Hanham & Longwell Green Voice February 2025 by Emma Cooper

Redrow goes to appeal

DEVELOPERS Redrow are appealing against the refusal of planning permission to build 140 homes at The Batch in Hanham.

South Gloucestershire Council refused consent for the proposed development off Hencliffe Way last year because the site is in the Green Belt. But the applicants say it should be designated Grey Belt - where housing would be encouraged.

More than 1500 people objects to the scheme and a planning inquiry is expected later this year. It comes as South Gloucestershire Council moves forward on its draft Local Plan, which will feature removal of some sites from Green Belt so the authority can meet its target of around 24,ooo homes by 2041. Get ready to fight for Green Belt: Page 5

Kingswood band Hey Belaba are one of the 1980s Bristol acts rediscovered on an album being released this month. PAGE 7 Plan unveiled

A planning application has been made for the Somerdale bridge over the river Avon, linking Hanham and Keynsham for cyclists and walkers. PAGE 3 Plane crash inspires film

A man who grew up in Warmley has made a film about how the death of teenager Jamie Clapp in a 2007 plane crash affected people.

PAGES 12 & 13

The U12 girls and other teams from Longwell Green Sports Junior FC will be taking part in a Her Game Too event at the club to encourage more girls and women to enjoy football. Report: Page 22

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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

Complaints

Emergency: 999

NHS Health Call 111

Well Aware (health and social care information)

www.wellaware.org.uk

Freephone: 0808 808 5252

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Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm Weekends 10am-2pm

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 GROUP that distributed more than 1,000 hampers to families in need over Christmas is already looking ahead to the next festive season.

Operation Community Hamper was originally named Operation Christmas Hamper but changed the name because increasingly it is offering help throughout the year across the Bristol and Bath area.

As well as collecting and distributing donated food and gifts, the organisation, which has a number of volunteers from the Hanham and Longwell Green area, needs to raise funds to buy specific items requested.

Events planned for 2025 include a 12-hour Swimathon event at Keynsham Leisure Centre on Saturday April 5 and the 10-Y-Fan challenge, where participants attempt to climb Pen-Y-Fan and other peaks in Wales, on Saturday May 10. A quiz night, summer fair and charity football match are also on the cards.

OCH delivered a total of 1,010 hampers before Christmas 2024. It has been inundated with messages of thanks from grateful recipients.

Volunteer Ken Major, who lives in Kingswood, said the charity's efforts had brought great joy and excitement to communities.

The charity’s founder and chief executive Charlotte Churchill, said: “Due to the hard work of the team and the generosity of the community, we did it! 1010 hampers made, bespoke bags of gifts made to all that asked for them, and joy brought to so many over what can be a really hard time for people. Thank you to all who supported OCH.”

To find out more about Operation Community Hamper visit: https://www. operationcommunityhamper. co.uk/ or join its Facebook group ‘Operation Community Hamper CIO'.

Bus fares up by 20%

ADULT single bus fares in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have gone up by 20% - but the rise is smaller than in some parts of the country.

The £2 single fare cap introduced by the previous government in January 2023 was due to end this year, with fares returning to commercially-set levels.

As part of the Budget in October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the cap was being extended until at least December of this year – but would rise by 50%, to £3, on January 1.

Shortly before Christmas Metro Mayor Dan Norris announced that in the area covered by the West of England Combined Authority –South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset – the rise would be capped at £2.40 for journeys of under six miles.

Mr Norris said this meant "local passengers will benefit from some of the lowest fares in the country".

He said new proposals to extend the 'fare deal' planned in conjunction with main bus operator First would be introduced early in the year for discussion by WECA's committee.

Mr Norris said: "Keeping fares as affordable as possible for local people is crucial for our regional economy and the environment.

"This agreement will mean cheaper fares than the national average and a good deal for people living in more remote areas.

"Meanwhile we are continuing to get on with encouraging tens of thousands of new passengers onto our buses through Birthday Buses, as a key way to grow a sustainable bus network."

The raising of the national cap was criticised by Silviya Barrett, of pressure group the Campaign for Better Transport, who said: "Buses are our most used form of public transport, so they need to be affordable.

"The fare cap has proved popular with passengers and helped boost ridership, so the government must now look for a long-term replacement for the scheme from next year, to avoid any further rises."

Plans unveiled for new river bridge

THE project to build a bridge over the River Avon between Keynsham and Hanham has taken a significant step forward.

It would allow pedestrians, cyclists and horses to cross the river border between Bath & North East Somerset to the south and South Gloucestershire to the north.

A planning application has now been submitted for the structure, known as the Somerdale Bridge, near Durley Lane.

It would be 40 metres long and up to 4.3 metres wide, with a rubber-tiled surface suited to horse traffic.

B&NES Council has submitted the application to South Gloucestershire Council, with the two councils sharing jurisdiction over the project.

Contributions to the project’s funding have been made by the West of England Combined Authority, as well as Taylor Wimpey, as part of its

development of the Somerdale estate.

Buro Happold, the lead consultant, and Moxon Architects secured the commission to design the bridge, whose proposed site lies within the green belt at the river’s midway point between Bath and Bristol.

The planning application says the Somerdale Bridge would open up more possibilities for walking and cycling in the area.

“Routes are limited to one side or the other, useful for travelling along the river but less helpful for onward connections.

“The chosen crossing point is ideal for linking existing routes.

It could give users travelling east–west an opportunity to bypass a significant meander of the River Avon. At a regional scale, this point could integrate Keynsham into a larger active travel ring around Bristol, as well as the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.”

The bridge is part of the WaterSpace Connected project, whose aim is “to revitalise the river and riverside” between Bristol and Bath.

The planning application is accompanied by a study that states the project will create a biodiversity net gain of 10.90% for habitats and 10.29% for hedgerows.

The design takes account of the fact that the bridge will be built on a flood plain and that the Avon is increasingly likely to overflow because of climate change.

“When the river floods (usually in winter and spring) most of the flood plain is

submerged for a significant period of time. Because the water is deep and the plain is wide, spanning its entirety is impractical. For this reason, when the river floods the bridge will not be accessible.”

One comment in support of the application comes from a Somerdale resident who states: “I consider this proposal to be of huge gain to both South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset promoting healthy activities and increasing the accessibility to the countryside.”

Another states: “This will be a fantastic addition to this location. Long awaited and can’t wait for it to be installed. The improved path linking Keynsham to the Bristol/Bath cycle path will prove pivotal in this jigsaw.”

More details of the plans are available on the South Gloucestershire Council planning portal under reference P24/02973/F.

Bus route extension hopes

A BUS route linking Oldland Common with Yate and Keynsham could be extended.

The 532 bus service launched last September thanks to the efforts of four parish councils - Oldland, Bitton, Pucklechurch and Siston and the West of England Combined Authority.

Passengers have suggested that re-routing the service to include the retail centre in Longwell Green. Viability of this idea is under consideration and if agreed it could start from September.

Another suggested change, adding a loop around Oaktree Avenue in Pucklechurch to better serve the housing estate, could be introduced in April if approved by Weca.

Passengers on the service, operated by Eurocoaches, have praised its punctuality and the drivers’ friendliness.

The steering group behind the project says passenger numbers on the route remain steady. It has welcomed the positive reception and urges anyone who has any further suggestions to get in touch.

The route, which includes Warmley, Cadbury Heath and Bitton provides links to the train station at Keynsham and the towns of Yate and Keynsham.

Progress at last on scheme for homes on Grange site

PLANS are finally being brought forward for housing on the former Grange School site in Warmley.

The proposed development will include 161 new homes, of which 35 per cent will be affordable homes and self-build plots. There will be a mix of one, two and three bedroomed houses and apartments.

The plans also envisage a new artificial pitch, resurfaced multiuse courts for netball, tennis and basketball, upgraded natural turf pitches and a new clubhouse building as well as public open spaces and play areas.

The site has been allocated £2 million via the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund as well as funding from Homes England.

The Grange School and Sports College closed in 2016

and buildings associated with the school were demolished in 2021.

Most of the site is vacant, partially brownfield land. One former school building was extended and refurbished in 2023 and is now occupied by Majestic Gymnastics.

The draft South Gloucestershire Local Plan proposes that the site is allocated for development.

Consultants Avison Young held a consultation event last month at Warmley Community Centre ahead of submission of a formal planning application.

The developers said they hoped to get outline planning permission by the end of the year, which would mean work could start on the sports pitches in early 2026.

Local residents expressed concern about the extra traffic the development could generate on Tower Road North.

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n NEWS

‘Get ready to fight for Green Belt’

PEOPLE in Warmley, Oldland and surrounding areas earmarked for new housing developments are being urged to be ready to have their say on South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Local Plan.

PEOPLE in east Bristol areas earmarked for new housing developments are being urged to be ready to have their say on South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Local Plan.

The latest version of the plan was due to go before the council’s cabinet on February 3, then the full council on February 12.

Council papers with details of the updated plans and dates for the six-week public consultation were due to be released after the Voice went to print; the consultation is expected to start around the end of February.

Members of campaign group

Members of campaign group Save Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS–SG) staged a walk at Webbs Heath in January to raise awareness of their campaign against the plan.

They say it concentrates too much proposed development in east Bristol, particularly in the area between Shortwood, Siston, Warmley and Oldland Common.

The plan will set out where

Save Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS–SG) staged a walk at Webbs Heath in January to raise awareness of their campaign against the plan. They say it concentrates too much proposed development in east Bristol, particularly in the area between Shortwood, Siston, Warmley and Oldland Common. The plan will set out where

the council thinks homes should be built over the next 15 years to meet demand. The authority is keen to get a plan in place because without one, any site is vulnerable to development.

The latest draft of the Local Plan gives more detail of the large developments planned in our area, including what is now called North Warmley New Neighbourhood plus two big developments in Shortwood, named as Carsons Green and Rockhouse Farm, and a big new “ecotech village” north of Lyde Green .

The latest draft of the Local Plan gives more detail of the developments planned, including what is now called North Warmley New Neighbourhood plus two big developments in Shortwood, named as Carsons Green and Rockhouse Farm, and a big new “ecotech village” north of Lyde Green .

Other sites listed, most but not all of which were in the last draft, include:

\Other sites listed, most but not all of which were in the last draft, include:

• Land to the rear of Park Farm, Barry Road, Oldland Common, 304;

• Land at 12 The Park, Willsbridge, 15;

• Jarretts Garden Centre, Bath Road, 95;

• Jarret’s Yard, Oldland Common, 140;

• Willsbridge Nursery, off

• Jarret’s Yard, Oldland Common, 140;

• Willsbridge Nursery, off

Keynsham Road, 62;

• Land adjacent to Bitton Sports and Social Club, 33;

• Land adjoining Bath Road, Bridgeyate, 59;

• Land on the east side of Bath Road, North Common, 64; WICK

• Land at Wick Quarry, 25

• Land to rear of London Road, 5

• Land north of London Road, 30

• Cemex Floors, London Road, 45

• Land to rear of 91 High St, 10 HANHAM

Land at Castle Farm Road, 125 Land at Castle Inn Farm, 60.

Land at Castle Farm Road, 125 Land at Castle Inn Farm, 60

The council has had to find more sites following a government announcement in December of an updated National Planning Policy Framework, which set compulsory housebuilding targets for all councils.

Campaigners say the target South Gloucestershire has been set has risen by 29 per cent.

The council has had to find more sites following a government announcement in December of an updated National Planning Policy Framework, which set compulsory housebuilding targets for all councils. Campaigners say the target South Gloucestershire has been set has risen by 29 per cent. The council says: “We are looking forward to ending

The council says: “We are looking forward to ending the uncertainty for residents

about how we will be able to work within the confines of the new NPPF, to deliver the new homes and infrastructure that South Gloucestershire needs, according to a plan that all our communities have had a say in creating. “

the uncertainty for residents about how we will be able to work within the confines of the new NPPF, to deliver the new homes and infrastructure that South Gloucestershire needs, according to a plan that all our communities have had a say in creating. “

SOGS-SG said in a statement: “SOGS–SG have been actively fighting to retain the Green Belt land in South Gloucestershire.

SOGS-SG said in a statement: “We have been actively fighting to retain the Green Belt land in South Gloucestershire.

“Mass housing is proposed to be built on adjacent land to the commons.

“During last year’s consultation period on implementing the Local Plan, many members of the public will have responded. Your objections may have been taken into account or ignored, so it’s important to respond again when invited to do so.”

“Mass housing is proposed to be built on adjacent land to the commons. During last year’s consultation period on implementing the Local Plan, many members of the public will have responded. Your objections may have been taken into account or ignored, so it’s important to respond again when invited to do so.”

The group is raising funds so it can have legal representation when the Local Plan goes before an inspector.

The group is raising funds so it can have legal representation when the Local Plan goes before an inspector. To contribute, go to https://tinyurl.com/2vs2ffwa

To contribute, go to https:// tinyurl.com/2vs2ffwa

'NOISE cameras' to detect and fine drivers of cars and motorbikes with loud illegallymodified exhausts are unlikely to be installed on South Gloucestershire's roads.

The government has given the go-ahead to use the technology, but has left it up to councils and the police to decide whether to use it – and warned it may not be cost effective.

A system combining a noise detector and an automatic number plate recognition camera to record vehicle number plates was installed alongside the Avon Ring Road during November 2022 as part of a national trial.

The council and then Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore made a successful bid to be included in the Department for Transport pilot scheme, after residents living near the road,, complained about increasing noise levels.

The location for the trial near the Aspects Leisure Park was chosen as representative of typical heavy dual carriageway or motorway traffic.

The detector was in place for

Noise camera plan goes quiet

a week. During that time it was passed by an estimated 80,000 vehicles.

A report into the trial found that the A4174 noise detector was activated 266 times, including 197 times by cars and 35 by motorbikes. The other 34 were 'false positives', including lorries, construction vehicles or buses, and six sirens from emergency vehicles.

The report found 43 cars and 24 bikes that activated the camera were "excessively noisy" and would have been liable for

a fine if the scheme had been enforced.

Teams sent to check the noise camera's performance against their own monitoring equipment found it sometimes failed to activate when excessively noisy cars went past, although it did detect a "modified vehicle with noticeable pops and bangs" during their visit to Barrs Court.

The study also found it was not always obvious which vehicle activated the noise camera, with one example on the A4174 where an "excessively noisy motorcycle"

in my survey and let

activated the system but the camera recorded the number plate of a car in another lane.

In a written answer to a question from Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper, who asked if councils would be allowed to roll out noise cameras, Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: "Overall, the trials demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to be used for enforcement, but only when accompanied by human review of the recorded evidence, which is likely to lower the cost effectiveness of deploying the technology.

"It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "We have no plans to introduce these cameras at the present time."

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I am Labour’s candidate for the West of England Mayor in May 2025.

This area is my home. I grew up on the outskirts of Bristol, my family live across the West Country and I’m now raising my three children here.

Our region is a great place to live but I know there are challenges too. I will work every day to put our region on the map and deliver good well-paid jobs, reliable public transport and more affordable homes. Get in touch and let me know what your priorities are for the West of England.

The noise camera used in the trial

n NEWS

Bristol's lost 80s pop rediscovered

SOME of Bristol's lost 1980s pop gems are being given a chance to shine again on a new album being released this month.

The Bristol and Bath 80s Pop Explosion is being released by the Emersons Green-based owner of Bristol Archive Records, Mike Darby. He compiled the album with Dave Massey, who reported on the region's music scene for music papers NME, Sounds and Melody Maker during the decade.

Recordings which had been gathering dust for 40 years have been restored and remastered by Mike's brother-in-law Steve Street, who lives in Downend. Steve was the in-house engineer for Bath multi-platinum charttoppers Tears for Fears and before that owned his own recording studio, SAM Studios.

The album features bands who gigged, made demos and records in the area, playing radio-friendly pop, but never made the leap to commercial success.

Mike fell in love with music through punk in the late 70s and formed his own band, The Rimshots, in 1980 while taking his A-levels at The Ridings school in Winterbourne.

They split up two years later and, after a short stint singing in another band, Mike started Sugar Shack Records in 1985 to get local talent into the shops.

He also managed bands Fear of Darkness, Love Jungle and Rita Lynch.

Mike juggled his passion for music with a career in finance and was later well-known to local golfers as the chairman of Chipping Sodbury Golf Club for

nine years.

He founded two other labels, Bristol Archive Records and Reggae Archive Records, around 20 years ago, as the development of the internet made it easier to collect and save tracks, photos and memorabilia from the city's music scene.

Mike said: "I'm lucky I've got a house big enough for three rooms full of records and master tapes."

About six to nine months ago he and Dave, who also has a collection of recordings from the 80s, got together and started picking out songs they felt deserved to be heard again by audiences old and new.

They describe the songs as "worthy contenders to be heard on day-time radio, in a top line club, blasting out of a TV screen or from in a car with the windows wound down on a sunny summer’s day, and just listened to by any pop fan through whatever means they choose to enjoy their music".

going but some members went on to play with household names, including a member of Umo Vogue who is now in The Wurzels and a member of Bath-based Wadi Vision who performed with Queen's Roger Taylor.

Kingswood band Hey Belaba's Scott Davidson played keyboards with Bros and the Pet Shop Boys, before making a fortune founding classified ads paper Trade It and becoming chairman of Bristol City FC.

Some band members became college lecturers or were successful in other fields.

Mike said: "Music for a lot of people is the thing that defines them in terms of their personality.

Fans who remember names like Bush & Clarke, The Sidneys, Vicious Circle and Great Naked, or those who are curious to discover what the local scene sounded like in the 80s, now have the chance to listen and wonder what might have been.

None of the bands are still

"They got into a band and learned how to be something they wouldn't have been if they hadn't been in music.

"They're used to striving for success. If the band doesn't work out, they don't fail, they just morph into something else."

Mike tracked down former members of the bands on the compilation via Facebook and personal contacts – some of them still live locally but others have spread around the world.

He said: "In every band there will be one person who has kept everything – the key is to find that person.

Mike Darby

"If you've got a really good memory like me, if you can't find the singer you need to find the guitarist or drummer."

As well as 80s pop, Bristol Archive Records has produced similar compilations of reggae, punk, post-punk, mod, goth and rock bands from the region, mainly on limited edition vinyl records and for download, although the 80s pop compilation will also be released on CD.

Mike says there's "no real money" in producing the compilations and, after retiring as an independent financial adviser, music "is now my fulltime expensive hobby".

The Bristol and Bath 80s Pop Explosion is released on February 28 on limited edition 11-track vinyl, limited edition 18-track CD and download, via Bristol Archive Records.

For more details visit bristolarchiverecords.com or your local record shop.

Hey Belaba smoulder for the camera

Wadi Vision in concert

'Warm and welcoming' John Cabot Academy praised

AN ‘inclusive’ environment, ‘ambitious curriculum’ and a ‘rich learning experience’ have helped Bristol’s John Cabot Academy retain its rating of ‘Good’ from Ofsted inspectors.

A team from the education watchdog spent two days assessing the academy, during which time inspectors met with senior leaders, teachers and students, and carried out a deep dive into a number of subject areas.

At the conclusion of the process, the Ofsted team heralded John Cabot as ‘a welcoming school’ where ‘students feel a strong sense of belonging’.

They rated the school as ‘Good’ for the quality of its education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership.

In her report, lead inspector Frances Bywater said: “Pupils in John Cabot Academy enjoy their time at school. They receive a

high quality education. They feel motivated to succeed. Teachers encourage and support them to do this effectively.

“The school has high expectations of pupils. Lessons are calm and focused. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm.”

On teaching and attainment, the report said: “John Cabot has created an ambitious curriculum. It provides pupils with a rich learning experience.

“The school focuses on the needs of disadvantaged pupils. Staff ensure that they remove barriers to learning. As a result, pupils achieve very well in GCSE examinations.”

On SEND provision, the report said: “The school is committed to ensuring that pupils are successful, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils.

“Pupils with SEND have their needs accurately identified.

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For the most part, staff make appropriate adaptations to meet these needs. As a result, these pupils achieve well.”

On student care and behaviour, Ofsted said: “The pastoral care provided by the school is a strength. The school makes every effort to promote high attendance and challenge absence. As a result, pupils’ attendance at school is high.

“The school has high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and conduct. Staff apply these expectations consistently and fairly. Consequently, pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.”

Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders at the school, and within its parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation.

Kate Willis, Principal at John Cabot Academy, said: “I am delighted by the Ofsted report which is a wonderful description

of our 'welcoming' school to which 'pupils feel a strong sense of belonging'.

“We talk a lot about the vision for JCA: Empowering ourselves and our community by nurturing students as individuals, inspiring them through learning and raising our community.

“Consequently, I am thrilled that Ofsted have seen much of our vision realised. It means our students are thriving academically; flourishing and growing as young people.”

Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “I am delighted for the community, who have seen their local school successfully transition from having been a City Technology College in the 1990s and early 2000s to a highly successful local comprehensive school, serving the needs of all its learners. Congratulations to our brilliant team for this recognition of their excellent work.”

hanham&longwellgreenvoice

n NEWS

CLF Post 16, which is based on the John Cabot Academy site in Kingswood, has earned the highest Ofsted grade of ‘Outstanding’.

It was inspected in November alongside JCA and was judged to be ‘a welcoming school’ where students feel ‘a strong sense of belonging’ and are supported to succeed.

In her report, lead inspector Frances Bywater said: “The CLF Post-16 ethos of ‘Care, Believe, Achieve’ is fully realised. Students in the post-16 provision come from a wide range of schools. Across the whole school, pupils feel a strong sense of belonging.

“Students in Post 16 enjoy their time at school. They receive a high quality education. They feel motivated to succeed. Teachers encourage and support them to do this effectively.

“The school has high expectations of pupils. Lessons are calm and focused. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm.”

On CLF Post 16’s curriculum and teaching, the report said: “Students in the post-16 provision have a broad and varied range of subjects available to them. The qualifications have been carefully selected to ensure that they are fully inclusive.

“Students, including those who have previously had negative educational experiences, thrive here. This is a result of the thoughtful academic and pastoral support.”

On inclusivity and enrichment, the report said: “Post 16 students are particularly articulate in talking about equality and diversity. Pupils of all ages value and respect people with different backgrounds and beliefs.

“They appreciate the many extracurricular opportunities that the school provides. These include a wide range of enrichment planned within the curriculum. In the post-16 provision, students create and lead their own clubs.”

And on careers provision, Ofsted said: “A comprehensive careers programme provides pupils and post-16 students with helpful guidance. They learn about university and vocational routes.

Principal Kath Cooper and students at CLF P16

Outstanding! Top Ofsted grade for CLF P16

“The school has developed strong partnerships with other providers. The destinations pupils and students go on to are a real strength of the school.”

The report also said teachers at Post 16 are ‘aspirational for all pupils’, while praising its safeguarding systems and pastoral support.

Kath Cooper, principal at CLF Post 16, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the ‘Outstanding’ outcome for the CLF Post 16. It is a recognition of the exceptional work of the Post 16 staff over time, every day, embedding a rich, quality and inclusive provision.

“The students in our care contribute to building a strong community ethos of hard work and conscientious attitudes, which drives achievement and establishes aspirational destinations and careers.

“This is an excellent provision and it is

•

wonderful to be judged and valued for the exceptional Post 16 centre we are: successful, unique and bespoke.”

Sally Apps, deputy chief executive officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said: "The curriculum offer, paired with the excellent pastoral care, has opened doors to students and enabled them to achieve their potential – sometimes against considerable adversity. We are all very proud of what the students, parents, staff and leaders have achieved to date."

The trust has had approval from the Department for Education for CLF Post 16 to move to proposed new premises at the former Speedwell Fire Station site next to Bristol Brunel Academy but it is undersrtood that funding for the project is currently under review.

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n NEWS

A 17-YEAR-old boy was one of 241 motorists arrested for drink or drug-driving during a festive road safety campaign.

The teenager was arrested at the scene of a collision in Pucklechurch on December 14, when a car containing five people crashed into and brought down a telegraph pole.

A police spokesperson said: “Fortunately, nobody in the vehicle suffered significant injuries.”

The teenager was later charged with driving while over the alcohol limit, without a licence and with no insurance.

The arrests across the Avon and Somerset force area were part of Operation Limit, a national police drive to reduce fatal and serious road collisions during December. Most were made at roadside check sites, during proactive traffic patrols or by using information reported by members of the public.

Police say drink-driving accounted for 62% of arrests, with drug-driving making up 38%.

Drivers aged from 25 to 34

Teenager arrested for drink-driving after crash

made up 32% of those arrested, 35 to 44-year-olds accounted for 24% and under-25s 20%.

The vast majority of those arrested - 88.4% - were male.

In South Gloucestershire, 46 drivers were arrested, while there were 66 arrests in Bristol, 14 in B&NES, 36 in North Somerset and 80 in Somerset.

Avon & Somerset police say drink-driving accounts for 17% of fatalities on UK roads, with drug driving posing an “equally severe

A 17-yearold boy was arrested after this collision between a car and a telegraph pole

risk” to road safety, impairing reaction times, coordination and judgement.

Force head of roads policing and road safety Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman said: “Throughout the festive period, 241 individuals made the reckless decision to drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

“Thanks to proactive policing and public support, we’ve ensured they are no longer a threat to others on the road.

“Choosing to drive while impaired is not just illegal - it’s a deeply irresponsible act that can shatter lives in an instant.

“Every collision caused by drink or drug driving leaves behind a ripple effect of pain and heartbreak. We’re grateful to everyone who shared information with us during this campaign. Every report helps us take decisive action and sends a strong message: drink and drug driving will not be tolerated”

People can report someone they know to be a drink-driver at any time by calling 101 or online at tinyurl.com/3nw678fy.

Tip-offs can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Reports of anyone currently out on the road under the influence of drink or drugs should always be made immediately, by calling 999.

THE region’s Liberal Democrats have chosen a councillor from Bath to be their challenger for the role of Metro Mayor.

Oli Henman has represented the Walcot area of the city on Bath & North East Somerset Council since 2023.

He works as a coordinator aiding community organisations with sustainability, and last year he addressed the UN General Assembly for its ‘Summit of the Future’ action days.

Cllr Henman will be aiming to better the result of former Bristol MP Stephen Williams, the party’s candidate in the 2021 election who came fourth out of four.

He says he wants to use his experience to engage and involve local communities in the work the West of England Combined Authority does if he is elected Metro Mayor on May 1.

Cllr Henman said: “I’m committed to cutting waste and red tape in the Mayor’s office and putting power back where it belongs: in the hands of local communities. The West of England Mayor has a key role to play in delivering affordable and

Greens switch Metro Mayor pick and Lib Dems go for Oli

Oli Henman Mary Page

accessible transport, sustainable housing and the jobs of the future.

His selection was announced days after the Green Party said it had changed its mayoral candidate. The party unveiled Bristol City Council deputy leader Heather Mack as its candidate in November. However in January it announced that Cllr Mack had stood down from the candidacy “to allow her to focus on her council role”.

In her place the Greens have

named Mary Page, the party’s candidate in Bristol North West at the last general election, who finished runner-up to Labour’s Darren Jones.

A media and marketing specialist, Mary was previously a member of the Liberal Democrats and was selected in 2019 as the Lib Dem candidate for the role of Bristol Mayor, on a platform of abolishing the post.

She later stood down from the candidacy for personal reasons, but then led the ‘It’s Our City Bristol – Scrap the Mayor’ campaign in 2022, which won a referendum to abolish the role.

Mary said: “Our party offers real hope and real change to all those who feel they have lost their political home or lost faith in our democratic system.

Labour and the Conservatives have both selected former Bristol

city councillors, Helen Godwin and Steve Smith respectively, for the election.

WECA covers South Gloucestershire, Bristol and B&NES, with North Somerset currently applying to join. It is run directly by the Metro Mayor, with council leaders having a vote on some issues.

Metro mayors are set to gain new powers under the government’s new devolution plans. Current Metro Mayor Dan Norris was elected as the MP for North East Somerset & Hanham and cannot stand for re-election because of a Labour Party ban on MPs having second jobs.

Reform UK had yet to announce a candidate as the Voice went to print.

Includes reporting by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Film honours memory of Jamie

A MAN whose friend died in a plane crash has made a film to honour his memory.

My Friend Who Died tells the story of Jamie Clapp and the effect of his death, at the age of 13, on his friends.

James Harris, who grew up in Warmley, got to know Jamie through their shared love of skateboarding, has made the 25-minute film using footage he filmed over a number of years growing up.

It will have a premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon in March.

Jamie died in 2007 when a light aircraft piloted by a family friend, Robert Gunter, stalled just after take-off and crashed, killing them both.

He was being taken up in the two-seater Cessna 150 from an airfield at Clutton, in the Chew Valley, as a pre-birthday treat.

Only later was it discovered that 33-year-old Mr Gunter had taken ecstasy before the flight and this, coupled with his inexperience as a pilot, was found to have contributed to the accident.

Rather than investigate the circumstances of the crash, James wanted the film to focus on Jamie and the voices of the people who knew him.

James said: "I wanted to tell the story of our friendship, the grief, the loss, the love, the passion, everything that we had within our community. That's

what is really important.

"When you're a child you don't know how to deal with grief – you don't expect your friend to die."

Former Sir Bernard Lovell School pupil James met Jamie through a friend after he started skateboarding aged 11.

James started making hourlong films for the group after he broke his arm.

He said: "I wanted to keep up with the group – the only

way to keep in was to film the skateboarding."

After Jamie died his friends worked with Jamie's dad Gordon to raise £100,000 to create a memorial skate park in Emersons Green, where they used to meet up to skate, as well as in Mangotsfield, Bromley Heath, Warmley and Kingswood.

Gordon continued to fundraise for improvements at the park, next to Emersons

Jamie Clapp

James Harris

Green retail park, until his death last April at the age of 81.

He also met up with Jamie's friends t the park every year around July 3, the anniversary of the day his son died. By the time the memorial park opened James was at university and said he "couldn't face up" to his memories of Jamie. Many of the friends drifted away over the years.

James tried to make the film twice before but said he wasn't

"mature enough" and lacked the skills he now has, as the head of the film department at a creative agency in Clevedon.

A reunion with some of his old friends last year brought him back to the idea of making the film, and he spoke to Jamie's step-brother, Mark, to ask for his blessing.

James said: "He said 'you have to make it, because Gordon would have loved you to make it and it's the story

people need to hear'."

James, who now lives in St George, took about six months in his spare time to edit some of his original footage along with newly-filmed location shots, archive BBC reports of Jamie's funeral and memorial, and a voice-over.

The final piece of the jigsaw was a recording of Jamie singing a cover of Will Young's song Evergreen, which James had recorded while they were

out skating.

He thought it was lost, until his wife reminded him it was on a CD he kept in a rack at home.

After the premiere in March, James plans to release the film on YouTube.

My Friend Who Died will premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon on March 22.

For more details and tickets check www.curzon.org.uk for details of the Homegrown Shorts 2025 festival.

Gordon Clapp at the opening of the memorial park

A reunion of family and friends at the Emersons Green skate park

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.

The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.

The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.

From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.

In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.

Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.” And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.

The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.

In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.

For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.

Hospice shop volunteer Sheila, 81, honoured

A VOLUNTEER at the St Peter’s Hospice ship in Kingswood has been rewarded for her 38 years iof service.

Sheila Williamson, 81, said: Having spent several years helping to organise an annual garden party on behalf of the Hospice, I jumped at the chance to help when the St Peter’s Hospice shop first opened in Kingswood. I had never worked in a shop before but I just thought ‘why not?’

“The shop was where the Clearance Shop is located now, so it was a small store and there were six of us running it. I really enjoyed meeting people and chatting to the customers. At one point myself, my mum and my daughter all volunteered there so it was a true family affair!

“It was really exciting when we moved to the bigger store in Kingswood and I’ve loved my time there over the years. We have wonderful volunteers and amazing customers, some of them come in every week.

“I had time out once for an operation but I went back on crutches as I didn’t want to keep away. Nowadays I don’t get out much

but my volunteering gives me something to do. I recently had a hip operation and I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to continue but I will really miss it when I do leave.”

Sheila was one of 140 volunteers honoured by the charity at an event at the BAWA Club in Filton. The Lord Mayor of Bristol Andrew Varney presented the awards and a combined total of 1,470 years of service was celebrated.

Russell Cowan, head of volunteer resources at S PH, said: “We are immensely grateful to our remarkable and hard-working volunteers who continue year in, year out to donate their time, skills and experience, both in our shops and at the hospice.

“This year our volunteers donated 150, 800 hours of time, the equivalent of £1.9 million. Volunteers give us 20% more workforce power meaning we can achieve so much more for the people we support.”

Among the volunteers awarded were those that spend time at the Hospice, clinical volunteers, Hospice Neighbours, psychological support volunteers, spiritual

Puppy love for Kevin

A LONGWELL Green man who breeds border terriers is hoping for success in 2025.

Kevin Yeates has won rosettes at many shows, including Crufts, since he acquired his first dog Buddy in 2012.

He said: “I had been thinking of trying dog shows as a hobby and was looking for a breed that I liked the look of, and one which had a good temperament.

Kiki, Olive, Elton and Buddy

“While on holiday in South Devon this Border popped out of the back of a car on the next pitch to me and I was immediately captivated with his look.”

Kevin began entering Kennel Club events 12 years ago and has taken part in more than 270 shows.

He said: “In total, starting with my first dog, I’ve shown seven Borders around the country and, apart from the youngest, Kiki, all have exhibited at Crufts. Buddy took part in Crufts eight times, gaining two thirds and two fourths in classes there.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge since I started and that has helped me to gradually improve my results year on year.”

Kevin began breeding borders in 2019. He has also become a dog show judge.

“Most judging has been for Border Terriers, but I’ve also judged Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Glen of Imaal Terriers and Norwich Terriers,” he said.

Ros Anstey

care, drivers, receptionists, gardeners and volunteers who keep the charity’s 44 retail shops across Bristol running.

If you would like to become a volunteer, you can contact Russell to find out about roles by emailing volunteer@stpetershospice.org

Sheila Williamson in the Kingswood hospice shop

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Love is . . . tackling our potholes

FEBRUARY is a month of red roses, chocolates, and declarations of love.

So, naturally, I thought I’d start by writing about potholes.

Yes, potholes. Stick with me, it’s a story of devotion. After all, nothing says love like smooth, safe journeys.

Just before Christmas, the West of England received a government love letter in the form of an extra £6.7 million to tackle potholes.

This record funding – nearly 50% higher than last year – will be music to motorists’ ears.

It’s not just the funding that will warm hearts: with stricter rules and penalties for companies dragging out roadworks, drivers can look forward to smoother roads and fewer delays.

Because when it comes to our roads, we’re committed to a long-term relationship – no break-ups or breakdowns in sight.

Another heartfelt gesture arrived in the form of £17.2 million to tackle rough sleeping.

This significant boost will help prevent homelessness, provide more warm beds and shelters, and support rough sleepers into longer-term accommodation.

It’s the biggest funding of its kind for our region and shows a shared commitment to caring for those

most in need.

Tackling the housing crisis is no small challenge, but with this cash boost, we’re making progress –and proving that our love for the West of England is about leaving no one behind.

Of course, Valentine’s Day is also a time for giving thoughtful gifts, and I can’t think of a better one than Birthday Buses.

Back by popular demand, this unique initiative gives each resident in our amazing region free bus travel for the entire month of your birthday.

In December alone, more than 100,000 free journeys were taken, doubling last year’s numbers despite the disruption of Storm Darragh.

Since Birthday Buses relaunched, 45,000 people have signed up.

They will save up to £100 each, and almost 40% of them are under 21.

If you’re lucky enough to be that age, you can now get free bus travel for the whole of your birthday month, plus the following one, if you apply before your 21st birthday.

It’s fantastic to see the next generation of bus passengers getting on board, embracing more sustainable travel, and shaping a greener future for the region.

Over 8,000 people already had free passes for

January. Those with March birthdays should sign up at BirthdayBus.co.uk by February 19 to ensure a whole month of free travel.

If your birthday is in February you can still apply, right up to the 15th.

At its heart, my job as Mayor is about connection, whether that’s connecting people to places via buses and better roads, or connecting people to opportunities, homes, and leisure.

It’s also about taking tough decisions, even when they’re not always easy or popular.

After all, we all know love means telling it like it is and being honest.

Although, top tip: your partner always looks amazing on Valentine’s Day, whatever you think!

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

hanham&longwellgreenvoice

n FEATURE

WHEN I give talks about my work on ‘The Women Who Built Bristol’ project (which I do frequently), I am guaranteed to be asked two questions. One is where I find the women who I write about. The other is if I will ever run out of women to write about. The second question is easier to answer than the first.

So, where do I find the women I write about? Honestly, I get asked this question so much that I wrote a 5,000-word chapter attempting to answer this, which is included in Volume Two of ‘The Women Who Built Bristol’. In short: from all over the place. If there was already an existing repository of fascinating women, there would have been no need for me to have spent the past eight years working on these books!

After ticking off the so-say ‘obvious’ women from Bristol’s past (eg Mary Carpenter, Hannah More, Annie Kenney and co), there comes the much more fun task of really digging around to unearth the forgotten gems. Which means

Waving the flag for wonderful women

Hanham-based author JANE DUFFUS

Jane Duffus

will see the third volume of her series The Women Who Built Bristol published on March 3 in time for International Women’s Day. Here, she shares some behind-the-scenes tales about the books

I have ended up finding women to research from street signs, building names, plaques in church walls, throwaway mentions online, or when somebody emails to suggest somebody to me.

An easier question to answer is will I ever run out of women to write about. And the short answer is: no.

Volumes One, Two and Three each contain 250 different women from Bristol’s past. Quick maths bring that tally to 750 women.

GLADYS NOTT, from Hanham

One of the women featured in Volume Three is Gladys Nott (1907-1935). Here’s her story in a nutshell:

It was in Hencliffe Woods that Bessie Gladys Nott was murdered in 1935: the case became known as the Hanham Woods Murder. Known to everyone as Gladys, she married Henry Nott in 1926 and they had one son, Dennis.

The Nott family lived as part of a small community of around 15 poor families in Hencliffe Woods. Just down the path from them lived the Franklin brothers: Arthur and Frank. In November 1933, Gladys left her poultry farmer husband Henry and moved in

n NEWS

There are also a bonus 10 women in a limited-edition booklet (Volume 3.1) that has been produced this month as a thankyou for people who pre-order Volume Three directly from me, which means there are now 760 women in The Women Who Built Bristol’s archives. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Everyone gasps when I give talks and tick off these numbers, and I agree that 760 sounds impressive. But if you think that the books

with Arthur Franklin, a smallholder who kept pigs. Although Gladys remained married to Henry, in court Arthur would call her his wife and said that his brother had conducted an informal marriage ceremony. Dennis stayed living with his father but, on Saturdays and Sundays, he would walk down the path to see his mother for the purpose of having a bath, his clothes mended and a hot meal.

Despite the tension of living barely 100 yards down the road from Henry, Gladys and Arthur managed to make a go of their relationship for around 18 months… until 8 May 1935 when Gladys decided to pack her things and move back to live with her husband.

Gladys managed to walk a few steps away

cover roughly a 1,000 year period, then that’s not even one woman a year. There are still thousands of women out there just waiting to have their stories shared.

For a signed copy of any books in The Women Who Built Bristol series, please order direct from Jane at: janeduffus.com. All preorders of Volume Three come with a free gift.

from Arthur’s home when Arthur fatally shot her in the back. As she lay on the ground in front of him, Arthur shot her again. Gladys was just 28.

Drawn by the sound of gunfire and having heard Gladys scream, Henry quickly appeared with his own gun. But Arthur got in first and shot Henry, leaving him in a critical condition and with the ultimate loss of one eye.

Arthur was charged with the wilful murder of Gladys. When questioned as to why he had shot her, Arthur simply confirmed that if he hadn’t she would have left him.

Following a trial of just eight minutes, Henry was sentenced to death for the murder of Gladys and was executed by hanging on 25 June 1935.

No cuts this year – but tougher times are ahead

SOUTH Gloucestershire

Council Cabinet will consider proposals for the authority’s budget for 2025/26 at its meeting on February 3.

Papers published at the end of January outline a plan for a balanced position for the next two years, by using reserves in the second year, while there are also warnings about potentially increasingly difficult financial times further ahead.

The budget will set out council tax rates for next year, as well as spending,

investment and savings plans.

While the financial settlement from national Government, announced in December, was slightly better than expected, and no new savings plans were proposed ahead of the consultation process, there is limited scope for new investments.

However, the council is keen to spend new money where it is available, and to prioritise spending to improve the lives of people in South Gloucestershire.

A number of new investments are included in the proposed budget which, once agreed by cabinet, will be considered by full council on February 19.

The new spending plans include recruiting an additional Occupational Therapist to help meet the needs of certain residents; ongoing support for domestic violence services; ongoing funding to support Armed Forces veterans; and speech and language therapy support for children supported

by the youth justice team.

South Gloucestershire Council Leader, Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, said: “We are also not proposing to make further cuts to services, but we need to be honest with people that there are more difficult times ahead.

"The feedback and engagement we have had with people around this budget,will help us to prioritise effectively, based on a better understanding of residents’ needs."

n FEATURE

Time

to try something new?

Looking to banish the winter blues? GIANINA TURNER finds some classes and activities that might inspire you this year

Music

Music and singing are fun - they make people feel happy, even on cold, rainy days. The Show Choir is the country’s fastest growing musical theatre choir and runs several choirs in the region.

One Show Choir group meets at Downend Folk House on Mondays 7:30-9 pm and another at the Keynsham Community Space on Wednesdays 7:30-9 pm. Other locations include Westbury-onTrym Village Hall, Clifton, Southville and Bath.

To find out more details and to book a free trial, visit: www. ukshowchoir.com

Creative writing

Whether you are new to writing or fancy trying your hand in a new genre, this could be a good time to put pen to paper and let your

thoughts and ideas develop into poems or stories. Marie Day runs weekly workshops at local venues: at Lincombe Barn in Downend on Thursday 1-2.30 pm, and at St John’s Parish Hall in Keynsham on Tuesdays 12-1.30 pm. An awardwinning writer, Marie uses prompts in the writing sessions to spark ideas and help people create their own stories, poems or memoirs. On Wednesday February 26, 6.30-9 pm Marie will run a fairy-tale themed workshop at Emersons Green Hall. For a full list of her writing courses,

locations and prices, visit: www. beginwriting.co.uk

Painting

If you are interested in experimenting with colour and developing new skills and techniques, you could try a painting class. Lisa Jefferies, founder of Lisa’s Local Art, runs a selection of painting workshops for small groups of people (maximum 10 people). Classes are scheduled for Monday January 27, 10am12pm and Saturday February 8, 2-4 pm, with more dates still to

n M E S S AGE F R OM POLI CE AND CRIME C OMMISSIONER

An exciting oppor tunit y to bring plans to life

IN the last months of 2024 I finalised my Police and Crime Plan, setting the five strategic priorities for Avon and Somerset Police for my term of office.

You can read it on my website at tinyurl.com/2zxte625.

This lays out the focus for the work of Avon and Somerset Police and for my office, including strengthening neighbourhood policing, tackling violence against women and girls, and knife crime.

Central to the start of 2025 for me is bringing this plan to life, through developing an implementation plan.

The opportunity to build on the foundations of the last year is truly exciting.

An important part of creating the plan was the public consultation, not least because being the bridge between the public and the police is central to my duties.

This consultation was carried out through public meetings, focus groups and meetings with

communities and specialists, as well as over 1,000 online submissions.

Through these events I met with so many inspirational people who are quietly getting on with transforming other people’s lives.

Some of the excitement of the coming year is that I will be able to continue to work with them and with new people and organisations that provide support, change behaviours and generate opportunities for those around them.

The plan sets the strategic priorities for policing and crime prevention, but I am also responsible for the wider governance of Avon and Somerset Police, to ensure they deliver an efficient and effective service to everyone in all parts of our area.

As with so many of our public services, policing suffered through cuts over recent years but, despite this, we still benefit from our biggest asset – the people who are dedicated to delivering our police service.

be confirmed. The classes take place at the Indoor Market Cafe in Kingswood. If you would like to know more about the workshops and how to book, visit: https:// www.lisaslocalart.co.uk/.

Wellbeing and Exercise

If you are looking for a new exercise regime, there is a variety of classes to choose from: from lowimpact nature and wellbeing walks and pilates to higher energy classes like clubbercise or powerhoop.

• South Gloucestershire Council runs classes at Page Park in Staple Hill, which are free to attend. These include nature and wellbeing walks on Tuesdays 1-3pm and gardening on Mondays 12:30-2:30pm. Contact community.learning@southglos. co.uk for more information.

• Amy Sinclair runs powerhoop classes at Emersons Green Village Hall on Wednesdays 8-8:45pm. For details, check out @hoopwithamy on Facebook or Instagram.

• Real Fitness with Sarah runs a range of clubbercise and pilates classes in Kingswood, Hanham and Longwell Green. For details about the classes, times and venues, visit www.realfitnesswithsarah.com

For more ideas: What's On: Page 25

Every day, officers and staff work to protect our communities and make people safer – they are often the first people our community members turn to in times of need, offering support during moments of vulnerability and crisis.

Examples of their impressive impact include delivering lifesaving first aid to a victim of knife crime, designing a fraud prevention tool to protect the most vulnerable from organised criminality and delivering justice for a survivor of sexual assault across a four-year process.

Policing is also fortunate to benefit from a committed group of volunteers, including special constables and police staff volunteers.

In addition, there are volunteers who directly support the work of my office, who help to scrutinise Avon and Somerset Police, making a real and tangible difference to the standards of policing the public receives.

If you’d like to become involved during 2025, you can find out more

in the volunteering section of my website at tinyurl.com/4vdn455v.

I am committed to working alongside these dedicated staff and officers, holding them to account when needed, to make sure the public receive the police service they need.

Please feel free to reach out to me and my office with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have at www. avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.

Lisa's art class at the Indoor Market Clubbercise class in Longwell Green

n AROUND THE WI s

HANHAM WI

CASTING off the winter blues the branch kicked off the new year with a warm and engaging talk from one of its most beloved speakers, Sarah Harris. Her topic, Knitting Patterns, might not seem like the most exhilarating subject, but in Sarah’s capable hands, it transformed into an evening of laughter and fascinating insights. With her witty delivery and sharp humour, she had the audience quite literally in stitches.

Using a series of slides to accompany her talk, Sarah revealed surprising facts about the history of knitting. Did you know that knitting made its way to Europe from North Africa in the early 11th century, around the time of the Norman Conquest? She also highlighted knitting’s royal connections, sharing that Mary, Queen of Scots, was depicted knitting in a late 16th-century portrait—a testament to the craft's enduring cultural significance.

Sarah explained how early knitting patterns were not documented but passed down

orally, often in the form of fishermen’s jumper designs. These intricate and practical patterns were deeply rooted in community traditions. Fast forward to the First World War, and women were encouraged to knit for soldiers serving abroad, producing a wide range of items such as socks, gloves, balaclavas, and jumpers to provide comfort on the front lines.

Nostalgia swept through the room as Sarah reminisced about knitted swimming costumes (notoriously impractical and prone to sagging when wet), the Prince of Wales’s influence as a fashion icon sporting Fair Isle jumpers on the golf course, and the popular free knitting patterns featured in Women’s Weekly.

The branch isn’t stopping there—several activities are planned for the coming months. The first of a series of walks will take place at the end of February, exploring the scenic Snuff Mills area. Additionally, members can now enjoy the newly launched jigsaw library. For a £1.00 borrowing fee, members can choose from a variety of puzzles

generously donated by others—a perfect way to keep minds sharp and spirits high during the winter months.

This year promises to be full of camaraderie, creativity, and connection as the branch weaves its way through an exciting programme of events.

Dianna Coles

LONGWELL GREEN WI

THE Longwell Green WI ended 2024 with a well-attended and enjoyable Christmas sit down meal with entertainment.

It was heart warming to see the massive support by members for their generosity in donating to the Christmas Tree Appeal which filled the van completely on collection. Donations are distributed to various refuges in the South West, including for mothers and children of domestic abuse.

Membership over the year has increased and it is welcoming to see women from a younger age bracket with families joining.

hand to organise activities for the forth-coming year which includes a quiz and a Craft Day.

We have lots of groups that our members can participate in. There are book clubs, walking groups, knitting group, skittles and social suppers. On the first Thursday of the month, we meet at The Chapel Coffee Shop in Longwell Green for Tea and Chat.

The Longwell Green WI’s monthly meetings are held on the third Friday of the month at 7.30 pm at the Longwell Green Community Centre and new members are always welcome. If you are interested in visiting, please get in touch by email at longwellwi@gmail.com, telephone 0117 9864782 or come along on the meeting evening. We shall look forward to meeting you.

Arrangements are already in

THE UPTON, BREWERY HILL, UPTON CHEYNEY, BRISTOL BS30 6LY

Kamann Huang

A SORE throat can be most unpleasant; the pain and discomfort makes eating, drinking, or speaking hard. Most cases are harmless, but the NHS-funded assessment and treatment offered at Ellacombe Pharmacy enables children from five years and adults to access appropriate therapies, including antibiotics. What causes sore throats? A sore throat is a symptom usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection. Viruses, including cold and flu viruses, cause four in five sore throats. Sore throats are common. Around half of us will have at least one sore throat a year. Most will usually get better without treatment within one to two weeks.

If the sore throat hurts so much, it must be tonsillitis, right? Tonsillitis is a precise clinical diagnosis denoting inflammation

of the tonsils. It occurs when the clumps of tissue on either side of the back of your throat (tonsils) become painful and swollen. Patches of creamy pus can appear on the tonsils. It may cause fever, and usually, there is no cough. Sore throats can turn into tonsillitis.

The NHS service available at Ellacombe Pharmacy offers a physical examination of your throat alongside a comprehensive review of your medical history.

Many people require support to adopt effective, evidence-backed self-care to recover; sometimes, a shared decision to offer antibiotics will be appropriate. However, we are also looking out for worrying symptoms or patient groups like immunosuppressed patients, where more urgent care is required.

Cool drinks, cool, soft food, and ice lollies

can ease the pain of sore throats. Adults can suck ice cubes or hard sweets and gargle with warm, salty water.

Taking paracetamol and ibuprofen can help reduce symptoms of sore throats, as well as temperature and headaches.

Lozenges, gargles and sprays are also available in the pharmacy, medicines that will numb the pain.

Come into Ellacombe Pharmacy for help; no appointment is required. We will use our clinical expertise to help guide you to the best decisions for you or your child. The NHSfunded assessment and treatment offered at Ellacombe Pharmacy is designed to enable children from 5 years and adults to access timely appropriate assessment, treatment and advice, including antibiotics where necessary.

D S F E E L I N G U N W E L L ?

Ellacombe Pharmacy 24 Ellacombe Road, Bristol BS30 9BA 0117 932 2293 Find us at: www.pharmacyfirstlongwellgreen.com PRIVATE CHICKENPOX

n ANTIQUES

Lovely jubbly!

EVERY December we hold our annual British Comedy Auction. Those of you who know me, will know that this is my favourite auction in our calendar, and one that generally takes all year to build. As I type, I am already working on the next one – a mere ten months away!

December’s auction had what I thought was the best array of items we’ve ever offered for sale – you name a British sitcom or comedy show and we had something from it; Fawlty Towers, Dad’s Army, The Goodies, The Two Ronnies, Blackadder, Morecambe & Wise and more. All of which were utterly fabulous and very popular with bidders. We were blessed with lots of press interest and many of the top selling lots made the newspapers the following day.

n KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY

Kingswood History Society starts its 2025 programme next

Mar 4 Pountney Pottery Ian Holt

Apr 1 Piracy, plunder and war in the Bristol

Philip Ashford

May 6 From Brycgsytow to Bristol in 45 Bridges Jeff Lucas

June 3 Cossham Hospital – The Story Dr Michael Whitfield

July 1 Brunel in a Changing World Iain McGregor

Aug 5 Titanic effort – RMS Carpathia Paul Barnett

Sep 2 Floating Harbour & Underfall Yard David Blackburn

Oct 7 Buildings of Delight - Follies and Grottoes of the Bristol Area

Peter Godfrey

Nov 4 Vice and Virtue – Old Market through the Ages

Michael Manson

Dec 2 AGM – Festive Supper

For more information visit www.kingswoodhistorysociety.org

But one lot in particular seemed to escape the gaze of the national press, yet it was my favourite item in the auction; a shirt worn by Del Boy in an episode of Only Fools & Horses. To the casual observer, this would have been just an old shirt – probably picked off a department store rack by a BBC costume assistant in the late 1980s. But it just so happened to be worn in one of the show’s most beloved episodes - ‘The Unlucky Winner Is…’ In the episode, Rodney wins a holiday to Spain, the only catch is the organisers think he is fourteen and he must keep up the illusion.

Other than its association with the show, the shirt was otherwise unremarkable and probably cost just a few pounds when purchased. But to millions of Only Fools & Horses fans, it meant so much more. Being mostly filmed in Bristol, there is a lot of memorabilia from the show in our city, but actual props and costumes are incredibly rare and hard to find. Del Boy’s shirt sold to a super-fan for a whopping £10,000! I think Del Boy would be proud, don’t you?

Andy Stowe Auctioneum

Reggae Archive Records, around 20 years ago, as the development of the internet made it easier to collect and save tracks, photos

KEYNSHAM IN BLOOM

or those who are curious to discover what the local scene sounded like in the 80s, now have the chance to listen and

Brighter outlook for High Street

KEYNSHAM in Bloom have entered 2025 with a positive response to South West in Bloom judges’ remarks about lack of colour in our High Street, so let’s see if we can attract more volunteers to help our crew revamp the wooden troughs.

This will include removing plants and using them elsewhere, re-staining the wood, fertilising, top dressing and replanting with insect-friendly shrubs.

We are judged in July so we will need to start work this month. Because of our ages, our existing volunteers work one to two hours per session, so if you are able to help, please contact me at catherinemarywoodman@gmail.com or keynshaminbloom@icloud.com. If email is not your thing, please drop into the Keynsham Town Council offices in Temple Street and we will contact you.

Mikey's World opens new HQ

THE charity Mikey's World has secured a headquarters in Kingswood.

There is such negativity about our High Street, so let’s try to lift the spirits of our people with an excellent planting scheme. Looking forward to meeting you for a battle plan!

The group said: "We are absolutely overjoyed to be moved into our new venue. Just as everyone has been so generous to us, this means we can now pay back to our community. It will give us a wonderful space for bleed kit training, fundraising events, coffee mornings, activities, knife crime awareness and much more."

Of course, all living things all need water, and Keynsham in Bloom will be approaching High Street businesses to ask for their help to keep the plants alive in hot weather. It’s hard to imagine at this grim time of year but it does happen, so we will be dropping into see you soon.

Mikey's World was set up by Hayley Ryall and friends a few months after her 16-year-old son Mikey Roynon was stabbed to death at a party in June 2023.

At our recent committee meeting, it was decided that there are many knitters who might like to be involved in projects but would rather work at home than meet the gang at the Legion each Tuesday. If this

WARMLEY COMMUNITY NATURE RESERVE

n NEWS Car window smashed

Progress at last on scheme for homes on Grange site

IMAGINE stepping out of your home into a neighbourhood full of nature . . . bees buzz around blossoming trees, butterflies flutter from garden-to-garden, and bats twist and turn, gobbling up insects against a summer sunset. In winter, birds feed from berry-laden bushes and wildflowers left to set seed, frosty cobwebs drape between hedges, where hibernating hedgehogs make their homes, and robins treat us to some well needed bird song during the coldest months of the year.

PLANS are finally being brought forward for housing on the former Grange School site in Warmley.

Welcome to the Warmley Community Nature Reserve an area where streets and neighbours come together to make their own Nature Reserve made up of gardens, allotments, window boxes and balconies, and where council-owned public open spaces will be improved for wildlife too!

The proposed development will include 161 new homes, of which 35 per cent will be affordable homes and self-build plots. There will be a mix of one, two and three bedroomed houses and apartments.

THE driver’s side window of a car was smashed while the vehicle was parked on Fairy Hill, Compton Dando, between 2.30pm and 9.15pm on Saturday January 4. The crime reference number is 5225003023.

and buildings associated with the school were demolished in 2021. Most of the site is vacant, partially brownfield land. One former school building was extended and refurbished in 2023 and is now occupied by Majestic Gymnastics.

Whether that's planting for pollinators across front gardens, creating an orchard along a whole street, building a hedgehog highway, or helping our neighbours to delight in the creatures we share our neighbourhoods with. We're here to help create a village where both people and wildlife can flourish.

appeals, please contact Dawn at keynshaminbloom@ icloud.com or drop into Keynsham Town Council.

Its mission is to help prevent future tragedies by raising awareness of knife crime, installing bleed kits at public venues and training people to use them.

Our gardens and community green spaces are a lifeline for wildlife, little havens scattered through urban networks and intensively managed farmland. Together, the UK's gardens are larger than all of our National Nature Reserves combined, making them as important for wildlife as they are for our own wellbeing.

The site has been allocated £2 million via the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund as well as funding from Homes England.

We may have a large project starting at the knitting group, so it’s all fingers to the needles. More strong winds are approaching, so keep safe and well.

The Grange School and Sports College closed in 2016

The draft South Gloucestershire Local Plan proposes that the site is allocated for development.

Consultants Avison Young held a consultation event last month at Warmley Community Centre ahead of submission of a formal planning application.

lA flat in Cotton Mead, Corston, was burgled between 1pm and 10pm on Saturday December 10. The offender forced the front door and ransacked the property. Various items were stolen, including the spare key for the residents’ car, but the vehicle was not taken. The crime reference number is 5224401690.

Want to find out more? Go to our webpage: https://www. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/warmley-nature-action-zone. There you can register your garden, join the facebook group and newsletter. Or you can contact the Community Engagement Officer, Paul: paul.walker@ avonwildlifetrust.org / 07961758046

The developers said they hoped to get outline planning permission by the end of the year, which would mean work could start on the sports pitches in early 2026.

Sales? Call Gary 0n 07799461169

Mary Woodman

l If you have any information about these incidents, especially CCTV images, call the police on 101, giving the reference number to the call handler, and ask that the call is tagged as Neighbourhood Watch. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Local residents expressed concern about the extra traffic the development could generate on Tower Road North.

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Longwell With

Role model: Miss Flora tends to the Triangle in Keynsham High Street

THE MEADOWS

At The Meadows Primary School, we are proud to be an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) school, recognising the vital role that outdoor play plays in our children's development. We currently offer a forest play area, sand pit, pond area, and a field that’s used year-round, but we believe there is always room for improvement.

We are actively building on our resources to enhance these outdoor spaces. To support this initiative, we are running an incentive to encourage donations. For example, Opal Bingo, the first class to achieve a "full house" in our fundraising efforts will enjoy a special treat of marshmallows and hot chocolate in the forest play area!

Our forest play area is a favorite spot for kids to explore and engage with nature. We want to enhance this area to include more natural play structures that encourage creativity and exploration.

The sand pit is another beloved space where children build and socialise. We aim to add new features, like a water play option, to enhance sensory experiences and collaborative play.

Our pond area allows for outdoor education, but we envision creating more structured activities that teach students about ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship.

We also make great use of our field throughout the year for sports and games. To

SBL ACADEMY

build on this, we plan to expand our offerings with organized ball sports during lunch and breaks on both the field anf playground, encouraging teamwork and physical fitness.

Additionally, we are excited about introducing a gardening club at lunchtime. This initiative will teach children about growing plants and taking care of their environment while providing a hands-on learning experience.

Very soon we will be inviting parents to

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experience our OPAL play alongside their children, fostering a strong community feel and strengthening the bonds between families and the school.

We invite parents and community members to support these enhancements and share ideas. Together, we can create an even vibrant outdoor play environment for our children at The Meadows Primary School.

Owen Edwards, headteacher

STUDENTS at SBL Academy were treated to an unforgettable experience as the school welcomed the Ugandan choral band, ‘AYF’.

The band delivered electrifying performances across three assemblies, captivating students in Years 7, 8, and 9 and visiting Year 6 pupils from St Anne’s Primary School.

During their visit, the band shared stories about their origins and personal journeys.

This combination of exceptional musicianship and storytelling allowed students to not only enjoy the vibrant performances but also expand their cultural awareness.

A huge thank you to the band and to Reverend Bruce Goodwin from St Anne’s Church for helping to organise this event.

n Airbus also visited our school and held a workshop with some of our Year 7 cohort. The students made their own planes. By practically exploring the physics of flight through concepts such as aerodynamics and forces, they designed and constructed an aeroplane with a challenge to see which could travel the furthest distance in the air. The plane is powered by a propeller mechanism and the fuselage is constructed out of balsa wood.

n SPORT

Go girls! Celebrating females in football

LONGWELL Green Sports Junior FC is at the forefront of efforts to encourage more women and girls to play football.

The club has been chosen by the Her Game Too as the first to hold a grassroots weekend.

The event at the community centre on February 1 and 2 aims to celebrate gender inclusivity in football through fun activities and games for young players.

Lucy Ford, head of grassroots at Her Game Too, said: “We are extremely excited to be hosting this event in collaboration with Longwell Green FC, one of our Her Game Too grassroots partner clubs. It's really important for us at Her Game Too to work with clubs that promote gender inclusivity and continue to provide opportunities for women and girls to play football at any age, and Longwell Green FC are an excellent example of that.”

Founded in 1966, Longwell Green Sports Junior FC is well established within the community and has one of the largest number of girls playing football (outside of girls’ only clubs). With over 400 girls registered, the club offers football training sessions starting from the age of two and up to U16. There are also girls’ disability teams, a women's walking football team and a mental health support group. Teams play matches at their home ground at Shellards Road as well as Coronation Park, Hanham Woods Academy and Lyde Green.

Matt Draper, vice chairman and long standing girls’ coach, said: “Having coached girls’ football at Longwell Green Sports JFC now for over 10 years, it's been fantastic to see the participation, growth and coverage of female football worldwide and at our club. Our girls' numbers have grown rapidly and we have girls’ teams at every age group (some multiple).

Longwell Green Sports Junior FC has been successful with various teams winning

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB

TWO major events have taken place in the Clubhouse at Keynsham Bowling Club in recent weeks.

Our Christmas party attracted 60 members, who were entertained by our regular Christmas guests, the singing duo the Two of Clubs. We also enjoyed food prepared by our in-house catering team of Annette Beilby, Lyn Dorey and Simon Barrow. Our thanks go to them and members Dave Lewis, Carm Riccio and Martin Moore, who staffed the bar.

A morning of Christmas carols, mince pies and hot mulled wine was also held at the clubhouse. The event was hosted by member John Carne, while guest Owen Cole provided music on his keyboard.

During the morning, we presented a

The women’s team at Longwell Green Sports

divisions/cups, female players progressing to elite football - both youth and adult - and players becoming coaches and referees through the relevant pathways. “

Matt said the club had supported his own coaching journey, which began when he joined as a parent. He has progressed to the UEFA B and FA Youth Award, coaching many of the girls groups along the way. He currently coaches the U12 girls’ team.

“There are fantastic by-products for all from being involved in grassroots football. These include fitness, mental wellbeing, social and life skills, and most importantly fun and friendship, which cannot be quantified. I encourage anyone considering either playing football, embarking on their coaching journey or helping out in other roles at clubs not to hesitate, give it a go!” he said,

cheque for £1,300 to the club’s charity of the year. At the start of the bowling season, our ladies’ and gents’ captains decide which charity to raise money for during the year. In 2024 they chose Sense, which helps people

Longwell Green JFC’s partnership with Her Game Too began in April 2022. The dedicated weekend will be an opportunity to promote inclusion of female players in football. The event will also reinforce the Her Game Too campaign to tackle sexism and champion women in football. The Gloucestershire Football Association (GFA) is also supporting this initiative and will have representatives at the event to encourage more women into coaching.

To find out more about Longwell Green JFC and their teams visit http://www. longwellgreensportsjfc.co.uk/.

For more details about Her Game Too, visit https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/football

with deaf/blindness or complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world and fulfil their potential.

Whilst there are collecting boxes in the clubhouse during the season, most of the funds come from the annual barbecue, plus the men’s tour at the start of September, when they take a large money box with them in the shape of a pig.

Sense has a charity shop in Keynsham High Street and club members will be looking to support it whenever possible.

Our photograph shows our two captains, Lynne Pearce and Steve Coles, handing over a cheque to Owain Rees, community fundraising manager for Sense for the South West and Wales.

Mike Barrow

n KINGSWOOD MEMORIES & HERITAGE MUSEUM

ANY QUESTIONS?

The topical discussion programme “Any Questions?” has been broadcast by the BBC since 1948, and in its early years the discussion came only from venues in the West of England.

The programme started on the West of England Home Service and was originally intended to run for six editions only. It went through several formats before in 1970 moving to BBC Radio 4, which has broadcast both the live and the recorded editions of

“Any Questions?” ever since.

The programme has been chaired by six presenters during its history, together with several interim moderators. Perhaps the most well-known presenter was Jonathan Dimbleby, who chaired the programme from 1987 to 2019.

The photo shows Mr Dimbleby and a panel of personalities of the time at an episode broadcast from Kingswood Civic Centre in 1988.The personalities include notable local politicians the

Looking forward to the new season

Kingswood Heritage Museum closed for its annual winter break at the end of November, and will reopen for the new season in April.

Whilst the Museum is closed volunteers are working hard to prepare new exhibitions for the coming season, including a major new exhibition celebrating the Museum’s 30th anniversary since opening in 1995.

The exhibition will include a photographic display illustrating the changes that have taken place at the Museum over its first thirty years.

Another new exhibition will showcase the many celebrities who have grown up in and visited the area, from politicians, industrialists and scientists to musicians, comedians and TV personalities.

n COMMUNITY NEWS

MANY Bristol u3a interest groups start informally as a social activity.

One such group is the Eastside Cinema Group, which typically attends daytime screenings in Longwell Green, Bath or the Watershed in Bristol.

The day of the week can vary, but there is usually a film choice each week.

Selected films are communicated by email, and everyone is responsible for buying their own tickets. In addition to emails from the group leaders, there’s a WhatsApp group where

members can suggest impromptu cinema visits (help will be given if you are unfamiliar with WhatsApp). There’s no obligation to attend every film – you simply go along when it suits you.

If you’re interested, send an email to me (Lindsay Gough) at the address below and I’ll forward your enquiry to Mary and Lorraine, who run the group.

Bristol u3a (you in your Third Age) is for anyone with some free time for themselves. There’s no lower age limit, but most of our members are retired or semiretired.

late Anthony (Tony) Wedgwood Benn and the late Paddy Ashdown (who became Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon), together with Douglas Hurd (who became Baron Hurd of Westwell), who was Home Secretary at the time.

If you were in the audience at the Civic Centre for this broadcast and would like to share your memories, please let Kingswood Heritage Museum know by email at kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com, or by phone on 0117 9605664

A further new exhibition will spotlight the history of the Kingswood area.

Volunteer with us

Kingswood Heritage Museum is run entirely by volunteers. Would you like to help us to conserve and display the history of our area, and to pass our knowledge on to future generations?

Whatever skills you can offer, Kingswood Heritage Museum would like to hear from you. If you would like to join our enthusiastic and friendly group of volunteers do get in touch by emailing us at kingswoodmuseum@ gmail.com, or simply call us on 0117 9605664. We would love to hear from you!

Everything we do is by members for members. We have no staff, so everyone chips in with ideas for one-off social activities or brand new 'interest groups', of which we have around 35 locally.

Single membership of Bristol u3a costs £20 a year and includes access to all 175 interest groups across Bristol.

Once you’ve joined, almost everything else is free, apart from tickets, refreshments, travel or any special equipment required for a group. Bristol u3a subsidises the cost of community hall hire, so you’ll only be asked to make a

contribution if annual costs exceed the subsidy.

If you are curious to find out more, come along to an informal social to enjoy a cuppa and a chat with some current members.

You’ll find us on February 3 at the White Lion in Frenchay (flat access), on February 17 at the Market Café and Lounge in Kingswood (stairs) and on February 19 at the Crafty Egg in Fishponds (ramp), from 2.30pm each day.

For more details email learnlaughlive@bristolu3a.org.uk. Lindsay Gough

BRISTOL U3A

hanham&longwellgreenvoice

n WHAT'S ON

MONDAY

n LONGWELL GREEN ART CLUB, no tutors. Would you like to do your own thing in the company of a small, friendly group that meet Mondays 9.30 to 12.30, arrive and leave as you please. URC Wesley room. Contact Jackie on 01179600273 or email colown@blueyonder.co.uk

TUESDAY

n LIP READING CLASS, 1.30-3pm at North Common Village Hall, Millers Drive, BS30 8YH. Contact Mary Hall 07790 283939, lipreadingmary@ yahoo.com

n TUESDAY CLUB a social group meet every Tuesday 1.45-3.45pm at Longwell Green Community Centre

n HANHAM TENNIS CLUB

Adult Play - Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings, 9.30am - 11 am. NEW! Ladies coaching session Fridays 12:30 - 1:30pm. Beginners' session coaching - Wednesday 7-8pm. Junior coaching - most early evenings. New players welcome. Fully qualified LTA coaching. See website for details www.hanhamtennisclub.co.uk

n LONGWELL GREEN LADIES GROUP meet at 2pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the United Church, Bath Road, Longwell Green BS30 9DU (opp. Aldi). Please phone Maureen on 0117 9322341

WEDNESDAY

n BARRS COURT PROBUS CLUB

Retired and semi-retired Professional and Businessmen: Meet 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 10-12 at Longwell Green Community Centre. Please contact our Membership Secretary, Mick Funnell: 0117 932 4104 or email bcprobusclub@gmail.com to arrange a visit. Website: https:// barrscourtprobus.org/

n BARRS COURT LADIES CLUB: Wives and partners of the Probus club members meet 10-12 on the second Wednesday of each month at the United Church, Bath Road, Longwell Green. Website: https:// barrscourtprobus.org/

n ZEST CHOIR is an inclusive happy singing group for all adults who love to sing - even if you think you can’t or might be Tone Deaf! We meet Term Time Wednesdays at Longwell Green Community Centre from 10.15am-11.45am. Contact Mary on 07954 170532 www. zestchoirs.com.

n JOIN OUR OVER 65s EXERCISE AND FRIENDSHIP GROUP at The Community Project in Cadbury Heath (BS30 8EL) every Wednesday, 10-11:30am. Improve strength, balance, and more in a fun, inclusive environment. Just £5/ session includes tea/coffee and chat. Don’t miss out on boosting your well-being! For more information contact Adam07875503586

07790 283939, lipreadingmary@ yahoo.com

THURSDAY

n ‘STAND UP REACH OUT’ A social group meet every Thursday 2-4pm at Longwell Green Community Centre for different activities.

n HANHAM ART CLUB We are friendly group that meets on a Thursday evening at Hanham Community Centre 7pm-9pm. New members welcome from beginners to the more experienced. For more information contact Hilary on 07880548481 or email tweenuk2003@yahoo.com

n WE ARE A SMALL FRIENDLY CLUB, all subjects are included, aircraft, cars, armoured vehicles, fantasy, etc we meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month, at St. Anne's Hall, Barry Road, Oldland Common. at 8pm. Please contact Ian on 0117 9603435

n BLACK SHEEP HARMONY

We welcome new singers to any of our weekly rehearsals, to join in or just to listen. 7:30pm on Thursdays in Hanham Community Centre. Contact Noey: 07899 088180 or check out our website www. blacksheepharmony.com

FRIDAY

n LONGWELL GREEN WI meet on the third Friday of the month at 7.30pm at Longwell Green Community Centre. New members are always welcome. Email longwellwi@gmail.com or tel. 0117 9864782.

n TAI CHI FOR PARKINSON'S: Weekly beginners Tai Chi & Qi Gong class for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and carers. Lincombe Barn, Downend. BS16 2RW. Fridays (term times) 10.15 – 12.15 including tea / coffee break. Contact: Claire - Claire@ Taichibodyandmind.co.uk (07769 857672) or Sarah - buqiworks@gmail. com (07815 662844)

n LONGWELL GREEN COMMUNITY CENTRE QUIZ NIGHT, meets normally first Friday of each month at 8 pm. Bar available. For details please contact Marian.r.summerill@gmail. com, or ring 07503 989880.

n CROFT END SILVER BAND Hanham Tabernacle, Tabernacle Road, practice 7.15pm - 8.45pm. Players needed on all sections , all ages welcome and training given. We are a happy Band with a good atmosphere. More details contact Rob (Chairman) on 07788 473404

Slimming World

n LONGWELL GREEN SHORT MAT

BOWLS CLUB, We meet Wednesday and Fridays 1.30 to 3.30 at the Longwell Green community centre , Shellards road, in the California suite. All equipment provided. Beginners very welcome. We are a friendly group who need additional members. Email. Michael8bence@ gmail.com. Tel 07800869837

n LONGWELL GREEN PROBUS CLUB meets at Warmley Community Centre on the first and third Wednesday of each month.. New members welcome- for details contact Mike on 07817094147

n HANHAM BRIDGE CLUB

Every Weds 7-10pm at Hanham Community Centre, see www. hanhambridgeclub.co.uk.

n HANHAM AND KINGSWOOD PHOTO CLUB. A friendly club welcoming photographers of all abilities to share our hobby. Meeting 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start on most Wednesdays, St Barnabas Church Hall, Warmley, BS30 5JJ. See the website for where meetings will be held (some on Zoom & some evenings out). For details visit https://www.handkphoto.club or contact Geoff Mallin at email address, geoffmemsechps@gmail. com

n RWP BADMINTON CLUB play at Hanham Woods Academy 6.30-7.30 social club, 7.30-9.30 league club. Visitors welcome, please look at the website for more details

n LIP READING CLASS, 10amnoon, Warmley Community Centre. Termtime only. Contact Mary Hall

Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road

Longwell Green BS30 9DU

Monday: 6.00pm & 7.30pm Tuesday: 9.30am

Tel: Karen 07889 408969

AEK Boco FC, Greenbank Road, Hanham BS15 3RZ

Thursday: 9.15am, 11.00am

3.45, 5.15 & 7.00pm Friday: 9.00am Tel: Kate 07979 494964

North Common Village Hall, 16 Millers Dr, North Common BS30 8XX

Tuesday: 6pm & 7.30pm

Tel: Emma 07773 689229

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Call Bob for free advice and estimates 0117 3690000 07940 247514 www.ramoonelectricalservices.co.uk

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For a FREE estimate, call Roger 07799 373287 roger67west@gmail.com

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email sales@ hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk