They particularly need someone to lead the feasibility study, who would be helped by TBS’ outgoing committee. If you can add to the offers already made, or would like to contribute to this debate, please contact www.bishopstonsociety.org. uk as soon as possible.

Nick Plant

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

New international ambassadors for Bristol THE two new international ambassadors tasked with promoting Bristol around the world have been revealed. Dr Mena Fombo, founder and director of Black Girl Convention and Silas Adekunle, co-founder and CEO of Reach Robotics, were voted in by the city’s International Strategy Board. They met with Mayor Marvin Rees in November to discuss their new roles promoting Bristol as a global city in 2020. The duo will aim to strengthen existing connections and develop new opportunities to partner with cities across the globe that face similar challenges to Bristol. Silas Adekunle is a technology entrepreneur known for creating the world's first intelligent gaming robot. He earned a first class degree BSc (Hons) in Robotics and an honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of England. He was named as Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe in both the Technology and Entrepreneurship categories in 2018 and Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa in 2019 and is currently building a company that enables robotics across Africa and other developing AI Engines for Service Robots. Dr Mena Fombo has both a BA (Hons) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of England as well

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as a BSc from the University of Bath. She is also TEDx alumni and business consultant across all areas relating to young people, the cultural/tech sector, inclusion and intersectional diversity. Silas and Mena will follow in the footsteps of last year's selected international ambassadors: Carolyn Hassan, Founder and Director of Knowle West Media Centre, Ivor Anderson, aka DJ Bunjy, and Chris Sanigar, Bristol boxing legend. The new ambassadors will use up to date information and materials about city

activities and the priorities for international collaboration to promote Bristol around the world, as well as raise awareness of the diverse and vibrant aspects of the city. The role is unpaid, and the ambassadors will give their own time as part of their existing international links through work and travel. The International Strategy board is composed of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors from across Bristol, including the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England, Business West and also Destination Bristol. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, who also sits on the board, said: “Mena and Silas were chosen for their outstanding achievements. They are both brilliant speakers and have great global connections, so are perfect to promote our international goals. “It’s also great to see two young, black ambassadors representing Bristol - as we are a city that is proud of our diversity and our goal is to work together to make Bristol a fairer, healthier and safer city where everyone is included.’’ To find out more about Bristol’s Global City strategy, visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/ policies-plans-strategies/bristol-global-city

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

'We've got the money - tell us how to spend it to improve our area' REDLAND and Cotham Amenities Society (RCAS) is calling out for people to bring ideas for improving the area. Alison Bromilow, chair of RCAS, says: “We are in the fortunate position of having money in our account to support our aim to ‘protect and enhance our area, its architecture, streets, trees, parks, open spaces and amenities for present and future residents’ so we are looking for people who have ideas and are prepared to help bring them forward into projects which RCAS can fund.” RCAS covers the area between Cranbrook Road and Whiteladies Road from Coldharbour Road to Kingsdown. Over recent years the group has • funded improvements in our parks, Redland Green and Cotham Gardens, including tree planting, hedge laying and bird boxes in Redland Green, • supported the mural project on Redland Station with Cotham Gardens Primary School and Severnside Community Rail Partnership, installed the ‘placemaker’

sign and noticeboard at Whiteladies Gate, • supported community events such as the Redland Green Carols, • supported the installation of hanging baskets and planters on Cotham Hill and Chandos Road, • restored the war memorial on Chandos Road and • supported the work of the BCR Street Scene Group though contributions to materials and purchase of litter pickers for RCAS workparties. Alison says: “We are only a small committee so we are asking not just for ideas, but for people and groups to come forward who will take the projects on, with our support. We are also looking for people to join our working groups, to help run the Small Grants programme, to respond to local planning issues, help with parks work-parties, and perhaps to organise new events. “We believe that community matters and we are stronger and more effective if we work together.” If you live in the area and are

The restored war memorial on Chandos Road is just one of many projects that have been completed with funds from RCAS interested in finding out more about and joining the society, helping with the organisation,

or bringing forward a particular project, contact RCAS through the website www.rcas.org.uk

The party continues at Glos Rd Central! SHOPPING in style with music and tasty bites came to Gloucester Road in December with a special pre-Christmas street party to get locals in the festive spirit. Music was supplied by Filton Concert Brass, and when Andy Leggett and Joe Trudgeon got out their instruments, even Santa stopped by for a dance. If you're worried about your carbon footprint this Christmas then you'll appreciate a plan Room 212 owner Sarah Thorp has devised with Avon Needs Trees (ANT). They have created vouchers which amount to square metres of woodland with ANT. For example, £5 buys you two square metres - vouchers sold at Room 212, Alchemy 198, Preserve and Joe’s Bakery.

Inspired by the Avon Needs Trees scheme, Gloucester Road cafe bar Alchemy 198 is throwing

a Woodland themed New Years Eve party to help the cause. Entry is a suggested four square

metres of woodland and you are invited to dress as your favorite woodland creature! There'll be a disco in the Downstairs Gallery if you fancy a bit of a dance or just join friends and neighbours for a relaxing and friendly evening in the main bar. There are plenty of community events planned at Alchemy 198 for the new year, including the Friends Aging Better 50+ disco, Funny Women comedy and Flash Fiction nights to Peter Clifford's magic shows, choir performances and live music. The drop-in Creative Club, led by North Bristol Artist Debby Bird on Friday mornings is popular, there's a workshop on Weaving with Waste on Sunday 26 and talk of a weekly zumba class.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

January, 2020

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS NOW that the festive season is behind us it’s time to look forward to Window Wanderland to brighten up those dark winter nights. From Saturday 29 February to Monday 2 March the windows of Bishopston will be lit up with an array of beautiful and creative artwork, and you are invited to participate. We’re looking forward to bringing the community together again for this special event; transforming everyday streets into dazzling outdoor galleries, where anything goes and you never know what's around the next corner. Thanks again to local sponsors Boston Tea Party, Lunar Optical, Kendall Harper, Joe’s Bakery and Bristol Sash Window Company for helping this to happen. Window Wanderland was started right here in Bishopston by local set designer, Lucy Reeves Khan. The event was inspired by her vivid imagination, her deepseated community spirit and her personal experiences of isolation due to years of chronic illness. Lucy imagined her local streets alive with other people viewing dramatic, beautiful or just silly scenes in the windows and gardens around her neighbourhood. She wondered if, in the dark of winter, these displays would cheer up others too. Lucy put on her first event and it was a huge success. Word has spread, and other areas across the country and the world have now joined in, making a local community event into a global phenomenon. Dozens of local people across Bishopston have already signed up for the 2020 event and together our windows will form a wonderful winter walking trail. You don’t have to be an awesome artist; anyone can get involved. You could use tried and tested black card silhouettes, colourful tissue paper, material, sculpture, video, pets or even yourself to make a display. Or, you could join up with others on your street and collaborate with your own theme. Last year Melita Road featured a murmuration along the length of the street with birds taking off at number 1 and landing at number 11. Resident, Cath says: “The beauty of a small street is that it’s easy to get to know everybody. Our road

Window Wanderland will be back

is only eleven houses long. For a while I thought about taking part in Window Wanderland and it struck me that it would look great if my next door neighbour took part too and we could somehow join our window pictures together. At a Christmas party I asked more neighbours If they were interested in joining in there was an overwhelming “Yes”! “We had a planning evening to get the ball rolling and came up with a simple theme which threaded through all the upstairs windows in the road. The idea snowballed and everyone got busy. No. 10 bought black sugar paper, No, 2 sourced tissue paper, No. 7 visited the scrap store and we had another get together to make templates. No. 2 sourced spray mount, No. 3 made an emergency run for extra tissue paper and we had an afternoon of silhouette cutting. We shared ideas for glue removal on WhatsApp and sent tips for best ways to light up the windows. The weekend of Wanderland came - cold and rainy - but then darkness fell and the street looked magical! We stood out in the road smiling and chatting; talking to relative strangers who came by to look. And best of all, we fostered a new culture of neighbourliness in the depths of winter!” As a Leap Year special on Saturday 29 February, there will be a Window Wanderland Warmer at Alchemy 198 Gloucester Road. Join friends and neighbours to swap tales of your favourite windows, enjoy delicious homemade soup and a

reviving drink or two. There will be live music from local band Woody & the Firesticks playing covers of your favourite tunes to get you dancing. The evening is for grown ups but families are welcome to enjoy hot drinks, cakes and snacks any time before 8pm.

If you want to make a display make sure you sign up on the website by visiting: www.windowwanderland.com/ event/bishopston-bristol-2020 and click on ‘Take part in this event’. This ensures that your location can be uploaded onto the online map, and visitors can add your window to their tour of magnificent displays. You’ll get a Welcome Pack when you sign in and access to lots of inspiration for windows, as well as membership of Children’s Scrapstore for 4 weeks before the event. And, don’t forget to tell your friends and neighbours and ask them to get involved too. We hope you will join us in this magical event. Whatever you do it will be seen and appreciated by those who wrap up warm for an interesting evening stroll. Anything goes…as long as it’s family friendly. Remember – you don’t have to be artistic, just join in and have fun!

Prac%cal Philosophy 10 weekly discussion groups looking at the great ques%ons in life: How can I fulﬁl my crea%ve poten%al? How can I overcome limits and live free from stress and worry? What do the great philosophies of East and West tell us? How can I take prac%cal steps to a full, free and happy life? Groups meet on Thursday evenings, 7.15pm to 9.30pm with a break. Each group is facilitated by an experienced tutor. Each session introduces a practical exercise to develop self-awareness. Charnwood House, 30 Cotham Park, Bristol BS6 6BU. Date: 23rd January 2020. The fee is £40 for the ten week term. www.bathandbristolphilosophy.org www.schoolofphilosophy.org

The School of Philosophy and Economic Science was founded in London in the 1930s, at a =me of economic and poli=cal crisis. Its aim was to explore ways the individual might live more fully and society operate more fairly. Since then, branches have opened throughout the world. Its ethos remains the same.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

What’s the Women’s Institute all about? N e w m e m b e r J e n n y S m ith r e v e a ls a ll in a n a r tic le a b o u t h e r fi r s t y e a r a s a m e m b e r o f t h e W e s t b u r y P a r k W o m e n ’s In s titu te NOT knowing much about the ‘Women’s Institute’(WI), apart from the story in the film Calendar Girls about a WI group who did a naked calendar for charity, I went to my first Westbury Park WI meeting a year ago to see what it was all about. What I experienced at that first evening was a warm welcome from WI members, and an opportunity to socialise over a drink. This was followed by a fascinating talk given by a Bristol based senior female judge Tacey Cronin, about her work and career. Being professionally interested in women’s career opportunities and leadership, I found this event very thoughtprovoking. The Westbury Park WI meets on

Jenny (third from the left, top row) enjoys festive food and mulled wine with members of the Westbury Park WI at their December meeting the first Wednesday of the month at the Redland Green Church Halls at 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome to attend at just £4 a meeting, and are encouraged to become a member by their third visit, at an annual membership fee of £43. I’ve learnt that the WI provides educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, and it campaigns on issues that matter, such as the decline in local bus services and cervical screening.

Fundraising is also important to the WI and the Westbury Park group supports a local charity One25.org.uk which helps women trapped in or vulnerable to street sex work. What I’ve enjoyed most about this first year is the range of interesting events on offer, raising much-needed funds for One25, and getting to know this group of friendly local women. You don’t need to live in Westbury Park (I live in a neighbouring area), and the

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group would really like to increase its membership in 2020 from the current circa 30 members. The programme for the first six months of 2020 includes: 8 January – raffle and ‘Room 101’ - members share their pet hates, inspired by the BBC comedy show 5 Feb – a talk from Bristol Waste – a fascinating topic for all Bristolians! 4 March – raffle and a talk from Bristol Animal Rescue Centre 1 April – a talk from staff at local Waitrose ‘Behind the tills’ what really goes on at our local shop? 6 May – raffle, campaign discussions, and gin tasting talk and sampling from St Michael’s Hill based gin distillery ‘Psychopomp’ (charge £10 for members and £14 for non-members to cover sampling costs) Contact us at westburyparkwi@ gmail.com (preferred) or the Avon federation WI office on 0117 986 4782 and they’ll put us in touch with you.

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

Actress Caroline returns to St Peter's Hospice new unit A YEAR after the Inpatient Unit at St Peter’s Caroline Quentin said: “What Hospice was opened, the actress Caroline is thrilling a year on is that this Quentin, who spearheaded the appeal to fund building and gardens are not it, returned to say a huge thank you to the only finished but it already feels people of Bristol and the surrounding area like a place where you can enjoy time with for their help in funding the appeal. the people you love. I’m here to say that this The Inpatient Unit has supported more place is a very beautiful tip of a huge iceberg. than 250 patients and families and 3,000 “There is a huge amount of laughter people in the community since it opened in and joy and warmth at a time when a lot of November 2018. Caroline was joined by the people suspect it would be sadness, and fear families of Mike Freeman, the first patient in and crying. It’s important that we recognise the unit and Marcus Batchen, who spent his that most of the care of St Peter’s is out in last Christmas in the unit. the community - taking the doctors, nurses, Standing in the venue’s stunning lobby, care and support teams to where people live, Supporting the charity: the Freeman family’s Tribute fund for Mike has raised over £28,000 so far

Supporting the charity: the Freeman family’s Tribute fund for Mike has raised over £28,000 so far

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and can be looked after. The levels of service and care and expertise are exceptional, but that comes at a cost of £7.5 million per year. Thank you for all your support and keep it coming.” Father of four Mike Freeman from Westbury-on-Trym was the first patient in the new unit. At that point he was in the final stage of bladder cancer but his son Tim fondly remembers his father’s excitement as he came along the corridor in his wheelchair: “When someone first said the word ‘hospice’ I thought it sounded so final but it’s not in the way you’d imagine,” said Tim. “It signifies what is to come but it’s been such a different experience than what we thought it would be. We were able to use the private rooms and so we spent many an evening here, enjoyed a curry and were able to relax as a family in those final weeks. “We were completely unaware of the support that St Peter’s Hospice can offer. They provided a drug programme and managed that from home but when dad’s condition came to a point at which he needed a more controlled manner of delivery St Peter’s Hospice brought him in. "It wasn’t just inviting him into the hospice, but inviting friends and family into the hospice too. “We are only too proud to come and support the charity on the anniversary of the opening. We set up a Tribute Fund to dad and are keen to build that fund up.” (www. stpetershospice.org.uk/tribute-for-mikefreeman-208/)

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bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Man jailed after admitting burglary and fraud offences A MAN has started a 50-month jail term after admitting burglary and fraud offences and driving while disqualified. Matthew Woodland, 34, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday 26 November. He was charged with burgling a Cotham flat on 2 July and three counts of fraud the same day. Bank cards were stolen in the night-time burglary, along with keys used to take a grey Mazda 3, registration WO19 KWW, which has not been recovered. The bank cards were used in three fraud offences at two shops and a cash machine in Hengrove. Woodland was arrested on 3 July following CCTV enquiries and was charged the same day.

How you can help the police thwart burglars Avon and Somerset Police say: "We they take burglary very seriously and are committed to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice. While officers are working hard to target offenders and reduce offences, we all have a part to play in keeping our homes safe by securing our property." You can do your bit by: · installing a burglar alarm and sensor-activated security light · keeping valuables (including keys) securely out of sight · removing keys from door locks · storing high value items such as jewellery, passports and bank cards in a properly secured and hidden safe or bank vault. · joining your local Neighbourhood Watch · reporting any suspicious incidents as they happen More info at: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

January, 2020

£21,000 raised for local charities AFTER a superb Celebration Day on 23 November, staff at Bishopston Co op presented trustees of this year’s three local charities with cheques totalling £21,000. The money is split between local causes Dolphin school PTA, St Werburgh's City Farm and North Bristol Woodcraft Folk. Ruth Laugharne, community member pioneer at the Co op branch based at 117-121 Gloucester Road, said: “We were elated to be able to share these funds with our local community causes. All of these are fabulous local charities, making a huge difference to families in Bishopston and St Andrews.” The fund has been relaunched and will benefit three new causes over the next year: Special Friends, The Ape Project adventure playground and Bishop Road School PTFA. If you would like to become a Co op member or choose your local cause, visit www.coop.co.uk/membership

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January, 2020

bishopstonvoice

n EDUCATION

Blue plaque commemorates Dame Iris Murdoch A NEW blue plaque was unveiled on the wall outside Badminton School in Westbury-on-Trym to mark the centenary of Dame Iris Murdoch DBE, the British novelist and philosopher. Blue plaques serve as a historical marker to commemorate a link between that location and an important figure in the history of Bristol. Iris Murdoch studied at Badminton School from 1932 - 1938, joining Badminton as a boarder in Year 8. She was Head Girl in 1938, House Captain of one of the School Houses, Badock and a keen lacrosse player. She maintained her links with the school and her former Headmistress throughout her life, returning to open the school art block in 1994. Iris Murdoch was awarded an Open Exhibition at Somerville College, Oxford and went on to become a highly regarded novelist and philosopher, winning the Booker Prize in 1978 for her novel The Sea, The Sea. She is best known for her work about what it means to be a good person, morality, and the power of the unconscious. In 2008 the Times ranked her 12th in a list of 50 of the most important British writers since 1945. Every year members of the Badminton Community honour her memory with a creative

Stephen Williams, Lord Mayor of Bristol Jos Clark, headmistress Rebecca Tear, Former Head Master of Badminton School Mr Gould and his wife, Mrs Gould writing competition. A spokesperson from the Bristol Civic Society said: “We are delighted to celebrate this most important recipient of a Blue Plaque. Dame Iris Murdoch has an international reputation as a polymath. The plaque here is at the public gate and is in full view and will be an inspiration to

Iris Murdoch (left) visiting the then Headmistress, Beatrice May Baker

each generation at the school.” The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark, said: “This is the fourth blue plaque I’ve unveiled. It is a huge honour for me as it gives me the opportunity to find out more about the individuals who make Bristol a unique and great place to life. I’ve taken this

opportunity to read more about Iris and her belief system and I hope that many people will walk past here and think that they will read one of Dame Iris’s books too, and find out more about her life and contribution to Bristol.” The unveiling ceremony took place on November 20.

Iris at the school

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n EDUCATION

Boys follow their kickboxing dreams FAIRFIELD High School (FHS) has some talented students who are excelling at kickboxing; between them they possess an awe-inspiring number of medals. Dedication is certainly the key, as Year 8 students Mika, Matthew, Oscar and Lyndon spend between 6 to 12 hours training per week in order to tackle different gradings to earn different belts. The boys’ enthusiasm is infectious as they explain their different specialisms. Mika’s is speed and fast kicks; darting and dodging people helps him win his trophies. Matthew’s and Oscar’s are punching, and Lyndon’s speciality is both focus and technique. They each take part in different competitions depending on their weight and height. Lyndon, who trains 12 hours per week, recently travelled to Rimini in northern Italy, as part of his kickboxing dream. There, he represented the UK in ‘Light

Kickboxing champions Oscar, Matthew, Lyndon and Mika Contact’ coming away with an impressive bronze medal. Lyndon says: “I go to lots of

Great Britain competitions. My aim is to be in the WAKO (World Association of Kick Boxing) team

for Great Britain. It’s the next step above the Bristol one and I hope one day I can make it! My dream years ago was to be a rock star, but when I saw the new Karate Kid, it inspired me so I decided to leave that one for someone else!” The four boys all kickbox together for GB Fit (as part of Team Bristol). GB Fit is run by kickboxing and Kung Fu champions, who work with “people of all ages and all abilities to help improve their health, wellbeing and happiness.” Amy Carr, achievement coordinator for Year 8 at Fairfield High School said: “I am incredibly proud of these four young lads. They are demonstrating determination, skill and passion for a sport they are all clearly very talented at. We wish them every success and hope they continue to follow their dreams.”

Sustainable plastic project unites schools worldwide Healthy School Award for FHS FAIRFIELD High School (FHS) is honoured to be the first secondary school in Bristol to be recognised for achieving the Physical Activity Badge as part of Bristol City Council’s Healthy Schools Awards. To meet this title, FHS showed a clear commitment to increase student physical activity, removing barriers to engagement in sports and encouraging students, staff and families to travel actively - an impressive 79 per cent surveyed travelled to school via either bike or walking. Sharon Davies, PE teacher and Year 9 achievement coordinator at FHS, said: “We work tirelessly to ensure that physical activity is high on every agenda. Our Maths and English departments in particular make efforts to make lessons more active, thus benefiting both physical and mental health. We also run a whole host of extra curricular activities to suit everybody’s taste and fitness levels, such as an outdoor gym and table tennis.” The Healthy Schools Team stated: “The school has worked hard to reduce known barriers, such as gender stereotyping. They have focused on promoting stereotypically male-orientated sports to female students by establishing a girls' rugby team and taking female students to Bristol Flyers basketball games and the Cricket World Cup.”

FAIRFIELD High School (FHS) and Evelyn Baring High School in eSwatini in Southern Africa have formed a positive and novel partnership with one common aim – to help the planet by creating their own sustainable use of plastic. The schools have worked with Formech, a designer and manufacturer of vacuum forming machinery, to make plastic moulds. Despite there being thousands of miles between the two, the schools have simultaneously embraced the various stages of the project, while communicating and sharing ideas at every step of the journey. The process has involved exchanging video messages, designing the brief and sharing the finished products. This in turn has created a sense of unity and prompted meaningful conversations and team building between the two schools. Bobby Walker, geography teacher, said: “This project fits perfectly with our global citizenship programme and ideas. ESwatini went from a country our students had never heard of before to being a place they are chatting about and want to go and visit. Being a geography teacher, this is music to my ears! I’ve also witnessed an increase of interest in engineering and manufacturing from girls, who can often be unrepresented. “Creating our own sustainable use of plastic and moving away from single use plastic is a giant leap forward. Sadly we can’t create a plastic free world but we can make it as sustainable as possible.” The project finished on a touching note as the schools read out poems to each other via a video link; they also sent a flag from their own country as a present. However this isn’t the end of the relationship, as the students plan to carry on communicating and sharing ideas for years to comev… perhaps meeting one day in person.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n EDUCATION

UWE to plant forest size of Frenchay campus THE University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and The Students’ Union at UWE have teamed up with Bristol charity The Converging World (TCW) with the aim of planting a forest that covers an area the size of its Frenchay campus. UWE Bristol is asking its 30,000 students and 4,000 staff to make a donation that will enable the charity to plant the trees in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This project aims to educate, empower and enable UWE Bristol students, staff and alumni to contribute to a movement that will help restore our planet to avoid the worst effects of climate change by planting trees the size of the campus. For every £3.27 donated, the charity is able to plant a tree in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. TCW has estimated that if all 30,000 students and 3,000 staff donated enough to plant two trees, the campaign

will have been a success. The Wallscourt Foundation, an independent charitable foundation that supports education and learning at UWE, has also pledged to match fund donations raised up to £22,500. Professor of environmental science and assistant vice chancellor for environment and sustainability at UWE Bristol, James Longhurst, said: “I am delighted that we and The Converging World are collaborating on this important initiative that raises awareness about the impact of climate change whilst providing a very practical contribution to help minimise the effects. “Trees provide a vitally important carbon sequestration role but equally offer many other biodiversity, cultural and spiritual benefits. “UWE Bristol has set itself an ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 – initiatives like this will help

the university community as it undertakes the challenging journey to carbon neutrality.” Evan Botwood, the Students’ Union at UWE’s vice-president for societies and communication, said: “UWE Bristol students are really engaged in sustainability and keen to take action in reducing our carbon footprint. Partnering with The Converging World is an easy choice, because they stand for both ecological and social justice.” TCW helps local communities by developing renewable energy in India, using the funds from the sale of electricity to restore forests as well as other social and environmental initiatives in India and the UK. Molly Byrne, a UWE Bristol alumna, who studied geography and environmental management and graduated in 2016, now works for TCW. Molly has been a key liaison between TCW and the Students’ Union in the development and launch of this

campaign. Wendy Stephenson, CEO of TCW, said: “Nature based solutions are not high tech, yet they are the most cost effective way to address climate change and wellbeing. We believe that this project will give UWE Bristol students and staff the opportunity to demonstrate to the world how to engage in positive action through planting a forest the size of the Frenchay campus.” The Students’ Union at UWE is recognised as the number one SU in the UK for sustainability, with the highest score in the NUS National Green Impact awards in 2017, 2018 and 2019, demonstrating how committed UWE Bristol students are to actively improving sustainability. UWE Bristol students say environmental responsibility is a huge factor in their educational experience, and will pursue this campaign in the hope of creating a greener future.

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Bristol Steiner School: Where education is a journey, not a race Bristol Steiner School is a forward-thinking, vibrant independent day school for children from the ages of 3 to 11. OFSTED accredited the school as a ‘Good Provider’ in March 2019. Head Teacher Ruth Glover believes that: “Today’s childhood can be challenging, a flexible approach to teaching is vital to enable pupils to fulfil their potential. Our small class sizes complement our uplifting and diverse curriculum. Parents who are engaged in their children’s education and wellbeing should come and meet us.” The school accepts new pupils throughout the year. For more details, please visit www.bristolsteinerschool.org or phone 0117 933 9990.

Where education is a journey, not a race.

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Headteacher Ruth Glover of Bristol Steiner School

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

January, 2020

bishopstonvoice

n EDUCATION

Redmaids’ High appoints new head THE oldest independent day school for girls in the country has announced the appointment of a new Headteacher. From September 2020 Paul Dwyer will be taking the reins from Isabel Tobias who has led Redmaids’ High School in Bristol to huge successes in her 19-year tenure as Headmistress. Mr Dwyer, who will be leaving his current post as Deputy Head at the girls’ school, North London Collegiate, completed both his undergraduate degree in History and his PGCE at Oxford. He has strong experience in girls’ education, having previously been the Director of Sixth Form at Putney High School, another highly regarded girls’ senior school. As well as his expertise in teaching, Mr Dwyer is also known for encouraging teachers across the globe to challenge themselves. He regularly speaks

at national and international conferences on education, hosts a podcast designed to help teachers reflect on their practice and was President and a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Whilst his CV boasts an impressive list of experience and qualifications, it was this combined with Mr Dwyer’s other attributes that made him truly stand out as the right candidate to lead the school. Students who met Mr Dwyer found him to be imaginative, engaging and full of integrity – all qualities that are fundamental to Redmaids’ High. “I’m honoured to have been selected as the next Head of Redmaids’ High School,” says Mr Dwyer. “It is a vibrant and modern school, steeped in history with an excellent academic record and I’m looking forward to joining the RHS community.

Paul Dwyer will take over from Isabel Tobias as headteacher in September 2020 “The founding aims of the School, with its provision of bursaries and scholarships to

ambitious and able students, resonate strongly with me. I was the first in my family to attend university and did so thanks to the Sutton Trust – an organisation that identifies potential in children from non-traditional backgrounds. I know first-hand the benefit that a strong and supportive educational environment can have and can see that Redmaids’ High has this same life-changing impact on young women in Bristol.” Chair of Governors for the School, Andrew Hillman said, “When Isabel Tobias announced her plans to retire, we all knew that it would take someone very special to fill her shoes. We have found that person in Paul Dwyer – he is dynamic, intelligent and thoughtful – all qualities that mean he is the right choice to lead RHS into this next exciting chapter.”

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n EDUCATION

School steps in to back hospital art project CLIFTON High School will be sponsoring Southmead Hospital Charity’s Creative Companions project this year. The project trains volunteers to deliver bedside creative art activities such as painting and drawing to the hospital’s older patients. Creative Companions is part of the Fresh Arts programme at North Bristol NHS Trust. The interaction with volunteers that it provides patients helps reduce their boredom and isolation, and consequently improves their mental and physical wellbeing. Headmistress Dr Alison Neill said: “Clifton High is delighted to sponsor and support this progressive initiative as it truly resonates with the ethos and values of our school community. We recognise the huge therapeutic benefits that the Creative Companions project will provide for patients when in hospital, which is such an important time to enhance and promote both physical and mental wellbeing.” Elizabeth Bond, head of fundraising at Southmead Hospital Charity, said: “We’re so pleased to be working with Clifton High and hope that learning about our Creative Companions project will really open the

pupils’ eyes to the benefits of creative activities in a hospital setting. “We are very proud of our Fresh Arts programme, and know from significant research that through the arts hospitals can

create a better healing environment, helping patients to get better quicker. We’re grateful to Clifton High for their support which will help ensure the continuation of this valuable project.”

Not just an exam factory We educate students rather than simply train them to pass tests. Find out how we can prepare your child for a life of adventure. Open Morning Friday 31 January 9.30am Independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. Located just south of Bristol Airport on the A38.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

January, 2020

bishopstonvoice

n EDUCATION PUPILS from St Bonaventures Catholic Primary School in Bishopston enjoyed two evenings at The Tobacco Factory Theatre in Bedminster in November when they put on a unique performance of Twelfth Night. Participating in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, the world’s largest youth drama festival, the 35 children aged nine to eleven performed their abridged version of the well known Shakespeare comedy alongside pupils taking part from other Bristol schools. The festival gives over 20,000 young people from 750 primary, secondary and special schools nationwide the opportunity to perform Shakespeare on 118 professional stages all around the UK. St Bons teacher and director of the play Kate McGrath said: “We have put on dozens of shows over the years at St Bons but I was a little daunted at the prospect of directing Shakespeare at school. It was a new challenge for me but my young cast was incredibly

St Bons pupils shine at Shakespeare Schools Festival

receptive and quickly grasped the complex plot of Twelfth Night and made it their own. “We set our show in the 1980s which meant they had another unfamiliar period of history to learn about alongside mastering

the Shakespearean language and approach. With the help of parents and teachers the children put on a colourful, musical extravaganza full of dance and fun that wowed their audience. It was fascinating to see the

children grow in self-confidence, resilience and understanding as the production came together, culminating in two incredible performances in a professional theatre. I couldn’t be prouder of them!”

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

Reception Entry 2020 Reception to Year 3 Open Day Friday 31st January To find out more or to arrange a personal visit, please call 0117 405 5666 or visit cliftoncollege.com/reception

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS FAIRLAWN Primary School hosted its Winter Fair on December 7, bringing together its pupils, their families and the wider community to celebrate the season, but also to mark the huge progress the school has made since opening its doors four years ago. Guests were treated to a visit from Father Christmas, festive singing from the award winning cappella group ‘Bristol Suspensions’ and the school choir, as well as delicious Mexican food, mince pies and mulled wine. Montpelier historians brought to life the area’s past; local traders sold everything from art to plants; and expert face painters were on hand to help everyone get into the festive spirit. Christmas trees straight from the Mendips, and parent-made wreaths were also all on offer. Organisations from around the city were extremely generous in offering raffle prizes, from delicious meals in Bianchi’s and Suncraft, to vouchers from Watershed and wonderful gifts from shops across Gloucester Road. This, along with wider efforts, helped to raise much needed funds for the school. Fairlawn Primary School Principal, Julie Molesworth, said: “Our Winter Fair was a wonderful opportunity to

Winter fair draws crowds

celebrate the warm, inclusive community we’ve built in Fairlawn over the past four years. Our teachers, parents and children came together to sing, to eat and to have fun. We’re so

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS Blue Waste Bags Residents should have received a new blue bag for cardboard recycling. The bags are being introduced to help Bristol increase its recycling rates, freeing up space in the existing green boxes and enabling crews to sort recycling more quickly. Now the bags have been rolled out and the festive season is over, we’d be interested to hear about how using the new bags has been for you. Have you found it’s helped to deal with the extra cardboard generated at this time of year? Have there been any problems in using them? Let us know and we can feed back to Bristol Waste. Double Yellow Lines Council officers have informed us that the double yellow lines being painted near the Cricket Ground have finally been completed! Problems with weather and

contractors have slowed this work down a lot, which has been disappointing. However, the lines should all now be in place, improving road safety across the area. If you are aware of any snagging issues or areas where lines should have been painted but haven’t, please let us know. Arthur Milton Street As residents will be aware, Arthur Milton Street is still a private road, owned by the housing developer Persimmon. It has always been the Council’s intention to “adopt” this road, i.e. to take on ownership and maintenance from the developer. However, there remain a number of defects that need to be rectified before the road can be taken on by the Council. The ball is very much in Persimmon’s court to undertake this and sadly no progress from them seems to be on the horizon. In the meantime, residents and school parents have expressed

grateful to have had so many people volunteering their time and skills to make it our most successful Fair yet!” Based in the heart of Montpelier, Fairlawn Primary

School is in the Victorian building that once housed Fairfield High School, teaching actor Cary Grant among many others. Fairlawn has established itself as a school which places the wellbeing of its pupils above everything else. With the support of parents, it has transformed parts of its playground into green sanctuaries for the children to explore, and it benefits from being next to St Werburgh’s City Farm for ‘forest school’. Fairlawn is proud to be a community of children, families and staff from around the world. It has recently established a new collaboration with local artist Michele Curtis, who created the ‘Seven Saints of St Paul’s Art and Heritage Trail to mark seven of the St Paul’s Carnival’s founders. Through this pupils are learning about the rich history on their own doorstep, helping them to build stronger connections with the supportive community they are within. Fairlawn Primary School last year secured its ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted. If you would like more details about the school,see: www. fairlawnschoolbristol.org or call 0117 955 3914.

In Bishopston this month... concern that the non-adoption of the road might mean that safety measures such as zig-zags and the new double yellow lines are unenforceable. We have been advised that this is not the case, and that the restrictions are enforceable as they were brought in with the landowner’s permission. Therefore, if you spot any infraction of these safety measures, then you can report them to the Council by the usual means. Parking Survey in St Andrews The Council is undertaking a review of parking in the St Andrews area, bordering our ward (and including Somerville Rd). The survey is aimed around finding out what measures, if any, local stakeholders would find acceptable. This could, but might not necessarily, include a Residents’ Parking Scheme (RPS). We understand that residents in Bishopston & Ashley Down

bordering the consultation area have been concerned about the knock-on effect on their streets. Any new RPS or other measures may not necessarily follow the area set out in the consultation, which was based on an area chosen by the Bishopston and St Andrews Traffic and Parking Group. As your councillors we will also seek to ensure that any adverse impact on neighbouring areas is mitigated sufficiently, whether through an RPS of our own (should residents and businesses show support for that) or through other measures. Please let us know if you have any comments or questions!

Tom Brook – Cllr.Tom.Brook@ bristol.gov.uk Eleanor Combley – Cllr.Eleanor. Combley@bristol.gov.uk

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS In Cotham this month... Recognising the givers It is the good people of Bristol that make it such a great city. From the volunteers and charities feeding hungry youngsters in the holidays, to brave youngsters themselves overcoming obstacles to achievement, Bristol at its centre is a giving and caring place. With that in mind and as we keep awards season stretched out, I would like to remind everyone that it is nomination time for the Lord Mayors medals. It was a great joy last year to be able to host these awards at the Mansion House as Lord Mayor and this year as Deputy I am ensuring that I promote them. So please nominate someone who has enhanced the quality of life for the people and city of Bristol and if you can also meet the following conditions:

• Supply two supportive statements from two citizens of Bristol • Supply one supportive statement from a Bristol City Councillor or the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees • You agree not to discuss the application with the nominee • To your knowledge all information contained in this nomination is correct and can be verified. The closing date for nominations is 26 January 2020. Completed applications with supportive statements should be emailed to: lordmayor@bristol.gov.uk https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ documents/20182/138093/ Lord +Mayor+medals+nomination+f orm+2019.doc/ ed59000b-13736228-0294-574109c4ce07

Cleo Alberta Lake cllr.cleo.lake@bristol.gov.uk 07584 480531

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THIS column goes to print before the General Election results are known. Bristol West had no LibDem candidate because of the national Remain to Win compact. Digital parking Residents’ and businesses’ parking permits went digital in early November. A new online portal called ‘MiPermit’ provides cashless parking and permits hopefully making applications and renewals easier. Anyone in CN who is due to renew permits will receive a letter directing them to the MiPermit portal, through the council’s website. From there you can set up an online account, register vehicles, and obtain resident/ visitor parking permits online at any time of the day. Parking administration and enforcement also should be more efficient, cutting out delays, losses and ‘trading’ while reducing paper. Officers have confirmed that any issued paper permits remain valid until their expiry date. If you are not an online person, BCC can still

issue paper copies. Retrospective HMO planning and licensing applications The welcome inclusion of smaller HMOs in the licensing review has also flushed out non-compliant properties that the council says it does not the resources to properly record. I fear that everyone will be concerned at the numbers that emerge from this exercise and simply granting approvals to regularise rules flouted in the past is unacceptable. 8D0L I hope all residents will be pleased to learn that the late-night online food and drink provider, against which local residents made a very spirited defence, has abandoned setting up their warehouse in a shop in Chandos Road – which I pressed required planning enforcement as this was an unresolved change of use. Happy New Year to you all! Anthony Negus cllr.anthony.negus@bristol.gov.uk /07833 484344

