Bishopstonvoice July 2013 edition by Emma Cooper

FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Bishopston & Redland July, 2013 Issue 7

Homes & Gardens Eight pages inside

www.bishopstonvoice.co.uk Cooking with Greens P29 | Shopping for the summer getaway P33

Inside

Traders team up for a celebration Festival marks launch P11 of high street initiative

Concerns raised over future of prison site P5 Gromit comes to Gloucester Road P6 Councillor’s call for new levy on retail giants P9 Raising a glass to winemaker’s first harvest P12

Decision time on city parking zones Plus... Mayor faces pressure – See P2

On the Beat.. p8 Letters... p10 Bishopston Mum... p15

What’s On.. p26 Nostalgia.. p31 Property... p35 Classifieds p39

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July, 2013

News

Mayor faces Bishopstonvoice contacts Emma Cooper Publisher

Joni Mann Editor

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Rebecca Day News editor

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

August deadline Our August edition will be going to print on July 29. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by Thursday, July 25. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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

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

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

“You must take the public with you” was the message from councillors to Mayor George Ferguson as they thrashed out issues surrounding his proposals for residents’ parking zones. The full council debate, triggered by a petition calling for a halt to the wide-reaching scheme signed by more than 6,000 people, saw councillors across the political spectrum raising concerns over the impact on businesses, the consultation process and more. The proposal would see 18 new parking zones with paid-for permits for both businesses and residents rolled out in a bid by the Mayor to tackle commuter parking and congestion. Lead petitioner Michael Owen, who lives on the border of Westbury Park and Redland, told the packed meeting on June 18: “Bristolians deserve something better than an illiberal measure

that constrains rather sustains Bristol.” Mr Ferguson opened the debate, saying it was a chance he welcomed to “hear new ideas and opinions” and that he was in “absolutely full listening mode”. He also outlined some of the amendments he was proposing to the scheme, which will be included in the full report to Cabinet due for official consideration on Thursday, June 27, at the time of going to press. These would include, he said, a doubling of free parking time to 30 minutes, a new multi-zone traders’ permit and an extra stage of consultation. Deputy Conservative leader Councillor Mark Weston told the meeting he didn’t think anyone had an issue with the principle of parking zones, it was the process, adding: “We don’t want RPZ forced on residents who don’t want them.”

Report outlines changes In the council officers’ report due to be considered on June 27, it says: “Local needs and circumstances will be carefully considered as each scheme is designed to ensure that the final proposal is as good as it can be and reflective of local needs and issues.” Proposed amendments include doubling free waiting time to 30 minutes, a new traders’ permit, medical permits for healthcare workers, “essential visitors” permits for carers and some discounts for smaller businesses, schools, charities and places of worship. There would also be a broader consultation involving the Ask Bristol website and an extra stage of consultation for zones not in the earlier phases of the scheme, in which every resident and business would receive a letter and feedback form, and exhibitions and pub-

lic meetings would take place. As a result of the extra consultation, the amended scheme would be delivered by May 2015, the report says, later than the late 2014 date originally proposed. Each permit zone would also be given a six-month review with residents and businesses asked for feedback. The cost of permits would also change – residents would pay £48 for a first permit, £96 for a second, £192 for a third; businesses would pay £240 or £140 concessionary rate for a first permit and £200 for a second; customer permits (maximum of five) would be £250 each or £150 conc; visitors’ permits remain free for the first 50, then £1 each for the next 50. There would also be a new pricing structure for lower emission vehicles.

BishopstonvoiceOnline For a report following the Cabinet meeting go to our website www.bishopstonvoice.co.uk

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July, 2013

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News

pressure ahead of decision

Mayor George Ferguson is due to consider a report on the proposed residents’ parking zones He told Mr Ferguson: “If you can’t get the public on board the ‘big green bus’, then you are mowing them down under the wheels.” Councillors then overwhelmingly backed a motion by Dr

Weston to recommend that the process is halted so the Mayor can meet with an all-party group, although the vote has no official sway. Days later, the Mayor was under pressure again to modify his

plans at a meeting of the council’s sustainable development and transport scrutiny commission. Lib Dem leader Tim Kent pushed for more amendments to the scheme, including an hour’s free parking, some relaxation

of the limit to two permits for businesses and a permit price freeze for four years. He also suggested a tightening of outer boundaries, suggesting that areas such as Bishopston should not be included in the process. He said the Mayor could save £2 million to £3 million by abandoning plans to get the traffic regulation orders needed for the zones in areas such as Ashley Down and Bishopston, where they might never be needed. Lib Dem deputy leader Christian Martin added a warning to Mr Ferguson ahead of the Cabinet meeting on June 27 that the decision could be “called in”. He said: “We want to ensure that this matter doesn’t end up being the subject of a judicial review, with the potential of schemes being delayed even further in areas where people do want them.”

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July, 2013

Advertising feature

It’s a dream come true at Beau Monde Dental Care Ever since they qualified together from the University of Birmingham in 1997, Dr Nicola White and Dr Catherine Spalding have dreamed of one day opening their own dental practice – now that dream has become a reality! The two dentists have recently opened the doors to their new state-of-the-art practice on North View, Westbury Park where they have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, reflecting their own ethos and values. “We want our patients to feel relaxed and confident coming to the practice. We understand that a visit to the dentist can be worrying for some people, but we are here to help,” says Kate. Having studied medical hypnotherapy, Kate is excellent

Beau Monde Dental Care has opened in Westbury Park at making patients feel relaxed Nicola has a particular and strongly believes that a visit interest in cosmetic dentistry, to the dentist should be a positive including adult orthodontic experience. treatments. The “Six Month

Smile Orthodontic System”, which uses specialized clear braces, gently straightens and aligns teeth in an average of six months. She also offers a full range of facial aesthetics including wrinkle-reducing treatments and dermal fillers. “When people are confident about their smile, it can really make a difference to the way they feel,” says Nicola. Kate and Nicola believe passionately in caring for children’s teeth and so will treat your children free of charge if a parent is registered at Beau Monde. You can look forward to a warm welcome at the new practice on North View. Contact: T: 0117 330 3495 E: info@beaumondedental.co.uk W: www.beaumondedental.co.uk

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July, 2013

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News

Concerns raised on prison site’s future A Bishopston councillor has called on the area’s MP to quiz the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) following a report recommending the closure of Bristol Prison in Horfield. Councillor David Willingham has written to Bristol West MP Stephen Williams urging him to ask how far forward any proposals might be and how ministry officials would consult residents, councillors and city planners. In the letter, he says: “The potential closure of HM Prison Bristol will be of concern to the constituents that we represent and will also be a concern to the city council’s strategic planners, as the opportunity for redeveloping a large brownfield site such as the vacated HM Prison Bristol site would need to be carefully thought through and proposals

brought forward in full consultation with local people.” The call for answers follows the recent publication of a report by influential think-tank Policy Exchange, entitled Future Prisons - A Radical Plan to Reform the Prison Estate. In it, author Kevin Lockyer, a former governor of Bristol Prison and ex-Ministry of Justice deputy director, puts the case for replacing around 30 of the country’s ageing prisons – including Bristol Prison – with 10-12 large “hub prisons” accommodating up to 3,000 people. Describing the current prison estate as “unjustifiably expensive and not fit for purpose in the 21st century”, he said: “Our new analysis of prison performance demonstrates, for the first time, that the key determinant of the decency, safety and effectiveness of a prison is not its size, but its

age. Newer prisons perform better than older prisons, regardless of size.” Referring directly to Bristol Prison, he said: “HMP Bristol, which occupies a cramped city centre site in the city, has insufficient space to provide activity for, at best, half of its population and, of the work activity it does provide, 40 per cent of the activity was judged in 2010 by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to be ‘menial’ and offered no meaningful qualifications." The report proposes building a 3,000-place hub prison to the south of Bristol “close to the M5 corridor”, and closing seven prisons in the South West, including Bristol. Following its publication, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling told local media he felt the report was right to highlight the need

to bring costs down and that the MoJ was “developing proposals for the next generation of prisons”. Dr Willingham told Bishopstonvoice the MoJ needed to “urgently clarify its position on the proposals”, adding: “If this proposal is likely to proceed, the council needs to develop a clear strategic planning vision for the future use of the site, and should do this with full involvement of local residents and businesses. “Local people could be part of this with the creation of a Neighbourhood Planning Network specifically to consider this site.” The full report is available to read on Policy Exchange’s website at www.policyexchange. org.uk.

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Keep pets safe in the sun “Mad dogs (and cats) and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”..... With the summer at last looking as if it has arrived it is timely to remind owners of sun associated problems in their pets. Dogs can overheat in the summer very easily and suffer from heatstroke far more rapidly than humans under the same conditions. Unlike us, dogs cannot sweat to help cool their body. The only way that a dog can cool is by panting. The body temperature of the dog rises and soon the dog will become comatose, the condition is then rapidly fatal. This is particularly a problem for dogs left in cars where the air temperature can rise dramatically even if not in direct sun, and dogs taken out for walks in the heat. Increased risk factors also include short nosed or “brachycephalic” dogs such as boxers and pugs as the air has even less cooling in the shortened nose, black or long-hair coats and obese animals. Grooming to remove thick coat and clipping of long coats helps to keep dogs cool in summer. Symptoms of overheating include excessive panting and drooling as well as weakness or collapse. The dog must be moved out of the sun and into a cool place, a fan can be directed at the him if possible and he must be offered cool water to drink. In more severe cases the only way to cool the dog is to soak him in cool water to create an artificial sweat that can evaporate and cool at the same time. The water must penetrate to the skin so the best way is to plunge the dog into a cool bath, or use a stream, lake or cattle trough if away from home. Veterinary help must be sought if relief is not almost

immediately gained for the dog. If being transported to a surgery then wet the dog first with cool water if possible and wrap in a cold wet towel, leave all car windows open as you drive. Dogs can also suffer from sunburn, particularly short white coated breeds such as bull terriers. The areas most commonly affected are the top of the nose and ear flaps. Sunblock or high factor suncream can be used or the dog should be kept inside. Cats rarely suffer from heatstroke but do suffer from sunburn. The classic sites are the tips of the ears and the bridge of the nose. This is a great problem in cats with white fur and skin in these areas. With repeated sun exposure the sunburnt ears or nose can eventually develop cancerous changes which are irreversible. The only treatment for the skin cancer is surgical removal of the ear tips but this has to be recognised early. Changes on the nose are less easily operated on. If allowed to advance the cancer can grow significantly and will also spread to the internal organs. White cats should not be allowed out on sunny days and should be protected with sunblock or high factor suncream. If your cat has white ears or nose and has any scabby areas then do ask your vet to check for the signs of sunburn and precancerous changes. Please do call in or phone us at the surgery for any further advice. Nicky Bromhall, BVSc MRCVS

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July, 2013

Youth and education

Bake a treat with Gromit Youngsters will be invited to get baking with Gromit this summer when the famous animated character takes up residence outside a Gloucester Road shop. Nailsea Electrical is sponsoring one of the 80 statues that will be displayed around the city from July 1 as part of a public art trail to raise funds for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal. The firm’s 102 Cookery School is joining in the fun and raising extra cash for the drive to expand Bristol Children’s Hospital by holding baking workshops for youngsters. For a donation of £10, each child can bake and decorate their own Gromit, with a prize up for grabs, and have a photo taken next to the 5ft statue. Giles Pushman, who runs the school, said: “It will be a lovely souvenir from an initiative which is not only putting Bristol on the

map but raising money to help other children in the future.” The firm estimates if each workshop is filled it could raise £7,200 for the appeal. Ben Gilks, owner of Nailsea Electrical, said: “We were proud to be invited by Gromit Unleashed to sponsor one of the 80 Gromits being placed around Bristol to create the largest art trail of its kind with thousands expected to be visiting each Gromit over the ten weeks. “To ensure our Gromit stands out from the crowd and has a real impact on the community we will be erecting a 50ft banner to be placed behind him.” The baking workshops are on August 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28 with 90-minute classes at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Book on 0117 2 440047 or at admin@102cookeryschool.co.uk.

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

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July, 2013

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Advertising feature

Reduce risk from harmful rays with the right lenses

Is it relevant to be writing about the risks of exposure to UV light on a grey overcast day on the Gloucester Road? Of course it is: UV light is bouncing around outside, even when it is cloudy. 80 per cent of UV damage is done to children’s eyes before they reach 18. It’s so important to protect our eyes with good UV blocking sunglasses to reduce the damage that can cause cataract and macula degeneration. Talk to your optometrist about UV filters in sunglasses, ordinary glasses and contact lenses: they are not all the same. At Lynne Fernandes Optometrists we research our products extensively. We were at the BLCA recently: this is the most respected international contact lens-related clinical conference. Their president told me there were 1,100 international delegates this year with major

publications from the leading research centres. There are so many different contact lenses available with different benefits to suit a wide range of needs. For example, a soon-to-be-launched daily disposable lens is being marketed with a UV filter.

For Lynne, the best UV filter is paramount. For me, inside today for a long spell, the revolutionary water gradient technology in my lenses will ensure I have comfort all day on the computer. What should you do as a patient? Talk to us about what you do and what you want to do: we’ll advise the best products. A major study called AREDS II was published recently. This has led us to review our advice we give to our patients at risk of macula degeneration. We do this via our EyeSense clinics: please pop in and see us if you’re interested in finding out more. This month we’re running a free lenses campaign. If you

like the idea of free lenses whenever you want, why not join LensClub? I was reviewing our prices compared with our competitors big and small and am very happy that we price match all products for over a 10-mile radius. The great thing about July is that the stunning new Lindberg Acetanium range of frames has arrived: I’m after some myself. Come in and see why we were so determined to stock this gorgeous Lindberg design, pictured. Gerard Fernandes, Director and Optometrist at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists, 75 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AS

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News

On the Beat

Festival to host musical shows

News from the local policing team with PCSO David Said

Musical performances based on bogus callers and rogue traders are among the activities on offer at a community event for the city’s older residents. Organisers of the North Bristol Festival of Age are promising a day out to remember on Monday, July 1. A range of activities including crafts and exercise taster sessions will be held at the Bradbury Hall, Trinity URC, Waterford Road in Henleaze, where Mayor George Ferguson will officially launch the event. The Solomon Touring Theatre company will present their shows Trickster and Scambuster during the day,which is being organised by the Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym Neighbourhood Partnership. The festival will run from 10am-4pm and anyone who needs transport to the event can call Dial-a-Ride to book in advance on 0845 1301874.

Hello, readers. The beat team recently carried out a speed watch on Sommerville Road after concerns were expressed by local residents about drivers’ speed. We carried out the speed check from 5pm until 6pm on Friday night. The fastest driver recorded was doing 32mph with the majority of drivers recorded in the 15 to 25mph range. Many drivers appeared to slow down as they saw me at the side of the road with the speed gun. At the time of doing the speed check there were many parked cars and traffic was fairly heavy so the opportunity to speed was reduced. Often the perception of drivers’ speed is different to actual speed; the data will be passed on to the road policing unit when they carry out the risk assessment on this road, which will then hopefully allow

members of the community to carry out their own speed checks. We have also been busy working with our partners from HM Revenue and Customs and Trading Standards. We recently carried out a joint operation on a shop on Gloucester Road that was suspected of selling counterfeit cigarettes and tax dodged alcohol. Thousands of pounds worth of items were seized and a male was arrested in relation to this. The kind of shops engaged in this activity don’t tend to mind who they sell tobacco and alcohol to, including those below legal age and we are hoping this sends out a clear message to any unscrupulous traders around Gloucester Road. The school talks have been going well. This month I have visited Bishop Road and St

July, 2013

Bonaventure’s. It’s good to meet all the children and talk about crime and its consequences. Year 6 is a key time to talk with the young people as they will face new influences and peer pressure when they move to secondary school. I will be visiting Ashley Down Juniors before the end of term. Finally, I recently had a meeting with one of the sports heads at the City of Bristol College in Ashley Down Road. The aim is to encourage more students to cycle and we are looking at ways to help keep their bikes safe when not being used and encouraging responsible cycling when they are on the roads. We will be doing bike events and talks with the students next term in support of this. Best wishes for a safe and crime-free July.

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July, 2013

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Councillor calls for levy on retail giants A motion calling on the city council to back an 8.5 per cent levy on supermarkets and large retail outlets has been put forward by Bishopston councillor Daniella Radice. In her first motion to full council, the Green councillor asked her colleagues to give their support to a national campaign by Local Works to ask the government to give local authorities the power to impose the rate. Ms Radice said it was estimated the levy could raise in the region of £1.6 million per year, a sum that could be invested in local shopping areas, she suggested. “This motion is not about getting rid of supermarkets but just raising some more income from them, in recognition of the negative effects that they can have on communities,” she told

Bishopstonvoice. “The council is facing huge cuts in its income over the next four years – £100 million – and I think it needs to be innovative in how it raises money.” A number of councillors at the meeting on June 18 spoke in favour of some city supermarkets, however, particularly citing investment made in Hartcliffe by retailer Morrisons, providing employment in the area. Councillor Anthony Negus (Lib Dem, Cotham) said: “I fear this could be a way of doing unforeseen damage to otherwise good works and I urge caution.” Concerns were also raised that any increased cost for supermarkets would be passed on to customers and suppliers, while Councillor Mark Brain (Labour, Hartcliffe) said he believed smaller shops were less afford-

able for some city residents, adding: “Don't drive big stores out.” After the meeting, Ms Radice said: “I find that fruit and vegetables are cheaper in my local shop than in a supermarket, the competition between supermarkets is such that they could not all pass the cost on to customers. In terms of employment, statistics show that per £100,000 of turnover small and medium businesses employ more people than larger ones.” An amendment to the motion, allowing councillors to scrutinise the pros and cons of any levy, was agreed in a vote, a move Ms Radice said she welcomed.

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‘Milestone’ in stadium move Bristol Rovers’ plans to build a new stadium at Frenchay – selling the Memorial Stadium to Sainsbury’s as part of the scheme – have moved a step closer. The football club and retail giant have signed off on negotiations over planning conditions with Bristol City Council regarding Sainsbury’s bid to build a new supermarket at the Horfield site, which was given planning consent in January. Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has told fans he now expects work to begin at the University of the West England campus at the end of September. Mr Higgs said: “This is another great milestone for the stadium project and one big step closer to fulfilling our dream of building a new stadium for Bristol Rovers." Now the Section 106 agreement has been signed, it opens a three-month judicial review period, the window for any legal challenges to be made.

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From left, Craig Williams (Bristol Hackers), Martin Walters (Bristol Hackers), Tamara Downes (CHSW), Simon Wilkinson (Bristol Hackers) and Daniel Walters (Inn on the Green)

Golf challenge at pub raises £400 Regulars from a Bristol pub that turned its car park into a putting green during a recent festival have handed over £400 to charity. The Inn on the Green’s golf society, The Bristol Hackers, hosted a putting challenge, charging festival-goers £1 each to have a go at getting three holes in one to win a meal at the pub. The makeshift green was created using astroturf, beer barrels and sand. The cash raised on the day

was presented to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Martin Walters, a member of The Bristol Hackers, said: “There was a great atmosphere at the festival. A little bit of fairground banter and gentle arm-twisting meant we were able to raise a fantastic amount for CHSW. We chose to fundraise for CHSW because of the invaluable respite and end-of-life care they provide for families. We were over the moon to be able to support them in this way.”

TER T E

News

Compare street to Broadmead It was good to read the thoughtful letter from “a concerned resident” and the informative article from the Bristol Civic Society in the most recent edition of Bishopstonvoice. Many of the comments in other forums seem to be either from a “head-in-thesand” perspective of ignoring the increased congestion and pollution in the city or are just abusive about the Mayor. I do find it disappointing that the Gloucester Road traders are so stuck in a “we depend on cars or we die” attitude. I can remember when they campaigned against the Liberal Council’s proposed bus lanes and threatened that if they went ahead all the shops would be up for sale. The bus lanes are in and you only have to contrast the shop vacancy rate in Broadmead, with its dedicated car parking, with the low number of empty shops in Gloucester Road to see who is surviving the tough retail climate.

July, 2013

If the road is to grow and thrive then, given the limited local parking, it needs to attract people via other forms of transport. Like many other locals, if ease of parking was my main consideration then I would go to Tesco off Muller Road or Broadmead. If I want, as I do, a range of good quality food and excellent service then I will go to the Gloucester Road, and I am happy to leave the car at home and walk. Name and address supplied

Zones a tax hit for city’s carers In response to Mr Frenkel’s promotion of the residents’ parking zones (RPZ) in June’s Bishopstonvoice. Many elderly citizens receive no support from Social Services as they have modest savings or own their own homes. They therefore have to rely on friends and family and paid-for carers to maintain their independence. The Mayor’s RPZ is a direct tax hit for carers and will deter friends and family supporting the elderly in their own homes. The fact that carers can find a parking space is crass when they will have to pay to park. This is a fast-track to destroying good citizenship and caring neighbourhoods. Paul Bishopston

Yourviews Send your letters to Bishopstonvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR or news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

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Traders team up at festival to launch high street card by Rebecca Day

Gloucester Road traders and shoppers showed their support for the first ever gift card for independent retailers in the UK at its Bristol launch. Anne-Louise Perez and Imogen McIntosh – the founders of YourStreet Gift Card – were joined by Bristol Mayor George Ferguson, Tom Herbert from TV’s Fabulous Baker Brothers, and UWE deputy vice-chancellor Professor Paul Gough on Saturday, June 22. The launch doubled as a celebration of Bristol’s independent shops, as 102 Gloucester Road, home to Nailsea Electrical and 102 Cookery School, hosted a festival of food and music with stalls showcasing local businesses. YourStreet is a newly-established multi-store gift card which can be purchased online and redeemed only in independent stores. “It’s been amazing,” said Imogen. “We’ve been so pleased with the turnout, we’ve had more people join us than we could have imagined. There’s been lots of people making lots of effort, and I think it’s really raised awareness about the gift card. Hopefully it will really boost morale on Gloucester Road, and we’re looking forward to the launch in Bedminster in October, which will again be lots of fun, and we can raise awareness there.” The pair revealed that they also hope to eventually be able to direct some of the profit from the initiative to the communities involved, helping fund enhancement projects such as flower beds or Christmas lights. UWE has invested £63,000 in the scheme. The cards will be given as a welcome gift to 6,300 new full-time students, each receiving a card pre-loaded with £10. Prof Paul Gough said the university was delighted to be the initiative’s first big backer, praising “the spirit of social enterprise” shown by Anne-Louise and Imogen, who is a former UWE student. “It shows UWE’s commitment to students and our commitment

Bristol Samba, above; Anne-Louise Perez and Imogen McIntosh, YourStreet Ltd founders, below left; face-painting, bottom left to communities – we wanted to be the anchor organisation to set a target for other organisations to join us.” He added: “It will encourage our students to shop locally and will help thousands of interna-

tional students to settle in. It will put us, as a university, ahead of the pack.” Under a giant marquee were 24 market stalls, all run by Bristol-based independent traders, including Gopal’s Curry Shack, the Fish Shop’s oyster bar, Joe’s Bakery, Reason Interiors, Cox and Baloney, Chew Cupcakes and many more. Children enjoyed face painting, a craft workshop with Art Rules, and guest appearances

from Bristol Rovers players Ellis Harrison and Seanan Clucas. At 11am, Gloucester Road came alive as the highly-energetic Bristol Samba – a community band made up of dancers and drummers playing Brazilian music – kicked off the event. Bristol’s 20-piece jazz band Sisters of Swing also played later on in the afternoon, filling the tent with sounds from the Thirties. Guest speeches from Tom Herbert, UWE’s Prof Paul Gough and Mayor George Ferguson were also given during the event. Mr Ferguson said: “Bristol is characterised by having all of these independent shops, with Gloucester Road, of course, being the ‘king’ road. Shopping should be a part of our community, and YourStreet is a really great way of reinforcing this.” He added: “We have to fight back against the domination of the supermarkets and the big stores, because [shopping locally] is much more fun. “I think it’s been enthusiastically received and I’m 100 per cent behind it.” Mayor Ferguson stated that he will “definitely be purchasing a gift card, as long as they take my Bristol pounds”. Alongside the YourStreet launch, Nailsea Electrical was also celebrating the opening of its state-of-the-art kitchen showroom. Guests were treated to live cookery demonstrations by 102 Cookery School throughout the day.

Hannah from Chew Cupcakes; Joe from The Fish Shop Oyster Bar; Jane and Jenny from Joe’s Bakery; Bristol Rovers’ Ellis Harrison and Seanan Clucas

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July, 2013

News

Ingrid raises a glass to her by Rebecca Day Guests raised a glass to the launch of a new rose wine produced on the outskirts of Bristol by a Bishopston resident. Ingrid Bates introduced her new Pinot Noir Rose – Dunleavy – at the Grape and Grind store on Gloucester Road, where local people gathered to celebrate at the end of May. Grown on Dunleavy Vineyards, near Wrington in North Somerset, it took three to four years before a grapevine was established, and mature enough to harvest grapes from it. The vine plants had to go through a process of being trimmed back and trained before they were ready to grow the Pinot Noir grape. “The vines start growing every year around the end of April,” explains Ingrid. “They then form little flowers around mid-summer which, if pollinated, form

Ingrid Bates with Sir David Attenborough at Dunleavy Vineyards grapes that are then harvested at the end of September.” Ingrid describes how the grapes are then carefully put into stackable crates and driven around 40 minutes up the road to an international, awardwinning wine maker. “Still wine is usually ready in the following

April but sparkling takes twice as long and is usually left a few years before drinking.” After looking after Thornbury Castle’s vineyard in 2004, Ingrid developed a desire to grow her own. “I really loved it,” she exclaims, “but I wanted to get involved with the whole process,

not just the growing. I’m a fairly creative person so wanted to create my own label. I saved up for a few years and then began the long process of creating my own vineyard.” Despite Pinot Noir being “notoriously difficult to grow”, Ingrid chose the grape because it “makes fantastic wine”. “I like a challenge,” she explains. “Pinot seemed to be doing really well in other English vineyards and the wines produced were doing well in competitions.”

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July, 2013

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News

wine’s debut Guests get their first taste of Dunleavy Pinot Noir at Grape and Grind on Gloucester Road The wine exudes a soft, fruity aroma and a colour which is slightly darker than usual rose wines. “Dunleavy” is Ingrid’s partner Stephen’s surname; she felt that the name would work well on the bottle because of the flow of letters. The label, which is simplistic yet bold in style, has a distinctive beetle that sits above the “v”. Having studied the insect during her biology degree at Imperial College London, Ingrid spent her summer months working on

projects involving the dung beetle. “I love them,” she said. “They symbolise something that is very important to our ecosystems, which is often overlooked.” Not only has Dunleavy been well received by everyone who attended Grape and Grind on May 30, but also by the BBC’s nature guru Sir David Attenborough. Ingrid confirms the first harvest was a only couple of hundred bottles, but she hopes to produce a few thousand per year in the future.

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July, 2013

News Maps project is awarded £3,600 A project to create maps that encourage more people to walk or cycle to local shops and facilities in Redland and Cotham has been given a grant of £3,600. The Sustainable Redland group will be putting the maps together with help from the community before delivering them door-to-door – hopefully in March 2014 – as well as making them available at local businesses and online. The grant was awarded by Bristol City Council through round two of the Active Neighbourhood Travel Grant. Those behind the initiative say the main goal is to reduce unnecessary travel by car, promoting walking or cycling instead, while also encouraging the use of local shops and services by raising awareness of what is available. To get involved email roger. gimson@gmail.com, or visit www.sustainableredland.org.uk.

