Bishopston Voice July 2017 by Emma Cooper

bishopstonvoice www.bishopstonvoice.co.uk

July 2017 Issue 56

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Libraries at risk as council seeks to make more cuts BISHOPSTON and Redland libraries could be under threat of closure under the latest proposals by Bristol City Council to save £4.7 million over the next three years. The changes, which are all subject to public consultation, could see most of the city’s libraries close, along with the majority of public toilets, while adult social care will be cut along with half of school crossing patrols. The consultation period runs until September 5, but mayor Marvin Rees made it clear, as he launched the consultation on June 13, that the savings had to be made. “We still have to balance our budget, and we are working under a national government that is committed to austerity,” Mr Rees said. Also part of the consultation are the neighbourhood partnerships – the local meetings which brought residents together with the police, the council and other bodies. Turn to Page 2

Flower power raises a smile A colourful floral display outside Abbeyfield house in Henleaze as part of the organisation's Doorstep Challenge has attracted the attention of the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Lesley Alexander. PAGE 9

MP Thangam makes promise

Children and teachers at Horfield CofE Primary School have been selected as the 2016-17 UK Literary Association Literacy School of the Year. UKLA President Andrew Lambirth said: “This award has become an aspirational and recognised kite mark for schools of excellence in literacy.” Full story: Page 16

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Thangam Debbonaire, reelected last month as Labour MP for Bristol West with a 37,000 majority, has pledged to serve all constituents for as long as this Parliament lasts. PAGE 17

Winemakers are in the pink

Dunleavy Vineyards, run by Ingrid Bates, from Bristol, has won Silver in the UK Wine Awards for its 2016 Pinot noir rosé. PAGE 11

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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

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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 11,250 copies will be distributed around Bishopston, Redland and St Andrews.

July 2017

n NEWS

Libraries at risk as c From Page 1 There are plans to replace these with a much cheaper system of local meetings, with the option of distributing some funds towards local causes. Mr Rees held out little immediate hope for Bristol to escape the cuts, despite the hung parliament delivered by June 8’s General Election – a result widely seen as a vote against austerity. Mr Rees said that despite the need for savings, he still wanted a genuine consultation. “We want to enter into a conversation with Bristol about how we do this. These are initial proposals. They are there for people to review, and to feed back to us on. “But we are really clear that we do have to balance this budget. It means that if we don’t make a saving in one area, it means we do have to make a saving in another area. “For every area that’s impacted, there will be a very strong case for why that service is in place. We recognise that, but we do have to have people join with us in making these very difficult decisions.” There are currently 27 libraries across the city, including the two in the Bishopston Voice area on Gloucester Road and Whiteladies Road. Among the proposals is for 17 of these to close altogether. While Central Library would remain open seven days a week for 54 hours, three Area libraries (one for North West, one for East

and one for South) could open Monday to Saturday, staffed at all times, for 47 hours a week. Two Local libraries in each area could then open for 22.5 hours a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Further cost-saving options include card access at certain times when the libraries are unstaffed, with supervision by CCTV only. It is thought £300,000 could be saved in the first year, with savings of up to £1.2m a year by 2020.

Crossing patrols School crossing patrols are also likely to be hit hard under the new proposals. Where there are currently 80 crossing patrols at 56 schools, this figure is likely to be halved to just 37 patrols at 27 schools. The changes are expected to save £90,000 in the current year, with ongoing savings of £65,000 in 2018-19. The cuts are proposed according to a national benchmark of need called PV Squared, which counts numbers of pedestrians and vehicles. Accidents at the site are also taken into account. But to make the savings, not every school that meets the PV Squared threshold will keep its patrol. It is unknown how schools in the Bishopston, Redland or Cotham areas will be affected, but mayor Marvin Rees has acknowledged that many parents and teachers are likely to react in anger if their schools are affected.

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July 2017

n NEWS

council looks at cuts Adult day services will fail to emerge unscathed as cuts are needed here of £1.2 million by 2020. The Community Links centres that care for 130 people with complex needs will be axed, leaving three drop-in centres for 120 people with learning difficulties who live in the community. The council minibus service which brings people to the centres will also cease, as families and carers will be encouraged to drop people off themselves. The proposed end of council care for people with complex learning disabilities and severe dementia is not “passing the buck”, the council insists. Instead, it is recognition that other bodies might be able to provide the service more cheaply. Michelle Farmer, the council’s service director for early intervention and targeted support, said: “We will assess individual need and we will commission the support that they need. The question is, does

it need to be the council being the provider, because we have a market of other people.”

Toilets Far from spending a penny, the council is seeking to save in the region of £400,000 a year by closing a number of public toilets. There are 36 public toilets and urinals, including those in parks. The plan is to close all 18 public toilets and urinals on streets, while the other 18 toilets in parks remain open – for now. The council admits it has no idea how many people this will affect, but that it simply cannot afford to upgrade the toilets it operates now. The annual toilet budget will drop to just £36,000 a year, and this money will be spent making people aware of other toilets they can use. A Business/ Community Toilet scheme could provide cleaner, safer toilets in shops, cafés, pubs, some public Turn to Page 4

Have your say ANYONE can comment on any part of the plans at www.bristol. gov.uk/yourneighbourhood . Consultation runs until Tuesday, September 5. Anyone with a disability or access needs can request alternative formats by emailing consultation@bristol.gov.uk or by calling 0117 922 2848. Paper copies are available from libraries and the council’s Citizen Service Point at 100 Temple Street. But paper copies are being limited to save money.

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July 2017

n NEWS

'A chance to do things differently' From Page 3 buildings and some voluntary sector buildings, and the council would encourage businesses and others to offer their toilets for free use by the public without the need to buy anything, possibly with the use of small grants. Lastly, Neighbourhood Partnerships will become a thing of the past. There were 14 of these meeting four times a year, this has already ceased. Each of the city’s 34 wards also had a neighbourhood forum. These meetings brought residents together with their councillors, council officials, police and others to discuss local issues like crime, waste collections and parks, but cutting them has already saved £500,000. The plan is to replace this system with ‘community meetings’ – at least two in each ward or group of wards every

The cuts at a glance • Libraries: £1.4m by 2020 • School crossing patrols: £155,000 per year • Day services for adults with learning disabilities and other needs: £1.2m by 2020 • Public toilets (except those in parks): £440,000 per year

year. With a minimal budget of just £14,000, community groups will have to organise their own meetings. The community projects budget will be set at £275,000 to fund planting, group activities, etc, with funds firmly weighted towards more deprived areas. These proposals will bring a further £500,000 of savings by April 2019. Councillor Asher Craig,

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cabinet member for communities and deputy mayor, said local government is being run according to an antiquated model. “This is an opportunity to talk to the people of Bristol about how we can do things differently, much more efficiently, and which meets the needs of people today and not how we did things 40 to 50 years ago. “There are some harsh prospects here but in many cases we’re supporting outdated, expensive ways of doing things which aren’t really suitable anymore. So whilst there’s definitely a big challenge and many hard choices, there is also a chance to work together on new ways of doing things.”

Scrutiny Cotham Lib Dem councillor Anthony Negus said these cuts “would seriously affect every citizen of Bristol now and until they are reversed”. As chair of the Neighbourhood Scrutiny Commission he has called an informal meeting of members to consider their response. “The total closure of 17 libraries with six running for a few hours a week and only four still offering a library service appears to be an unnecessarily hard solution,” he said. “Greater flexibility, use of volunteers and an alternative non-municipal system such as mutualisation have delivered better solutions with other authorities but these are not being offered for consultation. This last-minute proposal to close 17 library buildings was not presented for scrutiny by councillors, despite requests. This consultation will now not be about a range of options for coping with austerity

• Neighbourhood partnerships £1.062m by 2019. • Total proposed savings £4.7m, mainly between 2018-19 and 2019-20 • Total savings agreed for 2017-18 is £33m • Total cuts identified between 2017 and 2022 is £104m • The parks budget is likely to be discussed in the autumn, along with other controversial proposals

but instead presents cherrypicked preferences.” “Citizens should be entitled to comment,” he added. “And in these tough times all helpful suggestions should be actively considered.” Bishopston’s Green councillor, Eleanor Combley – who is Leader of the Green Group on Bristol City Council – also urged as many people as possible to get involved and have their say in response to the council’s Your Neighbourhood consultation. “The changes proposed are huge, and will affect many people across the city, and it is important that you let the administration know if you are one of them,” she said. “As Greens we are passionate about quality of life, and the areas being cut here – support for adults with disabilities, school crossing patrols, libraries, public toilets, and local democracy through the Neighbourhood Partnerships – all have a big impact on people’s quality of life."

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July 2017

n NEWS

Disappointment for Greens as Tory comes in second AN election that promised a tight contest between the Green Party and the Labour Party in Bristol West turned into a landslide victory for sitting MP Thangam Debbonaire. A huge 77 per cent of voters turned out across the Bristol West constituency on June 8. Labour candidate Ms Debbonaire comfortably retained her seat with 47,213 votes, vastly increasing her majority with almost two-thirds of the overall vote. She said: “I am thrilled to be returned as your Labour Member of Parliament for Bristol West. Thank you. “Whether people voted Labour for our fantastic manifesto and Jeremy Corbyn's leadership; or because of the local issues I’ve been campaigning on – like an autism-friendly Bristol, clean air for the city, a proper supported welcome for refugees; or out of

Thangam returns as MP with majority of 37,336 a strong desire to oppose a cliffedge Tory Brexit and austerity, Bristol West voted loudly and clearly for progressive politics and for hope. “And a great result in taking Bristol North West from the Conservatives means Bristol now has an even more powerful Labour voice in Parliament. Along with Marvin Rees, Karin Smyth, Kerry McCarthy and Darren Jones, I’ll work hard to hold to account the weak and wobbly government that Theresa May is desperately cobbling together.” The Green Party had focused much of their national attention

on the seat, hoping to secure their second MP in Parliament but their candidate Molly Scott Cato was pushed into third place behind the Conservative candidate Annabel Tall. Ms Scott Cato, a member of the European Parliament, said: “I’m feeling pretty gutted but so proud of the campaign we ran. I’ve loved the hopefulness that the people of Bristol West have shown. Whether they chose Green or Corb,yn, the people of Bristol West have rejected the hateful politics of the Tories. “Bristol has for a long time been a hive of green thinking and activism and will continue

to be so. The Green Party will continue to be the political voice for this green vision. We are in this for the long haul and our green councillors will continue carrying the green baton on behalf of Bristol residents and keep building on our success in the city.” The full results from Bristol West were Thangam Debbonaire (Labour): 47,213, Annabel Tall (Conservative): 9,877, Molly Scott Cato (Greens): 9,216, Stephen Williams (Lib Dem): 5,201, Jodian Rodgers (Money Free Party): 101. MP column: Page 10

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July 2017

n NEWS

Emergency meeting Bristol takes part in National Clean Air Day about street trees AN emergency meeting has been called by Bristol Tree Forum about the Council’s consultation on its recent decision to stop maintaining street trees in the city. Held at Bristol City Hall on Tuesday 4 July, 6-8pm, the meeting is open to all and will consider what solutions to this threat to Bristol’s street trees can be offered and to plan a way ahead.

Speakers from Sheffield and Birmingham Trees for Life have been invited to talk about issues their cities have faced over tree management and how they are able to protect, maintain and plant trees in public spaces. An epetition has been set up on the Bristol City Council website to protect Bristol’s street trees and people are encouraged to sign it, see petition

ORGANISATIONS and businesses across the Bristol area came together to mark the UK’s first National Clean Air Day on June 15 by urging drivers to switch off vehicle engines to reduce exhaust emissions. Eleanor Combley, leader of Bristol's Green Party councillors, said: "This is an invisible

public health crisis and Green councillors are impatient to see people’s concerns translated into real improvements in air quality. We look forward to the Mayor’s upcoming progress report next month on action towards achieving clean air in our city.” Air pollution is becoming known as a silent killer.

Green Party leader, Caroline Lucas, campaigning for clean air with Bristol Green councillors in 2016

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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Polish crisis charity celebrate five years

A FIFTH anniversary for crisis counselling service Opoka was celebrated with a visit from the Mayor of Bristol and his cabinet to their Cheltenham Road premises at the end of May. ‘Opoka’ means ‘rock’ in Polish, and Opoka-Bristol is a service that Polish women and children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse can rely on. The women this voluntary organisation help may be isolated because they are from an Eastern European background and have limited or no understanding about how to access support to address the risks they are experiencing. The Centre, set up as part of the Chrysalis support organisation, provides short term individual crisis counselling and where funded, long term therapy for women and children. The purpose of support and therapy is to provide the necessary tools for clients who need these services to start the process of healing and recovery. One of the 25 trained volunteers is Aneta Maryla Mackell who realised through her support work in 2012 that a lot of people were approaching the Polish Priest at the Polish Church on Cheltenham Road for advice on what people should do to get help in an abusive relationship. An initial project was set up as Aneta explained: “We found out that women and children were the most vulnerable in the community as they are often isolated in the UK. The husband leaves Poland first to come to find work and often finds a new

relationship in this country. “The wife would come with the children but have little understanding of the English language. The husband would be working a lot and in charge of the money. After a few years the women would put it all together, work out what was going on and realise that she’d left a good job in Poland to live here with her husband. There are cases where women end up in the emergency departments. There is coersive behaviour - controlling money, and how the women behaves.” There is a support team of six operating at the organisation including a legal advisor, solicitor, psychologist, therapist, nurse, independent domestic and sexual violence advisors who speak both English and Polish. Opoka provide the women with psychological therapies and practical support and any Polish woman can approach them. People are referred to Opoka by the police, Lighthouse and social workers. There is a Facebook page www.facebook. com/opokabristol and adverts on Facebook to alert women to the service. Opoka-Bristol received DCLG funding for the first time this year to carry on the valuable work and has been named by the Bristol City Council Crime Reduction Manager as the BAME Specialist Domestic Violence Service in Bristol. Aneta added: “There is a hidden problem of underreported violence. We want to let the community know that we are here to support people from the

Polish community. We have been set up to help women. “I can only imagine how difficult it must be for women here with no friends to express themselves. Children suffer the most. Witnessing domestic violence makes it difficult to have trust with other people and their relationship with others. “Domestic violence never leaves you. It is difficult to open

up and say ‘I don’t know what to do’. “We have lots of ideas of how to help women find work and childcare. To empower women to make positive changes and feel stronger and more confident.” Opoka can be contacted through Facebook, or call 0117 9166 620 (Polish) or 0117 904 4366 (English).

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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Lord Mayor sees Doorstep Challenge - it's such a blooming good show THE Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Lesley Alexander, visited Abbeyfield’s retirement house in Henleaze on June 9 to offer support to residents taking part in Abbeyfield’s inter-house horticultural competition, the Doorstep Challenge, where houses compete to create the most attractive entrance. Categories include the best hanging basket; best planted tub; best budget scheme; and most unusual container. Residents from Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham’s houses in Redland and Henleaze have been working hard, planting and tending to plants and flowers for the past few weeks, to get ready for the competition, being judged in June. At the house in Henleaze, new resident Elizabeth Pettar was the driving force, galvanising the other residents into action. The result is a beautiful, colourful display at the front of the house, which has

Resident Elizabeth Pettar, Abbeyfield Chief Executive Frances Stretton, Lord Mayor, Councillor Lesley Alexander. attracted many passers-by to stop and comment. Residents were over the moon when the Lord Mayor accepted an invitation to join them for coffee and to enjoy a tour of the house and gardens. “The gardens are wonderful and it’s lovely to see how much

the residents enjoy coming together to get the plants and borders ready for the competition,”, said the Lord Mayor. When she was elected last month, the Lord Mayor cited loneliness in the elderly as one of the issues she intended to help

during her term: a theme that sits at the core of Abbeyfield’s work. The Lord Mayor has previously established a group for older people, called The Bedgbrook Retirement Club, and also works with Contact the Elderly, a nationwide organisation that organises tea parties for older people living alone Abbeyfield’s house manager in Henleaze, Suzanne Mackenzie said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Lord Mayor today and to be able to find out more about her work with older people in communities. Our residents very much benefit from coming together socially, and working together for competitions such as the Doorstep Challenge. It’s heart-breaking to think of so many older people who remain very isolated and we look forward to working more with the Lord Mayor over the next year.”

Hundreds march in Window Wanderland 2018 needs your support support of NHS

LIGHTING up the dark winter nights with Window Wanderland is now firmly established on the local calendar. The community event, which started in Bishopston and expanded to Chandos Road and beyond earlier this year, needs new volunteers to help organise those magnificent and quirky window displays. Window Wanderland founder, Lucy Reeves, said: “Our ethos is 'many hands make light work' but without a few volunteers we will not be able to run the next event in 2018. “All of the roles are very part time, flexible and sharable. Because of our growing recognition in the National media (like the 4-minute film on BBC's The One Show) your work will be visible - as it all started here with YOU and your displays.” Window Wanderland would like a Schools co-ordinator to tell schools all about it, a map maker; sponsorship/funding coordinators, project co-ordinators, and press and marketing coordinators. For a more detailed list see here. Contact windowwanderland@gmail.com for more info. This year’s Bishopston Window Wanderland had a whopping 270 displays and over 2,500 people out touring the streets to view. Bishopston truly illuminated the dark and dreary February weekend and the whole community came together to share in this annual event, with local artists, schools and community groups all creating displays.

HUNDREDS of people marched from Horfield Common to St Andrews Park at the end of May in support of the NHS. They were greeted with plenty of cheers from passers by and traders on the Gloucester Road, en route to St Andrews Park where NHS staff, film-maker Ken Loach and Green MEP Molly Scott Cato addressed the rally.

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bishopstonvoice

n MP COLUMN

July 2017

Democracy wins as Bristol West sees 77% turnout

Thangam Debbonaire column

IRST of all, thank you so much to every one of you for participating in the General Election. Turnout in Bristol West as a whole was high, at 77 per cent and, while we don’t have exact figures, it looks like turnout in Bishopston was particularly impressive. Whether you voted for me or not, I will do my best to represent you for however many years this Parliament lasts! I am particularly pleased that this Parliament is the most diverse ever, with record numbers of women MPs, MPs who are lesbian, gay or bisexual, disabled MPs and MPs who are from an ethnic minority – Parliament is starting to look more like the country we actually live in. Over the last two years I’ve helped secure government funding to develop a clean-air zone in Bristol; I helped persuade the government to make education on sex and relationships compulsory

for all young people; and I’ve led the way in Parliament to highlight weaknesses in how this country responds to refugees. I’ve also supported the arts in Bristol, helped a thousand people each year with individual casework problems and responded to thousands more who have contacted me with policy questions. My priorities for the coming term of Parliament include: getting the best Brexit deal for Bristol; improving how the UK responds to and values asylum seekers and refugees; championing the integration of social justice into trade deals; and tackling all forms of violence. In Bristol, as well as continuing to respond to individual problems, I’ll do everything I can to reduce air pollution in the city; make Bristol autism-friendly; champion Bristol’s arts and culture; fight for our schools to receive proper funding; and work with our Mayor and

council to sort our Bristol’s housing and homelessness crisis. I’ll also support the renewable energy sector in our region as a critical part of stopping climate change – our tidal power has huge potential for us to work towards us being carbon neutral by mid-century, using 60 per cent non-fossil fuels by 2030. I know that people in the Bishopston area care deeply about tackling climate change and that we as a city are doing better at contributing to making the country carbon-emissions neutral. But there is much more to do, and I’ll work with you in Bristol and with campaigning organisations and colleagues in Parliament to make this a top priority. If it matters to you, it matters to me – so do get in touch on thangam.debbonaire.mp@ parliament.uk, as so many of you have done already since last Thursday, to let me know what that is.

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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Cheers! Vineyard rose takes silver BRISTOL and Somerset based Dunleavy Vineyards has won Silver in the UK Wine Awards for its latest release, a 2016 Pinot noir rosé. Designed to showcase the different styles of sparkling and still wines produced on these very shores, the UK Wine Awards are run by the United Kingdom wine industry in association with Hotel du Vin, Country Life and Waitrose. Bristol resident Ingrid Bates is the director of Dunleavy Vineyards. She planted the vines at their leased, Chew Valley site back in 2008 when she was just 29. Ingrid learned the viticultural trade at a small vineyard at Thornbury Castle before saving up to plant her own Pinot noir and Seyval vines. The Dunleavy label has produced five vintages of Pinot noir rosé to date and their first sparkling wine should be ready at the end of 2018. With only 3,000 bottles of their current release available, Dunleavy are a relatively small

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producer when compared to some of the other UK Wine Award winners. Their rosé from previous years has also had success, winning ‘Best Local Wine’ at the Bristol Good Food Awards as well as bronze medals at the International Wine Challenge and Independent English Wine Awards.

The wine is available from some of the best restaurants in Bristol including Bellita in Cotham, POCO and Bulrush and from The Mall Deli and Grape&Grind on the Gloucester Road. See Vineyard News on Page 31 for more details

Green shoots THE Living Room ‘Growing Together’ event was held on May 20 and the group behind the project are keen to hear ideas about what direction to take next. A spokesman said: “Our aim was to bring people together, to get people and children interested in wildlife and to physically change the area around Arthur Milton Street and with your help we did it! We have planted both edible and bee-friendly plants to increase the biodiversity of the area, constructed lots of bird boxes, talked about bees and pollinators, made seed bombs and thought a lot about our surrounding area.” The group can be contacted at info@ livingroomproject.org.uk

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July 2017

n NEWS

Sharing memories of St George’s ST George’s Bristol is one of the country’s most revered concert halls, but the venue on Great George Street once had a very different life. For over 160 years it was a Church, originally serving as a ‘Chapel of Ease’ to the nearby (and long-since demolished) St Augustine-theLess, and then a Parish Church in its own right. As St George’s embarks on an exciting new chapter in its story – foundations are already laid for the venue’s new two-storey extension – staff at the venue are keen to know more about the building’s past. As such, an oral history project is in the works and the team is on the hunt for former Parishioners who have memories of their visits to the church, or were around when its doors finally closed in 1984. Leading the project is the venue’s Content & Engagement Manager, Michael Beek, and he is convinced there could be plenty to learn from Bristol residents. “We’re fascinated by this building, the way it looks and the things it has likely been witness

to. Bricks, mortar and the odd photograph can only go so far in telling the story, so voices are key to humanising its past. Of course we can’t speak to anyone who was here in 1823 when the church was first opened, but there will surely be people in the city – and perhaps beyond – who knew the Church of St George Brandon Hill in its later years. It’s those people we want to find, and speak to,” he said. The oral history project forms part of a larger Heritage Interpretation initiative, which will see the creation of a permanent space for visitors to learn about the story of the building, and a public programme of events, lectures and tours. The visitor space is set to open in late February 2018, alongside the new extension. If you attended St George’s Brandon Hill and have an interesting story to share, please get in touch with Doreen Pastor – Community Learning & Volunteer Coordinator – on 0117 929 4929, or email doreen. pastor@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Bishopston Library forms Friends group MORE than 20 residents met at Bishopston Library on May 30 to discuss the idea of setting up a Friends group to work with and help develop the facilities and activities at the new venue. Group services manager Chris Brown outlined how the new facility had been developing since opening and the range of activities already on offer. A member of Friends of Henleaze Library gave an idea of how their group operates, the range of events that they have been able to put on and some of the resources that they have been able to purchase for the library as a result of their fundraising. There was a good discussion from those present about how to communicate with and involve the wider community, some of the nitty-gritty of running an organisation and the need to ensure that the voice of everyone, particularly young people, is heard. At the end of the meeting a small group of people offered to meet up to establish a more formal organisation to take the group forward.

News?