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS In Redland this month... Parking survey - council action at last After almost four years of inaction the council has finally responded to residents of Bishopston (in Redland ward) and St Andrews (Ashley ward). An official council survey is now underway. We’re pressing the council to ensure residents outside the survey area also get a say about the knock on effects of any controls near them – otherwise this project would just create more problems. We know many people in streets nearby the survey area are worried and we shall try and get this taken into account so views can be submitted from nearby streets that could be affected. The proposed small area diesel ban and wider charging zone We have had a number of worried residents getting in touch as they

don’t yet know it could affect drivers of mobility vehicles, and many people and businesses with new diesel vehicles are of course upset and angry. Others have immediately pointed out that the ban/charging could also add to serious parking pressures just outside the private ban or commercial charging areas - ie in our ward! The wider charging area for commercial vehicles that don’t meet modern standards could affect many traders and this clashes with the same boundary of Berkeley Rd (see above). We have raised a number of these points in the Cabinet meeting by tabling questions to the Mayor and we shall of course try and keep residents informed. We’re disappointed that after all these years this is the end result of hundreds of thousands of pounds of research, much of which seems to have been discarded in an earlier proposal the Mayor did not support. The new plans have a number of stages to get

through and the diesel ban needs legislation and funding, so we don’t yet know if this solution is going to be implemented by 2021 as proposed. Our view is that this plan could also add to pressures just outside the ban area and must be joined up with other measures like parking. We want action to clean up the dangerous air, protect those with essential trips to make to change transport arrangements (eg electric cargo bikes) and low income residents, and we shall try and keep residents informed as plans emerge. Cardboard recycling bags There’s been some disquiet about the new, blue fabric cardboard recycling bags. These are the result of a decision taken almost a year ago to take a small step towards more recycling. Do look inside the bag for instructions and stickers to put on your recycling boxes as there are small changes to what goes in the black and green crates. The new bag helps crews deal with ever increasing

amounts of cardboard, plus brown paper. Missed and changed bin collections Meanwhile the recycling vehicle replacement programme has been completed and new trucks are arriving to replace the old waste lorries themselves. Some streets with various Friday collections on alternate weeks will be changed to other days. This rebalances the number of streets to cope with and the knock on effects on Friday rounds from catching up caused by other streets missed on previous days. Do look out for any announcements. It should reduce problems of days with collections missed on Fridays falling off the weekly schedule.

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Dementia campaigner recognised for his work THE founder of a local organisation which provides support for people with dementia and their families was the runner up at a recent awards ceremony. Tony Hall’s wife Barbara has had frontal temporal dementia since 1999, and the lack of support to help when someone is losing their memory prompted him to start the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) in July 2013. The project is non-profitmaking and community-based, and is totally resourced by volunteers. In addition, they also form part of an “Alliance” of similar groups throughout the UK, who all work

to make their communities more dementia aware. In light of his work Tony, was recently nominated for the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends Outstanding Contribution Award. At the awards, which took place in London on Wednesday November 27, Tony was the runner up. He told the Bishopston Voice: “It was a good day and it keeps Bristol on the map.” On the first Friday of the month BDAA hold the Happy Days Memory Café for carers and people living with dementia at Westbury Baptist Church from 2pm – 4pm. In

December, the group held a Christmas lunch for their regular members, and on January 3 they will enjoy watching the pantomime Sleeping Beauty. In terms of their upcoming events, BDAA are holding carers training on January 7, a Dementia Friends Session at St Werburgh’s Foodbank on January 22 and St Peter’s Hospice on January 23, and a dementia workshop at Zion Bristol on January 27. To find out more about BDAA and the work that they do, visit their website: www. bristoldaa.co.uk

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Refutree aid AID Box Community (ABC) has launched its fourth ‘Refutrees’ Christmas campaign to raise money to support displaced people in the city. ABC helps refugees and asylum seekers living in the West Country have access to basic goods as many of them arrive with nothing and are forced to live with no financial support or as little as £5 a day. Rob Adlem, CEO of ABC, said: “We have been really blessed with the ongoing support of the local Bishopston and wider community. “This is a simple and effective way of helping support people with the basic items – jumpers to keep warm and pots to cook in – just simply through buying your Christmas tree from ABC.” The shop will be open between 10.30am - 7pm at 174b Cheltenham Rd, Bristol BS6 5RE. Online orders and deliveries can be placed from now until Dec 22.

January, 2020

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS In St Andrews this month... PLEASE respond to the Bishopston and St Andrews parking survey by 6 January if you have not already done so. The Council need to have as full a picture as possible about the views of local people on this issue, and will not take any action if there is a low turnout. You do not have to answer all the questions if you don’t want to. If you have not received a postcard (which has a code unique to your household that you need in order to complete the survey), or if you would like to request a paper survey or alternative format, please contact consultation@bristol.gov. uk or phone 0117 922 2848. The Council are not seeking feedback on a specific boundary or design of an RPS at this stage; this is early engagement to see if any new parking measures are wanted by the community. You may have heard about the diesel ban zone/Clean Air Zone which the Council are proposing to introduce, and which will affect our area. The proposal is for a

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diesel ban for private cars in the city centre and harbourside area which would operate daily from 7am to 3pm. There would then be a wider Clean Air Zone (CAZ) where non-compliant commercial vehicles such as buses, taxis, HGVs and LGVs would be charged. A car scrappage scheme would also be launched. The entirety of Ashley ward is included in the Clean Air Zone, however the M32 into the city centre past Junction 3 is included in the diesel ban zone. Visit the ‘Clean Air for Bristol’ website the Council has launched (cleanairforbristol.org) if you would like more information on the proposals and how they could affect you. The January Full Council will be held on Tuesday 14 January 2020 at 2.00pm in City Hall. This is a meeting where all 70 councillors in Bristol, plus the Mayor, get together to discuss important business regarding the city and Council. There is a public forum at the start of the meeting for

members of the public to make representations. Members of the public are able to submit questions to the Mayor, present petitions, or read out statements (on any topic). These should be submitted to democratic.services@bristol. gov.uk by 5.00pm on Wednesday 8 January for questions and midday on Monday 13 January for petitions and statements. If you ever have an issue you’d like to raise with your Ashley councillors in person, please do come to our monthly surgery, which is held on the first Friday of each month, from 1.00pm – 2.00pm, in the Library within St Pauls Learning Centre (94 Grosvenor Rd, BS2 8XJ). Mike Davies, cllr.mike.davies@bristol.gov.uk 07584 370 413 Jude English cllr.jude.english@bristol.gov.uk 07584 151 099 Carole Johnson cllr.carole.johnson@bristol.gov.uk 07584 370 414

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January, 2020

n VINEYARD NEWS with INGRID BATES

A rush on our Pinot noir rosé

Y the time you read this our Christmas markets will be over and we’ll be looking forward to a bit of a rest from the Christmas rush. We expected to sell out of Pinot noir rosé around February 2020 but due to lots of unexpected orders it looks like we’ll have sold out much sooner. Hopefully people won’t mind waiting for the new rosé to come out next spring and of course we still have our sparkling red and white available. In the vineyard the sheep have now left so it feels eerily quiet apart from the sound of the crows, buzzards and hedgerow birds. I’ve made a start at the pruning but will continue in earnest after Christmas as am trapped at home in the city with our new vineyard dog who is currently very small and unable to go out to work with me yet. As soon as he’s fully vaccinated he’ll be out in all weathers so lets hope he likes the great outdoors! This spring we’ll be adding another red grape variety called Regent into our vineyard. For the first few years the young Regent plants will be inter-planted with the Pinot noir until they get big enough to start producing grapes. When this happens

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we’ll cut away the old Pinot plants so we don’t get a break in production. We’re only planting a few rows of this new variety at first so our rosé will still be made mainly with Pinot grapes. As well as making lovely wine, Regent produces a more reliable crop every year and has a much better natural resistance to mildew. Good news all round! hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk @DYvineyards (twitter) dunleavy vineyards (facebook & instagram)

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January, 2020

n NATURE WATCH With Dawn Lawrence

FEW years ago we did a fun wildlife challenge. The idea is, in one year, to find 1,000 species within a single 1 km square – usually this is your local square on the Ordnance Survey Map. You can only list wild species - so no, you can’t just pop over to the University Botanic Garden! The fun is partly in realising just how many wild species there are - including plants that have “escaped”

from cultivation such as buddleja growing on a wall. You can count anything you can identify including birds, lichens, insects and even microbes (of which more later). In central Bristol it felt quite daunting; could we possibly find 1,000 species in our grid square in one year? After all, there are no lakes or coasts round here, no herb-rich grassland and, although our garden is big, for a city plot, it doesn’t run to the “two acres of rough woodland” that the first Lord Rothschild maintained is essential for every garden “however small”. At first, even in January, the list grew quickly as we checked the weeds along the pavements, birds at the feeder and ferns on the walls. Even the daddy-long-legs spider in the corner of the kitchen was viewed with fresh enthusiasm as it becomes another tick on the list. Familiar plants brought new pleasure as they emerged in spring; lords and ladies, opium poppies and common daisy were eagerly noted. We spotted patches of rough ground that we hadn’t noticed before, ever alert to the potential for finding new species. By March bumblebees and bee flies were emerging and some species can be very easy to identify (search online with a brief description – taking a photo is The buff-tailed bumblebee is one of the first insects to helpful). Soon we had the fun of adding the emerge in spring. This photo is by Vera Buhl. first swift, house martin and chiffchaff to the list

(chiffchaffs helpfully sing their own names in April). This challenge gets you into the habit of noticing new things but there came a point, in late summer I think, when the target began to seem unlikely, so we got inventive. Have you noticed that blue-green mould that grows on old oranges, it’s wild too -Penicillium digitatum, quick, add it to the list! Pears get brown rot, a distinctive mould that grows in rings - Monilinia fructigena - another tick for our list. All in all it was a fun way of getting to know new species. And, the big question… did we make it? In fact, we ended up with over 1,200 species largely thanks to my partner’s determination and almost supernatural skill at identifying new species. But anybody can have a go – start by seeing how quickly you can get to 100, I bet you’ll be surprised. We’re doing it again this year, so I’ll keep you posted. Happy New Year and Happy Listing to all!

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January, 2020

bishopstonvoice

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA January 14 n The Arts Society Bristol lecture is on "The Art of Industry". Given by Antony Buxton at 8pm at Redmaids' High School BS9 3AW. More information is on our website www.theartssociety-bristol.org.uk Saturday January 18 n Quiz Night at Horfield Baptist Church, to raise money for Tear Fund. Sign up as a team of up to six or sign up individually and be allocated to a team on the night. Tickets are £5 per person and will include a hot drink and plenty of cake! The evening starts at 7pm and will be held in the church’s Lounge (access via the Fresh Ground Café entrance on Gloucester Road or via the levelaccess Brynland Avenue entrance). To book places, please ring Chris on 0117 9624185.

REGULAR EVENTS IN OUR AREA

Monday n Toddler group at Ardagh Pavilion, Kellaway Avenue, Horfield Common. Ages 0-3, cost £2.50 per family includes refreshments and biscuits. All welcome. Friendly vibrant group just drop in. Contact Kay on 01179426580 for further details. n Redland Wind Band rehearses at Redland Parish Hall, Redland Green at 730pm. We sometimes have vacancies, currently mainly for bass instruments. Go to our website redlandwindband.co.uk for further information and to contact us email us on redlandwindband@gmail. com. Get in touch if you would like to be put on our mailing list or would like to book us for events or fundraisers. n Redland Green Choir meets for rehearsals every Monday 7.30pm-9.30pm at Redland Green School. We sing a wide variety of music. New members welcome: no auditions. For more information, visit redlandgreenchoir.org.uk. or phone 0117 9443042.