Reclaiming streets for fun is ‘priority’ by Rebecca Day

A local project has its heart set on helping build stronger communities through supplying equipment for street parties and local gatherings. From bunting and “road closed” signs, to megaphones and gazebos, BS6 Open Streets loan all the essentials to their customers for free. All the project requires is a deposit, which will be given back once all the equipment has been returned in good order. Set up by Sustainable Redland at the beginning of 2012, the project is sustained by a supporting grant from Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Neighbourhood Partnership. The national group based in Bristol, Streets Alive, whose mission is to promote street

parties all year round, also supports BS6 Open Streets project. Whether residents wish to take over a couple of parking slots or temporarily close an entire street to celebrate a particular occasion, BS6 Open Streets is encouraging local residents to “reclaim their streets”. Not only does the project provide equipment, but helpful advice too. “Helping the community enjoy their street space is our priority,” says Gay Johns, one of the project’s co-ordinators. “We want to make the process as simple as possible for those wishing to borrow items.” Gay confirms that it is essential to receive permission from Bristol City Council before hiring the equipment. “We always ask to see a copy

of the confirmation first,” says Gay. Throughout Bristol, it is free to apply to the council for road closure in order to hold a traditional street party for the community. Her street held their own “Jubilympics” party last year during the summer, and Gay said that the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics had “certainly encouraged more people to throw street parties”. The day consisted of tai chi, lemon hockey, corgi wanging, snail racing and tea with a cardboard version of the Queen. “The sun was shining and we were able to enjoy a vehicle-free play space,” says Gay. “It was a very enjoyable event!” For more information about hiring equipment, visit bs6open streets.wordpress.com.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

New clinic brings benefits of sports massage to all Hard to shift shoulder or back pain? Pain in the calf or hamstring? Sports massage could be just what you need. Sports Therapist Lorraine Allen has recently opened her own massage clinic, in the popular MindBodyStudio, on Kellaway Avenue. Lorraine graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy and has treated professional and amateur sports men and women as well as young mums with back and shoulder pain from lifting children and professional and blue collar

‘It isn’t just for the sporty – anyone with injuries, aches and pains can benefit’

workers. Lorraine explained: “Sports massage isn’t just for the sporty – anyone with non-sport

injuries or aches and pains can benefit. “Sports massage is a deep

tissue massage and comes with many benefits. It can help to relieve pain, assist and speed up the body’s natural recovery process, increase blood flow and lympathic drainage, reduce muscular and neural tension and help improve posture.” Lorraine is offering 20 per cent off the first treatment with a further £5 off your next visit. Pick up a loyalty card and get your fifth treatment free. To find out more, visit www. la-sports-therapy.co.uk, call Lorraine on 07920 052745 or email lorraineallenst@outlook. com.

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July, 2013

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Bishopston Mum Welcome to Bishopston Mum’s column and a very happy July to everyone! This last month has been an exciting time for my friend, Ingrid Bates, who launched her Dunleavy Vineyards wine. There was a launch party held at Grape and Grind on Gloucester Road and I was excited to attend; having the chance to go to a wine launch is not not an opportunity I have every day! Ingrid’s wine – a Pinot Noir Rose – was such a hit it sold out within days. She has worked very hard over the last few years so deserves her success. This month I took my little girl to a new playgroup, Barts Babes, which is held at St Bartholomew’s Church in St Andrew’s. Barts Babes is for 0 to 3-year-olds and runs Thursday and Friday mornings in term time at 10-11.30am. This was quite a small playgroup and I found it friendly and welcoming and my daugh-

ter thoroughly enjoyed herself, especially its singing session! For more information about this playgroup, please phone 0117 9071839. I wanted to give a shoutout – and hopefully raise some awareness – to a South West-based charity which originally began here, in north-west Bristol. BRACE does very important work funding research

into Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. I once worked in the field of dementia and came into contact with people of all ages with it so I feel that this is a really important charity to support. If you would like to know more about BRACE or would like to support the charity, the website is www. alzheimers-brace.org. I do hope we have some bet-

ter weather in July. KudaCan – the community hub for children – has now got a new outside area for children to enjoy, complete with new outdoor toys. I look forward to taking my kids there and making full use of it over the summer! It is now just over two months before my little boy starts primary school. This week we received a letter from the school with the name of his teacher, which was very exciting for him. September will be the start of a new phase for me a as mum, for not only will my son be starting school but my daughter will also be starting pre-school. I am surprised to say that far from dreading the thought of this, I am now actually quite excited about it. I hope everyone has a wonderful July! Bishopston Mum www.bishopstonmum.com

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EIGHT PAGES on making the most of your home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; indoors and outdoors ADVERTISING FEATURE

Photos courtesy of JPC Carpentry & Joinery

Home and garden improvements can sometimes be very daunting: where to start and how much to spend? ? Just taking ideas from n friends or magazines can be the answer, but if you need to find inspiration then take a look at the following pages and home improvement experts to help you with your renovations or remodels.

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July, 2013

Homes and Gardens The expertise to make your vision a reality JPC Carpentry Joinery was established in 1995. A family-run business offering all aspects of carpentry, joinery and building maintenance, we cater for any project you may have for your home or office. We are proud of the excellent reputation we have earned and we are delighted at our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feedback.

Be it new, renovation, replacement or bespoke; from the small details right through to internal or external structural work; from conceptual design to completion, we offer the skills and experience to make your vision a reality. See our website for more details www.jpc carpentryjoinery.co.uk.

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Homes and Gardens

ER FT A

EF O R B

Dream Doors has been trading from its showroom on the Gloucester Road in Bishopston for the last four years. Our principal business is bringing new life to old kitchens. This is achieved by changing any one or a combination of kitchen doors, worktops, sinks and taps. However, we can also supply full kitchens including high-end appliances such as Neff, Miele and Franke – we can do as much or as little as a customer would like. Customers may opt for an upgrade rather than a complete re-fit as this causes less disruption (many can be completed in just three days). It is also a more environmentally-friendly route as the cupboard carcasses are retained. We can supply made-to-measure replacement doors in a vast range of colours and styles to suit everyone’s tastes. Similarly, we have access to a full range of the

Dreaming of a new kitchen?

These before and after shots show the difference new doors make latest in high quality and design laminate worktops, granite, wood and the new generation of durable man-made worktops. Customers frequently come to us if they are struggling to sell their home – rather than taking a huge hit on the asking price, they freshen up their kitchen and make the whole home more appealing to a buyer. Peace of mind Dream Doors is a nationwide group that has been operating

for over 10 years. Every customer that deals with Dream Doors is asked to provide feedback about our service by Checkatrade.com. All of this information is available to prospective customers at www.dreamdoors.co.uk. The man For many years I ran my own business in property maintenance and construction. This business was built on my reliability, attention to detail and customer satisfaction. It is with

pride that I can say that in my years of trading, 90% of my business came from repeat business or referrals. This business continues with my son at the helm. Last year my wife relocated to Bristol in her role as a corporate solicitor and I had a serious accident and broke my back. My doctors advised that while I may be able to return to the physically demanding work I had been doing, this would have a negative impact on my long-term health. Rather than letting this get me down, I shifted my focus and challenged myself to find an alternative way of remaining in a trade I enjoy and understand. Dream Doors is the perfect match for my skill set and I am excited and energised by the challenge ahead! Barry Dream Doors 11 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, Bishopston. T: 0117 9443223

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Homes and Gardens Come to our FREE event on Thursday, July 18 6.30pm for 7.00pm start Venue: Holistic Building Centre, 19 Zetland Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 7HA Places limited, book now on 0117 909 8090 or email info@holisticbuilding.co.uk

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

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

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

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

Sponsored by

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Homes and Gardens

Inside story with interior designer Zoe Hewett Preparing for a baby’s arrival in the home is a very busy and precious time for expectant parents. When my daughter unexpectedly arrived extremely prematurely, I missed out on the excitement of choosing clothes, bedding, furniture, and nesting in to a newly organised house. After four months in hospital, I did manage to rather speedily transform an uninspiring, ugly box room full of neglected, accumulated STUFF, into an infinitely more charming wildlife-wonderland, just in time for her homecoming. It was an added pressure at a difficult time, and although creating rooms is one of my greatest pleasures, and indeed my passion, I would have loved

a fairy godmother to magic it all finished. I placed a lot of importance on the room being complete and beautiful, when it would have been easier not to bother, because so many, many hours are spent in nurseries, feeding, reading, rocking and playing etc. So it really is important for it be as nice an environment as

possible, for both mother and baby to relax and enjoy. Our emotional response to the appearance and atmosphere of a space is often underestimated. An interesting wallpaper pattern or object can make a great distraction away from teething or colic pain for an unsettled baby, and the effect of a particular shade of a colour can

go deeper than that and even positively influence mood. Since decorating is disruptive at the best of times even without children running around, it is certainly worth avoiding a garishly childish aesthetic that they’ll quickly outgrow and is at odds with the rest of home decor, by choosing a scheme so pleasant it will look good for several years. To help mums and dads embarking on DIY nursery missions this summer, there are top design tips, available through the freebies page of my website! Visit www.zoehewett interiors.co.uk  Zoë Hewett is an independent interior designer. Call 07974 544 734 or email zoe@zoe hewettinteriors.co.uk to book a free initial consultation.

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July, 2013

Homes and Gardens

Get your oven shining again Does you oven require a good Ovenclean? The benefit to the customer of Ovenclean is the personal service from the local franchisee coupled with the experience and quality training of the brand that has been established since 1992. Jason Williams has built his business based on a high quality result, a thorough clean of all parts of the oven, 100 per cent customer satisfaction and all at a very competitive price. With over 25 years in the cleaning trade, he takes

great pride in his work and has a very keen eye for detail. Ovenclean uses non-caustic materials, making no mess or fumes and restoring your oven to “as good as new”. Burnt-on food deposits in ovens not only create hygiene problems but can also detract from the quality of cooking. Don’t forget that BBQ either, that may still have last summer’s remnants on it! Call Jason today on 07795 490834 for a free quote and to discuss your requirements.

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July, 2013

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Homes and Gardens

Time to beat the winter rush I have been plumbing for more than 10 years now and during that time I have built up a great team at Roost Plumbing & Heating. This has enabled us to offer complete bathroom refurbishments, taking the stress and co-ordination worries away from the homeowner.

Paul advises having your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boiler service annually We can facilitate everything from general building to tiling We are also gas safe registered and can offer a wide range of gas

appliance installation, servicing and repairs. I know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer, we all want to enjoy the sun and tend to put off the things that need doing, especially with the kids off school. But winter is always our busiest time with people desperate to get all the small jobs finished off in time for Christmas, as well the emergency burst pipes and boiler breakdowns. As such the summer is the perfect time to address some of these jobs. I would advise anyone with an older boiler to run the boiler occasionally during the summer to reduce the risk of seized pumps when the winter does arrive. Newer boilers tend to be programmed to automatically run the pump occasionally. But if in doubt do check. I would also recommend having your boiler serviced annually. This will allow us to check over and clean all the main compo-

nents, therefore prolonging the life, and performance, of your boiler. There are also many things that can be done to maintain peak performance of your heating system. These often get overlooked in favour of replacing

them with new, modern boilers, but this is not always necessary. I would ask anyone to get in touch should they want to find out more about the services we offer. See our advert below. Paul, Roost Plumbing

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Homes and Gardens In the Garden

It is the time, at last when everything in the garden is bursting into bud, leaf or anything else. And, of course with the rush of plant growth we also have the weeds. An amazing number of dandelions! Remember, one man’s weed is another man’s flower. Most of our weeds have been removed by hand, sometimes with the help of a trowel or hand fork (a very useful tool), and the bare earth patches are relatively clear. But the problem is the hard areas of slabs, crazy paving etc, where the difficult weeds grow in the cracks. I have tried all the recomended tools but I come back to chemicals.

Fit the sprinkler bar to an old watering can (don’t use the can for watering) add the granules and swish around and apply to the joins and cracks. But which way do you go, across or down? When one line is done, working at right angles means stepping on the treated slabs, so do not walk on the grass afterwards, that’s how those mysterious patches appear. A messy job but I find the results good and weed-clear for three months. So gloves on and away you go! The blossom display has been remarkable. From a first floor window looking into each adjacant neighbour’s gardens we could see a swathe of blossom, probably 80 feet wide, stretching through the three gardens. A crab apple tree in the middle with so much flower it looked like a slightly melted snowman, with one branch

sticking out sideways, maybe pointing the way to summer. It does seem at times that nature does have an unexpectd effect. Is it my imagination, or did the cold weather delay progress, only to come rushing out as soon as the weather improved? Does the blossom seem more vibrant because it is later?

On warm days I have cut the grass, not too closely yet. Again it seems that the grass is growing well. I applied some spring treatment and apart from one patch, which is solid clay, the grass looks good and green and filling the compost bin. By the end of August it should be full. We had a very good display of hellebores and there are a number of self-seeded shoots showing. I remember reading that hellebores take two years to reach flowering, so I shall have to wait and see! Wisteria seem to have enjoyed a rest in the cold weather and have been showing some remarkable displays of dripping florescences. Most notable are the lilies shooting skywards from their pot. Supported by a cane framework they will soon be delighting us with their flowers. But watch out for the lily beetle!

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July, 2013

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Gloucester Road Traders’ Association News with honorary secretary Peter Browne The Gloucester Road Traders’ Association has ordered over 20 sets of flower baskets to be mounted on lamp posts on the Gloucester Road. This has been financed by contributions from the shop owners, money from the public put into collecting tins in many of the shops, and donations from the Neighbourhood Partnership and Bishopston Gardeners Open Day. Many thanks to them all. The baskets are being prepared by the city council’s parks department and we understand they have been delayed by the slow start of the growing season this year and pressure of orders from other parts of the city.  Our chairman, Dan Whelan, spoke at the closing event of the May Community Festival about the association’s plans to apply for the Gloucester Road to become a Business Improvement District (a BID).

‘If the BID goes ahead it will provide funds to improve and promote the Gloucester Road, our unique high street’ If the scheme goes ahead it will provide funds to improve and promote the Gloucester Road, for the benefit of the shops and businesses and of the public who use our high unique street, nationally famous for its wide range of independent shops. We are distributing information flyers about how a BID works and arranging consultation meetings with businesses affected. These meetings will start in July and are to generate ideas about how the money that could be raised (potentially up to £100,000 per year) should best be spent. Based on these consultations, a Business Plan and Budget will then be published and an official ballot held in 2014. If enough of the businesses who would have to

contribute to the fund vote in favour of the scheme it could be in place by May or November 2014.  Our members are very worried about the Mayor’s plans for residents’ parking zones. The fear is that if people are deterred by parking problems from using the Gloucester Road’s shops and facilities, businesses will have to close and our vibrant high street could eventually be destroyed. We do not want the kind of RPZ here that the council has set up before in other neighbourhoods, where there are few shops to be affected. This comes on top of concerns about the council giving planning permission for a huge Sainsbury’s with

free parking, at the Memorial Ground, right on our doorstep.  We are delighted that the University of the West of England has agreed to play a major part in a gift card scheme that could greatly benefit the Gloucester Road shops and businesses. UWE is proposing to give all first-year students a gift card pre-loaded by UWE with £10 to spend only with local independents who take part in the scheme. The hope is that students’ families will also top up the cards with additional money to support their child or relative and encourage them to spend the money wisely. If you want to give someone a present, student or not, and don’t know what to buy them, why not try these cards? Have a look at www.yourstreetgiftcards. com/bristol where you will see the wide range of shops and businesses taking part.

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

Open events for 2014 entry Open nights

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

Open mornings

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

Come and get to know us!

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June 29

Filtones Choir Annual Charity Concert, Eden Grove Methodist Church, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0PQ at 7.30pm. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the charity Parkinson’s UK. Tickets £6 available in advance from 0117 908 3778 and 0117 969 0654 or at the door. Brazilian Play Group. Quakers Meeting House, 300 Gloucester Road, BS7 8PD. AGM plus entertainment and supper 7.45pm. Henleaze Community Fair at St Peter’s Church, The Drive, Henleaze. 11am. Numerous stalls and refreshments.

July 1 North Bristol Festival of Age,

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Have you got an event you would like to publicise? Or do you run a club or society in the Bishopston or Redland area? Send details of your events and activities to emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk or call us on 07715 770448 and we will make sure thousands of people in the area know about them. 10am-4pm at Bradbury Hall, Trinity URC, Waterford Road, Henleaze. What’s going on in our community, come along and find out. A wide selection of activities and stalls with taster sessions. The Solomon Touring Theatre Company will present “a bogus caller musical” based on true stories at 11.30am or “a rogue trader musical” based on true stories at 2.30pm. Refreshments available.

July 6 Curly Cow children’s nearly-new sale at Redland High School, Redland Court Road, Redland. 10.30am-noon. Many tables to pick up a bargain for your little one. Refreshments also available. Entry £1, children free. For more information or to book Photos: www.thephoto.co.uk

a table, contact Katharin on 07967 077729 or Katie on 07810 796298. Email: curlycowsales@ hotmail.co.uk 2641 WI Summer Fair, Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church Hall. 10am-1.30pm. Many stalls, country market, refreshments etc. Entry free. Vintage Fair at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Gloucester Road, 3-6pm. Entry 50p and children free. Stalls, vintage bric-a-brac and tea room. To book a stall email colin.ludlow@ blueyonder.co.uk. Redland Green Community Chorus perform Fauré’s Requiem at their Summer Concert, St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park, 7.30pm. The programme also includes the world première of O Gladd’ning Light (Gareth Treseder) and more. Tickets £8 or £4 concessions, refreshments available at the interval.

July 10-13

Room 212 hosts summer of art From July 8, textile artist Sarah Thorp is bringing a new twist to Room 212 on Gloucester Road for the rest of the summer. Sarah will be showing her new range of textile bead jewellery, patchwork throws and jewel coloured yarns. Other local artists such as textile artist Debby Bird, print maker Maita Robinson and clothes designer Zoe Dunn will be joining her. Find children’s sewing kits by Pinz and Needlez and be inspired by beautiful yarns, buttons and beads. Check out the Room 212 Facebook page for details.

Kelvin Players will be bringing to life Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. As well as an evening of outdoor theatre, there will be a host of other entertainers including jesters, acrobats, singers, storytellers and face-painters. This is Chaucer as it was intended: bawdy, boisterous and fun family entertainment. A bar and refreshment stalls will be available; or why not make it a bit of a do and bring a picnic? And bring along your own garden chairs or blankets. At the Dairy Garden, Blaise Castle, BS10 7QS. The show starts at 7.30pm with gates open from 6.30pm (Saturday matinee starts at 2.30pm with gates open from 1.30pm)

July 14 St Bonaventure’s School Summer Fair, Egerton Road, Bishopston, 2-5pm. Admission Adults 50p, children free. Pimms and strawberries, bar, ice creams and candy floss, bouncy castle, bungee run, Super Mario assault course, beat the goalie, lucky dip, hoopla, coconut shy, face painting, hair braiding, nerf guns

July, 2013

and much more. Come along and join in the fun.

July 20 Redland Green School Car Boot Sale, Redland Court Road, BS6 7EH. 1-4pm. Book a stall, or come for a browse. Come along, rain or shine, as we hold the sale indoors if wet. Pitches £8 (booking essential) Refreshments/ toilet facilites on site. Contact forgscarbootsale@hotmail.com / or 07968 493013. New Harmony Ladies’ Choir Bristol will be performing its annual concert at St Albans Church, Westbury Park, at 7.30pm. The programme will cover a wide variety of songs to include folk, light, modern and choral. We are delighted to be performing with our two invited and very talented soloists, Catriona Pollard soprano, and Samual Oram baritone. Accompanist John Lowe, his debut with NHLC, and musical director David Whitfield, it promises to be a good night.

What’s on on a regular basis Mondays Yogawest, Denmark Place, Bishopston, BS7 8NW. Teenager class (11-16s) 4.30-5.30pm. Children learn a variety of yoga poses to help them with balance, focus and concentration. Taught by Claire Redwood: an experienced Iyengar teacher with primary age children. Runs in term-time. info@yogawestco.uk Morris for fitness and fun, 7.158.15pm at Horfield URC, Muller Road, Horfield, BS7 9RE during term time only. www.thegreatcaper.co.uk.

Tuesdays Food and Friends at Cairns Road Baptist Church 12-2pm. A monthly meeting point for senior citizens. The first Tuesday of every month. Lunch will be served at a cost of £2.50 followed by coffee and fellowship. Transport can be arranged. Tel: 0117 942 5669. KudaCan, 7 Dongola Avenue, Bishopston, BS7 9HG. Join the Bishopston Mum for an NCT Cafe every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 10.15 11.30am. You can drop in any time during this slot.

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Morris for fitness and fun, 7.30pm – 8.30pm at Horfield URC, Muller Road, Horfield, BS7 9RE during term time only. www. thegreatcaper.co.uk Bristol Ladies’ Hockey Club. A friendly club based at Orchard School, Filton Road. Training on Tuesday 7.30-9pm, play on Saturdays. All ages welcome. If you would like to join us contact Michelle on 07980 598761 or michesaunders@hotmail.com.

Wednesdays Knit & Stitch Club 9.30-11.30am at Heart Space Studios textile workshop, 4 Harcourt Road (just off Coldharbour Road). Tel: 0117 9232391. A friendly group offering a chance to swap creative ideas and inspiration. The cost is £35 per term including tea and coffee. The Golden Hill Community Garden. 10am-4pm. Come and get involved in your local community garden! No experience necessary and kids welcome. Learn about growing and relax in our beautiful space with a cup of tea. No need to come every week or stay all day. Our site is wheelchair accessible including our toilet. For more information contact Lucy ghcgarden@gmail. com or 07506 905 394. We’re just through the gates at the end

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Ashley’s Rise Junior Morris – performing Morris side for boys and girls aged 8-16yrs. We practice at Horfield URC, Muller Road, Horfield, BS7 9RE on Tuesdays 6.15-7.15pm during term time. We take part in local and national Morris and community events. We have a waiting list for 6/7-year-olds who are invited to our open events so that they can get to know us before they join. www.thegreatcaper.co.uk

July, 2013

of Monk Road BS7 8NE. www. thegoldenhillcommunitygarden. com.

Thursdays Bristol Ladies Choir sings a wide range of music from classical to light. The choir rehearses weekly and gives two main concerts each year. The choir also participates in approximately nine to 10 other concerts in the Bristol area each year. Meet 2.15-3.45pm 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. Knit & Stitch Club 7.30-9.30pm at Heart Space Studios textile workshop, 4 Harcourt Road (just off Coldharbour Road). Tel: 0117 9232391. A friendly group offering a chance to swap creative ideas and inspiration. The cost is £35 per term including tea and coffee. Avon Harmony Ladies Acappella Chorus meets for rehearsals every Thursday 7.30-10pm at Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road BS7 9NL. Visitors are always made welcome, and we are actively recruiting new members. There is no need to be able to read music; we provide teaching tracks for learning by ear. See our website for more details or contact Mandy on 0117 652693 or Barbara on 07717 424421 or email enquiries @avonharmony.co.uk. www. avonharmony.co.uk.

Enjoy comedy hit at Big Screen Big Screen – Bishop Road Community Cinema – will be screening The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Friday, July 5. The award-winning comedy-drama, certificate 15, stars Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving. Doors open at Bishop Road Primary School at 7.30pm and the film begins at 8pm.

Admission is free and there is a licensed cash bar open until 10.30pm, with all profits going to Bishop Road PTFA. The screening is open to all but no children are allowed.

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 The Thread by Victoria Hislop The Blurb – Thessaloniki, 1917. As Dimitri Komninos is born, a devastating fire sweeps through the thriving Greek city where Christians, Jews and Muslims live side by side. Five years later, Katerina Sarafoglou's home in Asia Minor is destroyed by the Turkish army. Losing her mother in the chaos, she flees across the sea to an unknown destination in Greece. Soon her life will become entwined with Dimitri’s, and with the story of the city itself, as war, fear and persecution begin to divide its people. Thessaloniki, 2007. A young Anglo-Greek hears his grandparents’ life story for the first time and realises he has a decision to make. For many decades, they have looked after the memories and treasures of the people who were forced to leave. Should he become their

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Adult Fiction – Read by the Library Reading Group in June, now Book of the Month for July

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with staff from Cheltenham Road Library next custodian and make this city his home? Reading Group review – Overall, the group enjoyed it. “Easy read. Good on 20th-century Greek history, which is not wellknown; but characters thin, not very well drawn, and sentimentality crept in frequently.” Children’s fiction – Read and enjoyed by Daniel (aged 33)  Wilma Tenderfoot and the case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy

The Blurb - A stolen jewel. Some frozen hearts. And a fish scale. Sounds like a case for Wilma Tenderfoot! Wilma Tenderfoot dreams of one day becoming assistant to the world-famous and very serious detective Theodore P Goodman. But the last thing Mr Goodman wants is a small and slightly accident-prone sidekick – especially one with an over-friendly beagle called Pickle who keeps eating all the clues. Still, be warned – Wilma Tenderfoot may be small, but she is very determined! Review - I “had” to read this book for a children’s book group I was running, so wasn't really relishing the idea of picking this book up. However, I was very pleasantly surprised! The story starts with Wilma being raised in an orphanage in the Lowside Institute for Woeful Children on Cooper Island, a place where people are segregated, so life chances for poor Wilma don't seem that bright. But fate takes a turn for the better when Wilma meets Theodore P Goodman,

July, 2013

even though he is very reluctant to take on an apprentice. The book reads like a cross between A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett, and a Sherlock Holmes novel; and is really rather funny throughout. I have now learned that Emma Kennedy has previously written comedy for Radio 4 and 5, among other things, and it shows; this book although written for children has something for adults to enjoy as well, and even a recipe at the back for Inspector Goodman's favourite cookies. I can highly recommend this first book in the Wilma Tenderfoot series.  For these books and many, many more titles we could recommend, come along to Cheltenham Road Library. And if you’re a parent with young children, join us for Storytime on Mondays at 11am, and Bounce & Rhyme on Wednesdays at 11am (term-time only). Opening Hours Monday: 10–1pm & 2-5pm Wednesday: 10-1pm & 2-5pm Friday: 10-1pm & 2-5pm Saturday: 10-1pm & 2-5pm

Peri Taylor, painter As a child I loved to draw and paint. At the age of seven, I won a prize for my work, in a national road safety competition. At secondary school I spent all my lunchtimes in the art room where I started to learn to paint in oils. I went on to do O level art, then studied business studies and worked in financial services in London. However, I continued experimenting in a variety of media at evening classes at The City Lit in Covent Garden and Kensington & Chelsea College. When I moved to Bristol in 1997, I joined the Bristol School of Art, where I have done a variety of courses, including life drawing. I find life drawing so

beneficial in training me to really look at objects when I am drawing and I can apply those skills to all the work I do. In 2002, after the birth of my third daughter, I took the opportunity to change my career, fulfil my lifetime passion and become an artist. I had my first exhibition in 2005 and since then have not looked back. I have always lived by water and, consequently, I am fascinated by the light on water at different times of day. I am also drawn to bright colours and while sitting on the beach with

my children in Devon, I was inspired to paint the brightly coloured sails of the Hobie Cats. I continued painting seascapes and boats and in 2008 I became resident artist at The National Sailing Academy in Weymouth & Portland, the sailing venue for 2012 Olympics. In 2012, I painted a series of acrylic paintings of the Skandia Race for Gold, Olympic qualifier. Painting from the pontoon at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, I was surrounded by national and interna-

tional crews, empty wheelchairs and trailers which were very inspirational! For the last year I have been working on a coastal series of acrylic paintings and have exhibited at Grant Bradley Gallery, in Bedminster, and Room 212 on Gloucester Road. Visit www. peritaylor.com.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk

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ECIP

Linguine with olive oil, garlic and brown shrimps with Martin, the chef at Greens Ingredients Serves 2 150g dried linguine or spaghetti 50ml good olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 small red chilli, finely chopped 50g cooked, shelled brown shrimps A couple of pinches of chopped parsley A knob of butter 1 lemon

Club welcomes new members

July, 2013

Salt and black pepper Method 1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Meanwhile put the oil and garlic in a saucepan over the lowest heat for 10 minutes. 2. After five minutes add the chilli. This will infuse the oil without colouring the garlic.

3. Turn the heat up a little and add the shrimps. Cook for one minute and add the butter to thicken the sauce slightly. Check and adjust the seasoning. 4. Drain the pasta and combine it with the sauce and the parsley. Garnish with a wedge of lemon  Greens, 25 Zetland Road, BS6 7AH. Tel: 0117 924 6437

Photographers of all abilities are invited to share their skills, learn new ones and listen to speakers with a growing camera club. Kingswood Photographic Society has around 70 members from across the Bristol area and are welcoming new members to join them for their Friday meetings. Each week the group exhibit their work and share tips and experience, with some acting as mentors for newer photographers. The group also welcomes guest speakers specialising in different aspects of photography most weeks. Meetings are held from 7pm for a 7.30pm start at St Barnabas Church Hall, Church Avenue, in Warmley. Visitors can pay £3 per meeting for a maximum of three visits while membership for 2013 is £55. For more information, visit www.kingswoodps.co.uk or call Eric Pleydell, publicity secretary, on 07986 085919.

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July, 2013

Feature

Filmmakers shine spotlight on personalities of the past by Rebecca Day

Casting a light on inspirational figures of the last few centuries while providing opportunities for local involvement, is Bristolbased Redcliffe Film Productions. Set up three years ago by two sisters, Diana Taylor and Anthea Page, alongside friend Chris Worthington, Redcliffe Films has had productions featured at a variety of renowned film festivals across Europe including Barcelona, Berlin and London, and at most major venues throughout Bristol. Since the company’s inception, the team has produced full-length feature films that have told the life stories of influential people. Diana’s interest in Bristol’s history inspired her when she moved to the city. With a passion for history, music and poetry, Redcliffe Film’s three major subjects over the past few years have included Gloucester-born poet and composer Ivor Gurney, Bristol philanthropist Hannah More and West Country composer George Lloyd. The company's most recent film, on Lloyd, received help

Diana Taylor, on the right in the left-hand picture, at work on location; actors on set during the filming of Hannah More, right from the George Lloyd Society and additional assistance from two local students from the University of the West of England, Chris Chisman and Saul Hill. “They were both fantastic help,” says Diana, “and I was really pleased to give them the opportunity to be involved in the production of the film.” Strange Storms and Symphonies is a compilation of 100 pictures and film footage which reflect Lloyd’s life against a soundtrack of his compositions and audio clippings from him and his wife. Growing up in St Ives, he also served in World War II, during which time he composed the Trinidad March, which is being played at the last night of

with Bristol poet and author Deborah Harvey Leonard Cohen, O2 Arena We are very fortunate to live in a culturally vibrant city, but if you want to ascend to the summit of Mount Olympus, odds are you’ll have to leave Bristol, and so it proved when my partner and I travelled to the O2 to see a gig by veteran Canadian singersongwriter and poet, Leonard Cohen. Mr Cohen has been a god to me since I was 14 and in view of his advanced age, I considered

myself fortunate to get my mitts on once-in-a-lifetime tickets for his gig at Wembley Arena last September. This time around – and with seats in the front section of the auditorium – I was hoping to get past the gibbering, star-struck stage so that I could actually focus on his music. Ably supported by his illustrious band and, of course, his backing singers who are always so much more than mere backing singers, Cohen

the Proms. “His story is such an inspiration,” says Diana. Strange Storms and Symphonies will be shown across various venues in Cornwall by the George Lloyd Society, tying in nicely with his centenary, and is expected to be shown in Bristol early next year. The film Hannah More called on local volunteers and actors to transport the viewer back to More’s active life in Bristol, alongside the archaic set design and period costumes. It reveals the story of the playwright’s life throughout the turbulent era of the late 18th and early 19th century; a time in which England was heavily involved in the slave trade, and at the centre of much political unrest. again treated us to three hours of songs, interspersed with his trademark witty and self-deprecating observations. In addition to songs from his latest album, Old Ideas, he played what he knows his audience wants to hear – those standards spanning the last 45 years, including Suzanne, Bird on a Wire, Hallelujah, I’m Your Man. A generous performer, he offered ample opportunity to his fellow musicians and singers to shine. Sharon Robertson’s rich rendition of Alexandra Leaving, a song she co-wrote with Cohen, was worth the ticket price alone, as was the flamenco guitar solo by Javier Mas which led into a moving rendition of Who By Fire, Cohen’s interpretation of an ancient Jewish liturgical poem for the Day of Atonement. For me one of the most

“We are all about making films out of our own creativity, on as little money as possible,” explains Diana. Diana and Anthea – both directors of Redcliffe Film Productions – began their journeys at the BBC. Diana started out as an assistant film editor at the BBC in London around 25 years ago, where she progressed to film editor in news and current affairs and documentary features, and became an assistant producer in continuing education programmes. Anthea – a script writer – was a set designer and art director at the national broadcasting company. On September 12, Diana will be holding an event at Halo on Gloucester Road. “Arrows of Desire Poetry 4 Today” will see the likes of David C Johnson, Tim Borrows, Trevor Carter, Charles Thompson, Martin Riser and Tim Vosva joining together in an evening of performance poetry, political films and acoustic music. To learn more about Redcliffe Films visit www.redcliffefilms. co.uk or to see more of Diana’s work, check out her YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ user/taylor9ization. emotionally-charged moments was hearing the capacity crowd join in with his rendition of So Long, Marianne during one of the encores. For so many of us, these songs have been the soundtrack to our lives. And certainly Cohen seemed as energised by his audience as we were enthralled by him, regularly dropping to his knees to sing certain passages and skipping on and off the stage between sets, more like Puck than a 79-year-old. “I didn’t expect him to be so good,” I heard one woman say to her partner as we battled our way to the toilets during the break. I did, and when expectations run so very high, it is perilously easy to come away feeling disappointed but instead we left feeling renewed.

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July, 2013

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Nostalgia

News Picture courtesy of Bygone Bristol

Solar solution at allotment site An ambitious solar-powered pump project is up and running at a Bristol allotment site. Members of Golden Hill Community Garden came up with an innovative solution to tackle waterlogged ground, pumping the water to the top of the site to provide 200 allotment holders with water for their plots. Lord Mayor Faruk Choudhury visited the garden to see the project in action, along with Bristol Allotment Manager Steve Clampin, pictured below. Find out aboout summer events at www.thegoldenhill communitygarden.com.

Taking a stroll along Tyne Path and meeting at the junction of Elton Road and Purton Road in Redland. Many of the houses there today would be recognised by these four walkers, although the junction is now adorned with traffic signs, bollards and a cycle lane. For more on pictures and publications available from Bygone Bristol, call 0117 942 3177.

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July, 2013

Travel feature Leisure and fun the theme at fabulous Holiday Inn Guildford

We’ve all had that moment when we scream ... “I need a holiday – NOW” ... and you know that everything has been getting on top of you. For most of us, our exclamation remains just that, not least because dropping everything and heading off is the stuff of soap operas. You know the scene – “There’s a plane to Majorca in an hour!” Life’s not like that but the idea of a short break with a touch of luxury is not necessarily fantasy. And it needn’t break the bank either. For those of us with kids, of course, we need to balance our idea of luxury with the demands of the youngsters. With all this in mind, we set off during half term to Guildford, just west of London. It may not be your first thought for a short break but in fact, the location is outstanding for families from Bristol. Less than two hours from north Bristol, the 168-room Holiday Inn Guildford sits on a tree-lined location just off the A3 and outside the centre of the attractive market town – which by the way, is well worth a look with its nice mix of independent shops, galleries and historic sites. We chose one of the hotel’s theme park packages which included entrance to nearby Legoland at Windsor. But before that particular fun began, we wanted to be sure we had recharged our batteries and taken advantage of everything the hotel had to offer. First up, after checking in to our ample-sized family room, we grabbed our costumes and headed for the swimming pool and leisure club. The heated indoor pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi

was a great way to unwind after the drive and make us all feel we were really on holiday. The Spirit Health & Fitness Club with its fully equipped gymnasium was also on offer for the more energetic. Our swim had set us up nicely for dinner in the busy restaurant which combined real style and top class cuisine with a sense of welcome and informality. Families, couples, business people – and we even saw a rugby squad – mixed effortlessly. Children are welcomed and are even given their own special buffet with food favourites. Children up to 18 stay free when sharing a family room – and the under-12s eat free as well – a real bonus which means some of the pennies can be kept for the theme park! (Terms and conditions apply) In fact, the food was outstanding. The Best of British menu, with a series of fish dishes, steaks, gourmet burgers and numerous other tasty-sounding offerings, was complemented by a comprehensive wine list. We relaxed afterwards in the plush lounge with a coffee from the hotel’s Starbucks coffee bar although we could equally have enjoyed the bar. In the morning, the quality continued with breakfast, setting us up for the day ahead. We headed off to Legoland, sad to leave the Holiday Inn behind us but feeling ready to go. Although the traffic can get busy, the hotel is close to Legoland – as well as Thorpe Park and Chessington World of adventures – and before we knew it we were enjoying the delights of the plastic brick-built park. We no longer needed a holiday!

Facts The Guildford Holiday Inn offers a choice of standard and executive rooms with suites, family rooms, accessible facilities and inter-connecting sets. With Guildford Leisure Breaks you can choose from a range of special packages, eg

 Theme park deals with overnight accommodation and entry to local theme parks  Sports packages, with the impressive facilities of Surrey Park Sports Centre just down the road Kids up to the age of 18

stay free when sharing a family room, and kids under 12 also eat free from the special kids menu, when accompanied by at least one full paying adult. (Terms and conditions apply) Bed and breakfast from £52 this summer.

Contact Reservations: 0871 942 9092 Hotel direct: 0871 942 9036 Holiday Inn Guildford Egerton Road, Guildford, GU2 7XZ www.higuildfordhotel.co.uk/

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July, 2013

It’s time to get organised for your holidays. Whether you’re jetting off somewhere exotic or glamping in Britain, all your holiday essentials are available locally from the lovely traders in Gloucester Road. Here are some highlights… 1. Everyone can find some sunglasses to suit them, from the extensive range starting at £84 at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists, 75 Gloucester Road. Stocking brands Maui Jim, Oakley and Ray-Ban, all are available with prescription lenses.

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2. Don’t forget your holiday essentials….. Pestshield Insect repellent spray pen with a bite and sting relief pen, £1.99; Mr Tickle sun sensor watch for 3+ years – shows UV exposure, £3.99 for two bracelets; Aloe Vera Sun Lotion SPF 25, £12.25 for 200ml; Nivea Sun Kids SPF 50+, £13.29 for 200ml; Ben’s Family Insect repellent cream 100ml, £6.99. Plus washbags to carry it all in from £3.99. Stock up at your local Sood Chemist, 23-25 Gloucester Road. 3. Keep your cool with a sun hat. These are great as they are “crushable”, folding down in a bag, and still look good afterwards. Plain hat £7.99 with floral headband £3.99, and scarf £9.99. Rafia hat with shell detail £9.99, floral scarf £5.99. All from MAKE at 59 Gloucester Road. 4. Keep yourself and the kids entertained on the beach, with some toys. Boom Bat set £4.99 including two bats, two balls and shuttlecock. Don’t forget the balls, buckets and spades from 59p. Pop into Totally Toys at 109 Gloucester Road.

1 5. Grab a bag to take to the beach, or off for a day trip. We loved the zebra-striped hessian bag £16 and the nautical striped back pack £35. Both from Fox + Feather at 43 Gloucester Road.

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July, 2013

Top title for lettings team A Bristol estate agent is celebrating after being named The Times and Sunday Times Medium Letting Agent of the Year in Bristol and the South West. Ocean, which has branches in Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Clifton and more, received the accolade at the Letting Agency of the Year Awards held in London at the end of May. An independent panel of industry experts, headed by the Property Ombudsman and the Chairman of the NFOPP (National Federation of Property Professionals), voted for the winners. The judges said that “there is a thriving lettings industry in Bristol and competition among the local agents is strong but it is the agent that responds to its clients’ needs in the most innovative ways that comes out on top”. The judges went onto say that Ocean are full of clever ideas, also ensuring they are active

across all social media, keeping their blog up to date, making an app available to clients, and also producing an in-house magazine. Scott Hudson, one of the directors of Ocean Letting & Management, said the award was a reflection of the hard work that everyone had put in and was a glowing tribute to the whole Lettings team. He added: “It will not stop here, we will continue to develop the service we provide to our customers further, ensuring we are always striving to do our best in everything we do.” If you would like any advice or assistance, contact a member of the Ocean Letting & Management team via the “Lettings Branch” section of the Ocean website, www.oceanhome.co.uk. Alternatively you can call 0800 65 35 446 and this will direct you to the office location and member of staff that you wish to talk to.

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July, 2013

Elton Mews

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Built circa 2005, this architectdesigned mews house is in a Bishopston backwater, yet moments from the hustle and bustle of the Gloucester Road. Well-presented throughout, the accommodation is over two levels with the ground floor comprising a kitchen with integral oven and hob and a lounge that has French doors that open to the landscaped communal gardens. On the first floor is the light and airy double bedroom and the bathroom. Sold with no onward chain. To find out more, call in at Ocean, 201 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8BG or call 0117 942 5855.

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July, 2013

News Group guarantees white Christmas Summer is just getting under way but one group of Bristol performers already have their minds firmly focused on their Christmas production. Award-winning Bloc Productions is urging theatre-goers to join them in a winter wonderland at the Bristol Hippodrome as they stage Irving Berlin’s White Christmas this November. More than 30 performers and a live orchestra will be recreating the musical version of Bing Crosby’s 1954 film that follows two army friends as they help their former commander create a Christmas Eve to remember at his holiday lodge. Susanne Mitchell, chairman of Bloc Productions, said: “This year is Blocs’s 80th anniversary and we wanted to honour this milestone with a truly magical and feel good musical. This is the first time White Christmas has been to the Hippodrome stage and it promises to be a fun-filled show leaving the audiences singing all the way home.”

Bloc Productions’ The King and I, staged in 2011 White Christmas is at the Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday, November 19, until Saturday, November 23, at 7.30pm and with matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets priced from £12 to £25 are on sale now from the Bristol Hippodrome on 0844 871 3012 or at www.atgtickets.com/ venues/bristol-hippodrome/. To find out more about Bloc Productions, go to www.bloc productions.co.uk.

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July, 2013

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For July we meet Catherine Amesbury the owner of Artemis Tell us about your company. I own and run the business with my daughter Carrie. Artemis is a jewellery and gift shop on the Gloucester Road. We started making our own jewellery at the kitchen table about 10 years ago and sold it at local events to build a customer base. After years of doing events like these we decided to create a permanent location that our wonderful customers could come to six days a week. As well as selling our own handmade jewellery we have sourced a gorgeous selection of gifts and accessories. We have nine members of staff who are always happy to help in any way they can and one shop dog called Flynn who loves to be made a fuss of! What service do you provide to the people of Bishopston and Redland? We provide an affordable destination for unique handmade jewellery and gorgeous gifts – which we source from around the world to give our customers something a little different.

People walk into our shop and just don't know where to look – it often gets compared to an Aladdin's cave of treasures. What is the best part of running your business and working in Bishopston and Redland? Our favourite part of having a shop on the Gloucester Road (known as the longest independent trading street in Europe) is the sense of community and pride that both the residents and business owners take in their local area. What makes your service different from other companies? We offer what we call an “instant commission jewellery service”. We have a workshop

in Artemis where our customers can sit with us and be as involved as they like in the process of creating a bespoke piece of jewellery – if the commission or alteration is quick it can often be completed while they wait. Also, if you wished to create a one-off design we can facilitate this. We have cast silver to represent things that are unique and special to our customer. The bespoke aspect of the business is our favourite part. Having said that we try and cater for the individual needs of each client. With this in mind, jewellery can of course also be purchased off the shelf. What are your plans for the future of the business? We plan to renovate our

downstairs following a flood. We are hoping to create even more space to shop, an area to house more jewellery-making equipment, a gallery space for local artists to exhibit their work and a kitchen for our staff to make tea and toast in! How to get in touch. Pop in and see us at Artemis, 214 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NU 0117 924 1003 www.artemisbristol.co.uk www.catherineamesbury.com www.facebook.com/artemisbristol mail@catherineamesbury.com

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Computer tips with Graham Simmonds of goto iT Jargon buster If you are looking to buy a new system, I thought it might be helpful to have a list of a few words you might come across, with their definitions. Tablet – a laptop normally without a keyboard. Usually just a flat screen which you touch to operate. Netbook – a small laptop, usually does not have a DVD drive and is very portable. RAM – Random Access Memory – the space that a computer uses to think. Processor – the bit inside the computer that does all the thinking! Hard drive – the place where all your photos, music and documents are stored. – like a filing cabinet. Monitor – the screen you look at on your computer. Operating system (OS) – the programme that holds the computer together – often Windows but can also be Linux and many others. Software – programmes that enable you to do things like write a letter or send an email. If you would like more information, please contact us on 0117 969 8767 or visit us in our shop on the corner of Filton Avenue and the A4174.  See my advert on p2

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July, 2013

Sport

Girls fly the flag for school at swim finals It was an early start on Saturday, June 15, for four Year 6 girls from Bishop Road Primary School. Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield was hosting the 2013 English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) National Finals. The Bishop Road swimming team members were Matilda Jones, Eloise Molyneux-Gibbs, Nia Thomas-White and Jessica Reynolds. The girls had qualified for both the mixed-stroke medley and freestyle relays following the South West regional heats at Millfield School, Somerset, in May where the top three teams qualified for the national finals. In these heats the Bishop Road girls won the South West medley relay and finished second in the freestyle relay. For the finals in Sheffield there were three heats for each event which would result in the eight teams with the fastest times qualifying for the ‘A’ final and the next eight qualifying for the ‘B’ final. The girls’ first event was the medley relay, which involved backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and front crawl. They all swam brilliantly and took second place in their heat with a time of 1:09.61, a new school record. We all nervously watched the

Bishop Road pupils Matilda Jones, Eloise Molyneux-Gibbs, Nia Thomas-White and Jessica Reynolds at the ESSA National finals remaining two heats to see which final they had qualified for and after a tense few minutes it was confirmed that they had successfully secured a place in the ‘A’ final. Their second event was the freestyle relay where they came fourth in their heat with a time of 1:03.66. Securing 11th place, this time qualified the girls for the ‘B’ final. The team were fired up and ready for the finals with the medley relay first. They gave a great performance, taking seventh place overall out of the 24 teams in the event. The competition was tough with many of the best schools in the country taking part. Bishop Road was the only state school to qualify for the

final, making them unofficially the “best” state primary school girls’ medley team in England! The second final, the freestyle relay, was again closely fought and in a tight finish came seventh in the ‘B’ final and 15th overall. The team performed superbly well and everyone was very proud of their achievements. The team was coached by Year 6 teacher Ben Mullen, whose commitment and enthusiasm for managing and teaching the Bishop Road School swimming team also saw the squad finish as the city’s number one primary school – both boys and girls – in the Bristol Schools Primary Swimming Finals. Phil Jones

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July, 2013

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