Give Sue a call on 07976 706120 To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

July 2017

n NEWS

bishopstonvoice

Have your say on the Westbury Park AGM with wine and cheese future of Bristol WHAT should Bristol’s future look like? What should we do about traffic and air pollution? What do we need from our future houses, communities and neighbourhoods? Join in a special event to find out more about air pollution, our health and the future, and to have a say in deciding how Bristol should tackle the problem: • Monday 10 July 7.30-9.30pm • St Michael and All Angels, 160A Gloucester Rd, Bristol BS7 8NT Are electric cars the answer? Do we need to dig up all the roads? How might walking alternatives work? What about better trains or even trams, Yo bikes…..? This event is a collaboration between ClairCity, the Bishopston Society and Sustainable Bishopston. This follows the recent public meeting on air pollution, and is part of the resulting Clean Air Bishopston campaign in development. On behalf of the organisers, Nick Plant said: "We want to hear your views on these and other issues. During the event there will be an opportunity to learn more about the links between air pollution, climate change and our health, and give your views on the long-

term vision for Bishopston and the whole of Bristol. You can help shape the agenda for our neighbourhood and the city." This meeting is part of a major European project “Citizenled air pollution reduction in cities” (ClairCity) in which residents get to influence the long-term future of their city. The project includes UWE Bristol and Bristol City Council as partners. You’ll be working alongside citizens’ groups in five other European cities which are also members of the project consortium. For more information please see www. claircity.eu/bristol More details of the background and latest campaign plans as they unfold can be found via bishopstonsociety.org. uk/news Tickets are available for the event from bit.ly/Bishopston or register your interest at the Bishopston Society website.

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THE Annual General Meeting of the Westbury Park Community Association took place on June 7 in the Westbury Park School Hall. With a glass of wine and a plate of cheese in their hands, residents raised the issues which concerned them about life in the area. The first issue was the problem of safety in Etloe Road – now considered extremely dangerous, with cars driving on the pavements. Pedestrians are seen to be at risk on a daily basis. Cossins Road also has problems, with parking on the pavement now becoming the rule. Another safety issue of long-standing is the junction of Royal Albert Road with Westbury Park (the road); cyclists are perceived to be in danger here. The meeting also discussed the dilemma of whether to pursue a further Residents Parking scheme. It appears that there will need to be a very

definite vote in favour of RPS for any further action to be taken. All the issues raised will be on the agenda for the coming year, as WPCA works in conjunction with our local councillors. In the formal business of the AGM, Chairman Kevin Chidgey had reported that the Association had kept over 300 households informed of local issues and activities over the last year, and would go on doing so. THE Westbury Park Festival runs from June 23 - July 9 with 14 events to appeal to all ages and interests. Arts Fair, Saturday 1 July Open Gardens, Sunday 2 July Tickets: Flowers by Barry Toogood, 101 Coldharbour Road, Westbury Park Pub, and C The World at 33 North View.

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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

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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n EDUCATION

Colston's Girls' School team scoops awards A PROJECT highlighting homelessness achieved unprecedented success at the Young Enterprise area finals in Bristol. Team Connected, from Colston's Girls' School (CGS), scooped five of the nine awards

- including overall winner - and won through to the regional finals in June. The sixth-form girls built a business selling keyrings and coasters in the shape of jigsaw pieces to symbolise the links that hold society together. They also made a film called The Missing Piece, in which they spoke to homeless people and highlighted some of the factors that caused this plight. The team was up against nine other schools at the area finals at Kingsweston House and came away with prizes for best trade stand, best company report, and best Bristol team. Olivia Wright was named best managing director and the girls took the overall best Company Programme title. Michael Roulston, head of careers and employability at CGS, said the girls had shown tremendous work ethic, dedication and commitment.

“Team Connected performed exceptionally well and delivered the most professional and passionate pitch that I've ever seen from a Young Enterprise Team,” he said.

The girls were delighted at their success and thanked Mr Roulston and their business adviser Richard Murphy for supporting them.

A t A n i m a l H o u s e w e u n d e r s t a n d t h a t r e g i s t e r i n g y o u r p e t w i t h a n e w v e t i s a b i g d e c i s i o n . S o t o m a k e i t a l i t t l e e a s i e r w e a r e m a k i n g t h i s o f f e r t o y o u . M a k e a ‘ M e e t t h e v e t ’ a p p o i n t m e n t a t a n y o f o u r s u r g e r i e s a n d w e w i l l g i ve you the ﬁ r s t c o n s u l t a t i o n a b s o l u t e l y f r e e . T h e o n l y c o s t t o y o u w o u l d b e i f y o u r p e t n e e d e d a n y t r e a t m e n t a g r e e d w i t h T h e A n i m a l H o u s e V e t . W e h o p e t h a t t h i s a p p o i n t m e n t w i l l g i v e y o u t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e A n i m a l H o u s e p e r s o n a l a p p r o a c h t o v e t e r i n a r y c a r e . T o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h i s o f f e r , s i m p l y f i l l o u t t h e f o r m o n o u r w e b s i t e t o r e c e i v e y o u r v o u c h e r . C h a l k s R o a d S t G e o r g e B r i s t o l . B S 5 7 A A

C h i p p i n g S o d b u r y 6 1 H o r s e S t r e e t C h i p p i n g S o d b u r y B r i s t o l . B S 3 7 6 D A

D o w n e n d 1 1 C l e e v e W o o d R o a d , D o w n e n d B r i s t o l . B S 1 6 2 S F

W e s t b u r y P a r k 1 1 N o r t h V i e w W e s t b u r y P a r k B r i s t o l . B S 6 7 P T

T e l : 0 1 1 7 3 3 5 5 9 9 9 w w w . a n i m a l h o u s e v e t s . c o . u k To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n EDUCATION

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TOBY Maddix, a Year 7 student at Fairfield High School (FHS) has helped build a programmable mini arcade cabinet, which will shortly be donated to FHS and used by hundreds of students at the school. He built the arcade cabinet in a workshop at Digimakers (http://www.digimakers.co.uk/) a technology event run by Bristol University and hosted at @ Bristol. Toby was chosen, together with two Year 6 students from Ashton Gate Primary School, to take part in this project which was run as part of a collaboration between the Royal Academy of Engineering and Cotham School and aims to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects within schools. Terry Watts, STEM teacher Co-ordinator for the Royal Academy of Engineering and

Teacher at Cotham School said: “Toby was a real credit to your school and worked really well throughout the whole day. You should be really proud of him. We had a fantastic day.” Toby Maddix added: “The day was really interesting, well run and well delivered. I really enjoyed taking part in something which will be used for many years. It was fast paced and really fun!”

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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

July 2017

n EDUCATION HORFIELD Church of England Primary School is the 2016-17 UKLA Literacy School of the Year: A school where literacy thrives. UKLA President Andrew Lambirth said: “This award has become an aspirational and recognised kite mark for schools of excellence in literacy.” Jenny Taylor, Headteacher commented: “At the heart of the way in which we teach Literacy at our school is a fundamental commitment to unlocking the creative potential of all children through immersive learning. “Working in this way, powerful and engaging texts ignite children’s imaginations, promote a love of books and promote deep oral and written responses. Meaningful, memorable learning opportunities in Literacy inspire children across the curriculum. Experiences in Choral Speaking, Art, Dance and Drama enable children to explore texts through creative immersion. “The whole staff team is committed to inspiring one another by sharing innovative

Literacy thrives at Horfield practice. This enables a thriving approach across the school which includes extensive use of all that we have available to us, such as our school grounds; these are used by staff to provide stimulating, inspirational language experiences.” Horfield C of E Primary School is a two form entry primary school where the number of children in receipt of the Pupil Premium is higher than average. It serves a diverse community in North Bristol. The school uses its vibrant curriculum to engage the whole school community in its work. The staff and children are passionate about the books they love. Every classroom door introduces the book the children are currently enjoying as a class, and inside every room is a well-used book area, with the teacher’s favourites in a wellthumbed special box. There is a new, purpose built library which has well-stocked collections of

fiction and non-fiction. Guidance is provided for readers on appropriate choices, including the “Horfield Hundred” of books not to be missed before children leave for secondary school. The assessors were most impressed by the way that the headteacher and staff place literacy at the heart of the curriculum and use key texts as a means of enriching all of the school’s work. High quality texts are central to learning, and the assessors saw that children have opportunities to respond in a rich variety of ways. For example, poems written by children after a study of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” had been set to music and performed by the choir. Children across the school had the opportunity to enjoy choral speaking; the rich and varied language they learn then feeds into their spoken and written communication. The assessors praised the

standards reached in speaking, reading and writing. These are underpinned by a rigorous approach to learning basic skills, and are exceptionally high because the children are challenged to produce their very best work across the curriculum. The work in their exercise books and in their “Imagination Station” portfolios is beautifully produced and presented; this reflects the care taken by the headteacher and staff in collecting their work in scrapbooks, wall displays and published books which are shared widely. The children at Horfield were praised as effective and persuasive ambassadors for the school’s approach to literacy who can talk enthusiastically about the books they are reading and are knowledgeable about their reading, writing and performance. They are rightly proud of their school and their work.

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

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n EDUCATION

BGS trio earn England Live ‘operation’ takes place at Badminton School Rugby honours

THREE Bristol Grammar School (BGS) rugby players are reflecting on a great season and hoping for bright futures in the game after earning selection into England Rugby age-group squads this season. Front rows, Will Capon and Tom Rowland, both represented England at U18 level in fixtures against other Six Nations U18 sides, and BGS teammate Charlie Powell was selected for the England U17 training group. Will’s England performances have earned him a place on the England U18 tour to South Africa this summer, while Charlie is hoping to follow in Tom and Will’s footsteps with selection to the U18 group next season. The trio all play First XV rugby for BGS, as well as being part of the Bristol Rugby Academy, and all aspire to reach a professional level of rugby.

Tom, currently in his final year at BGS, has already been awarded a professional academy contract by Bristol and made an appearance for the Club’s First XV earlier this season. Director of Sport at BGS, Rick Sellers, said: “We are delighted for the boys: each has a high level of ability, of course, but perhaps more importantly, their attitude to their sport has been exemplary and I cannot imagine there are many who deserve the accolade of international selection more than Tom, Will and Charlie.”

THE School Hall at Badminton transformed into a live operating theatre in May as 45 Year 10 ‘surgeons’ performed a complex brain extraction, an eye extraction and a heart transplant. Year 10 pupils, complete with stethoscopes, surgical equipment and scalpels, spent the day getting hands on with science as they experimented with difficult surgical techniques. Learning the science behind anaesthesia first, the girls put their ‘patient’ under before completing a brain and eye extraction. The afternoon required the girls to carry out a heart transplant as students tested their fine motor skills reattaching the aorta with a needle and thread followed swiftly by slicing 1cm thick sections through the heart to create a series of cross sections in which to identify the major structures. The latter half of the afternoon introduced a new,

interesting smell to the room as a digestive tract was explored complete with full bladder and ruptured bowel. Rebecca Tear, Headmistress at Badminton, said: “This firsthand experience has extended our students’ understanding of a variety of organ systems as well as giving them a real insight into a career in medicine. This hands-on approach to learning is what an education at Badminton is all about and this experience will not be forgotten by our Year 10s.”

Looking for an exceptional local school? Look no further as we celebrate a significant rise in overall results from last year! Open Evening: Thursday 21st September, 6-9pm Open Mornings: Thursday 5th October, Friday 6th October, Tuesday 10th October and Wednesday 11th October, 9.15-10.30am

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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

July 2017

n BISHOPSTON MUM PUPILS at Bishop Road Primary School have started this new term with the arrival of a beautiful new school bell. The school's bell tower has always been empty since the school was built in 1900 and the new school bell completes it perfectly. It has been designed with a traditional look and includes a lobster design, plus the words “will you won't you” taken from The Mock Turtle's song in Alice in Wonderland, representing Bishop Road's school's appreciation and focus on children's literature. The new school bell will ring at the start and end of every school day. • Those parents and carers who used to enjoy visiting the brilliant Cairns Café at Cairns Road Baptist Church when their kids were little may well be interested to hear about Oasis Hour, a new weekly meet-up for parents and carers with children of school age and older. Oasis Hour takes place at Cairns Café on Wednesday afternoons in term-time from 2.15 – 3.15pm and will give parents and carers a chance to meet-up with friends or even make new friends over a cuppa and some of the café’s famous cake! All are welcome so

please do drop by one Wednesday – you can be sure of a friendly welcome. • If you have young children approaching pre-school age and are looking into possible pre-schools for them, there are currently places at Horfield Methodist Playgroup which is open from Monday to Friday 9am – 12 noon in term-time. This pre-school has been running for

an astonishing 49 years and offers a fantastic variety of activities for the children, plus a huge hall and a great collection of scooters and bikes for the children to whizz around in! To find out more and to arrange a visit please phone the pre-school on 07903 350214 or email playgroup@ horfieldmethodist.org.uk • Now that summer is here and the summer holidays not too far away

you may well be thinking about holiday club care for your children. This summer there are some Enid Blytoninspired holiday club sessions for children aged 5 – 12 at the Island of Adventure – aka the Golden Hill Community Garden! There will be storytelling from Enid Blyton's books, treasure hunts, dressing-up, games, a camp fire, fresh pizza from the frog oven and lashings and lashings of fun! My children often do these holiday clubs at the community garden and really enjoy them and I promise your children will too. The sessions will be held from 10am – 4pm on Tuesdays throughout the Summer hols starting from 25 July until 29 August and cost £26 per child per day (£21 for extra siblings) which includes a delicious lunch and snacks. To book a place please contact Lucy on ghcgarden@gmail. com or 07506 905394. I hope you enjoy a lovely July! Bishopston Mum www.bishopstonmum.com www.bristolmum.com

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

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bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n NEWS In Bishopston this month... Community SpeedWatch Is speeding traffic making your streets a dangerous and unpleasant place to live, work and play? Community SpeedWatch could be a solution to tackle this. By using volunteers to monitor speeds and report them to the Police, it gives your local Police the evidence they need to allocate their resources to address this anti-social behaviour, but just having a group monitoring traffic at the roadside can also have a positive effect on reducing speeds and improving safety. Here’s the link to further information about how the scheme works: http://www. avonandsomerset.police.uk/csw Volunteers are needed at the momet for a new Community SpeedWatch for Ashley Down Road, which is a particular problem for excess speeds in our Ward. If you are interested in helping out, either in this area or elsewhere, please get in touch with us.

Neighbourhood Partnership & Community Partnership The Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Neighbourhood Partnership held its final meeting on the 5th June. Bristol’s Neighbourhood Partnerships are having to be wound up due to the cuts being imposed on the City Council, but we do not wish for this to be the end of community working in the neighbourhood. For that reason a successor organisation, provisionally called the Community Partnership, has been created. After consultation earlier in the year about what local people would like to see the Community Partnership do, we now have an interim steering group to continue setting up the new organisation. You can find out more about what we are planning for the future here:http://www. bcrnp.org.uk/ Please join us for our next public Community Partnership meeting on Wednesday 19th July, 7-9pm at the Bishopston Library, Gloucester Road. And if you’re

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interested in getting involved please get in touch with us! Your Neighbourhood Consultation One of the main topics for that Community Partnership meeting in July will be discussing our local response to the council’s Your Neighbourhood consultation. This is looking at the impact of cuts and changes to services, from support for adults with disabilities to school crossing patrols and from libraries to public toilets. You can feed into the consultation at the Community Partnership meeting, or by contacting your local councillor, but the easiest way contribute your views is online at http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ yourneighbourhood - please get involved and have your say! Cllr Tom Brook cllr.tom.brook@bristol.gov.uk 07584370425 Cllr Eleanor Combley cllr.eleanor.combley@bristol. gov.uk 07584370427

On your bikes! Favourite family pedal event returns CYCLE Sunday is back and this year the family orientated trafficfree cycle event takes place on the Clifton and Durdham Downs in mid-July. Coordinated by charity Sustrans and a committed group of local residents, Cycle Sunday 2017 returns to the Downs between 10am and 2pm on Sunday 16 July. Families and young people from the local area are particularly welcome at the event, which is held to promote awareness of the wonderful green spaces we have in Bristol. This is the only event of its kind on the Downs this year and will take place whatever the weather, and a range of refreshments – coffee, tea, cold drinks and ice cream – will be available. Look out for photos of this and other super summer events in August's Bishopston Voice.

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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

July 2017

n NEWS In Cotham this month... Cuts Now is your chance to respond, before 5th September, to the ‘big consultation’ on cuts to libraries, neighbourhood partnerships, school crossings and public conveniences – but not parks and street trees – at: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ council-spending-performance/ your-neighbourhoodconsultation-2017 If you are not online a limited number of paper copies are available from local libraries and from 100 Temple Street, or call 0117 922 2848. Redland library faces closure and the newly opened Gloucester Road library is at risk. Sadly we are only allowed to comment on the hard preferences of the Administration. Glyphosate I convened a discussion with all parties building on the decision to minimise its use on Cotham streets and parks. The newly-licensed pelargonic acid is to be trialled by Bristol Waste Company while two national

groups are now helping to extend our options. Street weed growth was generally vigorous last year but Cotham residents are overdue a workable solution, so I’m pushing up the pressure. Rubbish A long conversation with the mayor’s ‘Cleaner Streets’ officer has identified a range of council and waste company measures to improve cleanliness. Once again there was reluctance, now blamed on cuts, to take enforcement action. I recalled the effect in 2015 of Bristol University simply warning the possibility of fines, but this must apply to all and be deliverable. Recycling rates are falling in Bristol and generally, costing the earth - and money. I don’t accept that we must reduce recycling opportunities to be cleaner. Encouragement can continue alongside action against persistent bad citizenship. Anthony Negus cllr.anthony.negus@bristol. gov.uk 07833 484344

POST election postmortem from a Green, social housing scare in light of Grenfell tragedy, another slashing budget consultation and crowd funding to grow your own. Election fever is over (for now) and in what was a unique and particular election, it was disappointing not to secure the UK's second Green MP in Bristol West. However the work must continue more than ever, with rising levels of air pollution and asthma, plans to fell trees to save money and more destruction through austerity Greens have an important role to play on a local and national level. Speaking of austerity, there is yet another consultation on city cuts. Please give your views. It may be that the newly opened Bishopston Library will be axed. https://bristol.citizenspace. com/bristol-city-council/ yourneighbourhood/ Following the disaster at Grenfell I have been talking with concerned residents across the city living in high rise

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council flats. The Major Projects department of BCC have told residents: “This is an entirely different system/material to that used in Bristol comprising a different design, completed with different materials. Furthermore we do not and have not used the company which supplied the cladding in London.” Finally some almost positive news! With your support Bristol Food Network Get Growing crowdfunder campaign will enable a city-wide growing trail for health and wellbeing, something we could all benefit from in such stretched times. Be quick - there are only a few days left to donate www. crowdfunder.co.uk/getgrowing-2018

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

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THESE SESSIONS ARE FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN ONLY. WE HAVE COURSES FOR OLDER CHILDREN DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Coaching courses school age children Monday, August 14 & Monday August 21 10am-1pm £18 Each

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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

July 2017

n NEWS In Redland this month... Election Congratulations to Thangam Debbonaire on her reelection as MP for Bristol West. It was by any measure a stunning victory and not one that any of us predicted. We look forward to working with her on a number of issues dear to Redland residents hearts, especially on air quality and health. Consultation on Council Cuts Some really important decisions are due to be made around the future of funding for parks, public toilets, libraries and neighbourhood partnerships. The consultations informing these are now underway and you can find details at http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ yourneighbourhood, at libraries or by calling 0117 9222848 until early September. The cuts

proposed are very significant, so we would urge you please to take a look and make your opinion known, as the impact on libraries, parks and support services will be huge. The BCR CP (new community partnership) steering group have arranged a public meeting to regress the steering group and consult on local input to the council consultations, Weds 19 July at the new Bishopston Library, from 7pm. Email the old address for further details: info@ bcrnp.org.uk Resident parking We may be near the final stages of the implementation of the Redland parking zone review. This process started in late 2014 with a consultation, into early 2015. Yes, that's a long time ago. Plans were drawn up, consulted,

and supposed to be carried out, but then the implementation was put on hold in early 2016 when the Mayoral election was underway. Work to implement the scheme will commence 3 July and will take up to six weeks. The extended scheme will become operational/enforceable on August 14 2017. Other areas of our ward are asking for parking schemes of some sort, which will have to be assessed to see how many people favour any sort of scheme, We should soon have details of the mechanics of how to take things forward, but whatever happens, it will take a while! Electric vehicles There's a lot of interest in switching over to cleaner vehicles. They can help keep air clean

in the city and, depending on the source of electricity, can be cleaner overall. Bristol is part of the Go Ultra Low programme which aims to increase uptake of electric vehicles and improve air quality in the West of England. This should see us double the number of public charging points, provide help for businesses, convert 20% of the council fleet to electric vehicles and help with electric vehicles for the freight consolidation centre. If you'd like more details do get in touch. Fi Hance Green Party Councillor for Redland Ward Cabinet member for Energy and Waste. Tel: 0117 353 4720 Martin Fodor cllrmartin.fodor@bristol.gov.uk 07884 736101

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July 2017

n NEWS In St Andrews this month... BRISTOL City Council have been having to make some incredibly difficult decisions about how to make savings as a result of government cuts in their funding. Austerity began with the election of the Coalition government in 2010 and over the last few years the Council have had to, and are still having to, cut back on staffing and services, in addition to finding new ways to generate income. The current administration in Bristol wants these decisions to be made in an open and inclusive way, and have been conducting a number of consultations to listen to the views of residents and communities. There have already been consultations on savings to be made to Targeted Youth Services, dementia care and alcohol and drug misuse services. The latest round concerns proposed changes to: Neighbourhood Partnerships; school crossing patrols; public toilets; libraries; and some of the services for adults with learning disabilities and dementia. It runs until 5 September and you can find it at www.bristol.gov.uk/yourneighbourhood. The consultation site includes an interactive map to help you judge and comment on the combined effects of the different options. These are harsh prospects for the services concerned, whatever options are pursued after September. These are just some of the

examples of the impact central government cuts are having. We can take heart, however, from the results of the recent general election, where large swathes of the country (including Bristol) rejected austerity and cost the government their majority. In light of the changed political landscape the Mayor of Bristol will be inviting the leaders of other major cities to take the argument to the government for a fairer deal for our local authorities. In the May issue we mentioned that a process would be initiated to survey residents in the area around Gloucester Road about how they’d like the parking problems in their area to be tackled. Council officers are currently in discussions about how they will go about this process and what it will involve (taking advice from the local councillors). We will provide a further update on this in due course. We also noted in our May article than an application had been submitted for a ‘permitted development’ of the old Horfield police station site at 6-8 Somerville Road, to convert the internal space of the building into seven apartments (without needing to go through a full planning application process). Interestingly, the application was refused by the Council as the developer failed to demonstrate that the site was

eligible to be granted permission under this mechanism. The developer can either appeal this decision or submit a full application for the scheme, which could be referred to planning committee if there is substantial local interest. 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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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS

Home Start celebrates 30 years of help HOME Start Bristol threw a fantastic birthday party in May as part of the charity’s celebrations to mark its 30th anniversary in 2017. Luckily, rain didn’t stop play as around 150 parents, children, and volunteers from Redland, Bishopston and all over Bristol attended the party indoors at the Greenway Centre in Southmead. A huge bouncy castle was the focus, but children also enjoyed the craft tables, Hawaiian skirtmaking, lego-construction, facepainting and the fabulous puppet show by Mr Brown’s Pig. And, not forgetting a life-size Minion shaking hands and posing for photos all afternoon. Special guest on the day, and tasked with cutting the cake, was Mrs Sheila Fielden, one of Home Start Bristol’s first volunteers, when the scheme started 30 years ago. Since then, it’s become a true family affair, with Sheila’s daughter, Alex, now working for the charity as a Co-ordinator. Beverley Symonds, Scheme Manager said: “We wanted to do something wonderful for our families to mark Home Start Bristol’s 30th birthday, and CONDENSED from 30 years’ exploring the countryside on our doorstep, a new book from author Robin Tetlow, Beyond Bristol comprises 24 walks through the author’s most-loved landscapes of the West. Published to coincide with Bristol Walking Festival, the book shows readers deepcut coombes, hidden valleys, woodlands, uplands and stately

there’s nothing more special than seeing volunteers and families, past and present, coming together for one big celebration.” Home-Start Bristol trains volunteers to support struggling families in Bristol and South Gloucestershire while children are still small, making regular home visits. All volunteers are parents – they are the people

who really understand how challenging it can be to give children the best possible start in life. The next volunteer preparation course starts on Tuesday 19 September. For more information about becoming a Home Start Bristol volunteer, call 0117 950 1170 or www.homestartbristol.org.uk

Author takes us Beyond Bristol landscapes are traversed by carefully-chosen footpaths and peaceful tracks. The ups and downs of the Mendip Hills, the deceptively tough topography of the Cotswolds and the glowering skies of the Somerset Levels and Severn Estuary are made yours to explore; and the Wye Valley is a short hop away. Each walk is from 6 to 11 miles long and all within 30 miles of the city – and many much closer. Some are easier than others, some demanding; and there is something for all weathers, all moods and a modest measure of fitness. Each is described in great detail with times and distances and accompanied by an extract from the OS 1:25,000 map with route and waymarks superimposed. All the walks cross the highest quality landscapes and incorporate as many features of historical, archaeological and natural interest as possible. As far as possible they avoid

Author Robin Tetlow busy roads and other noisy distractions. There are colourful illustrative maps and photographs throughout and advice on kit, refreshments and the countryside code. So

whatever the weather, pull on your boots, pop this book in your pocket and get walking. Beyond Bristol: 24 Country Walks is published by Redcliffe Press, £15, www. beyondbristolwalks.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

July 2017

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Alfresco Eating around Gloucester Road AS the days get warmer and the evenings lighter, what could be more tempting than to sit outside and while away the evening at one of the many local eateries around Gloucester Road. Summer isn’t complete without having a drink or a bite to eat outdoors and the vibrant food culture of the Gloucester Road lends itself to Alfresco Dining, with plenty of restaurants and gourmet pubs offering great outdoor space, perfect for hot summer days...and nights. The local area food scene is thriving with a great choice of light bites and meals to suit all taste buds and budgets, from the taste of Turkey at Cafe Lazz, mezze in the quiet back garden of Ronaks to the mouthwatering burgers at the Hobgoblin and craft beer and awesome food in the heated beer garden at the Bristol Flyer. Sit back and relax outside Cox & Baloney Tea Room & Bar on Cheltenham Road and enjoy a fabulous afternoon tea on special offer at £14.50 on Tuesdays to Thursdays, laden with local produce; cream teas with scones and all the trimmings. Or, perhaps you’re more in the mood for bountiful gins and tasty cocktails, all paired with some magnificent cheese. Independent restaurant, Casa Mexicana has been serving authentic Mexican food and damn good Margaritas for over 30 years! They have a selection of great cocktails and wines, to be enjoyed in their outdoor seating area at the front of the restaurant. Casa

Mexicana are serving their limited edition Summer White Sangria, which is going down a treat in this hot weather - perfect for a relaxed evening watching the world pass you by on the quaint and eclectic backdrop of Zetland Road. Offers are available through partner Wriggle on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. A few doors away you will find the award winning Greens Restaurant, with a modern menu that adapts traditional British recipes, with influences from classic French and European cuisines. Their focus is on creating a mouthwatering seasonal menu served in a relaxed atmosphere, offering ‘everyday fine dining’. Opposite is Number 10 who have a family and dog friendly outdoor space that lends itself to individuals wanting a bit of peace or groups wanting a good social space. As well as a breakfast menu from Friday to Sunday, 10am-3pm, they offer a burger and a pint of Becks or Stella for £10 between 12-4pm. In the week, from Tuesday to Thursday, two courses plus a glass of house wine for £14 or three courses plus a glass of house wine for £16 are available. Number 10

have reworked their menu adding some new dishes but keeping the old favourites. Pints of prawns and lemon mayo - the type of food to eat outside with a glass of wine - are on the summer menu at independent and ethical ‘fish and chip shop and soul food café’, Soul Fish. It’s fish and chips but with a fresh twist. So if you fancy a spiced crab chowder or a ‘soul food platter’ in a relaxed and informal setting this is the place to come. Soul Fish are currently running a ‘Kids Eat Free’ promotion when two adults buy fish and chips to eat in, one child’s portion is free. A walk along Gloucester Road promenade takes you to Spicer and Cole, which will tempt you in with their homemade cakes, many of which are gluten free and vegan, all made by their baker in store. Waterloo tea from Cardiff and single origin coffee are available perfect to go with their weekend special, locally sourced breakfasts. The Blue Lagoon offer 2-4-1 cocktails Sunday to Thursday £5.95, along with Burger Monday from 5pm, any two burgers with chips for £12, Steak Tuesday, Ribeye steak £10.50 or Rump steak £8.50 and Fish Wednesday, Freshly battered Haddock served with chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce, £6.95. Breakfast morning specials, lunch and Pizza are available too. A few doors along The Gallimaufry is a bar, restaurant, live music venue and art gallery, all in one. The restaurant has a full menu including ‘Galli Plates’ a tapas style selection of foods perfect for sharing, Monday to Friday. Choose from six cask ales, a wide-range of local bottled beers and draft Bristol Beer Factory milk stout. Newcomer Industry Bar & Kitchen opened at 141 Gloucester Road in April and have already established themselves as a great place for a group gathering, seating for up to 30 people in the garden as well as plenty of space to stand.

The menu uses ingredients sourced from Gloucester Road, delivering their honest family recipes and favourite pub kitchen classics, such as Balti Chicken and Risotto. There is a wide variety of spirits, a diverse draught offering and an alternating craft range at the bar. Make the most of the outside terrace at Bomboloni Italian Kitchen, which has just opened at the bottom of Pigsty Hill. This new venture by Bristol chef, Andrew Griffin, offers proper Italian home cooking with tasty food for all the family, Discounts and specials for local restaurants are posted regularly on the Gloucester Road Bristol facebook page www.facebook. com/Gloucesterroadbristol Dine alfresco - it’s a great way to enjoy a meal whilst soaking up the atmosphere of this wonderful corner of Bristol.

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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

July 2017

n NEWS BISHOPSTON residents are amongst those being offered a unique chance to sleep closer to the stars this summer at Canopy and Stars at Crane 29 – a treehouse built around one of Bristol Harbourside’s iconic cargo cranes. Just 200 guests will have the privilege of spending the night in the treehouse, which is part art installation, part architectural wonder, and which has been created with a low-impact, zerocarbon build.

bishopstonvoice

Sleep closer to the stars Materials inspired by both the city’s industrial heritage and the natural world add to this amazing experience as polished concrete worktop and taps created from copper piping share space with wooden flooring in the bathroom, wool rugs and natural jute mats. There are also bespoke pieces, like a handmade wooden bed, a branch coat

hanger, and a ‘living painting’ by local artist Anthony Garrett. Another key feature of the treehouse is the ‘living wall’, which is lined with shelves of living plants, as well as the roof, which is teeming with planters filled with pollinators to attract urban bees, birds and butterflies. The treehouse, which sits eight metres above ground, opened on May 30 for 100 nights, with an open ballot for

guests wishing to enjoy this unique experience. Places for June and July have already been allocated, however the draw for August and September dates (at a cost of £185 weekday or £250 weekend) takes place on July 3. For more details of how to apply, visit www.canopyandstars.co.uk/ crane29. All profits from Canopy & Stars at Crane 29 will go to Friends of the Earth

Women’s World Cup cricket comes to Bishopston

Brownies show they can entertain THE 106th Brownie pack put on a great show at the end of their Spring term, earning each of them an Entertainer badge. The Brownies performed for parents and grandparents at their regular meeting place, St Bonaventure's Parish Hall in Bishopston. All the brownies were involved, and acts included music, dance, singing, poetry and comedy. This was also the chance to say goodbye to some of the older Brownies who moved to Guides after Easter. One grandparent, who attended the show said: "It’s amazing how inventive the Brownies all are. It's lovely that they came up with all the acts

themselves!". Brownies are the Girlguiding sections for girls aged 7-10yrs old and have fun earning badges, playing games, developing practical skills and doing adventurous activities. There are lots of girls who would like to join Brownies but because of a lack of leaders and adult volunteers many groups have long waiting lists and some are even having to close. If you are interested in volunteering with a Brownie pack, please contact Sophie at northwestdivision@ girlguidingbsg.org.uk who can put you in touch with a group close to you.a

A FABULOUS summer of cricket is coming to Bishopston with eight ICC Women’s World Cup games being played at the Bristol county ground, June 24 - July 23. Expect top class women’s cricket from our home side England, plus games featuring Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. A discount of 20% off tickets is available if you go to their website www.icc-cricket.com/tickets/womens-world-cup and enter code ‘CLUBS20’.

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bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n PRIMAL POSTURE with

Clare Chapman

The Shoulder Roll – help for hunched shoulders OUR shoulders are designed to rest back - back where they were When we were children. Unhelpful furniture design and sitting habits, and poor postural role models all around us usually result in our head drifting forward, chest muscles tightening, and the upper back rounding over the years. The entire shoulder girdle becomes compromised, leading to various joint, circulation and nerve problems in the area. It’s unhelpful to try and correct this by pulling shoulders back or ‘straightening up’. These well-intended fixes usually only last a short time and actually do more harm than good. The gentle Shoulder Roll movement below allows you to relax your shoulders in to an increasingly open, stable position that requires no effort to maintain. How: • Move one shoulder forward,

upward, and far backward as you comfortably can without moving your head, body, or arching your back. • Gently slide your shoulder blade down along your spine. • You will find that your shoulder settles further back than usual, without your holding it there. • You may feel as if the shoulder soft tissue has been ‘ratcheted’ back a notch. • Repeat on the other side. • Start gently and gradually increase the movement and frequency – as long as it is comfortable you are unlikely to over-do this therapeutic movement. Benefits: • Better circulation to and from the arms • Decreased hunching in

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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n NEWS FROM THE MAYOR

What can you do for our city? MUCH has happened since I last wrote for the Voice. The city has gone to the polls twice in two months. There has also been sad news with the attacks in Manchester and London, events that showed we must remain united – both against abhorrent acts of terror but also against any badly informed, kneejerk reaction in the form of hate crime or Islamophobia. It’s also been a busy time for the council. There’s been great progress on issues like housing and transport, with my new Congestion Task Group meeting for the first time this month. The election showed that people in the UK’s major cities reject austerity and the continuing failure of the government to properly fund public services or give us the right freedoms to look after ourselves. The effects of central cuts – past and present - are damaging local communities and I am renewing our case to the government. There is no doubt the general election has made it clear that people have had enough of austerity and we will be taking the message to government that cities are at breaking point. I’m also asking other major UK cities to join me in arguing for a fairer deal for cities.

We now have to make savings worth £33m this year and when Full Council set the budget in February we were looking down the barrel of a £104m gap between April 2017 and March 2022, a figure which could easily go up. We have to make incredibly hard decisions about services you might hold dear. And whilst I will take responsibility for that, I want those decisions to be informed by your ideas and views and for everyone to be part of the conversation. We also need to change our city culture. These are city challenges and we cannot consistently look to the city council to run everything, to provide everything, to resolve everything. Communities, voluntary sector organisations and charities all have key roles to play but the council alone cannot sustain them. We have just launched our ‘Your Neighbourhood’ consultations on a number of proposals for the future of libraries, public toilets, Neighbourhood Partnerships, school crossing patrols and services for adults with learning difficulties and dementia. We’re also looking at options for our ‘Supporting People’ services, which funds the work of many organisations which support all sorts of people

The Mayor’s View Each month Bristol mayor Marvin Rees shares his views with Bishopston Voice

to live independently. The ideas put forward have been designed to give you choice and provide space for your ideas. They also ask what you can do to help your city and each other. I remain determined to deliver on our priorities and make this a more equal and inclusive city where no-one is left behind. That’s a challenge we all need to meet.

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n NEWS Yoga for Health by

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

Diana Penny

of Yogawest (www.yogawest.co.uk)

Yoga Pose of the Month: This is the penultimate pose in the sequence begun last September. This follows some strong opening poses and is a quietening pose to rest towards the end of the sequence.

Janu Sirsasana

head of the knee pose Practice time: Stay in the pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes. Benefits: Janu Sirsasana incorporates a spinal twist. It stretches the gluteal muscles, extends the back of the extended leg, and mobilizes the bent knee hip socket. It stimulates the reproductive, endocrine and urinary systems. Janu Sirsasana also calms the mind and emotions. Counter Indications: Recent or chronic back or knee injury, or knee inflammation. Variations: if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reach your feet without dropping your chest, use a belt around your front foot. Add a bolster on your front shin or a chair in front to rest your forehead onto, to make this more restful.

Begin in Dandasana: Sit on the mat on one firmly folded blanket (or two if your hamstrings and gluteal muscles are tight). Extend your legs out in front of you. Bend your right knee, and bring your heel in toward your perineum.

With your right hand take the thigh back. Press your left hand on the floor beside your left hip. Inhale, lift the torso and chest. Exhale, and turn to the left. Line up your navel with the middle of the left thigh.

Reach forward and with your right hand hold the outside of your left foot. Extend your chest and anterior spine forward and up, making space between each of your front ribs as you do so. Press the right knee into the floor and extend actively through the ball of your left foot. Continue using the pressure of the left hand on the floor to maintain the upward extension of the spine, and the twist to the left.

Then reach your left hand to the outside of the left foot and switch your right hand to the inside.

Maintaining the length of the torso, exhale, and extend your side ribs further forward over your left leg. Be sure to not either pull yourself forcefully into the forward bend, hunch the back or shorten the front spine. As you fold forward, bend your elbows out to the sides and lift them away from the floor. The lower belly should touch the thighs first, the head last.

Touch your chin first, then your forehead to your knee. As you do so, maintain the extension of the left leg. Pull the toes towards your head.

With an inhalation. Raise your head, pull your chest and ribs forward and up. Release your arms to your sides. Repeat on the other side.

Drawings and posture text reproduced by kind permission of Bobby Clennell, a senior Iyengar teacher in New York who teaches biennial workshops at Yogawest.

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July 2017

bishopstonvoice

n PHARMACY Do you have to cross your legs when you sneeze?

0117 9246579 18 Kellaway Avenue, Westbury Park , Bristol, BS6 7XR www.kellawaypharmacy. co.uk 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.

IF you answer yes to any of the questions above, you may have a condition known as urinary incontinence - the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people, both men and women. There are several types of urinary incontinence: • stress incontinence –when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh • urge incontinence – when you feel a sudden, intense urge to pass urine, or soon afterwards • overflow incontinence – when you're unable to fully empty your bladder, causing frequent leaking • total incontinence – when your bladder can't store any urine at all, which causes frequent leaking It's also possible to have a mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence. The condition is usually the result of the weakening, damage or over activity of the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the

pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter. Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence developing; including increasing age (although incontinence is not an inevitable part of ageing), stress, pregnancy and vaginal birth and obesity. The anxiety and embarrassment that accompanies this condition can rob people of their confidence leading them to isolation and can have an impact on their mental health. At Kellaway Pharmacy, our pharmacist is able to advise on measures that help improve your symptoms. It's not always possible to prevent incontinence, but there are some steps you can take that may help reduce the chance of it developing. These include: • lifestyle changes – such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol • pelvic floor exercises • bladder training You may also benefit from the use of incontinence products,

such as absorbent pads/pants and handheld urinals. We have specialists in the pharmacy that can advise on the most suitable products from our extensive range (for both urinary and faecal incontinence) and we will be very happy to provide you with samples to take away. Medication may be recommended if you're still unable to manage your symptoms. In this case, we will refer you to your GP. Do come in and have a chat with us if you or anyone you know has any type of urinary incontinence. It is a common problem, so please don’t feel embarrassed getting advice about your symptoms. We appreciate the sensitivity of this condition and will offer the use of our consultation room for privacy. Seeking help can be the first step towards finding a way to effectively manage the symptoms whilst ensuring that nothing more serious is causing the problem.

left all the stems in place the plants would become a congested mess with little airflow, which could lead to disease. I grow two vine varieties: Pinot noir and Seyval blanc. Seyval blanc need little physical intervention and can almost be left to their own devices, whereas the Pinot noir need a lot of shoot selection and help getting their stems to grow

within the vineyard trellis. So that’s what I’ll be doing over the next few weeks. In the countryside around the vineyard many of the farmers have made their first cut of hay and we’re seeing a lot of insect and bird life with the warm weather. In other news we recently won a silver in the UK Wine Awards. This competition is the biggest wine competition in the UK and we were one of only a handful of still wine producers to get a medal this year

– most of the other winners were sparkling wines. Some well-known wine experts including Oz Clarke and Susie Barrie were judging, so it was very exciting to found out we’d won. Look out for the little silver medal stickers that’ll soon be on our bottles. hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk @DYvineyards (twitter) dunleavy vineyards (facebook & instagram)

n VINEYARD NEWS

with Ingrid Bates

JUNE and July are probably the busiest months for a rosé producer because wine sales are high and we’re also busy looking after the vines in the vineyard. June is the time that I work my way around all 2,400 vines, one by one, and select the best stems to keep and decide which to remove. Vines tend to throw out twice as many stems as we need or want. If I

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bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n GARDENING

Horticulture tips from our columnist Lucy Sara What to Do Now – July JULY is the best time in our gardens. Flowers are popping in

abundance, scents are everywhere and there is plenty to eat in the vegetable garden. The weather hasn’t disappointed and we’re set for a glorious month. • Many perennials such as Geraniums & Delphiniums have finished their first flush of flowers. Cut back and feed so that they can flower again • Prune group 1 clematis e.g. Clematis alpina, Clematis armandii, Clematis montana • Divide large clumps of bearded Irises. Don’t divide young plants, wait at least 3-4 years before dividing • Feed Roses. They have given us their first flush of flowers and repeat flowering varieties will respond well to a feed. Remove Rose suckers • Look out for pests and diseases. Lily beetle, aphids, vine weevil, black spot on Roses. Treat accordingly • Deadhead all bedding plants to encourage more flowers. Water all containers well and top up with compost if compost has shrunk away from edges • Prune June flowering shrubs that have finished – Weigela,

• Did you know we can collect and deliver prescriptions for free from all local surgeries inc. Bishopston Medical Practice, Fallodon Way, Horfield Medical Centre, Monks Park Surgery, Westbury on Trym, Western College, Whiteladies Surgery • Free NHS funded Smoking Cessation Products • Specialist Incontinence and Living Aid Products

•

Philadelphus and continue to tie in climbers as they grow Prune out raspberry canes to prevent overcrowding and tie in new canes on to supports. Prune plum trees. Thin fruit trees so that they bear bigger and better fruit. Remove fruit from overcrowded branches – you will find that many fruit trees do this naturally in June but a helping hand won’t hurt Prune long Grapevine stems back to the fruit so the energy can be used in growing the grapes. This also allows air into the branches underneath Apply a summer feed to lawns especially if the Spring feed didn’t happen. Keep mowing regularly but avoid mowing in very hot weather. Raise the mower level nearer the end of July as the grass growth slows down Remove algae and blanket weed from ponds and deadhead waterlilies and other aquatic plants. Keep water levels topped

up I have completed my large Design job in Ebford, Devon - just before the weather really started to hot up. Such a lovely client and team – all has gone to plan and the garden has already started to push out new growth and come into it’s own. I’ll be back in Autumn to plant over 5000 bulbs (!) but until then here is a little picture of the long border and my assistant Lauren busy at work. I am now concentrating on a small design job in Bishopston for a very pretty south facing front garden. Enjoy your gardens and enjoy this beautiful weather.

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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

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n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA June 24 n The next meeting of the South Western Branch of the Elgar Society is on Sat 24th June, at 2.15pm at the Bristol Music Club, 76, St. Pauls Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1LP. Our speaker will be Duncan Eves who will present a programme entitled - Alice Stuart-Wortley and the 2nd Symphony. Duncan will investigate the work's composition and the lady's influence on it. Visitors pay £3.00 which includes refreshments. We look forward to seeing you and any of your friends at this meeting. For more information - please contact Doug Smith - Tel. 01179673480, or email dougmusical@tiscali.co.uk July 15 n Car boot & wheelbarrow sale. St. Bonaventure's Car Park (off Berkeley Road, Bishopston) Car £5, wheelbarrow £3 50p admission, children free. Tea/coffee and cakes available. Booking essential - mcmoore@ blueyonder.co.uk tel: 07929 399 907 2 – 4pm July 15 n Verdi Requiem, The Redland Green Choir and the Long Ashton Orchestra will perform Verdi’s dramatic Requiem at the new Bristol Grammar School Performing Arts Centre, at 7.30pm on 15th July. The event will support Mind Your Music, a Bristol charity promoting mental health through the creation and performance of music. Tickets £12 (concessions £10). July17 n “What we did on our holidays”, 2013 comedy with Billy Connolly, Rosamund Pike, David Tennant. 2pm St Peter's Hall, The Drive, Henleaze. Refreshments £3. Please spread the word and bring a friend. Supported by Home Instead Senior Care 0117 9898210. July 29 n The next meeting of the South Western Branch of the Elgar Society is on Sat 29th July, at 2.15pm at the Bristol Music Club, 76 St. Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1LP. Our speaker will be Dr. Christopher Wiltshire who will introduce recordings and memories of people acquainted with our composer. Visitors pay £3.00 which includes refreshments. Please do come along, we would love to see you and your friends. For more information - please contact Doug Smith - Tel. 0117 9673480, or email - dougmusical@tiscali.co.uk

WHAT’S ON A REGULAR BASIS 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 FitSteps, Ashley Down Primary School, Olveston Road, 7-8pm. FitSteps® the new craze in dance fitness classes from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’s’ very own Natalie Lowe, Ian Waite and Mark Foster. n Morris for fitness and fun, 7.15pm – 8.15pm at Horfield URC, Muller Road, Horfield, BS7 9RE during term time only, no performance element, small groups. Sticks and hankies provided. Tel/text: Kim on 07813 346819 / 0117 9401566 n Redland Wind Band rehearses at the Quakers Meeting Room on Gloucester Road at 7.30pm. We sometimes have vacancies, currently mainly for bass instruments, horns and percussionists. Contact Andy Brown at redlandwindband@googlemail. com or on 07594240269 or via our website www.redlandwindband. co.uk . 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 7.30pm9.30pm 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. 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 New Fitness League (Exercise Movement and Dance class) for ladies. Low impact classes offer a fusion of dance, exercise and core strengthening, choreographed to

music. Strengthen muscles, raise energy levels, improve balance and mobilise joints. 6.20-7.45pm at Fairlawn Primary School, Fairlawn Road, Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 5JL. Contact Rachael on 07966 418 714 / rachaelwilliams@ talktalk.net . The classes are ran on 5-7 week basis - charged as a block booking. This works out at £8 per class (1st Class Free). n Mondays 10:00am, 11:15am, 18:00pm. Yoga for everyone and all stages of life. Move, breathe, strengthen, calm at our beautiful YogaSpace Bishopston studio. Find out more at www.bristolyogaspace. co.uk or contact Clara hello@ bristolyogaspace.co.uk / 07530 053 543. 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. Next gathering is on Monday July 17th, What we did on our holidays, 2013 comedy with Billy Connolly. 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 any other time ,with one of our qualified coaches. Jean or Gerry :Tel 9624466 . HALF PRICE membership for the first year (£50) n Westbury Park WI. The Westbury Park WI meet on the first Monday of every month at Redland Church Halls, Redland Green BS6 7HE, 7.309pm. For those who want to walk as a group across the park, please meet at the Metford Road entrance to park by 7.15pm. Contact: westburyparkwi@gmail.com Tuesday n The Golden Buds is a group aimed at 18 months to 4yearolds 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. There’s squash and biscuits and a snack from the garden as well as a hot drink for parents. For more info, visit: thegoldenhillcommunitygarden. com n Scottish Country Dancing Get fit with Westbury Scottish Club. Classes for beginners at Leonard

July 2017

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

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 After school French Club for primary children at Gloucester Rd Quaker Meeting House. KS1 class: 4.10-4.50pm. £4.50. KS2 class: 5.005.40pm. £4.50. Playful practical classes full of games, songs and general silliness to inspire interest and confidence in French. Like French Club Bristol on Facebook or email: alice_m_watson@msn.com n Women’s Reading Group looking for new members. Meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the Month at 7:30pm. An informal group that reads a wide range of fiction. Contact Kay Snowdon ksnowdon29@gmail.com for further details. n A weekly Music Appreciation class is running throughout the winter. Come and join us as we listen to and talk about a selection of mainly classical music. No prior knowledge needed. Tuesdays 11-1 at St Mary Magdalene Church Rooms, Stoke Bishop. Music in Britain 18901939 including Elgar Delius and Vaughan Williams. Cost £15 for a single taster session or £100 for the whole 8week term. To book email matthewhm@ peacemail.com, or phone 0117 214 0418. For more info visit: heartmusicbristol.wordpress.com 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 07890393175. Wednesday n Golden Hill Community

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

July 2017 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 are welcoming new members, £5 a week (£3 concs) payable at the start of each term. We meet during the school term from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in St Werburgh’s Primary School, James St, BS2 9US. The school is fully accessible and has free parking. No experience necessary, no auditions and you don’t have to read music as all the songs are taught by ear. Our repertoire includes pop, folk, gospel, jazz, show tunes and world music. Find out more about the choir, at www.bristolvoices.org.uk n New Harmony Ladies’ Choir Bristol. Established choir since 1994, we offer a chance for ladies to get together and have a good old sing! No auditions are necessary apart from placing you into the correct voice group soprano, mezzo soprano or alto. We perform several concerts a year and sometimes travel to other parts of the country to sing with other choirs. Our repertoire covers classical, choral, jazz, popular, folk, and show songs. Everyone is welcome to Horfield URC church hall, Muller Rd on Wednesdays 7.30-9.30. We’d love to meet you. For more information contact our website www.nhlcbristol.co.uk or our secretary, Angela nhlc@talktalk. com n Lazy Dog Film Club. A free, small, but perfectly formed community film club based at the Lazy Dog pub on Ashley Down Road. We run the club every other week (Wednesday) in the upstairs of the Pub on Ashley Hill. We screen from Sept - July every year. All showings start at 8pm but we do advise people to book free places via LazyDogFilmClub@gmail.com , as we only have 35 seats per showing. For more information on the upcoming films, visit: www. facebook.com/LazyDogFilmClub n Horfield Townswomen’s Guild. This friendly Townswomen’s Guild meets on the second Wednesday of each month at St Gregory the Great Church Hall, Filton Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 0PD at 2.30pm. Why not come along and meet us? Just turn up, or ring Edna on 949 5413, and

bishopstonvoice 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 Mindfulness & Movement – Meditation and Qi Gong/Tai Chi for wellbeing. Gentle aerobic exercise and secular meditations for strength of body and mind. Dropin class, all equipment provided, 5.45-7.15pm £9 / £7 Bristol Buddhist Centre, 162 Gloucester Road BS7. Tel Tim Mason 07789 200685 for more info. See www. bristolbuddhistcentre. org/ otheractivities/yogaandqigong n Sing! with the Bristol Children’s Choir. Open to children aged 7-13 from any school in Bristol. If your child loves singing and would like to do more, Out There Music Children’s Choir could be what you are looking for. Meet every in term time from 4.45-6pm in the performing arts studio at Cotham School. More info, contact Holly Shannon on 07866587424, admin@ outtheremusicbristol.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 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 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 7:309:00pm The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze. Book a FREE taster www. melodymakerschoir.co.uk 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 Bristol Ladies Choir sings a wide range of music from classical to light. The choir rehearses weekly and gives two main concerts each year. The choir also participates in approximately 9 to 10 other concerts in the Bristol area each year. Meet at 2.15pm - 3.45pm at Church of the Good Shepherd, Bishop Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NA. New members welcome. For more information contact Hazel on 0117 9246587 or visit www. bristolladieschoir.org.uk 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. n Horfield Quakers hold a halfhour meeting for worship to be held every Thursday Evening from 6.307pm, at Horfield Quaker Meeting House, 300 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8PD. All are welcome. n Pregnancy Yoga and Birth Preparation at Horfield Leisure Centre, 7.30-9.15pm. Classes offer you the time to celebrate your pregnancy, ask questions and meet other mumstobe in a safe and welcoming environment. For more information visit www.lymalnick. info, or contact Ly on 07843 377 718 / ly.malnick@gmail.com n Slimming World Bishopston. St Michael and All Angels Church (Pigsty Hill) Gloucester Road. Groups at 9.30am and 7.30pm every Thursday. £9.95 to join and £4.95 per week after that. 6 and 12 week countdowns available. Just

35 turn up or Call Sue on 0117 924 3556 or 07702 578 298 for a chat. 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 to come along and find the Spirit within you. You don’t have to be a church member. 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. Saturday nWhiteladies 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.

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

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n NEWS IN Bristol every summer term, Year 10 school pupils leave school for a week and gain work experience with different companies. A few of my friends from Redland Green School have done it - one revisited her primary school (Westbury Park), one went to Mojo Active and another helped out at Southmead Hospital. Choosing what work experience to do (and actually getting a response) is difficult. I have never known which career path I would like to follow; however, I do know which subjects I enjoy at school, making the choice slightly easier. I chose to explore what goes on at Voice Press Ltd, the newspaper group behind the Bishopston Voice, because not only do I like English lessons, but I currently do a paper round for them. And, on top of that, my mum works here! I arrived at the offices in Keynsham on the week of June 12 and the first ‘colleague’ that I met was May - a friendly dog who enjoys barking at newcomers. After I had met

My week at the Voice everybody else, my first task was to sort tons of papers in order by date. Not surprisingly, this was quite easy, and it was even better knowing that my friends were in school working hard instead! During the next few days, I did a mixture of using Twitter, posting letters and sorting out the What’s On pages in two of the papers. The outcome was worth it, but I repeated the same conversation on the phone so many times that everyone was expecting me to be saying it in my sleep. Thursday was slightly different than the previous days as I worked with my mum at home; I found out telephone numbers and email addresses for her, wrote part of this article and went to Gloucester Road to ask companies for details about their cafes and took pictures. It was a nice change and, as a bonus, the weather was beautiful. I finished my previous work on Friday, posted some letters

(after getting lost on the way to the Post Office), helped check adverts were correctly placed in the paper and had my fair share of scares from May. Overall, I enjoyed my work experience, mostly because it was quite different to school; the amount of work

was a drastic change for the better, and most importantly, I was taken by surprise at the incredibly minimal stress I had. It was definitely a rewarding experience. Lucy Thomas

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July 2017

n VETS' ADVICE YOUR dog may have never shown any inclination to harm a fly, however should you muzzle train him or her anyway? And, what is muzzle training? Muzzles come in several different formats, some are soft material muzzles that slip over the nose while others are the basket style (Baskerville), these are better for use on walks as dogs can still pant. Some dogs, as pictured, will wear a muzzle on walks due to fear aggressive behaviours towards other dogs, vehicles or possibly even people. A muzzle should not be used instead of behavioural

Muzzle training - the pros and cons training, but instead as a tool to be used alongside a structured behavioural programme through advice from an APBC registered animal behaviourist (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors). Other dog owners often give your dog more space if they can see he or she is wearing a muzzle, which can help for dogs with fear aggressive behaviours feel more secure. But what if your dog doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to ever wear a muzzle for the reasons listed above? Some people would argue that it may be worth training them anyway to accept a muzzle as if the worst should happen and they become injured and are in lots of pain, they may need to wear a muzzle for a vet to be able to examine them. If they have been introduced to muzzles in a non-stressful way previously, then they will not find it scary if they need to wear one. To muzzle train your dog, you want to gradually introduce the muzzle in a positive way. Allowing

your dog to lick dog treat paste or soft cheese paste from the muzzle first so that they voluntarily place their nose into the muzzle. Do not fasten the muzzle for the first few times you practice. After a few tries, fasten the muzzle but release it again rapidly. With basket muzzles, you can poke treats through the gaps in the muzzle even once it is clipped behind the ears so you can reward them while they wear it. The Blue Cross website (listed below) has a fantastic video showing muzzle training. However if you have any questions, call us on 0117 924 7832. https://www.bluecross. org.uk/pet-advice/dogs-andmuzzle-training http://www.apbc.org.uk

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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

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July 2017

n BOOKS OF THE MONTH 'Book of the Month with staff at Bishopston Library'

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

By Muriel Barbery (published 2006) reviewed by Bob Renee is a widow aged 54 who lives alone with her cat Leo. She is the concierge of a block of luxury apartments in Paris. To all appearances she is the stereotypical concierge, old, cantankerous, and addicted to tv chat shows and soaps. In reality she is passionate about culture and the arts, with a vast collection of books including works by Descartes and Kant and crime novels by Michael Connelly. She secretly listens to Mahler & Bach and watches arthouse movies with her best friend Manuela a Portuguese cleaner. Paloma is a highly intelligent 12 year old and the daughter of one of the most

bourgeois and richest families in the apartment block. She had decided that life is meaningless and is planning to commit suicide on her thirteenth birthday. The book flits between the personal observations on life of both Renee and Paloma and records their growing friendship. A mysterious and cultured Japanese gentleman moves into the apartment block. He befriends both Renee and Paloma and helps them both to discover their true selves. This is an enjoyable and thought provoking book which debunks stereotypes. It includes a crash course in philosophy and demonstrates the power of love and friendship in overcoming barriers of age and social class.

The Incredible Dadventure

Reviewed by Isabel (11) and Oscar (8) This daring adventure book is aimed at 6 – 12 year olds and will keep you well

entertained for hours. Holly - the main character - is easy to relate to and seems almost as if she could be a real person. She has a lot of determination and finds the Dadventure she goes on a real confidence booster. In the book, Holly’s dad is away for her 10th birthday, so to make up for it, he has planned a special treasure hunt for her. Throughout the hunt, Holly faces some of her biggest fears. To conclude, we found this book very enjoyable and will definitely read more books by Dave Lowe.. 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

Mike's still rocking the city at 75 ONE of the founding fathers of Bristol Music is all set to get the city rocking again this summer. Back in 1959, Westbury’s own Mike Tobin was the first local rock and roll singer to take to the stage of the Colston Hall, and this July - in honour of his 75th birthday - Mike will perform at another legendary Bristol venue, The Fleece, for two days of musical celebrations known as ‘Tobinfest’. Mike made his musical debut in 1958, when he joined a skiffle group at Westbury Methodist Youth Club, before forming his band The Magnettes. This decision set his path in life, as he dedicated himself to promoting Bristol music as well as taking him on an international journey working for some of the biggest names in pop, including Dolly Parton, Hall & Oates, Bad Manners, Hazel O'Connor, Iggy Pop and even David Bowie. “When I approached the Fleece to ask them if I could have

an evening they said I could have a whole weekend – well how could I say no?” laughs Mike, who will himself be performing with the 1960 line up of his original band, The Magnettes, on the Saturday as well as a special guest with his former guitarist’s band Bula Bula on the Sunday. “All the bands are local and are either bands I’m linked to or bands I greatly admire. It’s going to be fantastic. “Bristol has always been known as a big music city,” adds Mike. “One of my favourites was the Corn Exchange, in what is now St Nick’s market. They used to host Rhythm and Blues clubs every Tuesday night and some huge names – Rod Stewart and John Lee Hooker – to name just a couple. The Magnettes and The Echoes alternated as support acts so we got to see some of the real greats perform. “During my ‘hippy years’ The Granary was a fantastic venue

too. I often wonder whether the people who now live in those flats realise.” Mike also used to manage the great Bristol band Stackridge, and to make Tobinfest extra special the venue will be showing the world premiere of the band’s 2015 ‘The Final Bow’ final concert film, which was filmed in their home city of Bristol – of course! Tobinfest takes place on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, and performers include Husky Tones, Bad Losers, Groundhogs, Pete Coggins and Soul Ingredients, Ricky Cool and the In Crowd, The Lewis Creaven Band, Jim Reynolds, Bula Bula, DLM and the Mutter Slater Band. As a special treat, on Saturday the former Granary DJ, Ed Newsome, will be taking to the decks to play tracks by some of the bands Mike has been involved with over the years. On Sunday, Bristol’s ‘King of Vinyl’ John Stapleton will be spinning

Getting ready to perform at his birthday bash: Mike Tobin the tunes. Tickets are £12 adv, weekend tickets £20. Contact www.thefleece.co.uk for more details.

View us online at www.bishopstonvoice.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

July 2017

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Don’t wait! The doctor will see you now SPIRE Bristol Hospital is delighted to announce the extension to their current private GP service. In partnership with The Independent General Practice, the South West’s largest private hospital has just launched a new five day a week private GP service in Bristol to help meet the demands of patients who need swift access to appointments. It is well documented that there is a greater strain on the health sector with people living longer and populations rising. Therefore the demand on the NHS and GP surgeries in particular has seen an increased waiting time for appointments. A new study conducted by Pulse Magazine reveals the average waiting time for a routine GP appointment is 13 days and recent NHS figures conclude that 2 in 3 patients wait up to 15 minutes after their appointment time to be seen. The service at Spire Bristol will be delivered by The Independent General Practice (The IGP), which was established by Dr Joanna Longstaffe. It was The IGP's goal to establish an independent

private doctors surgery in Cardiff, which would offer an alternative healthcare solution to individual patients, families & businesses. Since its launch in 2004 they have had great success and opened new clinics in Cardiff Gate, Bridgend, Newport, Swansea and now a five day a week service here in the City of Bristol. The hospital’s Business Development Manager, Sabiha Waraich explains why such a service is important to Bristol families. “We’ve seen a higher demand for a private GP service especially when there are national shortages of vaccinations on the NHS with an example last year being the Meningitis B vaccine.” The service at Spire Bristol Hospital will provide vaccinations in order to assist in the prevention of Shingles and childhood conditions such as Meningitis B, Chickenpox, Measles as well as providing immunisation for individuals prior to travelling abroad. “We are also noticing that more

patients are willing to pay for their own appointment in order to be seen by a private doctor. We can offer appointments at times that are convenient to the patient and we aim to see patients on the day that the enquiry is made. It’s perfect for people who live busy lives or families who cannot endure waiting two weeks to see their regular GP.” Continues Sabiha. The private GP service is designed to complement your NHS service, and not replace it. With the patient’s consent they will regularly

update NHS GP's with relevant information about patient care. Furthermore it does not matter if you not registered with an NHS GP. The service does however request that all new patients complete a health questionnaire and patient agreement form prior to their first consultation. For more information on pricing and the services provided by The IGP doctors please contact Spire Bristol Hospital’s Patient Treatment Advisers on 0117 980 4080 or email info@spirebristol.com.

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

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n NEWS

An inspiration for all at Quiltfest ONE of the largest quilt shows in the Bristol area - Quiltfest - was held at the beginning of June demonstrating a wealth of talent and skills. More than 100 stunning quilts and wall hangings were on show at the three day exhibition held at Badminton School. There was colour and great crafts skills on display, from traditional to contemporary in style, showing a variety of hand and machine work using a wide range of techniques, plus a selection of non-hanging items. There were specialist quilting traders at the show each day, demonstrating quilting techniques and a stand laden with handmade gifts for sale. Sue Wakefield, Quiltfest Chair, said: “We are a massively thriving group with 130 full members and a waiting list of about 25 - we are oversubscribed. “There are lots of specialist quilter’s workshops that take place and we have about eleven ourselves.” Bristol Quilters was formed in 1980 and meets at the Friends Meeting House on Hampton Road in Redland. The aim of the group is to support and encourage members in all aspects of quilting and they do this by arranging a programme of monthly talks, running workshops and visits, as well as organising periodic challenges and exhibitions of members’ work. Becky Freeman, Bristol Exhibition committee member explained about the many types of quilt: “A lot of quilts mark life

Sandie Lush events, such as when a daughter is about to go to university or the arrival of a new baby. A memory quilt will use items such as clothes from the child’s life growing up.” “There are so many inspirational ideas all around nature, plants and architecture. One of our members was inspired by a holiday to Russia and sketched some the designs that she saw and incorporated it into her quilt,” Becky said. Bristol Quilters have some professional members in the group and a few who teach. One of their members is an expert on Heritage quilts, Sandie Lush, whose hand-stitched Baltimore

quilt was described by visitors as ‘awe-inspiring’. Sandie Lush said: “Baltimore album quilts were very popular around the region of Baltimore and Maryland between 18401860. There was a huge fashion for it, possibly inspired by the floral-patterned carpets at the time. It’s very labour-intensive so the fashion didn’t last but was revived in the early 20th century by a psychiatrist who was looking for something to keep his nervous ladies occupied. He started collecting Baltimore Quilts and then began making them himself. His book, ‘Old Quilts’ revived the interest in them. I’m just one of many

people who’s had a go at making one for themselves. “It took me a year to do the border but the individual blocks were teaching samples. I started it in 1997 and finished it in 2015 but it was only a concerted effort in the final 18 months. I made the centrepiece first and then the others around it. There is a lot of 3D work in there - I’ve used ribbon and wire to make the little roses in the middle.” There was a tombola at the event to raise funds for the children’s charity, Jessie May Trust www. jessiemay.org.uk/ For more information about Bristol Quilters see www. bristolquilters.com

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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

July 2017

n NATURE WATCH With Dawn Lawrence

WRITING this on a sodden May morning with no sign of the weather clearing up I am longing for June! The month when the leaves reach their most wholesome green, the flowers are at their fullest. It is the month of Wimbledon and weddings, strawberries and roses. These two June favourites are the inspiration for poets, lovers, cooks and kings. And William Morris designed his famous wall-paper pattern Strawberry Thief when he spotted a thrush in his garden swooping down to steal a wild strawberry. Strawberries and roses are both in the rose family along with many other British fruits including those summery essentials cherries and raspberries. A close look at their flowers reveals their kinship: they all have five white or pink petals and, in the centre, a shaggy yellow

mound of stamens and styles. All those species can be found growing wild in our area and a few years ago we introduced wild strawberries to our garden bank (they do like a shady bank). Every year we look forward to seeking out their fairy fruit, variously rounded or pointed but always with an intense strawberry flavour. They have enthusiastically colonised the slope: at last, something that can outwit the ivy! Wild roses are also vigorous, arching over the other more delicate rose blossoms and even wickedly growing up from their rootstock. Last year a pink dog rose appeared above our kitchen roof, suddenly visible from our bedroom window. It had been sneaking up through the hedge, arising from the rootstock of a golden rose which modestly peeps in at the kitchen window. The dog rose is the most common wild rose in our area, so called because it has no smell, or sometimes a mild, sweet scent. The name indicates that it is of no use to man, fit only for the dogs. The dog violets share the suffix for the same reason; it is the sweet violet that has the distinctive perfume. The field rose is less common than the dog rose, both in city and countryside. It has smaller blooms of pure white with a large golden crown nestling within. The thorns are less intimidating and the scent has been described as musky and

appy live h is th

summer!

honey-like; an attractive and complex perfume. Field roses have been used in the breeding of garden roses and, like dog roses, their hips are an excellent source of vitamin C. This led to their extensive collection by volunteers, especially school children and women’s institutes, during the Second World War when other sources of fruit became less secure. This was no joke – they are 20 times richer in vitamin C than oranges and the harvest peaked at 500 tons in 1943. School children of the day tended to know rose hips very well, calling them itchy-coos and using the irritant hairs around the seeds as itching powder. From the sublime and symbolic rose with its romantic perfume to the ridiculous itchy-coo; what a versatile plant!

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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

July 2017

n ON THE BEAT

News from the local policing team with Adam Dolling LAST month we took part in Operation Close Pass, helping to educate drivers on safe overtaking distances of cyclists. We focussed our operation on hotspot roads with a high number of ‘near misses’, around the top end of the Gloucester Road. As well as motorists, we also

spoke to cyclists about various offences, including running red lights. Plain clothes officers were out on bikes with cameras, capturing bad driving. In total, we stopped seven cars and two cyclists. One driver was reported for careless driving and for having no MOT following an incident with a cyclist. When overtaking, please allow as much space for a cyclist as you would another vehicle, which is 1.5 metres or approximately a car door width. Failing to leave enough space puts cyclists at risk and you could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention. In June we also took part in the summer drink drive and road safety campaign, Operation Tonic, again around the Gloucester Road in Bishopston, as this area statistically sees a higher proportion of road traffic and drink driving incidents. During the evening we stopped 20 motorists for a range of offences including not wearing seatbelts, speeding and dodgy lights on their vehicles. We breathalysed 19

people, of which a few admitted drinking alcohol prior to driving, however we didn’t make any arrests on this occasion. It is never worth driving when you have been drinking alcohol. The lighter evenings can mean more people go for a drink after work and then drive home afterwards. Please don’t get behind the wheel if you are over the limit – get someone to pick you up or use public transport. The lighter nights can also mean an increase in calls to the police about anti-social behaviour (ASB). Calls to Avon and Somerset increase on average by 14% in July and August, and calls that relate specifically to ASB go up by 28%. Inconsiderate use of vehicles, littering, damage to property, rowdy/drunken behaviour and noisy neighbours are the top five issues that upset people the most. In light of this, we have updated our patrol plan for the summer. We’ll be carrying out more patrols around parks and

green spaces in our area. Horfield Common is busier than ever at the moment, so our extra patrols should put people’s minds at rest. We are also stepping up our patrols around schools at the end of the school day, as we have received a number of calls about the behaviour of some children when they’re making their way home. We have received more reports of speeding drivers on Ashley Down Road. PCSO David Said recently joined volunteers to carry out speed data surveys and we will be carrying out more community speed watches during the coming months to monitor the situation. Don’t forget you can follow what the teams are up to on Twitter @ASPBristolNorth Follow them on 20th July and use #ASP24 to get an insight into the huge and varied demand placed on our organisation over a 24 hour period. Until next time Sergeant Adam Dolling

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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

July 2017

n INSIDE OUT IT is no surprise that renovating a property, or even just one room in your home, is a daunting prospect for many, best put off for as long as possible, or until you simply cannot bear it a moment longer! Redecorating quickly becomes expensive, is hugely time-consuming and the logistical upheaval is not something you want to have to repeat. Traditionally, people say interior designers can save client’s money, by helping them avoid bad choices that would be costly to rectify, but it remains a luxury service for most. Joyfully, it is of course something you can always

the final scheme. There are plenty of inspirational examples on Pinterest and Instagram to guide you on your way. To have a crack at moodboarding in company, over a cup of tea and a natter, join one of my regular interior design workshops at Hamilton House.

do yourself. The difficulty is in thinking about all the tiny details in advance, and making a million minute decisions about colours, patterns, textures, finishes, furnishings, switch plates, handles and on and on the list could go. The main key to DIY success is to plan your project thoroughly. Visual aids, such as moodboards, are how the professionals ensure the overall scheme will come together, so why not give one a try? It you are afraid to make a mistake, break the rules or simply unsure whether you will like it, this a great way to help you visualise

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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

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The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is a registered Charity since 1988. Charges will apply. Details of any costs associated with your home, care and Village services will be provided as part of your application. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, registered charity number 327816, is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales as company number 2205136. Its registered office is at 7 Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SN. Copyright ÂŠ 2017 - The ExtraCare Charitable Trust

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

n PROPERTY

Belmont Road, St Andrews, ÂŁ825,000 guide price This beautiful home over four floors has been extensively refurbished throughout and offers 4/5 bedrooms, with the lower ground floor having independent access so could be a work from home space or somewhere that could be let. On the ground floor is a spacious lounge and a fantastic family room with 2 sets of bi fold doors that open to the landscaped garden. There is off road parking and the house is being sold with no chain.

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ToAndrewsQ2Ad_Corners_Bishopston_180x120mm.indd advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 1or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk 30/03/2017 2:05 pm

bishopstonvoice

July 2017

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