LOOKING TO SET GOALS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD? Come on Friday 10th January OR Saturday 11th January 10 am - Midday

Tips and techniques from an experienced life coach about setting realistic and achievable goals. Max 8 people. £20 Tel: Nicola Shelley on

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n Beaufort Junior Badminton Club. Venue: Cotham School Sports Hall, Cotham Lawn Road, BS6 6DT. Date/Time: Mondays from 6-7pm, term time only. Age Group: 11 18 years. All standards. Coaching and club play but also progression to Avon County Teams and senior clubs. Coaches CRB checked and Badminton England qualified. Contact: Penny Shears 0794 101 3514. Email: pennyshears@ googlemail.com n RAFA, City of Bristol branch and club Eastfield Westbury on Trym for ex-RAF and associate members. Skittle Alley, parties and functions. Live entertainment on Saturday evenings. Open Monday to Saturday lunchtimes and evenings. Sundays noon till 5pm. All enquiries telephone 0117 3291913. n Senior Film Club, every third Monday in the month at 2pm St Peter's Hall, The Drive, Henleaze, BS9 4LD. All Welcome. Refreshments £3. Dial-a-ride transport possible by personal arrangement ; 0845 130 1875. n Redland Green Bowls Club welcomes new members, come along to our club on Redland Green any Monday after 4pm , or book a free taster session with one of our qualified coaches. Jean or Gerry :Tel 9624466 . HALF price membership for the first year (£50) n 8pm Fun Quiz Night: Tv, Film, Music & more! at the Bristol Flyer, Gloucester Road, Bishopston Just £1 to enter n Beginners Yoga Class at Yogawest in Bishopston 11.15–12.30. Iyengar Yoga classes run at Yogawest every day for all levels, with regular foundation courses, gentle classes for older/stiffer people and children's termtime classes. See www.yogawest.co.uk or call 0117 924 3330. n Watercolour Painting Art Classes take place every Monday at Redland Library, between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Each half term course focusses on a new subject each half term. Suitable for beginner and intermediate levels, with some previous drawing experience recommended. For more information or to book, please visit: www.painting.zone. For queries or to add your name to the mailing list, contact Stella Shaw at admin@painting.zone or ‘phone 07791400362. n Bristol Bridge Club - Come and play, there are daily bridge sessions for experienced and less experienced players. Try a free taster session on a Monday

afternoon or evening and Wednesday afternoon. Phone the club before coming, Tel.0117 929 1846 or www.bristolbridgeclub. co.uk n Cotham Park Hit at Cotham Gardens, Redland Grove BS6 6PRshow up and exercise outdoorsboost your energy every Monday Wednesday and Friday morning at 9am. All done in 30 mins - suitable for everyone Contact Trish or just show up 07766448330 Tuesday n The Golden Buds is a group aimed at 18 months to 4 year olds and is a fabulous opportunity to be outside with your little ones, digging, playing, finding newts and frogs, watering, singing and making things all in the heart of urban Bristol! Sessions run from 9.30-11am and 11.30-1pm in school terms. We take booking on a term by term basis. Each session costs £5, a second sibling is £2.50 and under 12 months can come along free. For more info, visit: thegoldenhillcommunitygarden. com n Scottish Country Dancing Get fit with Westbury Scottish Club. Classes for beginners at Leonard Hall, Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Henleaze, (Tel: Tina 0117 9075462). Classes for more advanced dancers at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, (Tel: Cheryl 0117 9590970). 7.30pm to 9.30pm wscbristol.com n Bristol Harmony West Gallery choir and band sing and play lively church and village music from the 18th century. We are looking for new members, all voices welcome, also all string, wind and reed instruments. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. Meet in the University Staff Club, Woodland Road on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. www. bristolharmony.wordpress.com or ring Colin on 0117 968 6860. Venue tricky to locate so please ring before coming. n Discover Buddhism 8pm every Tuesday. Introductory sessions involve 20 minutes of explained meditation then a short talk on a Buddhist topic. Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling, 121 Sommerville Road, St Andrews, BS6 5BX. Suggested donation £4/£2. 0117 9244424 n Melody Makers Baby Friendly Choir A fun and friendly daytime choir for ladies running Tuesdays during term time.9:30-11:00am, The Beehive Pub, BS9 4QY. £5 per session, discounts for members. Contact Natalie www.facebook. com/melodymakerschoir

We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

07890393175. n Bristol Brunel Lions Club – We meet on the first Tuesday of every at 7 for 7.30 on the 3rd Tuesday of each month we have a social gathering normally with food. We raise money for charity both locally and beyond through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Lots of fun and fellowship raising and spending money for good causes. For more details of how to apply for assistance with charitable activities in Bristol or to become involved in our activities see Bristol Brunel Lions Club on line or contact our Club Secretary Bill O’Neill at lion. bill@virginmedia.com n Two new Knitting and Crochet groups in the local area. All abilities welcome-please do come along to meet and chat with fellow crafters, discuss projects, share ideas, bring along a project and learn a new skill, improve or share yours. There’s no charge or booking required, you only pay for your own refreshments. 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm, J P Destiny, corner of Kellaway Avenue/Bishop Road. 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm9.30pm, Eastfield Inn, Henleaze Road. For more information email: brisknitcro@gmail.com or join our Facebook Group ‘Bristol Knitting and Crochet’. n Circle Dance Evenings at The Old Library Eastville, Muller Road BS5 6XP. Last Tuesday evening of the month, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, led by Susannah Temple, £5 donation. Calm & lively, lovely music, beginners welcome, no need for partners. Contact 0117 979 1519, susannahtemple@googlemail.com n Bristol United Walking Football - every Tuesday 10.3011.30 at Horfield Leisure Centre. The beautiful game played at a

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

nW HAT’S ON IN OUR AREA slower pace for the over 50's. First session free then £3. Contact Keith Gwilym on 07948383536 or e-mail buwfc2018@gmail.com n Women's Reading Group looking for new members. We read a wide variety of fiction and meet monthly on a Tuesday evening. Please contact ksnowdon29@gmail.com for further information. n Japanese Swordsmanship, Aiki Bokutodo in Redland. Every Tuesday at 7pm. Using wooden swords, study basic postures, cutting techniques and individual and paired exercises to explore the essence and ethics of the Samurai Warrior, and strengthen mind, body and spirit. Suitable for all, beginners welcome. Information from Robert Brinkhurst 07967 142148. n The Arts Society Bristol is for those who enjoy the arts and welcomes new members. Activities include lectures by specialists in their field, at 8pm, usually on the second Tuesday of the month, September to May at Redmaids' High School BS9 3AW. More information is on our website www. theartssociety-bristol.org.uk n The Gloucester Rd WI meet on the third Tuesday of every month at St. Andrew’s Bowling Club, Derby Road, Bristol, BS7 9AQ. Doors open at 7:30pm for 8pm start. Membership is £42 for the year or you can come as a guest for £5 to try us out. Our website https:// gloucesterroadwi.org/ has details of our programme. All women welcome. n Bishopston, Horfield and Ashley Down Local History Society (BHALHS), meet every third Tuesday of the month, except January, August and December. Meetings are held at Horfield Quaker Meeting, 300 Gloucester Road BS7 8PD at 7.30pm. Visitors fee is £4.00, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits. n Time to Move gentle exercise classes for older people, sitting and standing, all to music. A great range of exercises to improve flexibility, balance and strength. Time for a cup of tea and chat afterwards. At Redland Club, Burlington Rd, BS6 6TN, Tuesdays 10-11am, £4 per session. Help with transport costs too if needed. tel: Michele 07981 756965 Supported by Bristol Ageing Better Community Fund. Wednesday n Golden Hill Community Garden. 10.00am – 4.00pm. 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 Rd BS7 8NE www. thegoldenhillcommunitygarden. com n Bristol Voices Community Choir always welcomes new members, £6 per weekly session (£4 concs). We offer a free taster week to people who are interested in joining. We meet during the school term from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in St Werburgh’s Primary School, James Street, BS2 9US. No experience is necessary, there are no auditions and you don’t have to read music. We are led by the wonderful music director Jeremy Avis and our repertoire includes classical, gospel, world music and popular song. Find out more at www.bristolvoices.org.uk n Horfield Townswomen’s Guild. This friendly Townswomen’s Guild meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Upper Horfield Community Trust premises at Eden Grove church in Horfield at 2.30pm. Why not come along and meet us? Just turn up, or ring Edna on 949 5413, and she will look out for you. n Squirrel Camp Forest School, Badock’s Wood, 9.45-11.15 and 1.00-2.30 (during term time). £6 per family. Contact: jennysanderson@ blueyonder.co.uk. n Spiritual Healing at Westbury Park Spiritualist church BS6 7TH Every Wednesday, 2pm - 3.30pm every week. No appointment necessary, animals welcome. Come along and feel the benefit. Also healing after Sunday evening service@8pm. n Yoga Class at Yogawest in Bishopston 09.15–10.30 Beginners, 10–11.30 General. Iyengar Yoga classes run at Yogawest every day for all levels, with regular foundation courses, gentle classes for older/stiffer people and children's termtime classes. See www.yogawest.co.uk or call 0117 924 3330. n Wednesdays 10:00am. Baby & Me post-natal yoga class, 10:00 11:00am plus tea and chat after. Supportive, friendly class with babies made very welcome. Move, breathe, meet and chat with other new mums at YogaSpace Bishopston. Find out more at www. bristolyogaspace.co.uk or contact Clara hello@bristolyogaspace.co.uk / 07530 053 543. n Read together a short story and poem. Weekly drop-in adult group, shared reading. It's fun, sometimes surprising, moving and exciting. No preparation, just come along and listen. Bishopston Library, every

Wednesday 11.30am to 1.00pm. We read and chat. Refreshments provided. Free. n Why not join welsh national opera Friends. We support this world class company and everyone is very welcome to join. We offer monthly evening meetings at Redmaids High School MONTHLY at 7.15pm. Talks with music. Costs-£7.00 or £1.00 for students (Friends £5.00). For further information contact: Margaret Borkowski:borkmail@gmail.com n Melody Makers Pop Choir. An evening choir for men and women singing popular songs. Wednesday's term time 7:30-9:00pm The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze. Book a FREE taster www. melodymakerschoir.co.uk n A chance for the over-50's to explore short stories, articles and the occasional poem at Bishopston Library. We meet every Wednesday afternoon from 2.30pm - 4pm for reading and discussion. Our friendly, long-running group is led by an experienced Literature tutor. Why not come along and meet us? n Westbury Park Women's Institute meet on first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in Redland Church Hall, Redland Green Road, BS6 7HE. New members welcome, or come as a guest (£4 per visit up to 3 visits allowed) We are a friendly and sociable Club, have a full programme with interesting speakers, social events, theatre outings, and we all have lots of fun. Email: wesburyparkwi@gmail.com or visit www.westburyparkwi.org. uk for more details. n Wednesdays at 10.30am Buddhist Meditation - use a simple technique to help the mind rest in the present and give space for reflection. Sakya Thinley Rinchen Ling, 121 Sommerville Road, St Andrews, BS6 5BX. Suggested donation £2. 0117 9244424 n Sound of Song ( a Choir for Female Voices) meet in Horfield URC, Church Hall, Muller Road on Wednesdays 7.30 - 9.30pm. Repertoire covers classical, choral, jazz, popular, folk, and show songs. No auditions necessary. www.soundsofsongchoir.com n North West Bristol Camera Club are an enthusiastic group of amateur photographers who meet each Wednesday at 7.45pm at Westbury Fields, Greystoke Avenue. New members of any level of ability are most welcome. For details contact Neville on nevwgoodman@ mac.com n Feeling a bit under the weather? Come join our fun informal singing group. The WECIL Peer Support Singing Group meet fortnightly on Wednesdays at The Elmgrove Centre, Redland 2.00pm till 3.00pm. For more information

