Clifton Voice October 2024

October,

2024 Issue 14

A great place to shop and relax – and you can still get 30mins' free parking!

IT'S not been an easy year for the businesses of Clifton Village but they are entering the autumn and winter season with optimism after a double boost.

A threat to end the 30-minute free parking allocation, which many traders said would have been devastating, was lifted when councillors voted against it.

And the Clifton Village Day in September was blessed with glorious weather and drew a big crowd.

Lucy Shaw, from Clifton Business Improvement District (BID), which organised the event, said that it had been a huge success thanks to the enthusiasm and effort put in by traders and she hoped it would be the first of many.

The parking charge change for all residents' parking scheme areas, which had been proposed as part of a citywide package of council measures, was defeated at a meeting of the transport and connectivity policy committee on September 12. Green councillors were in favour of the idea but were outvoted 5-4 by the other parties.

The proposal had been to introduce a £1 an hour charge, which traders said would have deterred people from stopping for a quick visit to shops in Clifton Village.

Parking: Page 3

Village Day: Page 5

North car park set to reopen

The former north car park for Bristol Zoo Gardens is set to become a pay and display for people visiting the Downs.

PAGE 6

Improv Theatre wins reprieve

Bristol Improv Theatre in St Paul's Road has been saved from the threat of closure after a successful fundraising drive.

PAGE 18

Volunteers 'the key to success'

Clifton Rugby Club has hailed the volunteers, including former players wanting to 'give back'. for the support they provide.

PAGE 29

Photo: Speller

Winning smiles from Izzy Thorpe and Kate Shortman

Fun in the sun at Clifton Village Day

S hop in line for award

STAFF at the St Peter’s Hospice charity shop on North View, Westbury Park, are waiting for the results of a national contest.

The shop was recently shortlisted for The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award.

Nearly 6,500 charity shops were nominated across the UK.

Comments made during the nomination stage, which led to the shop being selected for the shortlist, included: “There are always such wonderful window displays which make me come in and spend! I’ve got some great bargains for a great cause.”

“Always looks amazing, and everyone who volunteers there is so friendly.” “An eye-catching window display entices you in and friendly staff are always available to help. The shop is well organised and creatively arranged to make it unique.”

Twelve regional winning shops and one overall UK winner will be announced at a special event in November.

Plaque commemorates author

THE Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding, has unveiled a green plaque in memory of an author who wrote mainly children’s books.

She dedicated the plaque outside the former home of Diana Wynne Jones at The Polygon.

Diana decided that she was going to be a writer when she was thirteen years old and began putting stories together for her sisters. Eventually she became known as a fantasy novelist and wrote more than 40 books for children, many of which centred on magic or magicians.

Diana Wynne Jones died in 2011 aged 76

At the unveiling ceremony talks were given by the author’s biographer, Catherine Butler, Professor of English Literature at Cardiff University and Michel Burrow, Diana’s son.

The plaque was donated by the Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society.

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A ceremony marked the unveiling of a plaque commemorating author Diana Wynne Jones. Pictured left to right are: Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding, Professor Catherine Butler from Cardiff University, Diana’s son Michael Burrow, and Brian Worthington, from Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society

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n NEWS

Relief as parking charge bid fails

A BID to scrap the ‘30 minutes free’ in residents’ parking scheme areas in Bristol has been defeated.

Councillors also voted against bringing in £1 an hour charges in ten district car parks, including Westbury Hill in Westbury-onTrym.

But they have agreed to increases in the fees for residents’ parking permits and to the first steps towards introducing a workplace parking levy in the city.

The Green Party-led Bristol City Council put forward a package of measures on parking, which were considered at a meeting of the transport and connectivity policy committee on September 12.

The Green committee members supported bringing in the charges for car parks and in RPS areas but were outvoted by members of other parties.

The decisions means that

people wanting to park in Clifton to briefly visit shops will still be able to do so free of charge, provided that they are away from their vehicle no longer than half an hour.

Before the meeting, Councillor Tom Renhard, leader of the Labour group, said: “It is important that we take a measured approach to how we manage parking in the city and do not take actions that could impact on local high streets and small businesses, who are continuing to recover from recent economic shocks.”

This was a view shared by traders in Clifton Village, who told the Voice they feared shoppers would go elsewhere.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westbury on Trym Caroline Gooch said: “The car park in Westbury-on-Trym serves the doctor’s surgery. It would be the only surgery where people have to pay to attend, were it to

be implemented. It also serves two churches and a community centre, with lots of community groups attended by children, the elderly and the lonely.

“Most churches and community centres have their own parking. But in Westburyon-Trym, both the churches and the community centre, and the doctors and the pharmacy all use this particular car park. We’re worried about moving parking over onto the street, or people deciding to shop elsewhere. Cribbs Causeway is only six minutes away, and Aldi and Lidl are close by.”

After the meeting, Green group leader Cllr Emma Edwards said the decision showed the value of the democratic committee system.

She said: "I am in favour of exploring all options that can reduce congestion, improve air quality and raise money to improve transport for everyone

in our city, so I’m disappointed that some of these changes were not passed. However, as I have said before, no one party has a monopoly on good ideas and that’s exactly what the committee system aims to utilise. We will now continue working cross party and with the communities that we serve, to make up the £276,000 a year that the council spends on keeping district car parks free in another way to make sure we balance the budget in the best interests of the people of Bristol."

The committee agreed that the cost of a permit for a first car in an RPS would rise from £56 to £124.

Councillor Edwards said she was concerned about the possible unintended consequences, in that commuters might seek to park in streets just outside the designated residents' parking scheme zones.

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Village Day is just roarsome!

HUNDREDS packed the streets for Clifton Village Day.

This was an event organised by BID (Business Improvement District) Clifton aimed at getting more people into the area to discover what was on offer at the shops and restaurants.

The Bristol Firkin in Princess Victoria Street organised music provided by PM LeGrand and Lee McCrory alongside crepe and cocktails. At one stage traffic could hardly pass along the street as large numbers of customers spilled out from the pub onto the road.

Bar 44 in Regent Street took part in Village Day with traditional sherry pouring and Estrella Galicia tasting.

Also taking part was Shen’s Ottoman Emporium in Boyces Avenue which was serving home-made hibiscus lemonade with hand-made vegan Turkish Delight, baklava and halva.

One of the visitors to Clifton Village, Ali Green, aged 21, from Henleaze. said: “I came here with my friend to hear the music but I’ve bought a dress I saw in a charity shop.”

Lucy Shaw, Manager of BID Clifton, who has also been working in a charity shop for seven years, said it had been the “worst year for businesses” that she had known so she was “delighted” to see a large number of visitors in the village.

She sent an email to the traders which said: “On behalf of the Clifton BID, we would like to thank you for the effort and enthusiasm that was put into Clifton Village Day by you and your business.

“This event was exactly what we had hoped it would be, and we are so looking forward to planning more just like it, so that we can benefit the whole of the village.”

Crowds turned out for Clifton Village Day

Photos: Lucy Shaw

Preparing to trip the lights fantastic

CLIFTON Village will be transformed next month (Nov) when the lights on a giant Christmas Tree are switched on.

The 50-foot Norwegian Spruce tree will be decorated with 5,000 LED lights, 100 baubles and wrapped boxes of Christmas presents.

Before the lights are switched on there will be community carol singing led by a local choir.

“There is no doubt that this event is the biggest community function in the year in Clifton Village. People come from all over the city and from beyond for the switch-on, ” said Tony Miles, who has been organising the event for many years.

Several thousand people turned up last year when

Bristol-born actor and BBC Radio Bristol presenter Joe Sims turned the lights on.

“People will have to wait until the switch-on to see who will be turning the lights this year.”

The event takes place on November 20 in The Mall gardens with the lights being turned on at 6.30pm. Traders in Clifton Village will be open for late-night shopping

The tree and lights are paid for by local traders through BID Clifton (Business Improvement District.)

The tree is so big that a crane will lift it into position. Scaffolding will be erected around it so that the decorations can be put in place.

10 years of Treefest

DOZENS of Christmas trees, some real, others artificial and even more made of recycled plastic and paper will adorn the Gothic architecture of St Mary Redcliffe Church for its annual Treefest.

Some special creations and designs are expected to be part of this year’s event, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Local people, community groups, schools, organisations and businesses are being invited to take part in Treefest which runs from 7-10 December. As part of the tree festival local musicians will be performing at various times.

Those taking part in Treefest along with visitors will be encouraged to make donations to two charities. One of the charities is the Bristol-based charity Sixty One that supports people with a criminal conviction to lead meaningful crime-free lives. The other charity is Redcliffe Hub, a community centre on Redcliffe Hill that is operated by St Mary Redcliffe Church. It provides key facilities and services to local people. This includes running a lunch club and a homework club.

Empty car park set to reopen

An EMPTY car park at the Downs near the former Bristol Zoo Gardens could reopen soon despite the threat of an expensive legal challenge. The north car park, off the Clifton Down road, would become a pay and display site, restricted to people visiting the Downs.

The Downs committee, made up of councillors and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, approved the changes on September 16.

Michael Bothamley, master of the Merchant Venturers, said: “It’s absolutely not our purpose to bring the north car park back into use so that people can park there for non-Downs activities.”

Bristol City Council will now choose a company to operate the pay and display car park. Signs will be put up, advising drivers that the car park is only to be used by people visiting the Downs, and not anywhere else nearby, although there will likely be zero enforcement of this rule.

oblige the council to check why anybody has parked at the car park, or whether they are “undertaking non-Downs activities”. The court order also doesn’t require the council to enforce any restrictions on parking at the north car park, or elsewhere on the Downs.

The legal row was started by the Downs for People campaign, who challenged the overspill parking. The group did not attend the committee meeting, but issued a written statement. This warned the committee could be in contempt of court, if it breaches the order.

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Elsewhere, the committee has asked the council to make parking on other Downs roads pay and display, and in the longer term is planning to close the Circular Road to motor vehicles. These measures are a way of trying to move on the people living in vans in the area.

A court order made in 2021 says the north car park, technically part of the Downs, cannot be used for anything other than people visiting the park. This came after an expensive legal row about overspill parking on some of the grass near Ladies Mile.

The court order does not

It said: “The committee cannot expect that the main users will be engaged in Downs activities when free parking is available on the roads on the Downs. The car park will be much more attractive to commuters, and to those going to Clifton College; the proposed conservation centre at the zoo; the housing to be built on the zoo site; and elsewhere close by.

“Creating an enclosed payand-display car park that is available to all risks another expensive High Court challenge. Our challenge to zoo parking on the Downs cost council tax payers well over £400,000, and the zoo a further £50,000.”

However, Green Councillor Paula O’Rourke said: “We are doing all of this in good faith. We are offering a car park for people who want to arrive on the Downs, park there, walk up and spend five hours having a picnic or do whatever they want to do.”

By Alex Seabrook,

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The north car park

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Allotment rent rises: D-day looms

A DECISION could finally be made this month on the cost of renting an allotment from Bristol City Council.

Rents have not gone up since 2018. Proposals earlier this year to increase them sharply and bring in new rules for plotholders were shelved after an outcry. Following the elections in May, a revised scheme went to the new public health and communities committee in August but a decision was deferred.

Further new plans are being drawn up and will go to the committee on October 11.

The council is also considering plans to create three new allotment sites to help meet demand.

Allotment holders have said they would prefer rents based on the area of their plots, but council staff said this would be too complicated to work out,

with just one allotments officer currently employed.

For several years allotments have cost the council more money to operate than the total income made from rents, with the rest of the money coming from the general budget for the parks department. This means all council taxpayers in Bristol are subsidising just 4,200 tenants.

Many allotment holders agree the rents need to increase, but have criticised the proposals put forward so far, saying the planned increases appeared arbitrary and excessive.

Speaking to the committee in August, Ruth Hecht said: “If these increases are passed, many people will be forced to give up their plots, which will be taken on by new tenants who can afford the rents. Allotments will become places for the better off. Is that really what we want?”

The most common type of allotment in Bristol is between 75 and 149 square metres. The current rent for this size plot is £4.16 a month, and under the proposals that would have increased to £7.42 a month. The rents for allotment last changed in 2018, six years ago.

According to council staff, if rents were charged based on the size of plots, just under half of tenants would pay more than the current proposals. Allotment groups on larger plots could be adversely affected, and many of these groups provide crucial support for vulnerable people.

Following the August meeting, Redland Green councillor Fi Hance said: “Whilst I am glad that the decision has been deferred, we desperately need to find a stopgap solution for a fair rent rise in 2025/26 to avoid the collapse of the service. This will give us time to work

with officers and allotment holders on a more permanent solution to reset rents in a more equitable way.”

• Sites for new allotments are being considered at Dovercourt Road and Cotman Walk in Lockleaze. These would be funded by £168,700 from the developers of Bonnington Walk.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the public health and communities committee, said: “The investment responds to the growing demand from Bristol residents for space in which to grow their own food and help contribute to a healthier and more equitable food system. We know there’s plenty of demand out there for allotment spaces and there are over 7,000 people waiting for an allotment at the moment.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

TIME TO WRITE YOUR WILL?

Metro Mayor is 'absentee landlord'

METRO Mayor Dan Norris has been branded an "absentee landlord" in charge of the West of England Combined Authority, after taking on a second job as an MP.

The accusation came during a debate by councillors into the spending of £10,000 on an advertising wrap to decorate a double-decker promoting the mayor's Birthday Bus scheme, which was described as a "complete scandal".

External auditors Grant Thornton found the incident exposed “significant weaknesses” in the combined authority’s value-for-money arrangements.

A report by the finance firm upheld a previous finding that spending £10,000 last year on the advert, with huge images of Mr Norris and his dog, was for "political gain".

The ad had been intended to promote the Birthday Bus free travel scheme, but officials in the mayor’s office were able to "bypass key governance controls and financial controls" and circumvent oversight by senior officers that would have prevented the purchase going ahead, auditors concluded.

The wrap was never used

because WECA chief executive

Richard Ennis, who has since left the organisation, found out about it and ordered that it be pulled.

Liberal Democrat B&NES councillor Toby Simon told WECA's audit committee on September 9 that the report’s findings highlighted serious issues with the working style of Mr Norris, who is now also the Labour MP for North East Somerset & Hanham.

He said: "I was rather shocked to read that the mayor isn’t regularly present in the combined authority office.

"The mayor uses his political adviser as an intermediary when communicating with senior officers.

"And the mayor doesn’t give

enough guidance to officers on his priorities, so he ends up vetoing recommendations at committee.

“This adds up to an ‘absentee landlord’ mayor who picks favourites in the office and can’t work effectively with stakeholders."

In March the government warned WECA over the poor state of professional relationships between the Metro Mayor and leaders of the three councils who comprise the combined authority.

South Gloucestershire Conservative councillor Ben Burton (Frenchay & Downend) said Mr Norris taking on a second job as an MP could directly impact his focus and time needed to address the

serious concerns and could even make the situation worse, such as officers working in “silos” with poor communication between them.

Fellow Tory and Bristol city councillor Jonathan Hucker said the handling of the £10,000 bus advertising spend was "a complete scandal".

He said: "The organisation is obviously dysfunctional on so many levels.

“I’m not terribly optimistic that these issues will be fixed because the metro mayor now has another job."

WECA's current chief executive, Stephen Peacock, said an independent ‘best value improvement panel’ had now met, with WECA committee members confirming their commitment to improvements.

He said: "There are a lot of things within the organisation that need to improve and change."

Mr Norris, who has previously denied any wrongdoing, has been approached for comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Bus franchising moves a step closer

THE long-awaited first steps towards public control of bus routes and fares in the region are finally set to be taken.

At present, private companies such as First and Stagecoach run the area’s buses on a commercial basis, with local authorities subsidising services that are seen as vital but lose money.

Now Metro Mayor Dan Norris and the leaders of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, who sit on the West of England Combined Authority committee, are being asked to commit £500,000 to develop plans for a “radical rethink” that could see them taking back control of routes and fares.

Franchising would bring all services into one network overseen by a single organisation, along the lines of Transport for London in the capital.

Metro mayors in Manchester and Sheffield have moved to franchising, deciding when and where buses should run as well as ticket prices, then commissioning private bus companies to run them.

Mr Norris has previously warned franchising is not a "silver bullet" to solve the region's transport issues because the West of England does not have a mass

transit system like a tram network, which in other regions provides a huge income to help pay for buses.

The other big stumbling block is that the West has no passenger transport executive (PTE) to make operational decisions at 'arms-length' from WECA, which deals with strategic transport planning.

Now WECA could explore options including franchising and establishing a PTE.

A paper titled Bus Improvement Options said: "The current system is not meeting the needs of our region and the people who live here.

“There are many issues that contribute towards this – including declining patronage in some areas, variable customer satisfaction levels and a financial system that is increasingly dependent on public funding support to maintain current service levels.

“To address these issues, a radical rethink is needed on how bus services are funded and operated.

“Political leaders, transport user groups and residents across the region have all asked for franchising to be considered.

“However, there are many options for reforming bus services."

WECA's committee is being asked to fund a £500,000 feasibility study by external consultants into the possible choices for local bus reforms, which would report back next year or in 2026.

The report said the study would "consider a wide range of options for future bus reform", including bus franchising, municipal ownership of the whole system and "enhanced partnership" models where authorities work closer with commercial operators without taking on the financial risks of franchising services.

This week the government unveiled “bus revolution” measures in Parliament that would give all local transport authorities new powers to run their own buses.

The Department for Transport also launched a consultation on new, simplified guidance to speed up processes and reduce the costs of bringing services under public control.

The Buses Bill will be brought forward to introduce changes to further support franchising, as well as other measures on areas such as funding and accessible travel. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service School bus protest: Page 8

The bus advert featuring Metro Mayor Dan Norris

New book club explores translated literature

A NEW and innovative monthly book club has been launched at to bring the joy of translated literature to a wider audience. Hosted by popular Henleaze bookshop, Max Minerva’s, the club aims to establish a community of like-minded readers to experience literature from different language and cultures, and stimulate discussion about translated literature.

The club is the brainchild of the shop’s events co-ordinator, Evelyn Heis. Originally from Argentina and fascinated with translated literature since childhood, Evelyn was recently chosen to be an international reading challenge ambassador for the 2024 International Booker Prize.

She says “every word is meticulously placed” in translated literature and acts as a window into other cultures which

helps people “foster empathy” for one another. She acknowledges the skill and artistry involved in such work, interpreting the words in one language and carefully constructing a version in another language, whilst maintaining the tone, humour, style and sentiment of the original.

Inspired by the multi-cultural and multi-lingual nature of Bristol, Evelyn adds: “Delving into a new author and language monthly, I hope to read around the world with our book club members and to instigate stimulating discussions about literature in translation.”

The translated book club will be held at Max Minerva’s on the last week of each month. It is free to join and the book can be ordered through the shop. To register your interest, or for more information, email info@ maxminervas.co.uk

Evelyn Heis with a selection of translated literature

n NEWS

Lego event supports children's charities

LEGO fans of all ages can rejoice as the Bristol Brick Show returns to the city on November 16 and 17 at the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Organised by members of GertLUG, the Bristol based Lego User Group, this family event will showcase Lego models based around themes such as Animal Crossing, Ghostbusters and Ninjago.

In addition, visitors will be able to see the GertLUG collaborative build, which will be based around the iconic Bristol Hot Air Balloons.

Now in its fifth year, the event is entirely ‘not for profit’ and raises money for two charities. The first Bristol Brick Show was set up in 2018 by a group of friends and GertLUG member Nick Amos and ran at Action Indoor Sports, in Whitchurch. Since then, the event has continued to grow and attract more visitors.

A spokesperson for the show said: “We raise money for two fantastic charities that are Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) and Fairy Bricks. CHSW is a local charity that provides hospice care for children and young people with life limiting conditions. Fairy Bricks is an international organisation that provides Lego sets to sick children in

hospitals. We have chosen these charities to bring joy to children, even for a short time, to give them an escape from the hardship they're going through. Last year we raised over £19,000 and this year we hope to raise even more.”

Events such as the Bristol Brick Show enable Lego enthusiasts to connect with likeminded people.

Lego fans come from all over the country

(and sometimes further) to display their creations ranging from Minecraft to Star Wars.

Visitors can also enjoy watching combat robots in action, building areas to play in, a Find the Minifigure trail, and 'Best in Show' competition and buy new Lego sets.

For more details about the event, including opening times and ticket prices visit https://bristolbrickshow.gertlug.co.uk/

n MESSAGE FROM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER

Time to have your say on policing

AS your Police and Crime Commissioner, my role is to ensure that the voices of people in Avon and Somerset are central to the policing strategy.

Today, I’m inviting you to help shape the future of local policing by participating in several key initiatives.

I’m pleased to announce the launch of a public consultation on the draft Police and Crime Plan. This plan will set the priorities for Avon and Somerset Police through to 2029, and it’s essential that it reflects what matters to you.

The plan focuses on five key priorities:

• Strengthening neighbourhood policing: ensuring a visible police presence that actively engages with communities and tackles antisocial behaviour.

• Reducing violent crime: addressing male violence against women and girls, as well as serious youth violence.

• Preventing crime: collaborating with other organisations and the public to build safer communities.

• Supporting victims: ensuring victims receive the help they need, when they need it.

• Improving policing standards: providing a fair and effective police service.

This consultation is your opportunity to comment on the draft plan and suggest how these priorities can be implemented.

Additionally, I’m seeking your views on local police funding, particularly regarding how much extra, if any, you would be willing to contribute through your council tax.

Your insights are vital to ensuring the plan reflects the needs and concerns of your community.

The consultation is open until the end of October.

You can participate by completing the survey online or by attending one of my public forums.

The forums are attended by myself, local policing leads, and my team, providing an opportunity for us to hear from you directly.

To find out more, visit the Police and Crime Plan page on my website,

www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.

Your voice matters — I look forward to hearing your views as we address these important issues together.

I recently marked my first 100 days in office. I have really enjoyed them, and I feel privileged to represent all the diverse communities of Avon and Somerset. I have visited police teams, community leaders, charities, community interest companies, commissioned services, local authority leaders, statutory partners and business leaders in Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, North Somerset and finally Bristol.

It’s been a steep learning curve, and there has been so much to take on board, but luckily I am someone who really enjoys being in the detail and I’ve been reading reports, meeting people, having conversations and learning in greater depth about the policing issues faced by communities in our area.

Meeting the police leaders and many teams in different departments

has been invaluable in developing my understanding of some of the challenges we face.

Getting out and about and meeting people face-to-face in my community engagement days has been brilliant in helping me to understand how much is being done in terms of supporting victims and working with young people to support their futures.

It has made me realise just how many excellent individuals there are in key roles and organisations, who are using their roles to really make a difference.

Main School - 25 September 2024 - 6.00pm to 8.00pm Redland Green P16 - 3 October 2024 - 4.30pm - 6.30pm Cotham P16 - 10 October 2024 - 4.30pm - 6.30pm

Record results at BGS

BRISTOL Grammar School students achieved the highest GCSE results in the school's history.

A third of exams taken were awarded the top grade of 9, and more than half of results (55%) were 8 or 9.

Six pupils achieved a clean sweep of grade 9 grades (with five of those taking 11 GCSEs) and 88 pupils secured eight or more grades of 7 or above.

Head of BGS Jaideep Barot said: “I’m delighted at incredible success, both at top end, and for those who have done better than they may have thought possible across the grading range. I have immense pride in all of these pupils, who together are a hard-working, kind and wonderful year group"

BADMINTON

A-level students at Badminton had smuch to celebrate with over 60% achieving A/A* in three subjects, enabling over 80% to secure their first-choice university.

The school are proud of many outstanding achievements; Tammy secured 4 A* and will study Medicine at King’s College London. Sally, who achieved 3 A*, will study Physics at Imperial College. Ruth also achieved 4 A* and will go to the University of Warwick to study Mathematics. Angharad has a won a place at Oxford to read Geography and Alice has secured her place at Cambridge to read Law. Alice also gained full marks in Paper 1 and only dropped two marks in Paper 2 of her A Level English.

Students from the Class of 2024 at Badminton will be off to study a huge range of exciting courses both in the UK and overseas, ranging from Veterinary Science, Medicine and Actuarial Science to Urban Planning, Music and Cyber Security.

Results day is also a chance to reflect on what students achieved beyond the classroom. Head Girl, Yijing, who is off to Warwick to study Law, made an outstanding contribution to the musical life of the school and was a keen participant in many local music festivals.

Headteacher Jessica Mile said: “This year’s cohort are the first I’ve really got to know since taking over as Head at Badminton 15 months ago. They are an impressive group who have contributed to the wider school community whilst succeeding academically. I look forward to seeing where their journey takes them as they have already shown they have the motivation and ability to succeed."

Opportunity follows

Sixth Form Open Evening Friday 11th October

badmintonschool.co.uk

Leading co-educational day and boarding school for 3-18 year olds, nestled in the heart of Bristol.

Clifton College offers pupils a unique opportunity to excel in their chosen field through our Scholarship programme. Available for 11+, 13+ and 16+.

Special school secures £13.2m funding for revamp

A LONG-AWAITED £13.2m revamp of Claremont School in Henleaze has finally got the green light from Bristol City Council.

The work will upgrade the Victorian manor house and enable the special school to have its primary and secondary pupils on the same site.

It is being paid for by a grant from the Department for Education, and could be completed within two years, councillors on the children and young people policy committee were told at a meeting in August.

James Anderson, the council’s head of major projects, said the work, which was first approved five years ago but has been awaiting funding, was urgently needed.

“It looks a bit like a school that’s been put into the Addams Family Mansion. It’s really old, it takes a huge amount of maintenance, and it’s approaching the end of its life. Unless the work is done, we’ll be at risk of closing parts of it, or maybe even the whole of it in course, ” he said.

The manor house was built in the 1850s and was bought by the council in the 1940s. Planning permission for the improvements was granted in 2022. Extensions will be demolished and replaced with a twostorey extension, while the interior will be refurbished.

The redevelopment will enable the council to increase the number of places

for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as well as freeing up space at Redland Green School, where Claremont secondary department is currently based.

The council is keen to create more SEND places to meet demand and reduce the enormous costs of sending children to private special schools.

Since 2020, 305 new SEND places have been created, with a further 500 planned over the next five years. These extra places mean that the council can spend less money paying independent schools.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Redmaids' High students hit new heights

YEAR 11 students at Redmaids’ High School had much to celebrate after receiving strong GCSE results.

The school is delighted that 53 per cent of grades are 9 or 8, the equivalent of A* under the previous grading system, and 73 per cent are 9-7, the equivalent of A*-A, compared with the national average of 22 per cent.

The school enjoyed success across several departments, including in Art, PE and Russian where more than half of grades were at a 9.

The results across all areas are a continued testament to the support and guidance offered by staff and the expert pastoral care that allows students to navigate their school life successfully and feel ready to move to their next chapter.

The school’s head Paul Dwyer said: “We have seen some fantastic results, and this is a wonderful reflection of the hard work of our students who have made the most of the opportunities available to them at our school.

“We are delighted to continue to support them as they enter the Sixth Form with us and pursue a diverse range of A Level subjects, including Physics, Computer Science, Modern Foreign Languages and Fine Art, as well as our new exciting programme of Electives. "

Clifton College sees strong outcomes

AT Clifton College, 21 per cent of GCSE grades were 9s and 54 per cent were 9-7, with 31 different subjects offered.

Head of College, Dr Tim Greene, said: “I would like to congratulate all our pupils on securing such an excellent set of results. We have seen that the hard work of the pupils and the support of their teachers have really paid off. ”

Deputy Head Academic,

Dr Gavin Turner, said: “Our Year 11 cohort have posted an excellent set of GCSE results and I congratulate them on their achievements. This follows last week’s pleasing A level and BTEC results and paves the way for a very strong showing in two years' time when this cohort is at the top of the school. There are some excellent individual successes and I commend them for their hard work across the two years.

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

News from Green Party

Clifton Down councillors

George Calascione and Serena Ralston

HELLO again from Serena and George, your Green Party councillors for Clifton Down. As autumn approaches, we’d like to say a big welcome to students in our community. We continue to work and support you on many local issues ranging from waste collections through to planning.

Sharing good news

It was lovely to see the historic fountains outside the Victoria Rooms back in full flow. In the summer, we had contacted the council’s parks team who told us they were working on the drainage system. With ornate shells and resident merman and mermaid, the fountains are a wonderful local landmark. We enjoyed taking a break there on a very hot day in August - a really refreshing experience!

We’re really pleased that the first planters are now in at the new community food growing space behind the Clifton Down Shopping Centre. To continue this good work and install more planters, the Clifton Down Community Association held an open day last month to launch a crowdfunder. If you would like to find out more and get involved, visit the growing space website www. cliftondowngrowingspace.com

After reports from a member of the Oakfield Road Residents’ Association about a poorly tree on Leigh Road, we contacted the council’s tree team which has confirmed that they will replace it this winter.

n NEWS

Cllrs Serena Ralston and George Calascione at the Victoria Rooms fountains

Welcome students!

We know it’s a busy and exciting time for students moving in or returning to our community. Welcome to all. Don’t forget there is support available to help you settle in. The University of Bristol’s Community Liaison team is running the ‘Students Move In’ campaign with Bristol Waste. Student welcome events are planned in our area for October: • October 14 and 15: 10am-2pmTrade Stand outside Alma Road / Alma Vale Road junction near the Alma Church • October 15, 7pm: A student welcome evening with the Clifton Down Community Association 6.30-7pm onwards at the Alma Tavern.

For neighbours and residents, the Community Liaison Officer and Community Liaison Coordinator are there to help with student issues, particularly around noise, parties, antisocial behaviour and waste. You can contact them on community-living@bristol.ac.uk For students and all residents, do also get in touch if you need our help.

Planning

We are aware of new plans for the redevelopment of Home Gardens at the top of Whiteladies Road. This scheme is from the same developers whose application for the same number of flats on the site was refused by planning committee, and dismissed at

planning appeal in 2023. The new application includes demolition of existing buildings, and construction of two new buildings to provide up to 60 flats and up to 209 sq.m. of flexible office space on the Whiteladies Road ground floor frontage. As we write this, we are carefully reviewing the application and are in contact with neighbouring residents. You can view the application (24/02736/P) on the council website.

Our oldest resident?

Did you know that the remains of the fourth dinosaur to be identified by science were found right here in our neighbourhood? The Thecodontosaurus was a small, two-legged dinosaur that lived in the Bristol area just over 200 million years ago. The first remains of this animal came from a quarry next to Quarry Steps (near the top of Blackboy Hill) in 1834. Local historian Ashley Coates got in touch to tell us about his campaign to get a plaque put up there to mark this momentous discovery. He has set up a petition for the plaque and is investigating paleo/ geology funding sources to cover the costs. You can find his petition on the council’s petition webpage.

Councillor surgeries

We hold councillor surgeries on the first Friday of the month from 12 to 1.30 at Redland Library. If you have a specific local issue you wish to discuss with us, please come along.

You can also email us:

Serena Ralston cllr.serena.ralston@ bristol.gov.uk

George Calascione cllr.george. calascione@bristol.gov.uk

Generous donations save Bristol Improv Theatre

A THEATRE group in Clifton that had been at risk of closure is embarking on its autumn programme.

Bristol Improv Theatre was saved after a fundraising appeal brought in more than £25,000.

Artistic director Kierann Shah said:“It’s hard to express in words how relieved and grateful we are to have achieved our target, thanks to the support and generosity of so many people. There’s a tradition that’s common amongst improv performers of telling each other ‘got your back’ before a show – no one knows exactly what will

happen so supporting each other is key. The experience of the fundraiser has shown that there is a community out there that has our back, and wants us to succeed. To everyone who has supported us in any way: we see you, we appreciate you, thank you for having our back!”

The Bristol Improv Theatre intends to use some of the money raised to make its St Paul’s road building more accessible, expand its community work across Bristol and become a hub for developing new improvised theatre performances. https://improvtheatre.co.uk

Photo: The Bristol Improv Theatre / Lee Pullen Photography

Staying balanced and aligned

Pain Isn’t Permanent: Why Your Body Knows How to Heal

STARTING the day with a bike ride to work can feel invigorating, but nothing puts the brakes on that morning buzz like a slipped chain.

the day with a bike ride

work can feel invigorating, but nothing puts the brakes on that morning buzz like a slipped chain.

Recently, on several chilly mornings, I found myself wrestling with a stubborn bike chain. Picture this: my hands, slick with oil and numb from the cold, struggling to fix the chain so I could push on. It turns out, the root of the problem was a dry chain that desperately needed lubrication – a simple maintenance step I’d overlooked in the hustle of daily life. Just like my bike needs regular oiling to function smoothly, our bodies require consistent care to stay in top form.

Did you know that over 28 million adults in the UK suffer from chronic pain? That’s a massive number of people who believe that pain is just their new normal. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here’s the thing: your body has an amazing ability to heal itself. When given the right conditions, it knows exactly what to do. The problem? Most people don’t know where to turn for help after trying endless painkillers or treatments that only mask the symptoms. The pain comes back, and they think, “This is just how life is now.” But it’s not.

Recently, on several chilly mornings, I found myself wrestling with a stubborn bike chain. Picture this: my hands, slick with oil and numb from the cold, struggling to fix the chain so I could push on. It turns out, the root of the problem was a dry chain that desperately needed lubrication – a simple maintenance step I’d overlooked in the hustle of daily life.

like stepping on a dog’s tail and hearing the bark come from its mouth—the problem could be elsewhere in the body, and that’s where we come in. At Kasa Chiropractic, we find the root cause of your pain, not just treat the symptoms.

Just like my bike needs regular oiling to function smoothly, our bodies require consistent care to stay in top form.

Often, we don’t notice the ‘maintenance’ we need until something goes wrong. We might skip sleep, indulge in less-thannutritious food, or skimp on relaxation and exercise because our schedules are packed from dawn to dusk.

But just as a dry bike chain can

Pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s not right. And often, the real issue isn’t where the pain is felt. It’s

One of our patients, John, shared his experience: “Kasa helped me go from living in daily pain to feeling like myself again in just a few sessions.”

Often, we don’t notice the ‘maintenance’ we need until something goes wrong. We might skip sleep, indulge in less-thannutritious food, or skimp on relaxation and exercise because our schedules are packed from dawn to dusk. But just as a dry bike chain can

eventually slip, our bodies can only handle neglect for so long before they signal for help.

Staying balanced and aligned

Regular exercise keeps your system running smoothly, much like how oiled chain glides over the gears. And don’t forget about professional tune-ups. Integrating routine chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy be likened to the regular maintenance that keeps your bike – and your body balanced and in perfect alignment. By addressing potential issues before they turn into problems, you can your body’s ‘chain’ from slipping off

When we help restore proper alignment through chiropractic adjustments, sports massage, and soft tissue therapy, we give your body the right conditions to heal. And when your body heals, the pain goes away— because pain isn’t permanent. It’s simply your body asking for help.

eventually slip, our bodies can only handle neglect for so long before they signal for help.

To prevent breakdowns, think of selfcare as your daily dose of oil. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking moments to rest your mind.

To prevent breakdowns, think of selfcare your daily dose of oil. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking moments to rest your mind.

So, let’s make a pact to keep our chains well-oiled, both literally and metaphorically. Your body (and your bike) will thank you for it, ensuring smooth rides ahead

If you’re tired of living with pain and ready to give your body the support it needs, let us help. Your journey to health starts with one step—and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Charles Chiropractor | Director | Kasa 0117 974

www.kasachiro.com

Charlie Herbert

Olympics showed us that Covid remains a threat

IT is time to come into Kellaway Pharmacy for your Autumn Covid booster and annual flu vaccinations. Walk-in appointments are available, but you can book by calling 119 or using the NHS website. We will offer you the opportunity to have both together, which is recommended and safe, or you can pick separate dates and times. We will offer our quick, organised service and extended weekend clinics you can attend. Early vaccination means you start building an immune response that protects you.

Who can get these vaccinations?

Covid vaccine doses will be offered to:

• adults aged 65 years and over

• people with health conditions which put them at higher risk

• Care home staff

• Frontline health and social care workers

• People with long-term conditions: heart disease, diabetes, breathing problems, asthma

• People who are immunocompromised

• People who are pregnant

• People in long-stay residential care/hospice

• Cares for older or disabled persons

Why should I get these recommended jabs?

It is now well-proven that the flu and Covid vaccinations are safe and work. However, their protection will wane over time, so a top-up vaccination is needed for continued protection and against new emerging variants.

As we saw during the summer Olympics, even elite athletes can contract Covid-19.

Surely flu and Covid are now mild, just like the common cold?

Flu remains an infection that kills people every year. While we have all lived through the pandemic years, the respiratory distress caused by Covid remains severe and life-threatening. Cases of both pick up over the winter months, hence why the NHS offer of vaccination protection is so important.

What will I be given?

You will receive the NHS-recommended Flu and COVID vaccinations based on previously used vaccines in the programme. They are reengineered yearly for optimum protection.

But I have never caught flu or Covid before...

Many people may not recognise the symptoms they are experiencing as being caused by the infections or may even have no symptoms. Remember that you will still pass the symptoms on, even if you have no symptoms, putting others at risk.

Kellaway Pharmacy remains determined to protect everyone in our community. We know people want a timely, accessible vaccination experience. To make our clinics more accessible, we also offer extended opening hours over the weekends that you can attend. Feel free to call us on 0117 9246579 if you have any further questions.

Will Writing

Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support.

Family & Property Trusts

Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Probate Services

Our specialists help make a difficult time as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Give someone the power to make decisions on your behalf, no matter what happens.

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

News from Green Party Clifton councillors Paula

O’Rourke and Jerome Thomas

Downs improvements

Paula is very pleased to be working closely with the new Downs manager, who was appointed for one year to help make the Downs self-financing and to support the aims of the Downs land, which is to provide leisure and recreation for the citizens of Bristol.

Currently, the Downs Committee is reliant on income from events on the Downs to help pay for the cost of maintenance (around half a million a year!) and we know that this can be disruptive and cause noise pollution. We have recently had emails on this topic and Paula will be reporting these concerns back to the committee.

Working with the new manager, we are exploring ways to bring in alternative income which would be less disruptive, while also promoting recreation and leisure. Presently, we are exploring grant options to refurbish the changing rooms by the cafe with an option to put a second floor viewing terrace on the present

n NEWS

building site. We would also like to see cricket nets and padel courts and other sporting facilities which would attract people from all across the city to enjoy this wonderful parkland.

While Paula was Lord Mayor (and chair of the Downs Committee) she oversaw the setting up of the Downs Advisory Panel, the purpose of which is to be a conduit for residents to communicate with the committee. If you have issues you want heard, do please write to downspanel@ gmail.com

Lion pub community buyout?

In June sadly the very popular Lion Pub on Church Lane in Cliftonwood closed after after being run successfully for the last two for the last 16 years by Fiona, David, Andrea and team.

In this time they have created a wonderful warm and welcoming community pub with legendary Sunday lunches and they will be sorely missed. High costs,

particularly energy costs and high rent costs have meant that the finances of the pub simply no longer stacked up.

The owners of the pub Stonegate are reviewing their options, and a community purchase of the pub is one of those options. Jerome has met with locals regarding the closure of the pub. They are keen to follow many other successful examples of pubs that have closed and then been taken into community ownership.

Clifton Vale closure

In the early summer a wall that faces onto the road at the top of Clifton Vale was struck by an HGV resulting in damage to the wall and potential risk of collapse into the road. It is disappointing that it has been closed for so long, but appropriate insurers have acknowledged responsibility and repairs can now take place. The council is charging the insurers for delays in repair so there is a strong incentive for it to be reopened as soon as possible. We will keep you updated on the likely reopening date for Clifton Vale as we know that there is a significant knock on impact on traffic levels in the surrounding streets, particularly Granby Hill.

Tesco deliveries in Clifton Village Concerns have been raised about the number of the number and size of large HGVs, both Tesco and Tesco suppliers, that are parked outside the Tesco store in clifton Village for long periods of time, often two at a time including in zig zag lines. Paula has been in discussions with Tesco about reducing the number and size of vehicles necessary to deliver and the times at which they deliver. She’s also met with transport officials in Bristol city Council to review the optimum way of achieving these deliveries.

Waste management

After a long summer of a war of attrition with overflowing bins on the streets of Clifton, we have persuaded the city council that Clifton will be the next area for the roll-out of the 'Waste Improvement Project'. This is an alternative collection system for homes above shops and will also include new commercial waste management which will see the removal of all bins off the streets. Bring it on!!

Paula O'Rourke: cllr.paula. orourke@bristol.gov.uk

Jerome Thomas: cllr.jerome. thomas@bristol.gov.uk

Sun shines on a sparkling Party in the Park

ON a bright sunny day on the second Saturday in September Golden Hill Sports held their annual Party in the Park’on the playing fields at Golden Hill.

Encouraged by the forecast of dry, warm weather for once large numbers of people turned up to enjoy all what was on offer. This ranged from live music, fair ground rides, a series of demonstrations, a circus entertainer, bouncy castles, a shopping village, numerous stalls plus traditional entertainment such as tractor/ trailer rides, a coconut shy, wet sponge stocks, tug-of-war contests, horsey hoppers, a football challenge and much, much more catering for all tastes and all age groups.

Food and drink was available

all day from the in-house bar, barbecue, curry and cake, tea and coffee stalls along with vendors selling Caribbean, Italian & Tibetan style snacks & meals, speciality coffee and milkshakes.

Music was provided by a variety of groups playing on stage, a procession of the ground followed by a static set by the Bristol Samba Band plus a welcome return by the Keynsham Brass Band. The draw for the raffle prizes donated by local businesses took place during the late afternoon and when darkness fell the event was brought to a close by a spectacular firework display.

The organisers would like to thank everyone who attended Party in the Park this year.

BOOKS

Thunderclap

LAURA Cumming is the art critic for The Observer. In her early twenties, she slips into the National Gallery in London, on her way to meet someone with whom she was having a doomed love affair. She is entranced by a painting called A View of Delft with a Musical Instrument Sellers Stall by the Dutch artist, Carel Fabritius. Thus began the author’s lifelong appreciation of the art of Fabritius and the painters of the Dutch Golden Age (1588-1672).

Thunderclap chronicles her love of Dutch art and is dedicated to both Fabritius and her father James Cumming , an accomplished Scottish artist who died in 1991. Fabritius died, age 32, in 1654 when he was killed during the Delft Thunderclap, the name given to an massive explosion, when 40 tonnes of gunpowder, stored for the defence of the city, in a cellar in a former convent, detonated killing over a hundred people. There are only a few surviving paintings

n REVIEW

by Laura Cumming

by Fabritius, who was scarcely mentioned during his lifetime, yet his neighbour , the more famous Vermeer, owned three of his paintings.

The author provides us with a loving and detailed analysis of his art seen through her eyes. Her father applied to the Edinburgh College of Art but was prevented from starting his course by the start of the Second World War. He trained as a pilot and towed gliders, ferrying troops into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. After the war, he won a travelling art scholarship, found a remote croft on the Isle of Lewis and taught art in the village school. After returning home to Fife, he worked all day at art college, slept for a few hours, then painted during the small hours. He painted the people he met during his stay on Lewis, translating into paint the character of the islanders, living and working in a desolate and wind exposed landscape,

surrounded by white sands, pipelines, boats, lochs and inlets.

As well as describing the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer, the author introduces us to lesser known artists such as Hendrick Avercamp, Pieter De Hooch, Jacob Van Ruisdael, Jan Van Goyen and Gerard Ter Borch. Their art is made meaningful by her insightful analysis and her loving observant eye. We discover that art was everywhere in the Dutch Republic with over a million paintings produced by over seven hundred painters across the middle decades of the seventeenth century. People of all incomes brought art at lotteries, studios and auctions.

This is a beautifully illustrated memoir, of a life in art and the author’s love for her father and the artists of the Dutch Golden Age. You can find this book and many others at Bishopston Library. Come and visit us at 100 Gloucester Road and walk out with a library card giving you free

access to over two million books. Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

Clifton Library opening hours

Monday 10am-2pm

Tuesday 1pm-5pm

Thursday 1pm-5pm

Friday 10am-2pm

Saturday 1pm-5pm

COME with the narrator of this novella on a walk around Paris. The sky will change as your journey advances. It ‘shows no ambition other than to ensure rooflines stick out in one, clean cut.’ Later, ‘large clouds are shuffling along, rubbing their shadows impudently on the street.’ Then, ‘Paris drapes itself in a blue that can only announce the night.’

Yet, you are not travelling with a lover or thoughts of one, as such tender writing and the location might suggest. You are in search of traces of a man who came here in 1917. Or 1918. Or 1919. The dates are unclear, blurred like the many names under which he lived. The man became Hô Chí Minh. Andras (or the unnamed narrator since the reader is, apparently, in a novel) is not interested in the president that he would become but in the man he was then. You are here to discover a nobody, a man in exile, a vagabond.

Faraway the Southern Sky begins with a crude map showing the route taken around Paris. It loops and twists and the end could be the start or vice versa. The journey may hold no answers despite the meticulous research that has been carried out, each avenue literally turned down in order to write this true fiction. That research is of course only possible because its subject was increasingly kept under surveillance. Whilst you do learn something of Nguyên Tât Thanh, as he was then, you understand the resonances his story holds for the preceding and following years in this city of protests and revolution. You feel deep sorrow for the present. You long for everyone to demonstrate humanity. Perhaps you feel a comradeship with those who seek change, not those charismatic figures about whom history turns, but the people on the street.

The novel, biography, personal cry and measured essay – Andras has created all here – is as tautly written as the journey is sprawling. Drawing you in with its second person address, you must catch your breath in the same places as the narrator. The result is moving and unnerving and might lead you back to the book’s dedication. That is to Nûdem Durak, a political prisoner, tortured and isolated for her music. What price freedom?

Elizabeth Moss, owner of Heron Books, The Clifton Arcade

Faraway the Southern Sky by Joseph Andras

n NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence

The ram’s horn gall is caused by the wasp Andricus aries. The old galls can stay on the oak tree for several years and the fresh gall frequently harbours the Andricus larvae plus parasitoids and inquilines.

All photos: Rupert Higgins

Common spangle galls (left) are caused by the larvae of the wasp Neuroterus quercusbaccarum which has a complicated life cycle. In brief, the larvae mature inside these galls on the fallen leaves over winter and the first generation of adults emerges in spring to lay eggs in the new oak buds that cause a second type of gall to grow (a currant gall). A second generation then emerges, mates and lays eggs on the leaves causing these spangle galls to develop later in the summer and completing the life cycle. Silk button spangle galls (right) are caused by the larvae of a different Neuroterus wasp, N. numismalis. This species has a similar alternation of generations over the course of a year also producing two types of gall on the oak.

The striking robin’s pincushions are also caused by a gall wasp - Diplolepis rosae. Its life cycle is simple compared to the Neuroterus species but males are very rare in this species and most females lay fertile eggs without mating. The pincushion is internally divided into many chambers, each containing a larva and in Germany this gall is said to aid sleep if placed under your pillow.

Gruesome Greek tragedies of gall gnats

LAST month I promised you more about gall gnats – I don’t know how you’ve waited! You may have seen oak apples on oak trees and robin’s pincushions (see photo) on wild roses and not be surprised to learn that they are nothing to do with actual apples, robins or indeed pincushions. Rather, they are galls - the abnormal growth of plant tissues induced by another organism. Both those galls (one looking like a tiny apple, the other like a fuzzy red ball) are caused by wasps, tiny species not at all like the well-known stripey pirates of the picnic. Gall gnats are, as we saw last month, one of the most numerous insect groups in the world and there is no shortage of them in our area. But it is not just gnats and wasps that create galls; mites, flies, aphids, sawflies

and fungi are some of the many organisms that cause plants to form galls. The benefit to the galler (the organism that causes the gall) is that the overgrowth of the host plant’s tissue forms not only a home, hidden from predators and protected from the weather, but also an easy supply of food. There is apparently no benefit to the host (although galls rarely cause the plant a significant problem) and so these gall-forming creatures are parasites.

Gall gnats have varied life histories, some of which recall those gruesome Greek myths – yes, I’m afraid there are gall gnats whose larvae eat their own mothers (this is not unknown in other insect groups too).

Another strange feature is that several species can reproduce as

larvae, never reaching the adult stage and dispensing altogether with all that awkward mating malarkey – they just go ahead and lay eggs whilst they’re still babies (again, this is known in several insect groups).

There are many galls to look out for locally. Check the street limes for the bright pimples caused by a mite – they look like the pointy end of red nails protruding out of the leaves. Knopper galls, caused by yet another wasp, are acorns deformed into strange ridged and fluted shapes whilst many gallers cause plant leaves to fold over, curl up or twist around. Galls can appear as fluffy balls, rosettes, discoloured patches, thorns and swollen buds – once you start looking you will spot them everywhere!

Most extraordinary of all is that inside a gall there may be more than just the original galler. Indeed, what hatches from the gall may not be the gallers at all – they may have been completely parasitised by another species – there are several wasps that specialise in laying their eggs inside the larvae inside a gall. These are called parasitoids because they destroy their host (true parasites do not). There may also be inquilines –unwanted lodgers - often flies, that have simply moved in, taking advantage without paying their way at all. A single gall can contain dozens of individuals of several species – all this life inside an oak apple!

© Dawn Lawrence

n VINEYARD NEWS with INGRID BATES Keeping wasps and other wildlife at bay

THE weather is changing, the growing season is drawing to a close and harvest time is fast approaching. In the vineyard there aren’t a huge amount of jobs to do because the grass and the vines have stopped growing. The grapes are slowly ripening and we’re starting to work out when we will pick them. As the sugar levels start rising, the grapes they suddenly become interesting to birds and other wildlife. We’ve protected the red grapes by putting up netting which also seems to help deter the hungry wasps that have suddenly appeared. Thankfully the birds don’t show as much interest in the white grapes so we don’t have to spend time covering the whole vineyard.

In a couple of weeks there will be a flurry of activity as we pick the grapes and then it’ll all be over for another year!

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk

@DYvineyards (X/Twitter) dunleavy vineyards (Facebook & Instagram)

n NEWS FROM S us WoT

Report that flytipping!

You can report flytipping

Flytipping is a serious problem. Disconcertingly SusWoT are often asked to clear flytipping. SusWoT can’t do this properly. Flytipping is a crime and Bristol Waste try to identify flytippers from the rubbish they tip, SusWoT can’t do this and would not remove evidence. Often the amount of flytipping is too great to remove without a lorry. What anybody finding Flytipping in Bristol can do is report it. A google search for “report flytipping in Bristol” will take you to the right place on the Bristol council website. Note that there are two options: one for parks and one for roads. Don’t rely on other people to report it, they may be relying on you!

Reuse and Recycling in Bristol, in Westbury we are lucky to be close to the Avonmouth Reuse and Recycling Centre. Here you can donate almost anything that you think might be reused or recycled. Search “recycling centre Avonmouth” to find out more.

The Village Show was a success. Despite the damp more than 700 people came. Many people were interested in what SusWoT does. Some were interested in the all-day energy event SusWoT Will be running on Saturday 16 November at the Village Hall. Some signed up to help keep our streets clean, and one couple

took litter picking equipment to get started straight away! Our new councillors were wanting to learn about the issues with the Trym and offered to help promote the Energy Day. The Increase in entries for the three SusWoT classes was pleasing. There were not many entries for the video competition, but the number of vegetarian dishes and the edible produce plants grown in a pot entries were both more than double previous years. Supporting our pubs is difficult work but somebody has to do it. SusWoT has a monthly meal in a local restaurant to support them and now has a monthly meal in a local pub too. These are popular and shows how lucky Westbury is to different eating places, pubs and Thai, Indian and Italian restaurants. Want to help? You would be very welcome of you wanted to help SusWoT, just email suswot2050@gmail.com and tell us what you interested in.

We need volunteers to help with:

• Keeping our streets clean

• Keeping the Trym and Hazel Brook clean and keeping the surrounding green spaces clean

• Maintaining the Community Garden

• Maintaining the Library Garden

• Growing plants from seed to sell at May Fair

Flytipping in Coombe Dingle

• Running energy saving projects

Running the Energy Projects is particularly challenging. SusWoT has government grants from various organisations to help people reduce their energy consumption. For the RetroFit West project, we need help finding people to run stalls at the Energy Event in November, these might be businesses specialising in different ways to save energy in the home or expert advisors to help people get started with DIY energy saving projects. For another project overseen by the Bristol Energy Network we need people who are prepared to open their homes to local people to show what they have done to reduce their energy consumption. If you would like to do this please tell us.

Do you have questions about energy use in your home? If so please email suswot2050@ gmail.com with them, we will use them to help plan our Energy Event in November.

n NEWS

A BRISTOL vicar will be peering down manholes later this month as part of one of the city’s oldest traditions.

Canon Rev Dan Tyndall, vicar of St. Mary Redcliffe will be taking part in the annual Pipe Walk in memory of the benefactor of the oldest known gift to the people of Redcliffe.

It was in 1190 that Lord Robert de Berkeley, then Lord of the Manor of Bedminster, gave the growing hamlet of Redcliffe a supply of water from his well on a hilltop at Knowle.

From there it flowed through a pipe to an outlet which still can be seen at the

n PUZZLE PAGE

Traditional event in the pipeline

corner of Redcliffe Hill and Colston Parade although it is an interwar replacement of the original. This was Redcliffe’s only source of fresh water for more then 500 years.

Once a year the Vicar of Redcliffe, church wardens and parishioners follow the route of the pipe.This historic event asserts

NOTE After feedback from readers, we have made The Fiend SLIGHTLY easier!

the church’s right to walk along the 2,750 yard route of the pipeline and it can lay claim to certain endowments.

The walk starts at the well-head located in the middle of a large allotment site in Knowle. The walkers then head downhill, along pavements, across Victoria Park and on to St. Mary Redcliffe Church.

En route the Rev Tyndall peers into several manholes to check that the pipe is still in place.

The Pipe Walk is on October 26.Walkers meet at St. Barnabus Church, Daventry Road, for coffee before the walk starts at 10am.

Peter takes the helm

PETER Matthews has been been appointed chair of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Peter is a life member and has supported the club for more than 50 years. He has had a successful career in business.

He said: "I look forward to meeting many Members and supporters in the weeks and months to come and am excited for what the future holds.

“My short-term priorities are threefold. Firstly, to build relationships with all the different stakeholders involved in the club but particularly the Members who I now represent. Secondly, to work with the board and the executive team to continue to restore the financial health of the club and thirdly, to work with all parties on a four-year plan for the Club.

Kerry Lock, who recently retired as Director of Finance and Operations at Aardman, has also joined the board. A current playing member of the MCC alongside Gloucestershire Over 50s, Kerry is also the Honorary Treasurer of the SS Great Britain Trust.

The appointments of Peter and Kerry to their positions mean Acting Chair, Steve Nelson, will step down from the Board after more than five years of service to Gloucestershire Cricket.

He said: ““I am forever a fan of Gloucestershire and look forward to watching the Club go from strength to strength in the coming months and years in all formats, men, and women’s cricket.”

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

International T20 tickets go on sale this month

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Cricket will host two major international matches in the 2025 season as Bristol is selected to host both Men’s and Women’s T20 games.

An England Men vs West Indies Men IT20 will take place at the Seat Unique Stadium on June 8, followed by England Women vs India Women IT20 on July 1.

Tickets to see Jos Buttler and Heather Knight's sides will be on sale from Thursday October 10.

Neil Priscott, Interim CEO at Gloucestershire Cricket, said: “We’re delighted the Seat Unique Stadium has been selected to host both England Men and England Women again in 2025. Bristol is a well-established home from

Bus services designed by you, for you

WHEN it comes to making our public transport better, there’s nothing like real people power.

The people reading this know what you and your community need to get around better than anyone else.

That’s why when I came up with the WESTlocal bus services, I wanted local people to be at the heart of it.

WESTlocal is my scheme that lets communities get their hands on cash to design and run their very own, brand new, not-for-profit bus services.

I am delighted that so many local communities and organisations took up my challenge and put together winning bids.

Because of their involvement, the routes are imaginative and designed with the needs of their communities in mind. They’ve benefited hundreds of local people already, and I’m pleased to say there are now more of them.

Alongside the two existing routes, the new WESTlocals – eight in total – started operating on September 1, and are getting people around in Keynsham, Yate, Charfield, Chew Valley, Winford, Avonmouth, and to SGS College, to name just a few places.

Other WESTlocal routes are being extended

because of the feedback people have given.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the stories that have come through from the people involved.

In The Dings, they’ve numbered their WESTlocal 61 in honour of 87-year-old Marilyn, who moved there in 1961 and has been a fierce campaigner for the new service.

The 99 Chew Valley service has been nicknamed the “Cat” because of the shape of its route. This wouldn’t have happened if there wasn’t a real sense of community ownership. How many other bus routes have got their own nickname?

People who use the WESTlocals have told me they really value the service, especially the great community spirit on board. They’re getting people to work, to the shops, and connecting them to the busier routes into our towns and cities.

There’s a big debate happening about the kind of public transport our country needs. Here in our region, we are taking forward these conversations too.

I am determined that, whatever happens, we create public transport in the West of England that is more sustainable and represents value for money for local people, because only by making buses more affordable, reliable, and frequent will we

home for both of England’s white-ball sides and it’s vital that cricket fans in the West Country get the opportunity to see the very best international players in action.

“West Indies Men and India Women have a really strong and well followed fanbase and always play exciting cricket. It’s especially pleasing to be hosting these two fantastic fixtures in the height of summer and we can’t wait to welcome England supporters to the Seat Unique Stadium again next season.”

Gloucestershire has a proud history of hosting England Men and Women in Bristol and is set to host a sold out ODI between England Men and Australia Men on Sunday September 29.

encourage people to leave the car at home and use other ways of getting around.

I don’t underestimate the scale of this challenge. There’s much more to do.

The success of WESTlocal has shown that local communities want to get involved, so I’m going to be working with the government to get the West of England more money for these kinds of projects.

We’ve shown that there’s demand for them locally and I’m determined to aim even bigger next time.

I’m doing everything I can to make sure the West of England has a bus system we can be proud of – one that’s better for passengers and better for the planet, too.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n WHAT'S ON

Saturday October 12

n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR AUTUMN

CONCERT at 7:30pm - All Saints Church, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3ED, Conductor: David Bednall; Organ: Nigel Nash. Join us for a concert celebrating the music of Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Parry, Tallis & Howells.

Tickets - £21 (reserved), £15 (unreserved - £12 if bought in advance), £1 students/under 18s Web: bristolbach.org.uk Tel: 0117 214 0721 Email: tickets@bristolbach.org.uk

October 16

n BRISTOL WNO FRIENDS present Whatever Happened to Operetta? It's not just The Merry Widow! International baritone Donald Maxwell guides us some of the through the highways and byways of this tuneful, intoxicating and unjustly neglected genre. We warmly invite you to The Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral - 7.00 on Wed. 16th Oct: easy parking, bar. Charge £8/£10/£1. Further info melaniejdavid@btinternet.com or 01934 842014

Regular events

Various days

n YOGA IN REDLAND

Tuesdays 6.30pm & 7.45 Wednesdays 7.30pm

Suitable for beginners & improvers Yoga in Clifton Saturdays 10.30am

Suitable for improvers Text Charlotte on 07533732035 www.yogabristol.com

n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10-2, plant table always available. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Café open 10-2 on 15 June and 13 July

n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE CLUB based at RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Five sessions every week, catering for different standards. Thursday afternoon is Improvers. Monday and Friday afternoon is for more capable players; this is an EBU recognised session. You may come alone to any afternoon session; a partner will be found. The evening sessions are on Wednesdays and Fridays, and are open to pairs. www.woebridgeclub.co.uk or contact Secretary, Chris Frew, on 0117 962 5281.

n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided. Contact: Les on 07305695579

n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. New members welcome. See www.dickens-society. org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875 for further details.

n WESTBURY AND CLIFTON AREA DISCUSSION GROUP meet at Westbury on Trym Baptist Church every Monday 9.45am to challenge ourselves with topical debate on what’s happening in the world. If you would like to help to solve some of today's challenging issues with good company, tea and biscuits - contact James Ball 01454 415165 or Ian Viney 0117 9501628.

n WESTBURY ON TRYM WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, BS9 4AG, from 2-4 pm. Interesting speakers, crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. Our lively, friendly and inclusive group welcomes visitors at any meeting. Call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917

Tuesday

n WESTBURY PARK WOMEN’S

INSTITUTE meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Girl Guide Hut on Westmorland Road from 7.009.30pm. We are an active and friendly group with a varied programme plus extra sessions for craft, coffee, book clubs, walks etc. Visitors are always welcome and for more information do call Sue on 07813795936 or email westburyparkwi@gmail.com

n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members We are a 'threshold choir' actively looking for new people to join us. We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn soothing and uplifting songs by ear and build skills in sensitivity/ compassion/loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life. To join or support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices. org. Visit www.facebook.com/ CompanionVoicesBristol and www. companionvoices.org

n BRISTOL BRANCH OF THE KNITTING AND CROCHET GUILD meet on the third Tuesday of the month, 10am-12pm, usually in the function room at the Boston Tea Party on Whiteladies Road. Free to attend, all welcome (members and nonmembers). We cater for beginners through to experienced makers. Email BristolKCG@gmail.com for more info. Wednesday

Road on Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm

New members welcome. Go to www. henleazechoralsociety.org.uk for more information and contact details.

n CLIFTON CRAFTERS

We all have craft items we started and are now lurking in a drawer unloved – dig them out and come and share with us a morning of knitting, crochet, tapestry, rag rugs or whatever you would love to resurrect or mend.

Clifton Library every Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm

n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, open Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Originally a walled kitchen garden. Free to enter. We’re looking for volunteers. Our Café (+ homemade cakes) open 10-2, 18 March and 8 April.

n WELCOME WEDNESDAY Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your area. Call 0117 435 0063.

n CLIFTON CRAFTERS We all have craft items we started and are now lurking in a drawer unloved – dig them out and come and share a morning of knitting, crochet, tapestry, rag rugs or whatever you would love to resurrect or mend! Every Wednesday in October at Clifton Library 10 30-12 30pm.

n GOLDEN HILL WI Meets the first Wednesday of every month. 1-3pm. Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Rd, BS6 7YA

A vibrant, lively new afternoon WI in BS6. We have an exciting and varied programme to offer to members. For more information contact Pam Scull at goldenhillwi@gmail.com.

n CLIFTON WOMENS INSTITUTE

We are a friendly bunch who meet on the last Wednesday of the month at Alma Church, Alma Road, Clifton BS8 2HG, from7.30pm. Anyone interested in coming to a meeting as a visitor is most welcome (£5). Visit our blog cliftonwi.blogspot.com for forthcoming events. For information about us contact thecliftonwi@gmail. com

Thursday

n LOCAL CHOIR ACTIVELY RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS. We meet at Stoke Bishop CE Primary School, BS9 1BW on Thursday, 7.45 - 9.15pm. We are a well-established mixed choir performing both sacred and secular music. See website www. henburysingers.org contact secretary at secretary@henburysingers.org. n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE

n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR

Come and join us as we fill St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze with a diverse selection of music. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.

n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR are now recruiting new members. We are a friendly auditioned choir of between 30 and 40 singers. All voice parts are welcome. We rehearse on a Thursday evening at Bristol Grammar School from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. If interested please contact Julie at membership@bristolbach.org.uk

n HEALING FOR WELLBEING Feeling stressed? Come and try our drop in sessions run by trained volunteers. Healing/Reiki is a gentle, relaxing, complementary therapy that helps restore balance and vitality. Used in healthcare to reduce stress. Donation basis. Venue: Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. s 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm. For information and dates, contact Selina at Bristol Healing Group: T:0117 9466434 or E:selinanewton@yahoo. co.uk.

Friday

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB. Come along at 5.45pm on Fridays to see if bowling could be the sport for you. Coaching available. Experienced bowlers welcome. Situated in Grange Court Road, by Newman Hall. This is a friendly Club with good bowling facilities and social events throughout the year. Phone, Tom Logan, on 0117 962 1669 or email hbcsec@ henleazebowlingclub.org.uk for further details.

n BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLE. We meet every month from September to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For more info, see https:// www.spanishcirclebristol.com/. n FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn, Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.30-10.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

Saturday

Monday

n HENLEAZE CHORAL SOCIETY

We are a thriving, non- audition choir performing mainly classical repertoire. Rehearsals take place at Henleaze Bowling Club, Grange Court

For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30pm start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org

n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am12pm, every second Saturday of the month (except August). This is a voluntary service run by experienced repairers. Donations welcome. FFI see our Facebook page @ seamillsrepaircafe or email: repaircafe. seamills@gmail.com

Volunteers at heart of club's success

SUCCESSFUL sports clubs depend upon the contribution of volunteers. It is well known that performance on the pitch at all levels and the atmosphere off the pitch needs to be underpinned with an army of volunteers who bring different skills and experience.

Clifton Rugby Club is no exception with an army of former players, parents of children in the Mini and Junior section and rugby fanatics. Many assists in coaching and developing players of all ages and others bring expertise from their working backgrounds to work alongside those in club official roles.

All these people offer outstanding enthusiasm, time and loyalty to the club with its Executive Committee led by Chairman Aftab Hamid with the active support of his wife Sarah. He joined the club as a thirteen-year-old and progressed to become a 1st XV stalwart. Like others the Hamids are Clifton families with son Zak a first team regular and his brother Sami, currently at Loughborough University, a staunch Clifton man.

Many who joined originally as players remain to see the club has a future. Graham Hardy is typical of this breed. He joined the

Loyal Cliftonian Graham Hardy

club straight from university in 1998 with a track record of Welsh Under 18 caps including an appearance against the All Blacks, a Rugby League experience at university, was in the Clifton teams which won promotions, featuried at Twickenham in the EDF final, winning the Bristol Combination Cup and captaining the

Army of India Medal 17991826 and Army of the Sutlej medal, Moodkee 1845 Sold for £2,600

Andrew Nicholl R.H.A. (Irish, 18041886) - Watercolour - Colombo, Ceylon [Sri Lanka] Sold for £5,500

7aside team in winning trophies.

Twelve years playing at the top level encouraged him to put something back and he remains a coach in the Junior section and committed himself to developing aspiring players by turning out for the third fifteen known as the Nomads and to this day is a regular performer in the Misfits to share his vast experience.

Like many of us Graham retains strong friendships with other players who sometimes only come together occasionally to remember specific games, great victories, memorable losses and tour antics.

He recalls top players including Eddie Smith, a tough back row forward, Rhys Oakley, winner of Welsh caps, and Carl Butcher who brough style and weight to the forwards.

Graham comments: “It’s great to see the number of players at the club on the rise and I look forward to the Junior section furthering its integration and the transition of young players into senior teams”.

October 19th 1st XV v Macclesfield at 2.30

Roger Opie

Diamond solitaire platinum ring, diamond weighing 2.55 carats approx. Sold for £5,000

*Join Chris Yeo and Izzie Balmer, as seen on BBC's Antiques Roadshow and Antiques Road Trip, along with our valuation team.

Salerooms, The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol, BS21 6TT

Clevedon

Give