hanham&longwellgreenvoice November, 2020 Issue 49
www.hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Have your say on South Gloucestershire Council Budget SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is inviting residents, council tax and business rate payers to have their say on its budget and council tax for 2021/22.This is your opportunity to comment on the council’s priorities, council tax and its proposals to improve services and increase efficiency.
Changes To ensure sustainable services that continue to provide value for money, the council is proposing to repeat last year’s council tax increase of 1.99 per cent. This will help cover increased costs in providing services, coupled with an expected adult social care precept of two per cent. This will help meet the continued growth in demand for services, particularly those that support the most vulnerable. These changes will mean an increase of approximately £61.58 per year in overall council tax bills (equivalent to £5.13 per month) for a Band D household.
Better value for money By the end of 2021/22, the council will have made cumulative savings of over £100m in annual spending through efficiency measures. Wherever possible, this work has prioritised protecting frontline services from spending reductions, while delivering better value for money to residents. The council is continuing to implement a Transformation and Savings Programme to help meet the budget challenges ahead but
even assuming the full savings plan is achieved, there is still a predicted budget gap of £22.5m by 2022/23. The council is identifying further potential savings to balance the books. It continues to make the case to Government for additional funding for areas of work where demand and costs of delivering those services are rising significantly.
View from the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Toby Savage
Balancing the books South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Ben Burton, said: “Our top priorities are to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for all of our young people; to maintain and improve the places where we live; and to achieve the very best value for money. “We have been delivering millions in support to residents and to businesses who are impacted by Covid-19 and it will have an ongoing effect on our budget. This draft budget sets out how we would like South Gloucestershire to recover from Covid-19 and to continue to be such a wonderful place to live, work and visit. As demand for services needed by the most vulnerable, the young and the old increases, we need to deliver those services and ensure we get value for every pound we spend, and balance the books. This why each year we ask residents to have their say as we plan for the future.” Continued on next page.
WELCOME - We’re very proud to partner with The Voice, a great local business, for this special edition. We bring you news on our budget and council tax and invite you to have your say. We have also included our new Council Plan and update you on support for those struggling with Covid-19. Unfortunately, coronavirus cases are rising here and if we are to avoid stricter measures, protect ourselves and our loved ones and keep South Gloucestershire safe, we must follow government guidance. Remember: Hands, Face, Space. Thank you all for your hard work so far and continuing support.
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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION
How to have your say on the budget: View the budget at www.southglos.gov.uk/budget and then send your comments by 3 January 2021: • By email: consultation@southglos.gov.uk • By completing a survey (available online or download from the council website: www.southglos.gov.uk/budget) • By writing to: Freepost RTXL-YJXJ-BXEX, South Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5AF • By telephoning 01454 868154. A full council meeting on 10 February 2021 will consider the consultation responses and decide the council’s budget.
Ambitious new Council Plan in place SOUTH Gloucestershire Council now has a new Council Plan for the next four years. The priorities and commitments the council is outlining in this plan will help to ensure our district remains a great place to live, work and visit. The plan offers a new means of demonstrating how the council is making a difference for you, delivering ‘real value for money’ services.
• Promoting sustainable inclusive communities, infrastructure and growth • Realising the full potential of people and delivering value for money.
Your feedback
Action Plans
The council ran a public consultation on the draft plan earlier this year. The feedback from this consultation has shaped a really exciting and ambitious new plan.
Key priorities Building on your responses, the plan sets out four key priorities: • Creating the best start in life for children and young people • Identifying and supporting those most in need and helping people to help themselves
Wash your hands regularly.
Delivering value for money, addressing the climate emergency and promoting equality of opportunity are ‘threads’ that run through the plan.
In November, the council will approve 20 commitments and associated Action Plans setting out how it acts on these challenges and how progress is measured. Firstly, it will work with its partners and communities to create the best possible start in life for children and young people. By focusing on outcomes such as raising educational attainment, the council can make the biggest long-term cross generational impact. The second priority is to identify and support those most
*Wear a face covering in all shops, indoor and hospitality venues, on public transport & taxis.
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in need, with a focus on helping people to help themselves. Thirdly, the council wants to promote sustainable, inclusive communities, infrastructure and growth. It has a significant role to play in shaping future places. It’s making real progress on a Climate Emergency Action Plan to ensure that growth ambitions are delivered whilst maintaining a strong commitment to protecting the environment. Fourthly, it has set a priority to realise the full potential of its staff and services, to keep value for
money front of mind. The timing of this Council Plan is important. It takes into consideration the significant challenges that were evident long before Covid-19. The council has also drawn on lessons learnt from the response to the pandemic such as keeping residents better informed, and working with those who have stepped up to help communities play an active role in finding answers to local issues. Find out more about the plan at www.southglos.gov.uk/ councilplan
Test and Trace Support Payment THE Government’s new national Test and Trace Support scheme makes payments of £500 to those who are struggling to self-isolate because of financial constraints. To be eligible, you will need to have received notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, started self-isolation on or after 28 September 2020, and meet certain other criteria. The scheme is here to ensure that people on low incomes selfisolate when they test positive or are identified as a contact, and to encourage more people to get tested. This will help reduce the transmission of Covid-19 and avoid further social and economic restrictions, including local lockdowns. To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and be employed or self-employed and unable to work from home and will lose income as a result. You will also need to be currently receiving one or more of the following: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income based Employment and Support Allowance, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing benefit, or Pension Credit. To find out more, including whether you are eligible, and how to apply, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/apply-test-and-trace-supportpayment or call the South Glos team on 01454 434087.
hanham&longwellgreenvoice November, 2020 Issue 49
www.hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk
FREE EVERY MONTH IN HANHAM & LONGWELL GREEN
Stephen backs hospice appeal Hanham's Stephen Merchant is backing a campaign by St Peter's Hospice to make up some of the funding it has losf because of Covid-19. PAGE 20
Conductor's app for choirs
This beautiful shot was captured by Hanham photographer Simon Galloway from the Panorama Walk overlooking the River Avon
Warning as Covid cases rise
PEOPLE in Hanham are being urged to continue to follow Covid-19 government guidance in the hope of avoiding further restrictions. Positive test results are rising in South Gloucestershire, as in many parts of the country, and as the Voice went to print the total
had reached 1,854, including 294 new cases in the week to October 23. Council leader Toby Savage and director of public health Sara Blackmore have again asked residents to keep to the rules. Councillor Savage said: “To avoid stricter measures and to
protect ourselves, our loved ones and keep South Gloucestershire safe, we must all continue to follow government guidance, in particular on social distancing. “I’m so proud and heartened by how South Gloucestershire’s communities have supported Turn to Page 4
An award-winning conductor who lives in Hanham has launched an app to connect choral singers who are unable to meet. PAGE 7
You can't stop them dancing! Hanham-based street dance school 3D Dance are already preparing for their Christmas shows, which for 2020 will be recorded on video rather than performed live. PAGE 10
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Hanham & Longwell Green Voice contacts Publisher Emma Cooper 0117 908 2121 / 07715 770448 sales@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk Editor Follow us on Twitter Linda Tanner @ twitter.com/Hanham LWGvoice 0777 0700579 news@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk Erica Benson Advertising Sales 0117 908 2121 sales@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk Find us on Facebook Journalist www.facebook.com/ Keri Beckingham hanhamandlongwell greenvoice 0796 7277090 news@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk
December deadline Our December edition deadline is November 18. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by then. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.
Your views Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Hanham & Longwell Green Voice, 16 Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, BS31 1SX. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.
Useful numbers South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Citizens Advice Bureau 0344 499 4718 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk General enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061
Emergency: 999 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware (health and social care information) www.wellaware.org.uk Freephone: 0808 808 5252 We are Bristol helpline Freephone 0800 694 0184 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm Weekends 10am-2pm
Complaints Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Hanham & Longwell Green Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Hanham and Longwell Green 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. Hanham and Longwell Green Voice is distributed each month to 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 sales@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk This month 9,500 copies will be distributed around Hanham and Longwell Green.
A member of the
November, 2020
n NEWS
Covid cases on rise From Page 3 each other so far and my sincere thanks go to everyone for all of their efforts, patience, and compassion.” Dr Blackmore put out a fresh message at the start of the school half-term holiday. She said: “We recognise there is a sense of fatigue at the continuing messages about social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands, but we repeat them because they help. They help our efforts to control the virus in South Gloucestershire, but they are also vital to help each individual resident of South Gloucestershire. That’s you, your family, friends, loved ones, neighbours, your children’s schoolmates and your work colleagues. “Coronavirus spreads through close contact and not everyone who is carrying it and who has the potential to spread it is aware of it or showing symptoms. “If the Hands Face Space guidance isn’t followed, then when your children go back to school or you go back to the workplace after half term, or the family goes to visit the grandparents, you could be effectively taking everyone you’ve been in contact with on that trip. “I hope you enjoy time with your family this half term. It is difficult but by doing the right thing now, we can get back to enjoying the things we love again
soon.” The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, for the week to October 19, show cases on the rise in a number of local areas: • Staple Hill South and Kingswood NW 15 (up 10) • Cadbury Heath North and Bridgeyate 12 (up 8) • Longwell Green and Oldland Common 16 (up 5) • Hanham 9 (up 7) • Mangotsfield 7 (up 1) • Kingswood North East 8 (no change) • Kingswood South 7 cases (down 8) • Two Mile Hill 13 (down 3) •Downend South 5 (down 2) Currently South Gloucestershire is rated in the medium alert level of the government’s new Covid-19 three-tier system. That means national restrictions including: • Not meeting in groups of more than six, indoors or outdoors • Wearing face coverings in all shops, indoor venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants unless seated to eat or drink, and on public transport • All pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm. The council has launched a social media campaign to promote the businesses and residents doing the right thing to protect others. It is encouraging people to post with the hashtag #keepsouthglossafe. New testing centre: Page 16
• Call the British Red Cross free and confidential coronavirus support line on 0808 196 3651 to speak to a friendly volunteer for a chat if you are lonely, worried or need practical support, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm, or email supportline@redcross.org.uk
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November, 2020
n NEWS A PODCAST set up by three friends has survived personal tragedy to pass its 30,000th download. Patrick 'Patch' Warner, Rich Brown and Mike Pedley were described as three peas in a pod when they worked together at Bristol finance firm Hargreaves Lansdown in the early 2000s. Five years ago they turned their chat and banter into a podcast – a downloadable spoken-word show – and named it 3 Peaps In A PodCast. Usually recorded in Patch's home in Emersons Green, with the occasional special event on location, the weekly show has been gathering momentum ever since. But in May this year Mike, who lived in Longwell Green, died after a three-year battle with cancer. The 39-year-old had had several operations and chemotherapy since he was first diagnosed with stomach cancer and had appeared to have beaten the disease before it returned last summer and spread to his liver. Patch said: "Although one of the Peaps has passed away we are still carrying it on in his name. The show must go on, which was Mike’s wish, and with each podcast we record we will remember him." Patch and Rich have continued the format of informal chat and "tangent-heavy witty banter", passing 30,000 downloads in September and now heading towards 32,000.
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Show goes on despite tragedy
The 3 Peaps in a Podcast team – Rich Brown, Patch Warner and Mike Pedley in 2018, before Mike lost his battle with cancer Shows include an ever-changing variety of content alongside regular segments including the Room of Doom, a play on the BBC One
show Room 101, and Rich’s Rant, which Patch described as "a platform for Rich to get his latest bugbears off his chest in true grumpy-old man style". The Peaps have also had a number of guests, many of whom either live or have grown up in Bristol, from TV personalities, sports stars and musicians to influencers, restaurateurs and a poet. During lockdown they ventured away from Bristol-based guests, including a notable interview with Sky Sports presenting legend Jeff Stelling, but Patch says their "fantasy booking" would be Hanham-born comedian, actor and director Stephen Merchant. The podcast, which can be downloaded via Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon, has also reviewed events, cook books, go-karting venues, theme parks and restaurants. It has been featured on BBC Radio Bristol and had been due to record Episode 100 in the BBC studios before the lockdown forced the session to be postponed. There is also a spin-off Bonus Show devoted to Bristol City and a post-match reaction show co-hosted by Bristol Post writer Matthew Withers.
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November, 2020
n NEWS
Art trail returns
School to welcome new head COURTNEY Primary School is preparing to say farewell to its much loved and respected headteacher Deborah Wood. Mrs Scott will leave in December, having postponed her retirement from July to help steer the school through the challenges posed by Covid-19. The school has announced that its new head, Georgina Scott, will take the reins from January. Ms Scott is currently executive headteacher of Moorlands School Federation (Infant and Junior School) in Bath. She will be returning to work in the Bristol area, having worked in a variety of schools including St Werbugh’s Primary and Summerhill Academy. She said her aim was to continue to build on the great work being done at Courtney and to create a school that is oversubscribed within the local area, provides a broad and varied education to alls, where pupil voice affects change and where every child reaches their full potential. “I am excited about the new venture and look forward to working in the local area,” she said.
AN outdoor arts trail featuring talented artists, designers and makers is coming back – in time for Christmas shopping. The BSpoke16 Festive Trail will take place across the BS16 postcode area, including Downend, Soundwell, Emersons Green and Fishponds, on November 27, 28 and 29, from 10am-4pm each day. The trail is the idea of BSpoke16 founders Karen Davies and Catherine Williams, who organised their first art fair for Emersons Green six years ago. It is the second outdoor trail this year, after an "overwhelming and fantastically successful" summer trail in July. The trail already has 60 exhibitors, with more expected to sign up. A trail map will be available from mid-November online at www.bspoke16.co.uk
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November, 2020
n NEWS
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Music 'as vital as food and air' AN award-winning conductor from Hanham is hoping to reconnect singers through an app. Simon Capet has created Koor to enable choral singers who have trouble reading music to learn their parts by interacting with recordings of professional singers. The app also helps them improve their vocal technique through personalised online guidance driven by machine learning-based algorithms. Simon, who lives in Bryants Hill with his wife Eve, first conducted an orchestra at 14, directing the Wakefield Youth Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Dvorak’s New World Symphony. At 15 he began his studies at the Royal College of Music and then won an exhibition scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music. He received awards for his work as music director for
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the Modern Baroque Opera in Vancouver, Canada, where he also served as the music coordinator and assistant conductor for the Vancouver Opera. Simon said: “Launching Koor is hugely exciting, and I believe that music is as essential to humans as air, water and food. It supports us, consoles us, excited and inspires us. “In many ways, choral singing is the most powerful way of making music. It brings people together in harmony; it provides strength through community and it makes people happy, literally. Singing stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural happy drugs. I am so happy that Koor can help the millions of choral singers who are missing their practice at the moment, and helping bring a community together in such uncertain times.” Koor raised £123,117 in seed
funding last year, which was invested the development of software as well as securing a recording space and renumerating various musicians and singers required to bring the necessary quality to the app. The tech enterprise now intends to run a further investment round on Seedrs later this year. Simon said: “We want to create an app that will make personal practice as enjoyable as group rehearsals, utilising technology to help people learn their parts on their own - and have fun doing it. We also want to help singers continue preparing for future performances during this period of isolation and support as many people as possible towards discovering the health and social benefits of choral singing. “Building on data collected during our market research phase we have identified that choral singing is the most
Music maestro Simon Capet popular form of participation in the performing arts and there are approximately 2.15 million people in the UK who sing at least once a week in a choir. “There is also an estimated 120 million people who sing regularly in choirs across the globe, and of these, over 75 per cent struggle to learn choral music due to an inability to read music fluently. "Our mission is to build a global community of Koor evangelists by offering the widest range of audio practice aids of the highest quality and all of this will be completely free.” For information and to download the app for any smart device visit: www.koor.app
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November, 2020
9
n NEWS
Plan for slip road at tip moves forward
WORK on a scheme aimed at cutting queues at the Mangotsfield Sort It recycling centre could be under way within a year. South Gloucestershire Council says the scheme has "made a key step forward" after it bought land to build a new slip road for queuing vehicles next to the tip in Carsons Road. The council has declined to reveal how much it has paid for the 2.33 acres of land, which will also be used to relocate its current waste collection vehicle depot from Warmley to Mangotsfield. A report to the council's cabinet when it approved a revamp of its waste collection services put the cost of the slip road project at £600,000. The council said building the slip road and depot would "help us create efficiencies in the service, save money and reduce carbon emissions through less vehicle movements, thereby contributing towards our climate emergency declaration ambitions". Queuing traffic at the site has been the subject of years of complaints by residents, particularly those living in the neighbouring Siston Hill estate. The council says it has put "various
A new slip road will be built at the entrance to the Mangotsfield Sort It centre measures" into place over recent years to improve traffic management but the extra slip road was needed to improve traffic flow and prevent queues backing up on to Carsons Road. Cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt said: “We are delighted that this land acquisition has now been completed and that we are able to progress with our plans at Mangotsfield. We have been working to find a solution to the access issues at the site for some time, as we know local people have been frustrated with the traffic queues at peak times.
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“These improvements will also help us to continue to support our residents to do the right thing for the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling items.” The council aims to submit a planning application for the slip road by the end of the year, with a view to starting work during the autumn of 2021. The base for refuse vehicles would be built within the next two years after that, with a separate planning application, after which the fleet would be moved from its current site at Cowhorn Hill, Warmley, which will be sold to help fund the project. Residents of the Siston Hill estate nearby criticised the plans when they first emerged last year, claiming that the council's plans did not tackle the source of the current problems and could actually make things worse. New Cheltenham ward councillor Kim Scudamore questioned the expenditure on the scheme at a meeting last year after an officers' report said the council was planning to buy the land at "above market value". But council leader Toby Savage said it was “value for money when you consider the strategy in its entirety".
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
10
November, 2020
n NEWS
Word on the street is that 3D Dance are smashing it!
CHILDREN at a street dance school are leaping for joy now they are back in class after months meeting online in lockdown. 3D Dance, which started in 2005, had been due to hold its 15th birthday show in December, but this has had to be cancelled because of Covid-19. However, the plan is to produce video performances instead. Owner Louise Hopton said: “We tried to carry on and keep things as normal for the
children as possible during lockdown, but we are so pleased to be back. The children are loving seeing their dance friends again and even though we have to do things a little differently to stay safe, we’re still having lots of fun! “The majority of our 250 pupils have come back to us too which is great. We started weekly classes at the start of September, and although we won’t be having our Christmas show we wanted to have something for the children to work towards, so we have decided to shoot some music videos in December. “We’re still working on routines during the term, and we’ll shoot during the first week of December with a videographer and production set backdrop. Each class will have a video, and we know the children will really enjoy the experience! “Parents are also thrilled that their children have had something to come back to and can get back into some form of exercise. The pupils are being really sensible, following our Covid-safe rules, sanitising their hands and social
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distancing in class. So far everyone is sticking to it. As long as we can keep on dancing that’s the main thing for us! “Here at 3D, we are determined to make our weekly classes a safe but fun environment for our pupils and we look forward to seeing their finished dance routines in time for Christmas.” 3D Dance have classes based at Hanham Community Centre (Tuesdays from 4-5pm and 5.15-6.15 and Wednesdays 1-1.45 and 2-2.45. The school is continuing to grow with the recent introduction of pre-school drop-in sessions and adult street dance classes. For more information, please email: louisewelsh160@hotmail.com or visit: www. facebook.com/groups/249050868560690/.
Donations warning A LOCAL councillor is keen to remind residents of the need to make donations to charity shops in Kingswood only during opening times. Andrea Reid is working with managers of several shops to help raise awareness of the issues that arise when gifts, however well intentioned, are left outside the shops. Councillor Reid first raised concerns after shops were inundated when they reopened following several months of lockdown. Now she has met managers again and has been told some volunteers have been abused by donors. Councillor Reid wants residents to think about the storage restrictions at the shops. She said: “Yet again I find myself having to stick up for charity store retailers. Some of the volunteers have been on the receiving end of verbal abuse, and one volunteer even had the bag of donations thrown at her and was sworn at. “Whilst the stores are reopening, people who wish to
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donate should only do so during opening hours and would likely be best phoning the store first to save a wasted trip. Charity shops have to quarantine any donations for 72 hours before handling and displaying them. This has an obvious impact on their ability to rotate stock. “The combined issues of storage capacity and Covid guidance will in the end dictate their [the shops’] ability to accept donations. “It might be annoying to those of us who decided clearing out our homes would be a good way to ease the boredom of lockdown, but the stores are not designed to take five months worth of donations at once. Please be kind and patient.” As an alternative, if you're knee deep in black bags and the charity shops are full, Councillor Reid is keen to make residents aware that the website Thrift.plus will take your unwanted items, donate to the charity of your choice, and will also give you a share of any profits. To find out more, visit: https://thrift.plus/
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
November, 2020
11
n NEWS
What's a cassette tape please sir? PUPILS from Cherry Garden Primary School in Bitton have dug up some time capsules as part of their 40th birthday celebrations. The school reached the milestone birthday at the start of the school year in September, but due to being in lockdown since March it was decided that the celebrations would tie in with the digging up of some time capsules that were buried in the school grounds 20 years ago on October 20, 2000. The school invited Mrs Liz Strover, a former member of staff whose grandchildren attend the school, to join them for the morning - or 'The Big Dig' as the children labelled it. Headteacher Tom Hutchings said: “The children had been very excited about digging up something that had laid in the school grounds for 20 years. There was a plaque in the grounds that showed where the time capsules were buried, so we did a 'live video assembly' to show the capsules being dug
Fascination as a time capsule is unearthed at Cherry Garden Big Dig up. The only problem was, we couldn't find them! “After about 10 minutes of digging, we paused the assembly and let the children go out to play while I kept on digging. After two hours of spade work, we eventually found them, nearly six feet away from where the plaque was laid! Once we had found them, we then brought the children out a bubble at a time to see them being brought out of the ground.”
Children examine the finds, after a lot of digging by Mr Hutchings
There were three time capsules in total, and all of the children were there to witness a capsule actually coming out of the ground. According to the record from the original school book, the three capsules were for different groups – one for KS1, KS2 and teacher capsule. The KS2 one is very badly corroded, but the school hope to dry out the contents and have a look at the paperwork. The other two have survived better, including a cassette (which hardly any of the children recognised!). Mr Hutchings also said the children found it fascinating to hear 'voices from the past’ and that they were very excited. He added: “We laid out the contents of the capsules in the hall, and the children have been viewing the materials a class at a time. It has been lovely to see their fascination with our school's history and to see them noticing similarities and differences
Museum seeks volunteers KINGSWOOD Heritage Museum is open every Tuesday and Saturday throughout November from 11 am to 5pm, with free admission for all visitors. The museum will then be closed from December to March. The museum is operated entirely by volunteers, and welcomes anyone who can spare time to help with all aspects of its activities, ranging from building maintenance and decoration to conservation, displays and exhibits, visitor management and professional and administrative support. Volunteers are especially welcome for two roles that are currently vacant: museum administrator and museum publicity officer. If you would like to know more, contact the chair of trustees, Rodney Stone, on 07776 261176. www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk More museum news: Page 26
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between what they have in school now and what is in the capsule. “Many of our staff have a link to the contents, either because they were working in the school at the time, or because their children attended the school and they have found pictures of their children. They have already loved the memories that these capsules have jogged about particular children or other staff members. Several of the parents have also chatted with interest about the capsules, partly because the children have talked about it a lot over the last week, but also because several of them wrote work as an ex-pupil of the school that then ended up in the capsules!” Next term, the school will also be burying another time capsule to be dug up in 2055, to celebrate the school's 75th anniversary. Mr Hutchings said: “I am sure that much will change over the next 35 years, and especially with the current situation with Coronavirus, I'm sure the things we put in will give the children of the future a fascinating window back in time. “We are delighted to be able to celebrate 40 years as a school, and whilst it's clear that many things have changed and evolved over the last 40 years, the school has always been such a welcoming and happy place with a real emphasis on its local community.” To find out more about the school, visit: https://www. cherrygardenprimary.co.uk
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November, 2020
n NEWS
'Everyone at bus stop moans about 42' A READER has contacted The Voice to complain about the 42 bus service in Kingswood. Mrs Mason is 77 and catches the 42 from Cock Road two or three times a week. She said: "The 42 used to run every half hour, but now it's every hour – if they turn up! I try and get to the bus stop a bit early as you never know when they are going to arrive, but in comparison the 43 runs every 5 minutes – why? Sometimes two turn up at the same time too, and I want to know why there are so many when the 42 is only ever hour? "Everyone on the bus stop moans about it, as they just seem to run whenever they want. There are lots of elderly people out there who catch the bus like me, and recently I waited an hour and 20 minutes in the rain for one - I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, and when I got home I was shaking because
I was so cold." In response, Chris Hanson, operations director of First West of England, said: “We are sorry we have had to reduce the frequency of the number 42 service while we continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic. Social distancing guidelines means we are running more buses than normal on busy routes because of significantly reduced capacity on board. “For the time being we have to redeploy our resources to where we have the most customers – by reducing the frequency of the 42 we have been able to provide additional journeys on Service 43 between Kingswood and the City Centre – ensuring our service provides the maximum benefit for the maximum number of customers. “Our analysis has shown that the reduced frequency will still provide ample capacity for the
section purely served by Service 42. All our services are under constant review and as soon as we can revert to normal levels of service, of course we will do.” First West of England also announced changes to some services from October 18, as part of the continuing response to the Covid-19 pandemic. James Freeman, managing director of First West of England, said: “We are still operating in a very fluid environment due to the pandemic. As circumstances continue to change, we are regularly monitoring what is required to meet the needs of our customers. “Currently, we are carrying about half the number of passengers compared to prelockdown. However, we still have the challenge of social distancing which means we are running more vehicles on some routes than normal. Alongside this,
customers’ day-to-day travel no longer looks the same as it did at the start of the year as people now have a lot more flexibility. We are considering all of these factors as we review and revise timetables and frequencies. “Our journey planning tools, including Bookmybusride. com on trial routes and the Space Checker website are helping customers plan their travel effectively. We have also just launched the Tap & Cap payment system on First Bus and metrobus services across Bristol which makes boarding easier, and faster. “We’d like to thank all our customers for their ongoing patience and cooperation as the pandemic is a challenge for everyone.” For details of all changes view the new timetables here: www.firstgroup.com/ letsgetmovingwoe
Consultation on new
Traffic Clean Air Zone options The city’s air quality needs to meet legal limits of air quality in the shortest possible time. If we can build on the cleaner ways we’ve been travelling since Covid 19 lockdown we could achieve clean air standards without putting a charging zone in place. Find out more: www.bristol.gov.uk/caz2020 Consultation closes 22 November.
For a paper copy or an alternative format email transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk or leave a message on 07775 115 909 To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 Or 07715 770448.
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November, 2020
hanham&longwellgreenvoice
13
n NEWS
Friendships flourish for lockdown gardeners RESIDENTS of the Magpie Court Retirement Living Plus development in Hanham say they have been determined to turn the current climate into a positive one and have grown even closer as a community during the pandemic. Margaret Oxenham, 79, and Barbara Clements, 84, are two of the residents. Barbara moved from Hexham in rural Northumberland in July 2019 mainly to be closer to her famil. Margaret, who has lived in Bristol all her life, also moved into Magpie Court just over a year ago as she wanted to maintain her active lifestyle. At the start of lockdown, Magpie Court’s estate manager, Bartosz Turewicz, and his team made sure they did everything they could to help residents. This included hosting daily exercise sessions for retirees to join in on their
balconies, organising regular socially distanced quizzes and Sunday sing-a-longs in the garden, as well as delivering food, medicine and other supplies to residents who were shielding and couldn’t get out and about.
Barbara said: “I really can’t speak highly enough of Bart and the team; they have been just amazing. They have done so much for us, not just to ensure our safety, but also to keep us entertained – nothing has been too much trouble.
“The balcony exercise sessions were so much fun, Bart and the team really worked hard to make them enjoyable. As well as keeping us active, they gave us something to look forward to each day, along with a muchneeded opportunity for us to socialise – particularly for those who were shielding at the time.” Margaret set up a Gardening Club during lockdown. She said: “We all put some money into a pot and contributed together to purchase different plants, tubs and rose trees from a local garden centre, which were delivered straight to us. Everyone got involved, so it was great to do something together - we have always been a close-knit community, so we really didn’t want to lose sight of that.” The residents held a socially distanced raffle in the garden, which raised £345. The money will go towards winter plants.
Virtual Poppy Day REMEMBRANCE Sunday will be marked in a slightly different way in our area this year, as a result of the pandemic restrictions. A spokesman for the Kingswood and Hanham Branch of the Royal British Legion told the Voice: “Due to Covid-19, there will be no march-past by veterans or a wreath-laying service in Kingswood this year. Individuals may, if they wish lay wreaths at Holy Trinity Church Kingswood, but please observe the government’s social distancing guidelines.” The 2020 Poppy Appeal launched in Bristol on October 22, and this year the Royal British Legion is asking everyone to back the appeal in a new way. The public are being asked to show their support remotely in line with Covid-19 restrictions by ordering poppies through the post for their neighbours and local
community, printing a poppy and displaying it in their window, or undertaking a virtual Poppy Run. Esther Denton, community fundraiser for Bristol and South Gloucestershire for The Royal British Legion, said: “Like so many things this year, the appeal has to adapt to the threat of Covid-19 and we are asking the public to support us like never before, because every poppy counts. "Whilst the pandemic has impacted the ways in which we deliver the Poppy Appeal in Bristol, our community of staff, volunteers, partners and suppliers have been working together to ensure that the 2020 Poppy Appeal is able to go ahead and we can all take part in Remembrance activity. For fundraising ideas for this year’s appeal, visit: www. rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal or email: edenton@britishlegion. org.uk
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14
hanham&longwellgreenvoice
n OUR PLANET MATTERS
n LETTER Caught out by new car park cameras ALTHOUGH not residing in Kingswood, I am a fairly frequent user of the businesses in Kings Chase Shopping Centre and High Street. I was pleased at the initiative shown by the management there when they removed the barriers and its attendant ticket system and waived the parking fees at the start of the ‘lockdown’. I previously visited just a couple of weeks ago when parking was still free. My most recent visit was on Tuesday 6 October and I always use the uncovered area. So you can imagine my surprise to receive a parking ‘ticket’ just 48 hours later in the sum of £85! It would seem that, in reimposing parking charges, the management has employed a partner in crime in the shape of Horizon Parking, who, for the unwary, have now replaced the barrier/ticket system with ANPR cameras but have not posted any notices at either entrance or exit warning of the new system. As I
November, 2020
had no reason to walk through the precinct on that occasion as my business was further down the High Street, it would appear that my 22-minute visit is a costly one. I could pay as little as a generously discounted £51by paying within 14 days. No one would risk not paying the very reasonable previous parking fees if they were made sufficiently aware of the re-introduction of the fees (I have seen no advance publicity locally) and a phone call to the management office (0117 960 8596) is only manned by an answering machine which is obviously programmed to ignore messages and requests for information. I abhor the practices of these parking pariahs and fear that, if the shopping centre is trying to recoup losses on parking fees during the last few months, this may well backfire as I believe the lack of barriers may lure other unsuspecting visitors into this trap so, please, be warned. A very disgruntled pensioner
There is hope THERE have been many times during 2020 when all hope seemed lost. We have a global environmental crisis with extreme weather patterns and the loss of biodiversity at an alarming rate. We are up to our eyeballs in waste and pollution. Then to make matters worse along comes a pandemic killing & debilitating millions & causing further devastation. So difficult to be hopeful when we are feeling isolated and dehumanised by rules & restrictions even though we know that these are designed to keep us as safe as possible. Feeling low and overwhelmed last week the serenity prayer came into my head. It reminded me to focus on the things I can do, and not to allow myself to be robbed of the pleasures of seeing a beautiful new moon or a magnificent sunrise by worrying about the things that I cannot change. I can still be careful not to waste food, water and energy resources, choose products that don’t pollute the soil, sea & air, sign petitions and lobby the Government & much more.
I heard a very interesting & challenging program on Radio 4 Costing the Earth: episode entitled ‘World on Fire’ available on BBC radio catch up: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nc25 Lucy Siegle hosts a panel discussion looking at what’s happening with wildfires around the globe. The panel consists of three scientists from diverse backgrounds, who all give interesting and informative answers. During the last few minutes they are asked if we can reverse the damage done to the planet and they all give hopeful answers but at the same time acknowledge that we (all earthlings) will need to take responsibility for our actions and change the whole way we use the earth’s resources. A very wise person recently advised me to keep dreaming and planning for the future. This season will come to an end, but right now we just don’t know when or how. So keep dreaming and keep focussing on the things you can change: have the courage to step out and make a difference. No one is excluded from the earthling club and from finding ways to make our planet a greener and healthier place to live. If we all do our bit & encourage each other, when that better day dawns and our dreams can become reality, we will emerge into a world where we can hope for a better future for our planet and every living person, creature & plant on it- and we can all have a hug! THERE IS HOPE!! Penny prwaller29@gmail.com
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
November, 2020
15
n NEWS
Give the bugs their own mini church TV presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff chose the winner of a Bug Hotel competition run by the developers of the Masters Church site in Kingswood. Crossman Group is halfway through the conversion of Masters Church into 19 apartments, with three new homes alongside it and the creation of a new para. The site is next to the Whitfield Tabernacle, one of the most at-risk Grade One listed buildings in the UK. The building dates back to 1741 and is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Methodist movement. The competition called on young naturalists aged up to 16 to design a bug hotel and wildlife garden as a place that locals and wildlife could enjoy for generations to come. The space available for the bug hotel and wildlife garden was one metre by three metres, and entrants were asked to email their designs by August 20. The winning bug hotel plan was designed by 10-year-old Ellis, who lives in Southville. It features a replica mini church that will be incorporated into a new park area being created as part of the Masters Church development, which will be donated to South Gloucestershire Council.
Miranda Krestovnikoff, Matthew Halstead of Crossman Group and winner Ellis Matthew Halstead, a director at Crossman Group said: “We were really impressed with Ellis’s bug hotel design, especially with the level of background research and detail. Ellis has carefully thought about the needs of the insects and bugs that will be calling the hotel home and went to extraordinary lengths to explain how the hotel should be constructed.” Miranda is a resident wildlife expert on
BBC One’s The One Show, having presented natural history stories, ranging from robotic ants to rare dolphins, from all around the country for 12 years. She is a regular on BBC One’s Inside Out and one of the original members of the Coast team exploring Great Britain’s shoreline from top to toe, revealing fascinating tales of marine life. She added: “Ellis’s design for a bug hotel was incredibly well researched, thought out and detailed. She had given careful consideration to many different species Including solitary bees, lacewings and woodlice and used a variety of different materials to ensure a diversity of habitats, and therefore species would benefit from this shelter. She’d even included instructions for other people to make their own bug hotel. I can’t wait to see the finished result!” In addition to the conversion of Masters Church, Crossman Group has pledged to assist in the renovation and rebuilding of the neighbouring derelict burnt out shell of the Whitfield Tabernacle, working closely with the Whitfield Tabernacle Trust. To find out more, visit: www. whitfieldtabernacle.org
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16
November, 2020
n NEWS
Covid-19 test centre set up at UWE Bristol A CORONAVIRUS testing centre has been set up at UWE's Frenchay campus. The drive-through facility, which opened on October 1, is in the car park by the university's business school. It is a stone's throw from UWE's exhibition centre, which was transformed into a Nightingale hospital to treat Covid-19 patients earlier this year but has so far not been used. The unit, which is open six days a week, is the first community testing facility to open in South Gloucestershire and will serve both residents and students, who will have a self-contained "walk-through service". It is being managed by finance and professional services company Deloitte on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care. The council requested it "because people in South Gloucestershire were having to travel quite lengthy distances
A WORLD OF
Quality
An ambulance at the NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol to be tested". Tests are by appointment only, for people with coronavirus symptoms. Bookings are made via the nhs. uk/coronavirus website, or by calling 119. Signs directing people to the centre, which is accessed via the campus North Entrance, off the A4174, are in place from the M32 and Abbeywood roundabouts. In a statement, South Gloucestershire Council said:
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"You must not turn up at the site if you have not booked an appointment. Anyone who turns up without an appointment will be turned away. "The council requested the additional capacity for South Gloucestershire as part of its ongoing work with partners to monitor and stop the spread of Covid-19 in the district." The council says the facility is "self-contained", which means people arriving by car for tests will not need to mix with students using the centre on foot or go into university buildings. Council cabinet member for public health Ben Stokes and director of public health Sara Blackmore issued a joint statement, which said: “We are pleased to have additional testing facilities locally because people in South Gloucestershire were having to travel quite lengthy distances to be tested." UWE vice-chancellor Professor Steve West said: “As the centre is completely segregated, members of the public will not need to access any university buildings and students
will not be required to leave our Covid-secure campus to receive their free swab test." The testing centre opened as it emerged that University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust (UHBW) was planning to use part of the NHS Nightingale Bristol hospital as additional capacity for Bristol Eye Hospital, which has had to significantly reduce its space because of social distancing rules and beds for Covid-19 cases. The Nightingale hospital opened in April after being created in three weeks but has remained on standby since June, although work has recently been carried out to ensure the building and surrounding site can be safely used through the winter. A report to the UHBW trust board at the end of September 29, said part of the hospital could become an ophthalmology “diagnostic hub”, at a cost of £2 million, to provide diagnostic services for glaucoma, cornea, and medical retina patients. The eye hospital’s A&E was expanded at the start of the pandemic to care for patients with coronavirus, which reduced the capacity for outpatients. UHBW director of strategy and transformation Paula Clarke said: “We are very actively in discussions with a number of services, including the eye hospital and paediatrics, to establish if we can make really good use of the facility in the interim with the assurance that it could be stood down if we needed to trigger reopening the Nightingale for critical care.” Additional reporting by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA OUR popular What's On section was suspended at the start of the lockdown, as community events were cancelled indefinitely. We offer free space to publicise non profit-making activities. Clubs, charities and societies can send details of events to the Voice by email at news@hanhamandlongwellgreen.co.uk.
Open: Mon-Fri 9 - 5.30pm | Sat 9 - 5pm | Sun 10 - 4pm The Old Coachworks, Bath Road, Longwell Green, Bristol BS30 6DL Tel: 0117 947 7721 | www.thecarpetbarn.co.uk
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
November, 2020
17
n NEWS
Swim club seeking support to stay afloat SOUNDWELL Swimming Club, which has been running for nearly 60 years, is facing a funding crisis because of Covid-19. The club, South Gloucestershire’s premier competitive swimming club, is based at Kingswood Leisure Centre. It is non profit-making and apart from its professional head coach is staffed and run by volunteers. It says its finances are vulnerable following the lockdown. Although the club has been able to return to the leisure centre in Soundwell, it is facing for children of all ages, and has increasing costs to use the pool significant physical and mental for training, not least because the well-being benefits. We provide centre itself has to meet rising lessons for swimmers across the bills. Kingswood, Emersons Green, At the same time, Soundwell Staple Hill and Mangotsfield Swimming Club, which has areas and beyond. Our parents more than 200 swimmers aged are paying increased fees but this from four to early 20s, is unable still does not cover our costs.” to raise funds through holding The club has now launched a swimming competitions. crowdfunding campaign Winter Voice ad.qxp_Layout 1 19/09/2020 23:14 Page 1 with the A spokesman said: “Learning aim of raising £5,000, so this can to swim is incredibly important
be matched by a further £5,000 from Swim England. Swimmers and their families have rallied round and after just two weeks, nearly £1,000 has come in. The club’s coaches are planning a sponsored cycle ride to raise more cash. The spokesman added: “We would love for the local community to get behind our fundraising. Our club has been
A HAPPY RETIREMENT IS JUST ROUND THE CORNER
a part of the local community for more than 50 years and we would like to continue to help children learn to swim and develop their swimming skills for another 50 years.” Soundwell Swimming Club was established in 1962 and has a strong record of success. To donate, go to https://www. crowdfunder.co.uk/help-keepsoundwell-swimming-club-afloat
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ABOUT POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) are elected to be the voice of local people in policing and to hold the Chief Constable to account PCCs ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient police service while enabling the Chief Constable and police to operate independently The PCC works in partnership with a range of local and national agencies to ensure there is a unified approach to prevent crime, support victims and reduce reoffending
YOUR PCC Until the 2021 elections, PCC Sue Mountstevens will continue to focus on the following key priorities: - Protect the most vulnerable from harm - Strengthen and improve local communities - Ensure the police service has the right people, right culture, right capabilities - Work together effectively with other police forces and key partners to deliver better services to local people
As a result of the coronavirus, there are particular areas under those priorities that the PCC wants to focus on, including: - Overseeing the work of the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) to tackle serious violence - Oversight of the efficiency of the criminal justice system to ensure victims and witnesses are supported - Supporting local victim services with a particular focus on domestic abuse and sexual violence victims - Engaging with local communities to ensure they are supported during the ongoing health emergency
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November, 2020
hanham&longwellgreenvoice
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n NEWS
Malcolm Coles sits in front of headmaster Lindsay Farmiloe in this class picture from 1948, which also includes teacher Mr Thomas
Sports team, 1961
Memories of school are set in stone A PERMANENT memorial to the school where generations of Mangotsfield children were educated has been officially unveiled. Four former pupils of Mangotsfield Church of England Primary School pulled the cover from a sculpture of a boy and girl reading on a bench, which stands at the gateway used by pupils for more than a century to enter the school from St James Street. The £15,000 cost of the project has been paid for by Cotswold Homes, the developer which built new homes on the site of the school after it was demolished in 2018. Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward councillor Michael Bell and the Mangotsfield Residents Association pushed for a permanent memorial to the school, which was open from 1876 until 1999, when staff and children moved to a new school in Emersons Green. At a socially-distanced ceremony to unveil the statue on October 12, Michael thanked Cotswold Homes director Liam Rinn, who worked with him to ensure the school received a fitting memorial after the development of 21 homes was finished in March. Liam said the firm felt it was important to ensure the school was remembered in the community and said: "Hopefully it's something which will be there for generations to come." Residents association chair and community pastor Clive Heath dedicated the memorial and highlighted the school's importance, not only as a seat of learning but also in teaching Christian beliefs after it replaced the nearby Dame School, and as "a big part of Mangotsfield history". The sculpture was created by Tom Whitehead, who grew up in South Gloucestershire but is now based in Yorkshire. He was unable to attend due to having a child self-isolating under Covid-19 rules. Clive paid tribute to his "fantastic" work. Former pupil Malcolm Coles, of Downend,
The sculpture marking the site of the former Mangotsfield C of E School was involved in the sculpture project from an early stage and has many good memories of his school days, which started during the Second World War, when the school was still lit by gaslight, had outdoor toilets with no hot water, and received deliveries of 1/3-pint milk bottles for pupils by Co-op lorry every morning. Malcolm said: "Three of my grandparents attended Mangotsfield Church of England School, as did my parents. "I began in the infants school in 1942, when it was important to carry out drills going into the air-raid shelters which were in the playground. "The playground was unmade; it was compacted earth with many protruding stones (there were many scratches and bruises, but that was life!). "There was also a stone wall stretching from the St. James’ Street boundary towards the school building. The boys played on one side and the girls the other. "The only time we saw grass was on sports day, when we would be walked up Elmleigh Road to the Hut Field in Cossham Street." During Malcolm's school days the
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headmaster was Mr Lindsay Farmiloe and the other teachers he remembers were Miss Savary and Miss Goddard in the infants and Miss Mills, Mrs Jones and Mrs Bullock in the juniors, before Mr Thomas arrived in 1947, having been demobbed from the RAF. He said the arrival of a canteen for school dinners costing 5 pence per day, in 1945, was welcomed by parents, as they did not have to use ration coupons for them. Carol Lucas (nee Thompson) and Jan Peters (nee Garland) started their lifelong friendship at the school, which they attended from 1955-61. Carol remembered class teacher Mr Higgins, who was rumoured to have been a commando during the war, and often wore a blue beret. She said: "He used to be very strict but was a very good teacher and a lot of us in his class passed the 11 plus." Carol also had fond memories of lollipop man Mr Stiddard, Mr Gregory, Mr Gill and the owner of nearby sweet shop, Mrs Lane. She said: "If you fell down in the playground and got a scraze (a cross between a graze and a scratch), you went to the headmasters’ office where you had iodine painted on it – it was really yellow but it was a badge of honour! "Mr Farmiloe lived opposite Carson’s chocolate factory and all the pupils would receive a small bag of chocolates when we broke up for the Christmas holidays. We thought this was wonderful. "I and many many others, including our own children, have wonderful memories of our carefree days at the school and we were devastated when the decision was made to pull it down. We even thought of chaining ourselves to the digger but we must say the developers have kept the houses in keeping with Mangotsfield village. "The statue is a great reminder of our younger days." A call has been made for anyone with information about the old school bell, which has disappeared since the centenary celebrations in 1976, to come forward.
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
20
November, 2020
n NEWS
St Peter’s Hospice cuts beds and jobs after lockdown causes £2m funds gap ST Peter’s Hospice has had to cut beds, stop its day services and review staffing because of a funding crisis in the wake of Covid-19. The pandemic led to cancellation of major fundraising events and the temporary closure of the charity's shops, meaning it has a shortfall of £2 million this year. It says the next 12 months will be crucial and is appealing to the people of Bristol to dig deep and help it continue its vital work. Hanham-born actor and comedian Stephen Merchant was welcomed to the inpatient unit in Brentry in October to announce the year-long ‘When It Matters Most’ fundraising campaign. He said: “I can’t imagine Bristol without St Peter’s. The difference they have made to my family and the families of tens of thousands of others is immense. “It is devastating to realise the enormity of the impact that Covid-19 has had, and that critical end of life care is threatened and might not be available in the future.” All St Peter’s Hospice’s services are provided free and they support around 3,000 patients and their families every year. Only 20 per cent of ºfunding comes from the NHS. Over £4 million of the hospice’s funding comes through their shops, fundraising events and donations. Although there has been a slow return of the shops and activities, income is down significantly. The hospice is reviewing all services and expenditure and has already temporarily closed five beds in the inpatient unit and closed their day services (annual running cost £516,139) for the medium term.
How you can help the hospice
Frank Noble, CEO of St Peter’s Hospice, said: “The hospice exists because of the generosity of our supporters and we have never needed you more. Our ability to help those at home, those in need of specialist care and those who need support through bereavement during these extraordinarily difficult times is diminishing as every week goes by. We are now at the point of reviewing
The next twelve months are critical. The hospice exists because of the imagination, generosity and compassion of the people of Bristol and beyond. If you can help now, it will make a huge difference when it matters most. If you are on social media, please share the hospice’s fundraising activities or give one a go yourself. The hospice team will give you every support to make it
THE name of the company appointed to deliver the region’s e-scooter trials has been announced. Residents and visitors will soon be able to get around on e-scooters provided by Swedish company Voi Technology Ltd. The hop-on hop-off devices will be available in Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire at key locations in such as stations, university campuses, hospitals and large employment sites. The 12-month trial is being led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in
staffing across the hospice –something we have never had to do before. After all we have been through it really is heart-breaking. "Making decisions that impact our services is not easy. Every decision we take is guided by the aim of minimising the impact on patients. The public’s support now is more vital than ever as we move through uncertain times.”
happen. If you would like a fundraising guide or to discuss ideas email community@stpetershospice.org. Whether you ride, walk, bake, run, donate or dance, whatever it takes to raise awareness of the hospice - this is when it matters most. To donate visit www.stpetershospice.org/make-adonation.
E-scooters are on their way partnership with Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils. It will have some key rules, including: • Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on roads, pavements and parks. • Only e-scooters hired or leased through the West of England’s trial can be used legally on roads, cycle lanes or cycle tracks. Effectively, e-scooters that are part of the trial can be used
wherever cycles are permitted. • E-scooters cannot be used on pavements. • E-scooters are classed as motorised vehicles and riders of authorised trial e-scooters must hold a full or provisional licence. Through a longer-term rental scheme, residents will also be able to take e-scooters home and use them for journeys. Rental e-scooters on the trial will be capped to a maximum
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speed of 15.5 mph, and geofencing technology will allow slower speed restrictions to be imposed in defined areas. Voi also has the ability to restrict or bar non-compliant users. The trials should begin by the end of October. The location of the e-scooters and the cost of hire have yet to be announced. For more information, visit: https://travelwest.info/ projects/e-scooter-trial
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November, 2020
hanham&longwellgreenvoice
21
n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC
Stopping the virus is our personal responsibility IT has been over six months since coronavirus restrictions were introduced and I’m sure many of us are just as frustrated and concerned as we were back in March. It is important that we do not let our guard down. We all need to continue to play our part and follow the Government’s three tier regulations to prevent the virus transmission increasing any further in our area. We have seen how certain parts of the country are now facing increased restrictions and we must do all we can to avoid this from happening across Avon and Somerset. I know local people are concerned what will happen if a national lockdown is enforced, and how this will impact our lives, local businesses, workplaces and schools. Let’s hope it does not reach this stage and, if it does, it is not for as long as the lockdown in the spring.
Please continue to follow the rules and guidance to keep you and your family safe as well as protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. As I’ve said many times over the last six months, please take personal responsibility; you might not feel you are vulnerable to the virus but other people’s loved ones will be. We know that the transmission of this virus can be rapid, so we have to work as a collective to stop coronavirus and put an end to its disruptive nature. Last month, we marked National Hate Crime Awareness Week and it was an ideal opportunity to talk about the impact this crime has on many people’s lives. This year, the global conversation has shone a light on the grave injustices experienced by black people, people of colour, disabled people and many other communities as a result of coronavirus, the national
lockdown and the criminal justice system. A brave victim of hate crime wrote about their experience, which was published on the PCC website. Despite living and working in the UK for 15 years, they were told they “didn’t belong here” as “this is England for English people” and was called a “foreigner”. The victim explained how the experience affected their well-being and why they believe others should report similar hate crime incidents to the police or services. Being targeted because of your age, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other reason is unacceptable. We must stand together united against hate crime. We need to reach out to victims of this awful crime and remind them they are not alone: there are organisations, services and individuals who are out there who
n NEWS
Doorstep tricksters POLICE are investigating a burglary in Kingswood. It happened at about 3.30pm on Saturday 10 October when a man knocked on the victim’s door and said he was there to check the drains. The man led the victim out to inspect the drains, telling him to leave the doors open. After the man left, the victim returned to the property and saw the house had been ransacked and a quantity of cash had been taken. It is believed a second person entered the home through the open doors while the man talked to the victim outside about the drains. The man who spoke to the victim is described as mixed race, approximately 5ft 9ins, of average build and about 20-24 years old. He had short black hair and wore a white shirt under a sleeveless jacket. He was also carrying an A5 notepad. PC Melissa Kingscott said:
With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens can offer support, including SWAN (www.swanadvocacy.org.uk) and SARI (www.sariweb.org.uk). I want to reassure victims that if you report hate incidents to the police, you will be taken seriously. I know many survivors feel like they will be wasting police time if they report but this is not the case: you will be listened to and supported.
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
22
November, 2020
n PUZZLE PAGE
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A VITAL service offering support to victims of domestic violence is struggling to keep up with demand after incidents soared during lockdown. Next Link has 175 women on the waiting list for its Freedom Programme support group in South Gloucestershire after the usual number of referrals doubled between March and June. It usually runs eight support groups a year, each providing 12 weekly sessions for a group of eight women. But the incoming chief executive of Next Link has told South Gloucestershire’s multi-agency community safety partnership it would need to run another 15 to 20 groups
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Domestic violence on rise this year, just to clear the backlog. Sarah O’Leary, who takes up the post in January but is currently a senior service manager, said: “I do feel like we’re letting these women down. The funding we receive, in all reality, is not enough to run the groups that we need to, even to cope with the waiting list, let alone the new people that are going to be coming through our service.” Next Link provides the Freedom Programme and other domestic violence support services via a contract with the Safer
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and Stronger Communities Partnership. It received additional funding from the Ministry of Justice to help it cope during the coronavirus pandemic, but that extra funding was due to finish at the end of October, with no guarantee it will be renewed. Ms O’Leary said it costs £3,750 to run a support group, each of which requires two facilitators, two childcare staff and the hire of premises for the 12 weekly sessions. By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Email: sales@hanhamandlongwellgreen voice.co.uk
hanham&longwellgreenvoice
November, 2020
23
n NEWS
Thousands rise to reading challenge MORE than 2,000 children took part in this year's South Gloucestershire Summer Reading Challenge, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. Children aged between 4 and 11 were encouraged to sign-up and read books they enjoy over the school summer holidays, to help make them more confident and independent readers. The challenge was run by the council's library service, despite having to contend with restrictions which meant they were not able to fully reopen to visitors for browsing and self-service borrowing until September. Instead children and families were provided with free Summer Reading Challenge bags by libraries, which offered click and collect services from July, or invited to join online so they could participate at home. This year the theme of the challenge was based around fun
Rachael Hunt at Emersons Green Library with children who completed the South Gloucestershire Summer Reading Challenge and laughter and was named ‘Silly Squad’. To celebrate the completion of the 2020 Challenge, South Gloucestershire Council chair
Quarry Court
June Bamford and cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt met local children at Emersons Green Library. Rachael said: “It has been
Adelaide Place, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2FX
fantastic to see how the Summer Reading Challenge has inspired so many children over the past few months and all of the participants can be very proud of their efforts. "Our Libraries have done a great job in continuing to provide services for our residents in some difficult circumstances and this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is a prime example of that.” Helen Lavery, a mum of three children who all completed this year’s challenge, said: “My children thoroughly enjoyed this year's reading challenge. They worked together completing the craft activities and, most importantly, read plenty of books. Having a structure during the summer holiday really helped keep them on track." Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ librarychanges to find out more about library services.
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24
n NEWS
hanham&longwellgreenvoice
November, 2020
n PHOTOGRAPHY
Housing concerns
POLITICIANS in South Gloucestershire say proposed changes in planning rules could leave them with "completely unachievable targets" for new housing. The council's ruling Conservative group says it needs the power to assess individual applications on their merits and not be put under "extreme pressure" to meet targets. And Liberal Democrats say the government white paper is a “serious threat to a democratic and transparent planning system”. But the Downend area's MP, Jack Lopresti, has criticised colleagues he says have "made a virtue of opposing muchneeded housing development" and accused them of a "failure of political leadership at the local and parliamentary level". Campaigners say the reforms would require South Glos to build 51,000 new homes over the next 20 years – 23,000 more than under the current system. The council's Tory group says that while the proposed changes included "several positive steps" to modernise the planning system, rural areas faced being "slapped with an even higher annual housing delivery target than neighbouring Bristol". LibDems say the government's changes would "tear up" safeguards in the current planning system. Clllr Jayne Stansfield said: “These proposals remove most of the power of local councils to decide what gets built in their area."
HANHAM
Bristol colour cascade by Peter Weaver
Phot
graphic
SOCIETY
Left: Clifton Suspension Bridge by Sheila Keene Above: Eastville Lake in autumn by Linda Harris
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice
November, 2020
25
n NEWS FROM OUR MP
Children deserve best chances
Chris Skidmore writes for
Hanham & Longwell Green Voice
AS the local Member of Parliament, I'm absolutely determined that we continue to accelerate the pace of school improvement so that, regardless of where people have come from and where they have grown up, they get that opportunity to succeed. This is even more important considering the impact on children’s education that the national lockdown has had, particularly on the most disadvantaged pupils. I was therefore delighted to showcase South Gloucestershire Council’s trailblazing ‘Recovery Curriculum’ at a meeting I organised with the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson. The ‘Recovery Curriculum’ is designed to help all students returning to school
after the disruption of the past few months to get back into learning. I was able to hear first hand how it is having a positive impact for our pupils at one of our schools on a visit there – one of many school visits I enjoy doing up and down the constituency. I have also welcomed the council’s investment to improve school buildings - 17 improvement projects have been carried out over recent weeks. Projects already completed include roof repairs at Courtney School in Kingswood and Barley Close Community Primary. Cherry Garden Primary’s (Bitton) fire alarm system has been replaced and St Barnabas Primary’s (North Common) extension has had a new boiler fitted.
I have also been hosting a series of Jobcast webinars with representatives from various industries including retail, care, and training, to discuss current vacancies, apprenticeships and careers, and highlight the opportunities available locally. It has been a difficult few months and I am glad to be able to run this online series with businesses and employers to share their useful advice and information for people looking for a new job or training opportunity. I am delighted to have been joined by organisations including SGS College, Tesco, ASDA, the local Jobcentre and the Restore Trust for the four episodes recorded so far, which are now available on my Facebook and YouTube pages, with more sessions planned for the next few weeks.
n NEWS FROM HANHAM LIBRARY Your library – welcome back Things may look a little bit different, but we are pleased to be able to offer services in a safe environment. Self-service borrowing so you can choose your own items Hanham Library is open on the following days and times: Monday 10.00-17.00 Tuesday 10.00-17.00 Thursday 10.00-17.00 Saturday 9.30-12.30 All you need to do is bring your library card with you to use the self-service machines, and a face covering, as it is now law to wear one in the library unless you are exempt. Unfortunately, Filton Library is temporarily closed due to essential building work. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. Whilst Filton Library remains closed we will open Patchway Library an additional day each week, on Mondays. Order ahead using Click and Collect and we
will choose for you “We tried click and collect … this week and I'm really happy with what they've chosen for us” You can order up to 6 items to collect at a pre-booked time of your choice. Simply complete a Click and Collect webform for the library you will collect from online anytime at sglibraries.eventbrite.com or call 01454 865022 Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm; Saturday 9:30am – 12pm and speak to a member of library staff. Use our computers, scan and print You can use the computers or Wi-Fi when you use the library if there is space or to guarantee use of a computer or hotspot you can book one in advance by phoning 01454 865022 Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm; Saturday 9:30am – 12pm. You will need to wear a face covering unless you are exempt. Photocopying is also available. Pick up a free Bookstart Baby Bag or Bookstart Newborn Pack Every child aged 0-12 months is eligible for a free Bookstart Baby Bag to help you share
stories, rhymes and songs. Content varies, but each bag includes two board books, a rhyme sheet and a booklet of tips and ideas for sharing books with children from a very young age. If English is an additional language, or if your baby has been identified as deaf or visually impaired, please contact Bookstart@ southglos.gov.uk as we may be able to provide additional relevant free resources. Newborn Packs Sharing books with your baby in the first months can help to grow a reader for life. Cuddle up and enjoy your Bookstart Baby Black and White booklet together. The pack contains a congratulations card to celebrate the birth of your child, information about Bookstart and a booklet containing blackand-white images for you to share with your newborn baby. You can pick up a Baby Bag or Newborn Pack by visiting the library or ordering ahead using Click and Collect. Find more information on our website, www.southglos.gov.uk/librarychanges.
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hanham&longwellgreenvoice n KINGSWOOD HERITAGE MUSEUM
November, 2020
26
MP Chris praises museum enthusiasts KINGSWOOD MP Chris Skidmore, who is chair of the newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on museums, visited Kingswood Heritage Museum. The museum in Warmley hosts displays on the history of industries and activities from around Kingswood and the surrounding areas, along with a growing archive of documents and photographs dating from the 18th century as well as recent times. Mr Skidmore toured the facilities alongside Rodney Stone, chair of the museum trustees, and Alan Bryant, joint curator, and learned more about the Brass Mill site and the exhibits, as well as the more modern use of the building by community groups and local clubs. The museum had to close for some times during lockdown but reopened during the summer after benefiting from a £25,000
grant from the Government's Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Fund, administered by South Gloucestershire Council. Mr Stone said: "We were very pleased to welcome Chris Skidmore to our museum. The museum is run entirely by volunteers. It is also an important community facility and houses community groups and activities for residents of all ages, ranging from a boxing gym to workshops for men and women. We are very grateful for Chris's help and support, and for the continuing support of our visitors and our local community." Mr Skidmore said: “It was as fantastic as ever to visit my local museum and meet with Rodney to learn about the new exhibits and displays in place for this year and how they have implemented guidelines to keep the museum Covid-secure."
Kingswood museum is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11am until 5pm. It is located in the former Champion Brass Works, at Tower Lane, Warmley, BS30 8XT, just off Avon Ring Road (Cadbury Heath exit). Buses 19, 19a, 42 and 43 stop nearby.
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Keynsham Tree Removal & Stump Grinding
• Tree felling • Stump grinding • All tree & hedge work undertaken • Fencing • Waste removal • Mini Digger & Operator • Good rates & reliable service
Tel: 0117 9117652 Mobile: 07747 131431 (All areas covered)
carpet cleaning service Clements LOCKSMITH 24 hour Locksmith Service (all types of doors) 24DaleHOUR Dale Clements Locks, Handles and Hinges Repaired LOCKSMITH hour Locksmith Service (all types of doors) PAINTING DECORATING &24Locks, DOUBLE GLAZING Misted and Broken Glass Replaced Handles and Hinges Repaired Realign Dropped Doors and Windows Misted24 and Broken Glass Replaced HOUR LOCKSMITH REPAIRS Realign Dropped Doors and Windows 24 hour Locksmith Service (all types of doors) Locks, Handles and Hinges Repaired Misted and Broken Glass Replaced Realign Dropped Doors and Windows
0117 3690046 & DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS Mobile: 07970 019830 0117 3690046 Dale 0117Clements 3690046 Mobile: 07970 019830 Mobile: 07970 019830
24 hour Locksmith Service (all types NO of CAdoors) LL Locks, Handles and Hinges Repaired OUT FEE FIXED PRICES Misted and Broken Glass Replaced Realign Dropped Doors and Windows
NO CALL OUT FEE
FIXED PRICES
NO CALL OUT FEE
www.daleclements.co.uk 44 ABBOTS ROAD, HANHAM, BS15 3NG
FIXED PRICES
www.daleclements.co.uk www.daleclements.co.uk E
FE ABBOTS BS15 3NG 44 ABBOTS ROAD, HANHAM, 3NG ROAD, THANHAM, 0117 3690046 44BS15 L OU ices L A r C p
Mobile: 07970 019830
GARDEN SERVICES
NO
d
Fixe
NO CALL OUT FEE
FIXED PRICES KITCHEN SPECIALISTS
PARK VIEW TURF & GARDEN SERVICES (20 years experience)
• Quality Turf Supplies • Fencing • Regular Maintenance • Turfing • Grass & Hedge Cutting • Garden Clearance For a FREE estimate, call Roger 07799 373287 roger.west@blueyonder.co.uk
MJJ CRAWFORD CRAWFORD M CARPENTRY CARPENTRY & & KITCHEN KITCHEN FITTING SERVICES FITTING LTD
www.daleclements.co.uk 44 ABBOTS ROAD, HANHAM, BS15 3NG
Your local carpenter who carries out all types of carpentry work .
Tiler • Mason • Painter
• Kitchens • Bathrooms • Doors • Skirting • Flooring • Decking • Pvc cladding
Call Matt on 07909 928413 or 01179 864304 for a free quote
E: mjcrawfordcarpenrtykitchen@yahoo.com
W: www.mjcrawfordcarpenrty.co.uk
GARDEN SERVICES
OVEN CLEANING
Classic & Natural stone tiles High Quality Finish Specialising in Italian showers Free Quote Contemporary & Provençale kitchens Bristol & Surrounding Areas Interior & Exterior Masonry PAINTING DECORATING Interior & façade painting
D. ATTWELL
LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES For All Garden Works Patios – Decking Gravelling – Fencing Wood Chippings – Jetwashing Foliage Removed – Roots Destroyed Garden Walls & General Building
• FULLY INSURED • LICENSED WASTE CARRIER
For a FREE quote call 07960 681 921 d.attwellgardenservices@hotmail.co.uk
Renovation Painter Tiler Decorator
Builder & Interior Decorator
17 Years Experience Tiling Interior & Exterior Masonry E: dacriscobuilder3@gmail.com Interior & Facade T: 0117 401 8568 / 07557 335 956 PaintingDacrisco Builder No Job Too Small Free Quote 17 Years Experience
T: 0117 382 7716 / 07557 335 956 E: dacriscobuilder9@gmail.com
If it’s News Email: news@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk
November, 2020 PLUMBING SERVICES
Cherry Plumbing & Heating Services
EST 2004
Over 20 yrs experience
Boiler Breakdown Service & Installation Engineer
All makes and models worked on
Call Darren on 07787 956651
PLUMBING SERVICES
hanham&longwellgreenvoice PLUMBING & HEATING
Tel: 0117 9676268 info@arheatingservices.co.uk
Boiler installation, servicing and repairs 10 Year Warranty’s available Finance also available
518308
Taps, Washers Toilets, Cisterns Leaks, Blockages Tanks, Overflows Lead Pipes, Stopcocks….etc… OAP DISCOUNTS and NO VAT
PLUMBING SERVICES
957 5092
P A Flook
• No job too small • No VAT • City & Guilds Qualified • 35 yrs experience • Fully insured From a tap to replacement radiators to full bathroom installs
Mobile: 07908 267921 paulalan@hotmail.co.uk
Shower
Tel : 0117 3620313 Website : www.amg-solutions.co.uk
Give your toes a treat
Toenail cutting and foot care in the comfort of your own home. Affordable, professional.
Free foot massage!
Call 07523299147 or visit www.neatfeet.net
RUBBISH CLEARED
Registered upper tier waste carrier licence no CBDU225074
We load and clear rubbish/junk from houses Flats, Sheds, Attics, Gardens etc etc No job too small - we even clear single items Cheaper than a skip and we load no VAT Contact Stuart or Sue
Freephone 0800 0234 995 Mobile 07770944727 anytime inc. weekends
Garden, Clearance House, Garden, Office Clearance House,House, Garden, OfficeOffice Clearance
House, Garden, Office Clearance - all Plus all other Plus All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! House, Garden, Office Clearance -- Plus other House, Garden, Office Clearance Plus all other Plus Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! Plus All All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! On-average Average cheaper than a skip. On cheaper than aa skip. OnAverage cheaper than skip. removal On average cheaper waste removal On cheaper than aa skip wastewaste removal -Average On average cheaper than than skipa skip
07592 003 Tel: 07592 506 003003 Tel: 07592 506 Tel:Tel: 07592 506506 003
faulty Electric showers repaired,sold & fitted competitive rates fast service Tel Paul at pj Home Electrical 07774747834 or 0117 2302010 Keynsham based
website: bathshowersbristol
To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 Or 07715 770448.
• Telephone Sockets Relocated • Additional Telephone Points • Telephone Systems • Data/Computer Cabling • WiFi Solutions and Access Points • Projector and Flat Panel TV Installation • CCTV • Fault Finding
WASTE DISPOSAL
PLUMBING SERVICES
approved
AMG SolutionS
WASTE DISPOSAL
PLUMBING SERVICES
Plumbing & Heating * TAPS, WASHERS * BALL VALVES * LEAKS, WASTES * OVERFLOWS, DRIPS * LEAD PIPES * TOILETS, FLUSHES
TELEPHONE ENGINEER
TOE NAIL CUTTING
PLUMBING SERVICES
0117
29
No Call out Charge
1/4 Load 1/4 £89 1/4 Load Load £89 £89 Half Half £139 Half Load Load Load £139£139 3/4 Load 3/4 £179 3/4 Load Load £179£179 Full Load Full £199 Full Load Load £199£199
www.junkmonsters.co.uk www.junkmonsters.co.uk
Email: sales@hanhamandlongwellgreen voice.co.uk
A V O N V A L L E Y C A R E H O M E
Dementia may take some of your yesterdays, but it can’t take your tomorrows CALL 0117 2295554 OR SEARCH ‘AV O N VA L L E Y C A R E ’ O N L I N E O R O N Avon Valley Care Home Tenniscourt Road | Kingswood Bristol | BS15 4JW
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION
Responding to the Climate Emergency Working with residents, businesses and organisations across the district, South Gloucestershire Council is continuing to tackle the increasing challenges of climate change. As an area we are: • Reducing our carbon emissions to become carbon neutral by 2030 • Restoring nature • Adapting to the local impacts of a changing climate.
What is the council doing? The council set out an action plan and is delivering this work in partnership with others. You can read details of this plan on the council website. Current projects include an area-wide study of renewable energy opportunities, upgrading the energy efficiency of new school buildings, a study looking at rural needs for electric
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vehicle infrastructure, trials of managing highway verges to increase biodiversity, and flood water risk mapping. Each December, the council will review progress and set out a plan for the next year. To deliver the 2030 goal, it needs to work with everyone in the area.
What can you do now? Sign the South Gloucestershire Climate Emergency Pledge here: www.southglos.gov.uk/ climatepledge Retrofit your home to save energy: The following schemes can support you: • Green Homes GrantVouchers for energy efficiency improvements or low carbon heating up to £10,000 • ECO Funding - Grants for insulation for those on low incomes • Warm Homes Fund – Grant funded scheme to install first time central heating • Renewable Heat Incentive - Payments for low carbon heating systems • Lendology - Low-cost council funded loans for energy efficiency and renewables. To find the right scheme for you, call Severn Wye who run our council-funded service on 0800 500 3076 or visit www. warmandwell.co.uk Support nature: Autumn and winter are a great time for planting trees, putting out bird food, and building insect and hedgehog homes. Your local Wildlife Trust has lots of useful tips and guidance. Visit www. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ or call 0117 9177270.
Making better choices today can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. One You South Gloucestershire is here to help you get healthier and feel better with free tips, tools and support. Whether it's moving more, eating more healthily or checking yourself, the One You team can help you make small, practical changes that fit in with your life. It’s offering services
Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Rachael Hunt, next to one of the new solar powered bins on Kingswood high street
Climate emergency volunteering: Join the Conservation Volunteers who do amazing work in our area. Visit www.tcv.org.uk or call 01302 388 883. Be prepared for severe weather: In the South West, winters are likely to be considerably wetter and summers hotter. Check out the Met Office’s Weather Ready website for advice on preparing
for and coping with severe weather here: www.metoffice.gov.uk/ weatherready Join a climate emergency group: Our area-wide Climate Emergency Community Engagement group meets every three months. To sign up to this group email: www.climate. emergency@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 868004.
Looking after your wellbeing such as courses online and advice on the telephone. The team is here and ready to help you take the next step in improving your health. To find out more visit www.oneyou.
southglos.gov.uk or call us on 01454 865337. For anyone who is choosing to shield at this time because you are clinically vulnerable to the effects of covid-19, you can still contact us for support on 0800 953 7778.
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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION
Can you help?
Redundancy support The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty for people and for many they are now facing the challenge of redundancy from their jobs. If this applies to you, there is support and information available to help you find a new job, look at training options available to you, understand what benefits you can claim and provide you with useful sources of information Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ redundancysupport Or call: 01454 868009.
Allie from Swagger Gifts wears a face covering and has made her shop Covid-secure. She’s doing everything she can to keep herself and her customers safe. Please be like Allie and do everything you can to Keep South Gloucestershire Safe.
Subscribe for the latest news Sign up to receive a weekly update on South Gloucestershire Covid-19 cases and advice, and council service updates including waste and recycling news. Register for our enewsletter at: www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19newsletter or if you would like a printed copy please let us know on 01454 868009.
Residents, you can help stop the spread of Covid-19 by sharing South Gloucestershire Council’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram messages on your own social media channels. If you are on the Nextdoor app, be sure to recommend it to your neighbours so the council can continue to grow its South Gloucestershire online community and share messages of specific importance to your area. Businesses and community groups will find images, posters and flyers to share online or download and print. Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ covid19resources