contact peersupport@wecil.co.uk / 0117 947 9942. The peer support community is very informal, they hope to appeal to what you want to do and can encourage you to come along because it’s fun, relaxing and most of all friendly! n Women's Walking Football session every Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. at Horfield Leisure Centre. Contact Keith Gwilym on 07948383536 or buwfc2018@ gmail.com n Mindful Stitching Drops ins - all materials included (7pm - 9:00pm - £10 per session) nbcp84@ gmail.com 160 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NT n Bristol Bridge Club New Weekly “Drop In Wednesday” social bridge Starting Wednesday 8 January, 2020 Everyone is welcome to play bridge In this new relaxed format. No membership needed - come to play, watch, chat...just drop in with or without a partner. Open from 6 to 11 pm £3.- table money on the night. Licenced bar, hot drinks and bar snacks available For further information, email: hello@bristolbridgeclub.co.uk Or phone the bridge club 0117 9291846 Thursday n Bishop Road Community Choir. We are a mixed community choir, meeting at Bishop Road School from 7.45pm to 9pm. Everyone welcome to join, regardless of singing experience. There is no audition and the choir is open to anyone, not just parents of children at the school. We sing a variety of songs and perform locally. £3.00 per session. n The Stepford Singers. Come and try Bishopston’s all female community choir. No need to read music and no auditions! We meet 1pm - 3pm so you can still be in time to pick up kids from school. For more info, email fran@ naturalvoice.net n West Bristol Orchestra meet at the United Reformed Church, Muller Road, from 7.15 - 9.15pm and play a wide range of classical music arranged for our small friendly orchestra. String players of Grade 5 and above are particularly welcome. For further information please ring 0117 968 3998. n Avon Harmony Ladies A Cappella Chorus meets for rehearsals every Thursday 7.30 -10pm at Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road BS7 9NL. We 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 www.avonharmony.co.uk or contact Mandy on 0117 652693 or Barbara on 07717 424421.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA n Kings Lawn Tennis Club Rusty Rackets, 19:30-21: 00. Want to get back into tennis? Come along to our fun and welcoming Rusty Rackets session every Thursday evening at Kings Lawn Tennis Club, Maplemeade ( just off Kings Drive) BS7 8JG. Nonmembers (£8) and members (£6) welcome! Contact Head Coach Elly Shearman only tennis .kings@hotmail.com for more details! n Bridge for Beginners and Improvers West of England Bridge Club now welcomes new/novice bridge players for weekly sessions held every Thursday afternoon. Cost £3. Doors open at 1.45pm and play is from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. No partner needed and we have experienced players to help and advice. Beginners lessons also offered email bridgeclassbristol @ gmail.com or ring 0117 2302694 for more info. Venue: Golden Hill Sports Club, Wimbledon Road, Bristol BS6 7YA. Full details at www. woebc.co.uk n Spiritualist church Westbury Park Cairns Road BS6 7TH Open development circle Thursday evening at 7.15 for 7.30 start All are welcome. n Sporting Memories Group at the Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground most Thursdays from 11am to 12.30pm. A group suitable for people that are isolated or lonely and may have memory difficulties. The group is particularly for those that are interested in sport. Please contact John Collis on 07757527634 or come along to the ground from 11am. n North Bristol Community Project Arts Fringe: Arts for Well-being, Thursdays 10am-12pm. Well-being Lunch Club, Thursdays 12.30-2pm. 10 week Sewing for Employability course, Mondays 10am -12pm; now taking bookings for the next sewing course starting on January 8 2018. The 10 week sewing course & the Lunch Club are FREE. For all other activities, there is a fee of £10 towards the cost of basic materials, tuition & refreshments. 160 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NT, Tel: 0774 237 7799 /0117 924 6228, www. northbristolcommunityproject. org.uk n Read together a short story and poem. Weekly drop-in adult group, shared reading. It's fun, sometimes surprising, moving and exciting. No preparation needed, just come along and listen. Bishopston Library every Thursday 11.30am - 1.00pm. We read and chat. Refreshments provided free. n Healing Drop In Session with Bristol Healing Group at Redland Meeting House 126 Hampton Road BS6 6JE. NEW TIME: 2.30 4.00 pm. Donation basis. Healing is relaxing. Helps restore balance

and wellbeing. Recommended for stress. Contact: Barbara on 0117 9082061. (Closed 19th & 26th December and 2nd January). n Henbury Singers welcome new members. A mixed, non audition choir, we meet at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Thurs evenings. We sing choral music, carols, musicals, gospel and folk songs. Contact Maggie Cavanna 0117 973 4794 or secretary@henburysingers.org. n"Time to Move" Stay Active Movement to music for over 55's. All abilities welcome, improve balance, mobility and well being. Friendly, supportive and fun. Thursdays 10-11am (tea and biscuits afterwards) £7, commencing 13th September at Redland Club, Burlington Road, BS6 6TN. Contact Michelle 07505 937156 n Singers Wanted! Henleaze Ladies Choir meet on Thursdays at 1.45pm in the hall at St Peter’s Church, Henleaze. We sing a range of music from works by Elgar to Bernstein’s West Side Story and lots more! Our new season starts on Thursday 13th September – come along for fun and friendship. For further details, contact Jean Wickham on 9624466 or Jane English on 07752 332278. n Sing! with OutThereMusic’s North Bristol Community Choir who rehearse every Thursday evening between 7:45 - 9:45 at Westbury Park School, Bayswater Avenue, BS6 7NU. There is no audition and we have an eclectic repertoire with a very warm welcome assured. Visit www. outtheremusicbristol.co.uk - or come along to a rehearsal with our new term starting on Thursday 10 January. n North Bristol Community Project - Arts for Well-Being / Try a range of activities from Cartooning Sculpture - Drawing - Painting - Collage and much more or focus on 1 area for the 4 Weeks 10:00 12:00pm ( Four week course £60). Pre-booking essential, e-mail nbcp84@gmail.com for more information. Costs include all materials & refreshments Maximum of 6 people. 160 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, BS7 8NT. www. northbristolcommunityproject. org.uk. n With BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR you can sing every week from 7pm to 9.30pm during our rehearsal evenings held in St Andrew's Church, Filton, BS34 7PS, on the A38 near Filton roundabout. You will get a very warm welcome and can look forward to learning a very wide range of music with us; we provide learning tracks for practice and you do not need to read music to sing with us. You will eventually be able to sing in our regular concerts and travel

with us to many different venues. Contact 07941 040472 for more information. Come and join us! n Arts for Wellbeing Drop ins - Try a range of activities from Drawing, Painting, Print Making, Collage and stitching (1:00pm - 3:00pm - £5 per session). Small groups nbcp84@ gmail.com 160 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NT n Spanish Conversation Classes – Learn basic Spanish language or improve conversation skills (6:15 - 7:15pm – 4 sessions £45 – 8 sessions £80) nbcp84@gmail.com 160 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NT n Scottish Country Dancing come to Dance Scottish with RSCDS Bristol on Thursdays at 7.30pm in term time at Oatley Hall, St Monica’s Trust, Cote Lane, Westbury-on-Trym BS9 3UN. New dancers welcome, come on your own or with a friend for fun, fitness and friendship. No need to wear a kilt or a sash! For information contact Alison on 0117 968 4036 or Caroline on 0117 924 9226 or see www.rscdsbristol.info Friday n Bristol University of the third age (u3a) scrabble group would welcome new members. We play very friendly and informal games every Friday at the Beehive, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY from 2 to 4pm. For further info please contact Heddy SARA on 0117 9241318 and indicate when asked to give your name that you are phoning about scrabble in order not to be blocked. also email : nigel.d.sara@btinternet.com n The Bristol Astronomical Society host astronomical talks and activities each week. Friday evening talks are held at 7pm at Bristol Photographic Society, Montpelier, BS6 5EE. Our new 2018/2019 programme starts on 5 October with Prof: Mark Birkinshaw: Orbits of many types. On clear Saturday evenings we open our observatory in Failand

and often hold Star Parties in and around Bristol. We are also signing-up for our four-week Junior Astronomy Courses in October and November. See the BAS website for details: www.bristolastrosoc. org.uk n £5 Yoga Class for students and low-waged at Yogawest in Bishopston 16.00–17.15 Beginners. Iyengar Yoga classes run at Yogawest every day for all levels, with regular foundation courses, gentle classes for older/stiffer people and children's termtime classes. See www.yogawest. co.uk or call 0117 924 3330 Saturday n Whiteladies Farmers’ and Fair Trading Market is now held EVERY Saturday, from 8.30am-2pm. Takes place at the junction of Whiteladies/Apsley/Burlington Roads. Stalls cover bread, cheese, local lamb and chicken, fish, preserves, cakes, sushi, local fruit and veg, wild food larder, and recycled tools, wooden items and much more. n Coffee, Tea and Refreshments served every Saturday from 10.30am to noon at Bishopston Methodist Church, 245 Gloucester Road. Join us for a rest and a chat. n The Clifton Garden Society are eager to attract new members from all parts of Bristol. The Society offer monthly visits by coach to country houses and gardens, a quarterly newsletter. and an annual holiday. If you would like to join this friendly group please call 0117 9737296 for full details. n Horfield Friends Café meets every Friday from 2 - 3.30pm. Free drinks and cakes plus fun activities Horfield Quaker Meeting House, 300 Gloucester Road, BS7 8PD. n Lego club at Bishopston library, 12noon to 1pm. All ages welcome, FREE.

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Get involved and help us - make it your resolution

ITH a new year comes the opportunity to reflect, take stock of the last 365 days and plan for the year ahead. I’m very proud of what the OPCC and the Constabulary have achieved in 2019 but am aware there’s always plenty more to be done. As your PCC I will continue to act as a fierce advocate for victims and as your voice in policing. I would also like to challenge you to do something different by getting involved in your local policing service in 2020. Volunteers play a vital part in assisting me in my role and make a huge difference in ensuring our local communities are safe and feel safe. Volunteering can

be incredibly rewarding and it is always a privilege to work alongside so many people who selflessly give up their time. Find out more about volunteering roles on the PCC’s and Constabulary’s website. As always in December, Avon and Somerset Police have launched Op Tonic, a month-long campaign that includes high visibility and covert patrols to target drink and drug drivers. Over the festive period, many of us will be having fun and celebrating with friends and family. But remember, driving under the influence of drink or drugs is a serious crime that can devastating consequences. Even being ‘slightly’ over the limit will still land you with a penalty if

you’re caught and it’s really not worth the risk. I know officers will be working hard to keep the roads of Avon and Somerset safe during the festive period. I believe that local people support the police in doing all they can to bring offenders to justice so they can ensure our roads are safe to use over Christmas as well as the whole year round. Finally, I want to take a moment to think about the people who will be working hard day and night over Christmas and New Year to ensure our safety and protection. It’s always an extremely busy time of year for those who work in emergency services and I know they all go above and beyond to keep us

With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens

safe. I want to say a massive thank you to those in the NHS, police and other emergency services as well as those in voluntary and charity organisations who work hard during the festive period to support local communities.

Be a mate - don’t drink and drown FESTIVE drinkers in Bristol are urged to look after their friends on a night after statistics revealed the city has more than double the national percentage average of intoxicated drowning. As part of the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s national Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, the charity is urging the city’s revellers to stick together during the festivities and not to let any of their friends walk home alone.

RLSS UK’s brand-new film shows how easily a fun night out can turn into tragedy and how staying with your friends can make all the difference. The latest statistics reveal that 13 people have accidentally drowned in Bristol over the last five years. A staggering 62% of these - eight people - were found to have had alcohol and/or drugs in their system, more than double the national percentage average.

There were 1,458 accidental drowning deaths in the UK between 2014-2018 and more than 30% of the victims had alcohol and/or drugs in their bloodstream*. Many of them drowned because they walked home alone and fell in the water. Laurence Hickin, RLSS UK Community Drowning Prevention Coordinator for the Bristol area, said: “It’s a sad truth that the number of drownings increase in the winter period,

more often than not, because of intoxication. “Families, friends and whole communities are left devastated every year because someone walks home alone whilst under the influence and falls into the water. “We’re urging people to stay together on a night out. Make sure their friends get home safe and don’t let them walk anywhere, especially near water, alone.”

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

You're still the same person Age Proud Bristol is an awareness campaign that challenges perceptions of older people in Bristol and encourages people to feel proud of their age. The World Health Organisation has described ageism as “the last form of acceptable discrimination” and according to research carried out by SunLife in 2019, 68% of over 50s in the UK say that ageism in everyday life has made them feel less valued. Age Proud Bristol aims to challenge this and encourage everyone over 50 to feel Age Proud. The campaign is run by Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) and has gathered the views of a variety of inspirational people from across Bristol about their experiences and advice regarding later life. For this article, we spoke to Judith Brown (81), Bristol Older People Forum’s Ambassador and Niels Hansen (75), a champion skydiver. JUDITH has always had an interest in campaigning, including for women’s rights, disability rights, gay rights, and more, so it is perhaps not surprising that her latest volunteer role is all about promoting the rights of Bristol’s older people.

“You’re still the same person you always were,” says Judith. “Later life is just a new phase of the adventure and old age is a time when you can really fulfil your potential.” Judith says that when she was growing up there were expectations placed on what

women could and couldn’t do, but now she can follow her interests fully. Judith’s advice for people of any age is to “Be yourself. Don’t let anybody put you down. If there is something you feel you want to say, you should say it.” Women are often socialised to be more self-conscious of their age and physical appearance. Whilst a man might be described as a ‘silver fox’ when his hair turns grey, women are described in less appealing terms, suggesting that a woman’s worth is measured by her age and appearance. Judith argues that people shouldn’t feel limited by stereotypes. “You hear older women say, ‘Oh I can’t wear that dress, it’s too young.’ Rubbish! We should accept people as they are and demonstrate how wrong the stereotypes are.” Many people have outdated perceptions of what later life will look like, whereas the reality is that we are all individuals with different experiences and knowledge and that doesn’t change when we reach our 50s and beyond. For Niels Hansen, later life has brought new sporting opportunities. Niels is a champion skydiver who first got into the sport in his mid-40s and has completed 1,259 jumps since.

In 2012 he entered the Over 60s World Championships in Holland alongside a team of three other men and won gold. “Everyone knows stereotypes are false,” says Niels. “Don’t let things stop you. If you’d like to do something, look into it and do it. There’s always a way to get around things and get it done.” Although not everyone is able to skydive, everyone is able to challenge themselves, suggests Niels. “If you aren’t physically able to do a strenuous challenge then do a mental challenge. Everyone has something they can do.” Niels’s final piece of advice is for people to enjoy life. “Age 20, it would never have occurred to me to do a skydive. It’s better to grow old saying, ‘I’ve been there – I’ve done that’, than to say, ‘I wish I’d done that...’” This is the first in a series of three articles inspired by older people based in Bristol. Find out more about the Age Proud Bristol campaign by visiting www. agefriendlybristol.org.uk or search #AgeProudBristol on Twitter and take part in the conversation about ageism in Bristol.

Niels Hansen

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n NEWS THE best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. That’s what Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) did and since 1998 orchard members have planted and cared for more than 100 fruiting trees. Every winter the local community is invited to Wassail, and help wake up the trees for fruitful new year. All are welcome to make a big noise and raise the spirit of the Old Apple Tree on Saturday 18 January, 2 - 4pm. HOCO also aims to encourage more people to grow more fruit. Have you inherited fruit trees in your garden or allotment? Are you planning to plant new trees? Get Growing Fruit Trees is a fun and friendly course for budding fruit growers. Over a growing year (March, May, July and September) the course offers hands-on experience of pruning, pests and diseases, mulching and more. Participants work with

January, 2020

Branch out and join the Wassail

real trees, and learn by doing. They are led by Shannon Smith, a knowledgeable and down-toearth tutor. More information on the

HOCO website: https://tinyurl. com/OLcourses Contact: hocopips@gmail. com All are welcome to join in

the Wassail at Horfield Organic Community Orchard and toast the orchard for a fruitful harvest. Bring ribbons, clouties and shining things to dress the trees and make merry with Pigsty Morris. Bristol Folk Singers raise their voices, apple trees, homemade cakes and mulled Orchard juice is for sale. To find the Orchard (nearest postcode BS7 8JP) walk down the lane beside 22 Kings Drive (between Bishop Road and Kellaway Avenue), turn left and it’s the first gate on the right. OR take the lane beside 134 Longmead Avenue until you come to the last gate on the left. Contact: hocohello@gmail. com or see www.communityorchard.org.uk Photo courtesy of Jamie Carstairs

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January, 2020

n YOGA BLOG Yoga for Health

by Diana Penny

of Yogawest (www.yogawest.co.uk)

Yoga Pose of the Month:

Prasarita Padottonasana PRASARITA Padottonasana is a wide-legged standing pose, good for opening the back of the legs and lengthening the spine and side trunk. This pose regulates the breathing and quietens the brain. Have two upended yoga bricks or a chair (if you have stiff legs) ready on the front edge of your mat. To go in: Stand in Tadasana (Mountain pose). Bring your hands to chest level, inhale and as you exhale jump or walk your feet wide apart and parallel and bring your

hands to your hips. Keep your legs lifting strongly, anchoring the heels to the floor and lifting up through the bones and muscles of the legs: both legs should be straight. Keeping the hips level, and the legs lifting and vertical, bend forward from the pelvis, extending through the front body from the pelvis to the chest and place the palms of your hands on the bricks below

your shoulders*. With the head in line with your spine and the side trunk extended towards your head, roll your shoulders back and look upwards, but if this is not comfortable on your neck, keep your head in line with your spine and look down. Stay here for a few breaths. Come out as carefully as you went in, with your hands on your hips, lift up through the front body and

bring your feet back together to be back in Mountain pose. * CAUTIONS If you have stiff hamstrings (backs of legs) or a vulnerable lower back, use the seat of a chair instead of bricks for your hands. If you are unsteady, work with a wall behind you to support your balance. If you are confused about any instructions, then bring along this page to a class at Yogawest and a teacher will help you. Yogawest is just off the Gloucester Road in Bishopston, and has two beautiful yoga studios set in a quiet sanctuary behind Bishopston Hardware. Yogawest specialises in Iyengar yoga, a type of yoga focusing on careful and supported alignment in poses, and offers over 50 classes a week for all levels of ability, including classes for beginners, children, teenagers, gentle (older and stiffer), pregnancy and postnatal. A warm welcome awaits. Drawings by Jess Wallwork, a popular teacher at Yogawest. Jess teaches two gentle classes a week, suitable for older and stiffer people and daytime beginner, general and pregnancy classes.

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January, 2020

n NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF BISHOPSTON LIBRARY HAPPY new year everyone. If you are still looking for a resolution that will be easy to keep, how about resolving to support your wonderful local library! At our last event of 2019 we were treated to an evening of ‘flash fiction’. Five well-known and successful flash fiction writers read a selection of their work, ranging from history to humour, romance to realism. These beautifully crafted short stories go straight to the point of action, hinting at the characters and the backstory along the way and making every word count. Our thanks to Jude Higgins, Judy Darley, Alison Woodhouse, Ken Elkes and John Wheway for an entertaining and thought provoking evening. You can find plenty of information about this genre online, including details of a flash fiction festival in Bristol in June. After all those festive carbohydrates, how about something refreshing for the new year?

On Thursday 23 January legendary local fruit grower, organic gardener and author Tim Foster will help and encourage you to grow all kinds of fruit. Apples, pears, cherries, plums, currants, gooseberries and more, he will take us on a journey through the growing year and guide us through the why as well as the how of growing fruit successfully. Hoping for a good crop in 2020? Then come along to listen to Tim, seek advice and ask questions. On Friday 31 January, we have a preview of local theatre group the Kelvin Players forthcoming play The Children by Lucy Kirkwood; they will perform a short scene, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The play tells the story of two retired nuclear scientists, who barely survive in the small cottage they move to after their home is flooded. Their existence is shattered when a work colleague from the past tracks them down with an offer they struggle to refuse. Intrigued? Come along to find out more, and if this whets your appetite, you can book to see the play at the Kelvin Studio from 11-15 Feb 2020. Both these evening events start at 7.30pm, doors open at 7.15pm, tickets cost £3. We are also offering a few lunchtime sessions for anyone who doesn’t fancy coming out on dark evenings or just wants to be entertained during their lunch break. The first of these offers a bit of Valentine’s day romance; on Friday

14 February from 1.00 – 2.00pm, local author Kerry Postle will talk about her historical novel, A Forbidden Love. Set in the humble town of Fuentes during the Spanish Civil war, Maria falls for an occupying soldier. Can she can truly love someone who is her enemy, and will there be a happy ending? Find out more about how Kerry researches her novels and ask about her other books. Book in the library or turn up on the day, £3 including a hot drink or fruit juice. Our relaxed and sociable Games evenings for adults are underway, offering the chance to play a variety of traditional and modern board and card games. Popular games have included Dobble, Jenga and Beetle, and we have plenty of others, but if you have a favourite please bring it along with you. Next events are Tuesday 14 January, Wednesday 29 January and Tuesday 11 March. Each evening costs £2 which will go towards buying more games, and self-service low cost hot drinks are available. There is no need to book, just turn up from 7pm, last entry 8.30pm. You can join the Friends, find booking information for events, and support the library at facebook.com/bishopstonlibrary, at bishopstonlibrary.org.uk or contact us at friends@bishopstonlibrary.org.uk .

Does your school support young carers? DID you know that some school children at Fairfield High School (FHS) have huge caring responsibilities at home? These young carers are just kids, yet they care for a family member who couldn’t do without their help. The average age of a young carer is just 13 years old. The Government classifies young carers as ‘children in need’ and rightly so. They are isolated and lonely and often suffer from depression and anxiety, as well as lack of confidence and low self-esteem. FHS is one of 38 local schools signed up for the Young Carers in Schools programme. National Young Carers Awareness Day is on 30 January and local charity, Carers Support Centre, is asking more local schools to join their programme.

Young carers struggle to keep up with their schoolwork, are often bullied at school, and have significantly lower educational attainment than other children. Carers Support Centre also found that 75% of young carers have been absent from school due to the physical and mental impact of their caring responsibilities. Carers Support Centre helps schools with inset days and training for staff, governors and pupils. Schools can then set up support groups, homework clubs and drop in sessions for young carers. This gives pupils confidence that staff understand their home situation and means they get the support they need. FHS run a regular support group for the young carers at their school. Young carers who attend say: “I like the Young and

Caring group because it's a good way to relax” and “I like being with others that understand.” Young Carers in Schools is a national programme promoted by the Children’s Society and Carers Trust, and hundreds of schools across England are part of it. 38 of the 173 primary and secondary schools in Bristol are signed up to the Young Carers in Schools programme so far. Every school said they would recommend the programme to other schools. Now, with new funding from The Nisbet Trust, Carers Support Centre aims to work with more local schools. Kama McKenzie, Young Carers Manager, at Carers Support Centre, said: “On average young carers will miss a day of school each month as

a result of their caring role, so the steps schools take to identify and support them can have a huge impact on their learning, wellbeing and life chances.” You can help young carers by finding out if your local school is part of the Young Carers in Schools programme. If they are not, ask your school to get in touch with Carers Support Centre. Carers Support Centre website: https://www. carerssupportcentre.org.uk

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n PHARMACY BLOG

0117 9246579 18 Kellaway Avenue, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7XR

This column by Jess Williams of Kellaway Pharmacy aims to help educate patients on a range of conditions and provide information to help maintain their well being while also easing pressure on GP surgeries by promoting self care.

Making your New Year resolutions stick A NEW year presents the perfect time to make a fresh start, especially after the excesses of the festive celebrations. The most common resolutions involve eliminating harmful habits, establishing new routines or pursuing new interests that will bring benefits financially, socially and physically, alongside intellectual and emotional joy. Sadly, resolutions are much easier to make than to keep. By the end of January, many of us have abandoned our resolve and settled back into our old patterns. The evidence of such failed attempts include ongoing direct debit payments to gyms never visited, waistlines and dress sizes continue to increase, failure to give up smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. Relationships can also come under strain as promises like reducing social media use or managing time better so it can be spent together become broken. Is it even worth making a resolution? A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that those who set New Year's resolutions are 10 times more likely to actually change their behaviour than people who don't make these yearly goals! So what are the success secrets to keeping them? Avoid making non-specific resolutions like: "lose weight", "get in shape". Set realistic and measurable goals to focus on. For example, commit to lose 20kg, run a mini-marathon or park-run, take 10,000 steps or walk a mile daily, spend less than one hour online

daily after work or do at least one activity together as a family weekly. Pick only one or two things to focus on. Taking on too much sets you up to fail! We know that establishing new behavioural patterns takes time and can be difficult. Focusing your efforts on one or two specific goals makes keeping a resolution much more achievable. Avoid repeat failure. Don’t just keep setting the same goals that you keep failing to meet. Failure reinforces self-doubt just as success will build selfbelief. For a goal such as giving up smoking - spend some time evaluating your previous results. What worked and what did not? Seek help and support to help you devise a new approach. By changing your strategy, you will get better results this year. Renew and protect your motivation. The enthusiasm, confidence and high motivation of the early New Year days will fade. Be ready to answer the question – Why am I doing this again? Discipline and routine are crucial, not least with increasing physical activity or learning new skills. Celebrate and Mark every small progress made. Keep going, you can do it. Enlist the help of others by joining a group that shares your goal. Family and friends can support you to stay motivated and offer encouragement especially if you stumble along the journey. Kellaway Pharmacy, an NHS Healthy Living Pharmacy offers practical evidence-based support and resources to help achieve your goals to a healthier lifestyle. Come in to speak with us today.

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January, 2020

n VETS' ADVICE

Antibiotics: your role as a pet owner ANTIBIOTICS are life saving drugs, but the bacteria we are treating can develop mechanisms to make the antibiotic treatments ineffective. This has led to the emergence of resistant superbugs. While antibiotic resistance is a natural process in both human and veterinary medicine, the overuse of antibiotics is speeding up the development of superbugs. The risk of an organism developing resistance increases every time an antibiotic is used. This has become one of the most pressing issues in human medicine and we all have a role to play in reducing the spread of resistance. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has come up with the following mantra about antibiotics to help raise understanding and awareness on antibiotic use. Don’t Infect We believe that if you keep your pet healthy they will be better able to fight infections. A good

diet, good anti-parasite control, healthy lifestyle and up to date vaccinations means your pet is less likely to develop infection. Don’t Expect We will only prescribe an antibiotic if we suspect a bacterial infection. There are some conditions where antibiotics are not likely to be necessary, such as short term intestinal upsets and some forms of cystitis in cats. Sometimes we need to take samples that can be looked at down a microscope or sent off to a laboratory. Protect If we do diagnose a bacterial infection we will always consider if we can safely use alternatives

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to antibiotics – for instance for some skin infections we can use antibacterial washes, shampoos or foams with view of adding in antibiotics if necessary. If we need to prescribe an antibiotic we will always use an ointment or cream topically when we can (usually for skin/ear/eye infections) to minimise the use of the antibiotic. We try to choose the most appropriate type of antibiotic. If it is necessary for a culture of the organism to be grown at a laboratory we will also test to check which antibiotic is the most effective. If your pet is prescribed antibiotics it is important the dosing instructions are followed and the course is completed even if your pet seems better. Never be disheartened if you don’t receive antibiotics for your pet. Be safe in the knowledge that the vet is doing what is best for your pet. As the campaign says: Trust your vet!

Karen Wilson MRCVS

Gloucester Road’s Independent Veterinary Practice 358 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8TP 0117 9247832 www.animalhealthcentre.org

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January, 2020

n NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF REDLAND LIBRARY

What Jane did next: The Women Who Built Bristol IN her books about The Women Who Built Bristol, Jane Duffus celebrates, “Women with a connection to Bristol who get stuff done.” Following the publication of the second volume in the series, Jane came to an event arranged by Friends of Redland Library on 14 November, to talk about some of the women she has recently

discovered. In The Women Who Built Bristol volume two, Jane concentrates on individuals who are not yet well-known, but who have an interesting story to tell. They include flying enthusiast Elsie Davison, who served in the Air Transport Auxiliary and was the first female pilot to die in World War II. Mary Atlay, a Matron at St Peter’s Workhouse, who was known for her kindness also features in the book, as does Winifred Parry, Bristol’s first reference librarian.

Jane’s favourite character however is Mary Griffiths, a barmaid from Hanham, who was determined to be the first person to cross the new Clifton Suspension Bridge when it opened in December 1864. Realising that she had competition, Mary hitched up her skirts and ran over the bridge, beating her competitor by two yards. Jane is also a keen runner and whenever she crosses the Suspension Bridge herself, she says, “Well done Mary, this one’s for you.” Thangam Debbonaire wrote the introduction to the book and said:. “The first volume of The Women Who Built Bristol was pretty good,” Thangam said, “but this one’s a triumph.” She explained that the individual stories link together, so that you can gradually build up a picture of each character’s place in the city’s history. As a result, she said, “This book has completely transformed the way I look at Bristol.”

Climate Change and From Page to Screen

hosting two events in January 2020. On Thursday 9 January, there is another in our series of Desert Island Books events. The theme is “Climate Change”. On Tuesday 28 January, our event “From Page to Screen” will explore how stories make the transition from the printed page to television and cinema. Both events start at 7pm and admission is £3 (pay at the door). These events are held in Redland Library and full details can be found on the website https:// FriendsOfRedlandLibrary.org.uk/ future-events

Plea for volunteers The Friends of Redland Library organise lots of events, reports of which can be found on the website https://FriendsOfRedlandLibrary. org.uk/recent-events All these events need volunteers to make them happen. If you want to get involved, please email FriendsOfRedlandLibrary@ gmail.com

Friends of Redland Library is

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

.. G N I C U D O R T IN

A collection of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes in St Werburghs. Situated in a vibrant district of the city, the homes are ideal for family living. Centred around the landmark Brooks Dye Works chimney these new properties offer access to the adjacent Mina Road Park, contemporary design, parking and gardens.

NEW HOMES IN BRISTOL

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST LAUNCHING SPRING 2020 To register your interest: Call: 0117 244 0400 Visit: acornpropertygroup.org Preliminary computer generated images for illustrative purposes only. Illustrations by Lucas Antics.

An Acorn Property Group led development in conjunction with Galliard Homes.

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n PROPERTY

50 Clifton Down Road Bristol BS8 4AH

BROOKS Dye Works is an exciting mix of seventy-nine new homes comprising 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses in St Werburghs. Featuring new pedestrian routes linking to the surrounding areas and neighbouring parkland, the homes will have access to plenty of open green space. The area of St Werburghs is a vibrant district plentiful in character, independent restaurants, organic eateries and urban art scene. Boasting a great sense of local community, there is plenty to explore nearby with the popular family attraction of the City Farm and Mina Road Park which sits adjacent to the development. The stylish new homes will feature open plan living, contemporary design and allocated parking. All of the homes are complete with a private garden or terrace. Featuring a range of homes to suit a variety of lifestyles, whether you are a first time buyer or growing family.

The new development has a fascinating history as the former Brooks Laundry dates back to the 19th century when the site was used for industrial units by Brooks Dyers and Cleaners. The original dye works was set up by Alfred Brooks who grew and developed the business, the landmark chimney can be seen across the city and will be retained, with the new homes centring around the iconic feature. Conveniently located just 1.5 miles to the centre of Bristol, less than 1 mile from Montpelier train station and under half a mile from the M32 motorway, the homes will benefit from good access in and out of the city. Launching in spring 2020, register your interest now. For more information: 0117 244 0400 acornpropertygroup.org

n INSIDE OUT JUST in time for the New Year there's a new kid in interiors town - Amy Walden and her home furnishings brand Guild Of Colour. A seasoned product designer working across textiles, furniture, interiors and fashion, Amy has blended these skills to create a range of folding screens and other furnishings like headboards, lampshades and cushions. What makes them a little bit different is that they are all custom made in her signature style of hand-cut leather artwork in a vibrant and fresh palette. With a lifelong fascination for Japanese and Chinese screens and a childhood spent by the Cornish seaside and wild flower filled hedgerows of the West Country, Amy creates landscapes that play with the opacity

of leather and translucence of her screen panels. The overall effect is a clever combination of decorative art and soft diffused light, making the screens perfect for providing privacy, and a practical solution for spaces that need dividing, areas that need concealing or adapting for different occasions. Open to commission work as well as the readymade products Guild Of Colour can recreate your favourite holiday postcard scene in dyed leather so you can be transported there all year round. To find out more visit https://www. guildofcolour.com Zoe Hewett is interior designer at local studio Stylemongers Of Bristol www.stylemongersofbristol.co.uk

with interior designer Zoe Hewett

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n NEWS

'Communication is key to prevent foster placement breakdown' ONE of Bristol’s leading foster care experts has said that good communication is crucial in preventing the breakdown of foster home placements, to provide stability for children in care. The latest figures from the Children’s Commissioner show that, of more than 75,000 children in care in the UK, almost 8,000 experienced multiple placement changes in 2017/18. Around 2,000, just under three per cent, have had multiple placement moves for the past two consecutive years. In Bristol, nine per cent of children in care – 60 children in the city – had two or more placement changes in the 12 months covered by the statistics, which were released in August. Mark Brady, who is Services Manager at independent Bristol agency Amicus Foster Care, based at the community centre in St Werburgh’s, believes that personal relationships and good communication with children in care are vital for providing stability. It was recently the first independent agency to complete a trial of a new mobile app, called Mind Of My Own, which enables fostered children to provide feedback on their carer, direct to Amicus, in a bid to provide an extra line of communication.

Mark Brady, services manager at Amicus Foster Care Amicus was recently rated Outstanding by Ofsted for its third consecutive inspection and was praised for its use of innovative technology and research. However Mr Brady said that, while useful, the trial mainly served to confirm what Amicus knew already, that the best relationships between agencies, carers and children are based on good face-to-face communication. “As an agency we focus on relationships and it seems our

children are confident and happy enough with the people who work here, our services and the relationships they have with foster carers and social workers. They don’t need the extra level of anonymity which comes from sending message through technology. “Therefore our focus is on continuing to develop ways of getting those direct, face-to-face links with our young people, so we can continue to improve what we offer and provide stable homes for them.”

Since it started life in 2009, Amicus has placed more than 500 young people, a high proportion of whom had already experienced several placement moves before coming to the agency. It now prides itself on a high level, approximately 80 per cent, of long term placement stability, thanks partly to a care approach which encompasses wraparound therapeutic support, underpinned by Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy for children with trauma and attachment disorders. Mr Brady said that placement breakdown was an issue which all agencies should aim to tackle as a matter of top priority. “Of course foster care can be challenging for young people and families, particularly with children with complex needs,” he said. “But people must remember that these are vulnerable children who have often been through difficult periods in their young lives, and they need stability. “Being able to communicate and understand is a key element of good foster care.” There is always a need for foster carers. If you would like to find out more about fostering a child call: 0117 955 5039 or email enquiries@amicusfostercare.com

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bishopstonvoice

January, 2020

n BISHOPSTON LIBRARY BOOK OF THE MONTH

The joy of shared reading

positive and engaging tale about a girl growing up and finding her own niche in the world, including a beautifully observed mother/daughter relationship with Rosemary and her mother developing a mutual love and respect for each other. Childrens Fiction – Read and enjoyed by Reuben Rogers (Age 9)

Witchfairy by Brigitte Minne

Reviewed by Bob Deacon, Bishopston Library Rosemary is a fairy who lives with her mum in a castle in the air. As a fairy, she is expected to be sweet and neat, telling stories with a honeyed voice. She secretly wants to be a witch, as witches are allowed to get nice and dirty and to shout and scream with laughter and to sail boats down a stream. This enchanting children’s picture book is written by Birgitte Minne, translated by Laura Watkinson and beautifully illustrated by Carll Cneut. It is a

The Wizards of Once (Book 1) by Cressida Cowell

The Wizards of Once is a fantastic, breathtaking book where two characters meet in secret. Things get confusing when two people are resurrected and then they suddenly cross paths, arguing over an enchanted sword. Surprisingly, their mother and father are gigantic enemies. I absolutely loved it and fully recommend it for anyone who loves feeling adventurous! When I read it, I felt a bit confused at first, but when the children got up to mischief, it got interesting! I felt it had an amazing cliffhanger to

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finish. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. For these books and many more, visit us at Bishopston Library. If we don’t have exactly what you’re looking for, there are over 2 million items from which you can reserve across LibrariesWest and collect from any library of your choice. Opening Hours: Monday 1–7pm Tuesday closed Wednesday 11am-5pm Thursday 11am-5pm Friday 11am-5pm Saturday 11am–5pm Sunday closed

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To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk