Hanham & Longwell Green Voice September 2024 by Emma Cooper

FESTIVAL FUN

. Report and pictures: Page 7

Victory – but war continues

CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle against new homes on fields in Hanham – but their war against wider development in the Green Belt goes on.

South Gloucestershire Council has turned down plans for 140 homes at The Batch, deeming the site in open countryside as unsuitable for development. This is a relief for the hundreds of neighbours who protested against the proposals.

But the council has to show where it will build the homes needed over the next 15 years and says it will need to use some parts of the Green Belt in Bristol's east fringe to do this.

It intends to do this by finalising a Local Plan, which will make clear which sites can be used. The latest consultation is open until September 13.

Campaign group Save Our Green Spaces-SG (SOGS) wants to protest green spaces. It is also concerned that local services including roads, schools and GP surgeries, would not be able to cope with large scale development.

It is planning a demo on September 7. Protesters in fancy dress, carrying banners, will march from Warmley to Bridgeyate, leaving at 11am. Reports: Pages 2 & 3

Nathalie Nutt from Cadbury Heath is among hundreds of teenagers from our area celebrating success in GCSE, A-level and voca PAGES 4-6

Nine-year-old Ruby Britton has been selling homemade bracelets to help a homelessness charity.

PAGE 9

Bristol pub company Zazu's is reopening the Jolly Sailor in Hanham High Street.

PAGE 13

A bricklayer who took part in TV's MasterChef is now forging a cookery career.

PAGE 17

A colour run for children was just one of the activities at CatFest, an event held at Hanham Athletic's ground

Photo: Nikki Purnell Photography

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Changes to planning rules 'a potential disaster' for South Gloucestershire

RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on the latest proposals to build thousands of new homes in South Gloucestershire by September 13.

The council is running an additional consultation as it prepares to create a Local Plan, which will set out how it intends to meet housing nexeds for the next 15 years.

that young people and new families can afford to buy or rent.

“But seeking to simply jack up the top-down targets without addressing concerns about supporting infrastructure or protecting our green spaces is not the way to make this happen.

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Its revised proposals are for 22,241 homes to be built across the district from 2025 to 2040, including huge developments in Warmley, Siston and Shortwood.

But this figure might have to be increased by a further 6,000 following the new Labour Government’s announcement of a new National Planning Policy Framework. It wants South Glos to build 1,717 homes a year rather than the 1,317 currently planned.

Opponents say this is a “potential disaster”. Conservative Cllr Sam Bromiley said: “The Conservative group is completely and unequivocally opposed to these new planning rules.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with residents who do not want to see their greenbelt destroyed by a Labour government that is unwilling to listen to their understandable concerns.

“These new rules are yet another attack on South Gloucestershire’s precious green spaces and we will continue to fight them every step of the way.

“Reclassifying greenbelt land as ‘grey belt’ in order to force developments through while ordering South Gloucestershire to take ever increasing amounts of housing, all while completely dismissing the views of local people, is, quite simply, an appalling way for a government to behave.”

Ex-council leader and now Thornbury & Yate Lib Dem MP Claire Young branded the proposals a “fairytale”.

“As a former council leader, I know how important it is that we see houses built – especially smaller, more affordable homes

“Here in South Gloucestershire, we’re already struggling to meet current targets – never mind having to also locate space for 6,000 extra properties. It’s frankly a fairytale.

“That’s why I’m urging the Government to rethink these proposals and instead ensure developers build the infrastructure and quality social homes we need.”

Asked to comment on Ms Rayner’s announcement, a council spokesperson said the authority would "evaluate the impacts" of the proposed NPPF reforms as part of the current Local Plan consultation.

The council said there were some immediate good points but also some unexpected implications.

Last month the campaign group Save Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire held a demonstration against the plans before a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council cabinet. Another is planned for September 7, when protesters in fancy dress will march from Warmley to Bridgeyate carrying posters and banners.

Public consultation on the latest plans, which have identified 17 additional sites for potential development, began in July and will close this month.

Following feedback, the final Local Plan proposals will be prepared and consulted on again next January before being submitted in June 2025 for examination, which is expected in October next year, ahead of adoption by April 2026.

To find out more, visit: southglos.gov.uk/new-localplan/

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Victory in battle to stop Batch homes

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a successful campaign to prevent housebuilding at the Batch in Hanham.

South Gloucestershire Council planners have refused outline permission for Redrow and Ashfield Land to build 140 houses on the 20 acre site south of Hencliffe Way because it is in the Green Belt.

Access to the development would have been built by knocking down a house on Hencliffe Way and building a new road into the fields. Most of the homes would have been two-storey houses, with a few apartments, too.

In a decision notice, the council said: “The application site is located outside the defined limits of development, within the open countryside where development is strictly controlled. The residential development is of a scale and type that is not appropriate in this location.

“The site is within the open countryside and is part of a network of green infrastructure, with intervisibility to and from the east and to the south-east, including from public rights of way on site and in the vicinity. The development will result in the loss of the open character and harm to the visual and recreational amenity of the site.”

The plans had attracted much opposition from neighbours, over 1,400 of whom petitioned against the development. The refusal was welcomed by campaigners, including the Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society.

A society spokesman said: “We’re pleased this decision clearly reflects community feeling, with reference made to

over 1,500 objections registered against this proposal. We thank everyone who took the time to support the campaign. Collectively your voices have made a difference.”

Many people living in houses close to the fields wrote to the council, objecting to the plans for new houses which they said would “destroy the area”.

One said: “I’m lucky enough to be someone who has the honour of living in one of these houses nearby, spending time walking in the beautiful woodland where we get to see various wildlife on a daily basis. If you destroy this area, you destroy the wildlife.

“The parking will be terrible, the doctors’ surgery will be put into crisis, and you will fill our beautiful country air with pollution. Hanham won’t be the same if this is built on.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Hanham Say No to Redrow campaigners celebrate Photo:Ryan Milton

St Brendan's celebrates

SIXTH form college St Brendan's says its students' A-level and BTEC results are a "tremendous success".

The college in Brislington, which draws sixth form students from across the region, had more than 900 people collecting results on August 15.

Leaders said the overall A-level pass rate was above 95%, including 629 "high grade" passes.

The college has also seen another increase in BTEC grades, with 287 Level 3 BTEC and Applied General courses either distinction or distinction*.

A spokesperson for the college said the students had performed well despite the disruption they had experienced in their education during the pandemic and subsequent years, and a toughening of grade boundaries.

The college said a record number of students had secured apprenticeships in fields

Hanham Woods Academy

including accounting, law, computing and engineering, with employers across the region including Airbus, Burges Salmon, BT and the NHS.

Principal Marian Curran said: "I am immensely proud of each and every one of our students for their outstanding achievements.

"Their hard work, determination, and unwavering spirit have resulted in excellent results.

"Not only have they excelled academically here at St Brendan’s, they have also become well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

"I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts in shaping the future of our students.

"The success of our students is a true reflection of the collective commitment of our entire college community."

SGS results 'impressive'

STUDENTS at SGS Sixth form have achieved an "impressive set" of A-level, T-level and BTEC results, say tutors.

The college in Filton says 75% of learners attained grades A*-C in their A-levels, with 70.6% achieving an A* or A in maths, 77.5% achieving A*-B in psychology and 89.5% gaining an A*-C grade in biology.

The college described overall pass rates as "strong", with 97.3% of candidates achieving a grade in all of their qualifications.

The first T-level students, who studied the new qualification combining classroom learning and workplace experience, achieved a 100% pass rate.

Performances on BTEC courses were described as "excellent", with all students achieving pass grades and 60% of learners being awarded distinction or distinction* profiles.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud college has six main campuses, with around 3,800 learners aged 16 to 18, the same number of adult learners and 900 apprentices.

Head of SGS Sixth (academic) Becky Riddell said: "I am delighted with the achievements of each and every one of our learners. The grades they have achieved and the distance each learner has travelled is testament to their hard work, dedication and commitment to their studies at SGS.

"It is important to acknowledge our fantastic curriculum teachers and wider support teams, including our heads of year and well-being team who have contributed to the academic success. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

n EDUCATION

CLF hails GCSE students' successes

CABOT Learning Federation is celebrating GCSE success at its three schools in our area: Hanham Woods Academy, John Cabot Academy and Digitech Studio School Bristol. Everyone at Hanham Woods is extremely proud of the Class of 2024. Their outcomes are a result of the hard work and dedication shown, not only during Year 11 but throughout their time at the Academy.

Some notable results include:

• Lily-Mae: 9, 9, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 8, 6

• Amy: Dist*, 9, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7

• Emily: 9, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6

Principal Steve O’Callaghan said: “As these students move on to the next chapter of their education, we hope they continue to climb the mountain to become the best version of themselves. We wish all students the very best for their next steps.”

John Cabot Academy is pleased to

announce another year of outstanding achievements. This year 79% achieved a grade 4 or above in English and Maths and 60% achieved at least 5 in both subjects.

Kate Willis, principal, said: “We are incredibly proud of all the hard work and achievements of our students. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to engage, challenge and motivate our students so that when they leave us they have a strong sense of self, place and the agency to fulfil their potential. I would like to thank parents and carers for their support for our academy, one another and their children over the last five years.”

Digitech Studio School Bristol is pleased to report a set of strong outcomes by its students in GCSEs and vocational qualifications. The grades achieved are testament to the hard work, commitment and resilience the students have demonstrated

Delight at Digitech

DIGITECH Studio School Bristol has been celebrating the achievements of its students in their post-16 qualifications.

The school, which works in partnership with Boomsatsuma, Robins Foundation and Bristol School of Acting saw 60 students achieved the highest grades in media, game design, art, acting and dance. Many will do courses and apprenticeships in these specialist areas.

Chris Ballard, the school’s principal, said: “We are immensely proud of all of our graduating Year 13 students’ achievements and outcomes. We congratulate all students and look forward to hearing about their success in the future as they move on to the next part of their journey in higher education, apprenticeships or employment.”

Luke Fazackerley, Boomsatsuma head of college, said: “The superb graduating class of ‘24 have put a lot of hard work and effort into their studies. These students have produced excellent work throughout, met live client briefs with enthusiasm and professionalism, with a great team of tutors pushing students to create outcomes beyond their years.

Polly Wardle, Robins Foundation Head of Education, said: “Our strong relationship with CLF and Digitech Studio School underpins our successes and we are very grateful for their ongoing support.

Results included 92% of students achieving a Distinction* or Distinction in the Level 3 Extended Diploma in professional acting.

Stuart Wood, Bristol School of acting head of school said: “The results are exceptional on every level and are a testament to the talent, discipline, and generosity of spirit shown by this remarkable group."

over the past two years at Digitech. The results in the creative and digital vocational subjects, which underpin the specialist curriculum at Digitech, have been excellent again this year.

Chris Ballard, the school’s principal, said: “We want to congratulate all of our Year 11 students and are extremely proud of all their work, achievements and outcomes.

“Worthy of special mention are Alex Mapson, Louisa Davis, Oscar Patterson, Oliver Pincott, Iolo Breakspear-Purcell, Miles Giles, Chloe Little, Siri Makela, Marnie Tickner and Leah Lewis, all of whom achieved a particularly impressive array of qualifications.

“Thank you to all the staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure all of our students are able to progress onto their next steps.”

The future's bright

CABOT Learning Federation’s Post-16 students have achieved well in A-levels and vocational qualifications. High numbers have been successful in securing university places as well as apprenticeships and employment.

Kath Cooper, principal of CLF Post-16, said: “It has been a joy to see such happiness from students and their results and delight with them as they plan and accept their next steps, an exciting time for all. The students have worked so very hard across the two years and they deserve to celebrate their success."

Among this year’s cohort there are some amazing success stories: Blue (Siam) Chuaibamrung has accepted a place to study physics at University of Bristol. Blue is just 17 years old and self-taught GCSEs in Thailand. He achieved four A levels.

Lucca Bacca has accepted a place studying Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes University while he awaits the outcome of his interview to join the armed forces.

Rattapong Gosney has secured an apprenticeship for decorating with a company and training through SGS.

Latalia Williams has secured a place at Birmingham City University to study midwifery.

Steve Taylor, CLF chief executive, said: "There are some extraordinary stories of young people achieving well against the odds, showing the tenacity and commitment to invest in themselves and their futures. Well done to them and thank you to the many colleagues who have nurtured their potential."

SBL hails great work

SIR Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common is celebrating students' successes at A-levels, GCSEs and vocational qualifications.

Headteacher Dr Robin Bassford said young people's positive work ethic, determination and resilience had been rewarded.

The overall A-level pass rate increased significantly from recent years and there was a marked increase in the proportion of top grades at A*-B and Distinction*-Merit, as well as a rise in the average points score per qualification achieved by the students.

The school is particularly pleased that of the students who applied to university, 96% of them secured places at their first or second choice institution, including a number

at Russell Group universities. Other students have been offered high quality advanced apprenticeships both locally and further afield.

Dr Bassford said: “Our amazing Year 13 of 2024 are a credit to themselves, their parents and our staff who have provided the inspiration, support and guidance to enable our young people to succeed. I am so proud of each and every one of them, not just because of their brilliant results but also for their significant contributions to

the wider school life at SBL. We are confident that our students have exciting futures ahead.”

On GCSE results day. the school celebrated an increase in top grades at GCSE. Sixteen students achieved eight or more 9-7 grades, including one student who got straight 9s.

Dr Bassford said SBL was equally proud of the students who worked hard to make excellent progress from their starting points. Many students made over a grade more

progress in each of their subjects relative to the national average.

He said: “It has been a great privilege to work with this group students whose determination, resilience and collaboration have been rewarded with an excellent set of results. The unwavering support, encouragement and care provided by the staff at SBL and their parents have played a significant part in their success. We wish all of our Year 11 leavers well and look forward to welcoming many of them back to start sixth form”.

Caitlyn and Lucy got great GCSE results and made a significant contribution to SBL music and sport

Alex Hanney, Alfie Crocker, Ben Whiteman and Matt Harper opening their A-level results together

Festival raises

£35,000

for beloved friend

GLASTONBURY Festival might take a whole year to organise, but Hanham’s CatFest came together in just four months.

When Catherine Garland’s friends Katie Sperring, Emma Finn and Sarah Smyth heard the devastating news that Cat’s cancer had returned, they pulled out all the stops to raise money to send Cat, 46, on the trip of a lifetime with her family – raising almost £35,000 in the process.

It was only April, when Cat, who lives in Kingswood with son Parker and husband Stu, was told her breast cancer was back. She had always wanted to visit her brother in California and to combine this with a family trip to Disneyland. So one evening, her three best friends decided to hold a music festival to raise the money and, just like that, CatFest was born.

Katie has been friends with Cat for around 20 years and said: “Emma and her husband Dan suggested we have a fundraiser for Cat with a bit of live music.

And then me and Sarah said for a joke that we could have things like wristbands, bunting and decorations, like at Glastonbury, and call it CatFest.”

About 300 people attended the all-day event on August 17. CatFest included a kids’ colour run, a Meat Loaf tribute act called Meat Loud, an Elvis impersonator in the form of Dick from Wick, as well as live music from local band Junction 19 and a DJ set from Ash Belsten. Stalls offered glitter face painting, hair braiding, cakes and more, from which all the traders donated their profits. A silent auction had prizes including VIP tickets to London’s o2 Arena and signed football shirts.

Katie’s husband Dan Sperring is the vice-chair at Hanham Athletic FC, so he helped secure the venue free of charge. And there was a friendly football match at the festival, with former players from Hanham AFC and AFC Flowerpot in Kingswood coming out of retirement to

in. Cat’s son Parker also joined the team and was crowned Man of the Match.

Once word got out about what the three friends were organising, offers of help started to pour in. “A lot of the offers were from people we reached out to,” says Katie. “It’s amazing

what social media can do now. It was really overwhelming.”

Explaining why Cat is so special, Katie said: “Cat is just a very genuine, amazing woman. She’s the most supportive, incredible person. She was quite overwhelmed initially but she loved it.”

Katie, Emma and Sarah are keen to thank the businesses who helped with the costs of putting the day on and volunteered their time. These businesses are P31 Carpentry, JB Comms, Total Access, Stringer Construct, Atomic Signs and Bright Evolve.

They also thank the Henlie Group, the company run by Dan Finn where Cat works as office manager, which covered the majority of costs. Shield Services got in touch after chairman Luke House offered to match fund the first £10,000 raised.

Katie said: “A huge thank you to everyone. All we can hope now is Cat’s well enough to make the most of the opportunity she’s got for her, Parker and Stu to make those memories. This is the last thing we ever wanted to have to do, we’d much rather have Cat in good health. But everyone coming together made it so much easier.”

To contribute to the fund, visit https://www.gofundme. com/f/catherine-catgarland-catfest

By Jane Williams

join

Football, music and a colour run were among the activities at CatFest, held at Hanham Athletic's ground

Photos: Nikki Purnell Photography

Cat with her friends and, below, with her son Parker

Black Sheep Harmony moves to Hanham

AS a well established and award winning local A Cappella ladies singing chorus, hot off the stage at Keynsham Music Festival, we are on the move to Hanham Community Centre for our weekly rehearsals from this month. We are thrilled to be joining a buzzing hub of the community and would love some of you local ladies in our “Flock". If you can sing or have had a burning desire to try, please come along to listen or sing

at one of our first rehearsals in the new venue on Thursday 12th September. We will welcome you with open arms, and cake. Yes, cake is very important to us Sheep!

We sing, under the direction of our MD Pete “Nooj” Nugent, a variety of music in four part unaccompanied harmony, from classics to modern pop music, appealing to all ages. For a preview of our sound, you can find us

Photo: John Aldridge

bursting into song all day at our Craft & Past Fair on Saturday 7th September in Hanham Community Centre. Come along to have a listen, and check out the fair with lots of stalls plus vintage cafe with cake.

We look forward to seeing all EWE potential singers on Thursday 12th in the Elbrow Room, at 7.30pm. Check us out: www.blacksheepharmony. com or phone Noey: 07899 088180

Big-hearted Ruby helps the homeless

NINE-YEAR-OLD Ruby has raised money to help homeless people in Bristol by selling home-made bracelets. She spent the summer holidays making the bracelets and was offered a pop-up stall at the café in Kingswood indoor market. Customers came up trumps and Taylor Swift fan Ruby sold more than 50 in aid of the Helping Homeless Believe charity as well as securing some more orders.

Proud mum Hayley Britton said: “We were really grateful for the support we received. Ruby wanted to help after seeing so many homeless people by the harbourside a couple of weeks ago. She will use the money to buy and make cakes and sandwiches to give to the charity. She wants to make a difference, which is lovely.”

Extremely rare Austral Islands (French Polynesia) Chief's staff or pole club Sold for £15,500

Sold for £6,800

- Lady’s 18k gold Tank Francaise ref. 2835 Sold for £4,000

Clevedon Salerooms

The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon,

Cartier

Chinese Canton Famille Rose porcelain ‘Lotus’ bowl

A face of rich NHS diversity in our community

The recent violence hijacked our shared grief at the shocking events in Southport, creating further trauma as we experienced and saw hate directed at Muslims, People of Colour, Asylum seekers, and individuals who look different because of their faith, culture or ethnicity.

Most of us will hold such views as appalling, but it caused great fear for our team here at Ellacombe Pharmacy. The thought is that while we represent the NHS in our Community, we may still never be accepted as part of the society we care for.

Community Pharmacy is arguably the most visible expression of the diversity of the NHS—one of the world's largest and most diverse workforces. For us at Ellacombe Pharmacy, the personal impact of the violence included helping colleagues commute to and

from work, painful conversations checking on their wellbeing and supporting them to decide if they feel able to work despite concerns for the communities they are part of and their loved ones. Dark days indeed.

One thing, however, is never in doubt—We will always do our best to provide the best compassionate care for everyone in our Community, never considering who you are or where you are from. This is why the NHS exists: a universal offer now underpinned, as in our team, by individuals who have left their home countries and families to work and be part of beautiful communities like ours.

How now do we heal from this toxic infection in our society? We must challenge and remove false, divisive narratives, often spread on social media and endorsed by individuals who know better, for self-serving purposes. It all cloaks

the mind in harmful ignorance, from stories that undermine proven health interventions to peddling false cures and remedies. Delivering health is about reinforcing dignity, so personal choice is sacrosanct; 'lies' rob us of the freedom to choose correctly.

It is a sad reality that health inequalities are a form of social injustice for significant population groups in our country; this must never be ignored. The work to address this unfair burden of physical and mental health needs, in our resource-blessed country, must also never be falsely presented as an "us versus them" narrative.

We all must work together to create a caring, welcoming society. This includes advocating through democratic channels and contributing to the discussions in a kind and compassionate tone. Locally, we must actively

work to ensure everyone feels part of our Community. In truth, our personal interactions, no matter how brief, have the most impact—a warm smile, friendly chat, and genuine expressions of neighbourliness all define this.

Ellacombe Pharmacy is proud to be part of this collective effort, aware that we have a remember to this Community far beyond whether we provide care to you or your family.

To access our care, please Call us 0117 9322293 or visit us at 24 Ellacombe Pharmacy BS30 9BA.

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It's No to fast food van close to school

A BACON bap van has been banned from opening up near Sir Bernard Lovell Academy after its headteacher criticised the plan.

Molly’s Baps would have sold bacon rolls, burgers and hot dogs in the car park of the Crown and Horseshoe pub on North Street, a few hundred metres from the secondary school. But South Gloucestershire Council has refused to grant a street trading consent, after fears that teenagers would buy unhealthy food there.

A licensing hearing on July 31 also heard that people living near the pub were worried about noise and smells from the van. The application was to open from 7am and close at 10pm Monday to Thursday, 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8pm on Sundays.

Headteacher Dr Robin Bassford told the hearing: “We work incredibly hard at Sir Bernard Lovell Academy to develop a healthy approach to eating. We teach children about how to eat healthily, how to look after themselves. Our canteen at schools runs on very strict regulations about the food that they can serve to young people during the school day.

“We have a breakfast offer before the school day, as well as at lunchtime. Our canteen does a great job. If this fast food trailer goes ahead, all of that work will be

MORNINGS AND EVENING

undermined. No matter what education we put in place, if you put a sweet shop or a fast food trailer a stone’s throw down from the school gates, children will buy food there.”

There was some confusion about what the burger van would be used for. The applicants said they aimed to provide food for customers, to eat inside the pub, and raise some money for a kitchen in the building.

Paul Jouxson, the father of the applicant Molly, said: “The burger van is just to start off so we can raise some funds. At the end of the day we’re trying to put a kitchen in the pub, we’re not really looking to make a takeaway service. We’re not interested in serving the schoolkids, it’s more about serving food in the pub.”

OPEN MORNINGS AND EVENING

MORNINGS AND EVENING

OPEN MORNINGS AND EVENING

COME AND VISIT US

- Tuesday 2nd July - Tours 9.15am-10.20am

Opening Morning - Tuesday 2nd July - Tours from 9.15am-10.20am

Several members of the public objected to the licensing application, and told councillors about their concerns, which included more general complaints about the pub.

Alderman Colin Cradock said: “Last Saturday the noise levels generated outside and inside the pub, up to 11pm, were horrendous, including live music, children running up and down the concrete steps, and loud voices. This occasion was not unusual, just the worst example to date. This situation can only be exacerbated by the addition of an external food outlet.”

David Levy added: “This public house isn’t a good neighbour. We have a lot of noise and it attracts a clientele which is not the most salubrious. I hear everyday Saturday night what goes on, and it’s verbal abuse, it’s not very pleasant at all.”

Hollie Williams, the pub landlady, said: “I’m trying to rebuild the Crown and Horsehoe’s reputation. All I’m trying to do now, over the next five years and longer, is rebuild this pub. The pub has been here longer than the majority of houses opposite and surrounding. If you don’t like the pub and think it’s an eyesore, you shouldn’t have moved next to a pub.

COME AND VISIT US

OPEN EVENING

who are interested

students and families who are interested School in September 2025. the morning will finish at 10.45am, the last 10.20am

Tuesday 2nd July - Tours and families who are interested September 2025.

at 10.45am, the last

Opening Morning - Tuesday 2nd July - Tours from 9.15am-10.20am

Thursday 19th September

We are offering tours to students and families who are interested in joining Wellsway School in September 2025. Please be advised that the morning will finish at 10.45am, the last tour will depart at 10.20am

Headteacher’s introduction starts at 6pm

We are offering tours to students and families who are interested in joining Wellsway School in September 2025.

morning will finish at 10.45am, the last

Open Evening - Thursday 19th September

By Alex

at 6pm repeated at 6.45pm and 7.40pm opportunity to hear about our unique freely explore our facilities and wonderful young people. A variety of evening — showcasing all aspects

Thursday 19th September introduction starts at 6pm introduction will be repeated at 6.45pm and 7.40pm have the opportunity to hear about our unique will then be able to freely explore our facilities and throughout by our wonderful young people. A variety of throughout the evening — showcasing all aspects School.

Please be advised that the morning will finish at 10.45am, the last tour will depart at 10.20am

Headteacher’s introduction starts at 6pm

19th September

Open Evening - Thursday 19th September

introduction starts at 6pm will be repeated at 6.45pm and 7.40pm opportunity to hear about our unique able to freely explore our facilities and wonderful young people. A variety of throughout the evening — showcasing all aspects

Headteacher’s introduction starts at 6pm

The Headteacher’s introduction will be repeated at 6.45pm and 7.40pm to ensure all our visitors have the opportunity to hear about our unique community. Families will then be able to freely explore our facilities and will be guided throughout by our wonderful young people. A variety of activities will take place throughout the evening — showcasing all aspects of life at Wellsway School.

The headteacher’s introduction will be repeated at 6.45pm and 7.40pm to ensure all our visitors have the opportunity to hear about our unique community. Families will then be avle to freely explore our facilities and will be guided throughout by our wonderful young people. A variet of activities will take place throughout the evening - showcasing all aspects of life at Wellsway School.

Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The Crown and Horseshoe, Oldland Common

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is renewing its call for residents to offer accommodation to Ukrainians seeking shelter from the ongoing war.

Three hundred and sixty local people have already opened their homes to about 576

Support for hosting is provided by Government funding, with the role of the council being to identify and prepare hosts and connect guests with the support they will need

More hosts needed for Ukrainians

to adapt to life in the UK.

Hosts receive a comprehensive package of support, including £500 a month financial assistance as well as practical and emotional support.

Hosts and their guest receive wrap-around support for six months from our dedicated support providers. This includes

access to drop-in sessions, activities and events available through our community hub network. Hosts are also connected, if they wish to be, with other hosts, so they can support each other and share helpful, experience-based advice to each other. The council also runs regular events for hosts

and guests to get together as a community.

Holistic, wrap-around support is offered to all Ukrainian guests, which includes advice covering access to medical services, benefits, language lessons, employment, and rehousing.

Cabinet Cllr Alison Evans, said: “So many people in South Gloucestershire have already done so much to support those in fear and in danger in Ukraine. We are so grateful to them, as of course are those Ukrainians who have found shelter and a new home here.

“We are asking now, if there are others who can step forward to offer their help, as the war is still raging, the need for places to live is still just as important.

“If perhaps you have thought about it before, or your situation has changed so you might be able to help now, please get in touch to discuss it. You certainly haven’t missed the chance to help change someone’s life forever.”

Sue Lyndon, a host from Emersons Green, said: “I would encourage anyone who has considered having a Ukrainian guest live with them not just shelve it but keep thinking about it. To really think about the way, you live your life and what would fit in with your life. To think, actually we could do this, but what would work for our family and what would work for our guest?”

If you have a spare room, a liveable annex or a whole house that would be a comfortable space for a single person, a mum and child, or a larger family, then you could be a host. Your guest or guests can share communal space like a kitchen or bathroom with you, or have a separate space.

For more information, residents are encouraged to visit the dedicated pages of the council website about Ukraine crisis help and support, plus information for sponsors and local information for guests as part of our Homes for Ukraine scheme: www.southglos.gov.uk/ ukraine. Residents who feel they may be able to help are asked to email: homesforukraine@ southglos.gov.uk.

All aboard! New faces at Jolly Sailor's helm

THE Jolly Sailor begins a new voyage this month in the fleet of Bristol independent pub company Zazu’s Pubs.

The future of the popular Hanham High Street hostelry was put in doubt when Wetherspoons put it up for sale in 2022. There were fears that the prominent building might be snapped up for conversion to flats.

The pub shut in June and is being refurbished by Zazu’s, which also owns The Greenbank in Easton, The Knowle in Knowle, the Alma Tavern in Clifton, the Westbury Park in Henleaze and the Eastfield in Westbury on Trym.

The new owners were due to reopen the free house on August 30 and said food would be on offer from mid-September once the kitchen had been refitted.

In response to local demand, the Jolly Sailor will be the first Zazu’s pub to offer breakfast,

The Jolly Sailor in its Wetherspoons days

although alcohol will not be served before 11am, as well as lunch and dinner.

In a post on social media, Zazu’s said: “Zazu’s Pubs are setting sail at the Jolly Sailor this month and we’re so excited to bring our brand of

neighbourhood pub to Hanham High Street…. Come and see what we’ve done to the place.”

The company’s plans also include an upstairs events space that will be available for hire for private bookings and community events as well as staging music

and comedy nights.

The pub’s name will not change. James Savage from Zazu’s told Bristol Live: “We did think about changing the name but it has been called the Jolly Sailor for about 160 years so in the end we thought there was no point really. Everybody knows the building as it’s a prominent landmark on the high street.

“Wetherspoons always open in interesting buildings and they have always tended to look after them. The Jolly Sailor is a large pub and it has been kept in really good nick over the years so we’ll just make a few changes in keeping with the Zazu’s style.

“I’m really excited about opening in Hanham, which is one of those areas that is changing as more people move away from the city centre. This pub has always been a community hub and that’s what we will make sure it continues to be.”

Children’s services rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

THE Children’s Services department at South Glos Council has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Children’s Services cover a wide range of support and interventions that the council provides to support families and protect children in need of help when families are struggling, for example. In 2019, Ofsted said the services “require improvement to be good’.

The report said that the pace of progress had accelerated in recent years and that ‘services for children in need of help, care and support have significantly improved’.

It highlighted that “a stable senior leadership team, increased investment, strengthened partner agency working and a whole council approach to children, have all contributed to improved services that are bettering the lives of children and young people in South Gloucestershire”.

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, who was the Cabinet Member responsible for Children and Young People until she was selected as Leader of the council, said: “I am really pleased that the incredibly hard work of all the staff in this very complex and challenging area of work is paying off and has been recognised.

“Most importantly of course, the support

that young people and their families receive is improving, but the hard work of so many social workers, support staff, managers and leaders means that once again we can be proud of our service and know that we are giving our most vulnerable children the help they need.”

South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Simon Johnson, said: “We want to continue to improve, and there are plans in place to do that. My message to our staff is a big thank you, for putting the children who need you at the centre of what you do. The work these teams do changes lives for the better, it is vital, and I am so pleased it is being recognised.”

Ofsted inspectors examined and graded several elements of the work done by children’s services teams, including the impact of leaders on social work; practice with children and families; the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection; the experiences and progress of children in care; and the experiences and progress of care leavers.

The inspectors highlighted that staff were supported by a well-targeted corporate plan; by an impactful quality assurance

framework; and bolstered by clear practice standards. They described the support for children and their families as ‘high-quality’. They also pointed to the effectiveness of the department’s early help service, which allows social workers and others to support children and their families before issues might escalate. The way that council staff work well and closely with colleagues in partner organisations, such as in health and police, through a newly created multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH), was commended.

Children are also kept informed and consulted about the support they receive, which makes them feel that the service has their welfare and best interests at its core.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Executive Director of the People department, Chris Sivers, said: “I am so impressed with the commitment and dedication of all our staff who work to help the young people who need us, and thrilled for them that Ofsted as well as the children and families they work with have recognised that effort.

“We know we have more work to do. Ofsted have highlighted how we can do some things even better, and our aim every day is to do the best it’s possible to do to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Could you help Poppy Appeal?

THE Royal British Legion is appealing for new volunteers to help run its annual Poppy Appeal in Bristol and South Glos.

The charity, which organises the Poppy Appeal every October and November, relies on more than 3,500 volunteers across the UK each year.

The RBL says all volunteers will be fully trained and the role can help people develop skills such as public speaking and building confidence, as well as supporting people in the armed forces who have served and sacrificed.

Anyone interested in finding out more about being a volunteer can contact the Royal British Legion on a dedicated helpline 0345 845 1945, or online at rbl.org.uk/ poppyappealvolunteer.

Louise Dolen, Poppy Appeal manager in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, said that as well as seeking poppy sellers, she was looking for people to act as appeal organisers – distributing poppy boxes, organising volunteer teams and counting money.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal was first held in the aftermath of the First World War in 1921, where red silk poppies were sold, raising over £106,000.

Today the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is the charity’s biggest fundraising campaign and takes place every year in the run up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

This year’s Remembrance poppy has been given a make-over and will now be plastic-free and easily recycled. The new poppies will be sold alongside stock of the original poppy.

Granny Lin's charity swim

A GRANDMOTHER of two undertook a swimming challenge to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Lin Cryer, 73, from Hanham, swam seven miles in seven hours over seven days at Longwell Green Leisure Centre as part of the charity’s Swim 10K in May fundraiser.

Lin, who spends her spare time knitting, reading and gardening, smashed her initial fundraising target of £50 – raising £500.

“I had wonderful support from my family and friends and the people at the swimming pool,” said Lin. “To raise so much money was wonderful.”

Lin swims every week at the leisure centre but said her seven-day stint was quite a challenge.

“I don’t usually swim that far. I normally just plod up and down, so this was much harder work.”

Lin has long been a supporter of CHSW after visiting Charlton Farm children’s hospice in Wraxall shortly after it opened in 2007.

She has also taken part in the charity’s Granny Trek event on several occasions and has played the CHSW lottery since its launch.

“We came up to visit Charlton Farm as it was being built and then returned shortly after it

opened,” said Lin. “The work that goes on up there to help the families just blew my mind – it’s a very special place.”

Anyone inspired by Lin can visit www.chsw.org. uk/fundraising to pick their fundraising challenge.

Thinking about Sixth Form?

EVENINGS

NHS staff honoured

THREE healthcare support workers at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust have been honoured with national awards.

The ‘Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Midwifery Officer Awards’ reward the contribution made by nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers and maternity support workers in England.

RUH healthcare support workers Gregory Jessop, Leah Moyle and Andreena Anderson were presented with the awards by Sally Matravers, Regional Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality, alongside RUH Chief Nursing Officer Toni Lync. All three were celebrated for being role models for their profession, demonstrating commitment and compassion, and acting as ambassadors for best practice.

Lin Cryer handing over cheque to CHSW fundraiser Heidi Roberts

Find your remarkable

Wednesday 25th September 4.00pm to 7.00pm

Principal talks at 5.30pm and 6.30pm followed by tours of the school

OPEN MORNINGS

Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd October - 9.00am to 10.00am (by appointment only)

To request a place on an open morning tour, please contact the Academy on 01179 864791

A BRICKLAYER from Barrs Court who made it into the quarter-finals of MasterChef has opened up a series of supper clubs, pop-ups and cooking classes in and around Bristol.

Adam Ball, 37, who took part in the TV contest last year, said: “I wanted to go on MasterChef to really push myself and see what I could do. A lot of people would comment on my Instagram pics and say: ‘Go on the show’, so I did. I was shocked at every stage of the interview process, when I kept getting through the rounds.”

Adam developed a passion for cooking when he moved into his first house with his now wife, Lesley Ball. During lockdown, he enjoyed taking photos of his dishes. Encouraged by family and friends, he applied to become a BBC MasterChef contestant, and went on to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Following his success, Adam created Frankie's Fried Chicken and waffles. Inspired by a dish he discovered during a visit to the United States many years ago, Adam created a gluten-free version. His overall interest in gluten free cooking was spurred by his wife, who has coeliac disease.

Adam said: “I started making Frankie’s Fried Chicken and waffles, and it was delicious. The name came after my daughter was born. We would make waffles together, so it just felt natural to call it this way. Gluten free cooking is massively important in my house and the products available are really good now. By cooking everything from scratch, I know exactly what's in the food and that is important to me.”

TV success prompts Adam to build new career as a chef

After reaching the quarter finals of MasterChef, Adam has run pop-ups, including on Christmas Steps

Two of Adam’s favourite dishes are:

●tomahawk steak, cooked medium rare, with a punchy chimichurri; ●venison cooked with celeriac puree, slow braised carrots and a blackberry sauce.

Growing up, Adam had enjoyed PE and playing sports, especially rugby, and he was part of the school rugby team. Then, after finishing school, he decided to follow in his Dad’s footsteps as a builder himself. His inspiration for cooking comes from his Dad, who died when Adam was just 21.

Since his appearance on the TV culinary show, Adam has been busy building his profile as a chef while also working as a builder.

He said: “Navigating both careers has definitely been tricky. It's a hard balance to keep people happy and give the time that this new path needs, and still spend time with my wife and young family. Luckily, the company I bricklay for have been massively supportive of the whole journey. They have even dined at my Supper Clubs.”

“I think with anything in life, you can take the easy route and

stick to a job that pays well, but doesn't make you fully happy, or take a risk on something that you want. I am so glad that I am doing what I love. At my last Frankie's Pop up at The Scrandit, in Bristol, I was working around 12-13 hours a day, but I loved every single second of it.”

Adam said: “My ideal goal would be to open a Frankie's Fried chicken and waffles in every town in England, then continue on with my private dining and supper clubs, that will be named after my son Ralph.”

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n ANTIQUES n NEWS

Selling history

I MUST start this month’s column with a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who came along to our saleroom last month for the filming of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip – it was lovely to see so many people. While I can’t guarantee our saleroom will be graced by celebrities every month, hopefully it inspired some of you to attend future auctions. I’ll also take this opportunity to tell you that we’ll be joined by BBC Bargain Hunt on Friday September 20 in our Bath saleroom (only twenty minutes away!) if anyone would like to come along, you’d be made very welcome!

This month, I’d like to talk about history. For some months now, I have been working on a very special top-secret auction happening later this year. As part of the project I’ve had to spend hundreds of hours researching items for the client – something I absolutely adore doing. One of the joys of my job is watching a client’s face when we tell them something they have is valuable, especially when they weren’t expecting it. On this particular project nearly every item has been assumed to be of low value by the client, but is actually of great value – from hundreds, to thousands, to tens of thousands of pounds. Why? Because at auction we’re not just selling items, but selling history. History is such an important part of an items’ worth. For example, when we sell a two-hundred-year-old vase, it’s not just the item that carries value, but it’s story, it’s history. Who made it? Who owned it? Where did it come from? How did it get here? All of those details are important parts of our collective social history, and they form an important connection between us and the items we own. So, if you have a family heirloom or a treasured item, be sure to document its history. Someone, somewhere, at some point in the future, will be very grateful to you - and you may just add some value to your treasures!

Andrew Stowe, Auctioneum

Roll up! It's time for

Bitton church fete

BITTON church fete and dog show will be held on Saturday September 7.

The fete is part of year-round activities to maintain the historic Grade I listed St Mary’s Church.

Everyone is welcome to attend the traditional community event which takes place from 1.30pm to 5.30pm on the Glebe Field, in the church, and in the garden of Church Farm.

The Companions of the Longbow will again be demonstrating their archery skills and people will be able to have a go.

There will be a classic car display and stalls including books, bric-a-brac, toys and nearly new clothing.

The dog show will be run by Highcroft Veterinary Centre at Longwell Green. Music will

provided by Oldland Brass, the Jazzbeanz and St Mary’s Minstrels.

There will be a licensed bar and a range of refreshments on the main field and in the church as well as cream teas in the garden of Church Farm. For children there will also be face painting and Professor Hudd’s Punch & Judy show.

Among the traditional games will be an egg throwing contest at the end of the afternoon.

The WI is running a Bitton Baker of the Year competition and there is also a photography competition. Details are available on the church website at https://www.stmarysbitton. org.uk/

Entry, which includes a programme, costs £2 for adults (children free). Parking is available on the Glebe Field.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7

n CRAFT & PAST FAIR at Hanham Community Centre, 10am - 3pm. Lots of stalls, vintage cafe and singing by Black Sheep Harmony.

27TH SEPTEMBER 2024

n IT’S TIME FOR A MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING and you‘re invited. Place : Hanham Community Centre, 09.00 to 12.00, Raffle plus cake. For more information contact Maureen 07786321079

MONDAY

n YOGA CLASSES AT HANHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE - Monday evenings 7-8 pm All levels including Beginners welcome. To book your place or for further information please email yogashula@hotmail.com or Tel 07949333548.

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, 1.303pm 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

hanham&longwellgreenvoice

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

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 JOIN OUR OVER 65’S 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 Adam - 07875503586

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 LONGWELL GREEN PROBUS

CLUB meets at Warmley Community Centre on the first and third Wednesday of each month.. New members welcomefor details contact Mike on 07817094147

n HANHAM BRIDGE CLUB

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

n HANHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: We are a friendly club who welcome photographers of all abilities to share our hobby. Meetings are at 7,30p.m. Wednesday evenings at Hanham Methodist Church, 26 Chapel Rd, Hanham, Bristol BS15 8SD. Visit https://www.hanhamphoto. org.uk or contact Geoff Mallin by email 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 KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY

Jutland to Junkyard

The Scapa Flow Scuttle by Paul Barnett – 6th August 2024

Paul's opening salvo “Who won the battle of Jutland?” a sea battle taking place in 1916 in WW1.

The battle was between The Grand Fleet of the British based at Scapa and The High Sea Fleet of Germany from the Jade Estuary off the coast of Germany.

Initially it was a trap for the Grand Fleet but communications were intercepted by the British by Room 40 (a forerunner for Bletchley and GCHQ).

It was 15 inch guns of the British v the 12 inch guns of the Germans. This would give an advantage to the British of at least 15 mins but oddly it was not taken.

In all 14 British ships were sank (loss of 6094 lives) and 11 German ships (loss of 2551 lives). The High Seas fleet returned to base and did not come out again for the duration of the war, so who do you think won? Both claim victory!

The High Seas Fleet surrendered 12th November 2018. Initially the major powers could not agree how the ships would be redistributed. The ships, using a skeleton German crew moved to Scapa Flow, anchoring around the island of Gava. On 21st September 1919 the code word “Paragraph 11 Confirm” was sent out across the fleet and 57 of the 74 vessels were scuttled.

Since, most of the ships were recovered up to 1939. Some of the steel sold back to Germany! There is also a use for irradiated steel.

The audience then fired some salvos of their own, but Paul was not sunk in his response.

Next meeting at the Park Centre, Kingswood is Tuesday 3rd September 2024, 7pm for 7,30pm start. Visitors £4 incl tea/coffee and biscuits.

Full schedule of presentations can be found at www.kingswoodhistorysociety.org

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

longwell-wi@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

hanham&longwellgreenvoice

Connecting people across our community

WE are BS15 is a non-profit community led organisation running food and wellbeing projects for Kingswood and Hanham residents. The name reflects what the project is about: the residents of BS15 working together for the benefit of the community.

Established in February 2021 as the legal structure, We are BS15 Community Interest Company (CIC) is currently in the process of transitioning to a charity.

Vicky Robinson, Co-founder and Director, said: “During the early days of the pandemic the community pulled together to support each other. This grew to a team of 250 volunteers supporting residents with everything from shopping and prescriptions to dog walking and gardening.”

“At the height of the pandemic, we were taking 500 calls for help each week. Everyone in the community was involved, young and old and even those isolating at home were able to be involved in taking telephone calls.”

After the lockdown, a team of around 40 volunteers felt the community spirit generated by the COVID response had really enhanced the community and there was something worth building on. Today, We are BS15 includes 70 dedicated volunteers and has a clearly defined mission statement: to connect people, share resources, skills and knowledge and grow the sense of community, resilience and compassion.

Founded by five local people with a wealth of backgrounds and decades of experience, We are BS15 has a vision to help the local community by sharing skills and resources to combat social isolation, reduce food poverty and grow together.

• Vicky Robinson, Director, has over 20 years leadership experience across the hospitality and care industry, with specialisms in HR and Marketing.

• Rev Beverley Charles, Director, Rector of Kingswood and Hanham Parish for six years. Former Public Sector Strategy Manager with 20 years’ experience in Project and Programme management.

• Dr Anna Wheatley, Director, is a recently retired GP from Kingswood Health Centre with 24 years of experience working with patients in BS15.

• Rebecca Hurwitz, Director, is a researcher and evaluator with focus

on public health, food and the food system.

• David Robinson, Director, is a retired Accountant and Managing Director with 40 years experience across a range of business sectors.

The organisation operates through four main projects, each led by community members:

1. The Kingswood Kitchen

The Kingswood Kitchen aims to ensure that everyone in the community can access good food, whether they're a busy key worker, tired of cooking for one, or facing a difficult patch.

Each Thursday, the Kitchen provides a freshly-cooked meal, with a choice of a meat or veggie dish. These can be ordered for collection or delivery between 4.30pm6.30pm.There is a suggested price of £3.50 per meal, but people pay what they can. Those who can pay a bit extra help cover the cost for someone else.

Meals are prepared using ingredients from local suppliers and, when in season, fresh salad and veg grown in their own Trinity Garden.

2. Kingswood Food Club

With a focus on community and sustainability, the Kingswood Food Club offers members a range of groceries for £2. These include fresh produce, pantry staples, and delicious treats and would normally cost £10-£15 in the supermarket.

The food club runs at Holy Trinity Church Hall on Thursdays and membership costs £2 for 12 weeks. Membership also includes access to regular wellbeing sessions.

A free Welcome space also runs alongside the food Club, offering

membership is required to access this service.

3. Trinity Garden

Since March 2022, the allotment behind Holy Trinity Church Hall in Kingswood has been producing an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruit and salad. The crops are shared between volunteers and used in the Community Kitchen and Cafe. In 2024 we have extended the growing space to develop a sensory garden which provides an oasis just off Kingswood high street, where visitors can rest and enjoy the beauty of nature.

4. The Beacon Cafe in Hanham

The Beacon Cafe in Hanham is an inclusive community cafe, serving coffee and tea, all-day breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes. Operating on a pay-as-youcan donation basis, the cafe is a welcoming space for residents to meet new friends, discover new skills, join one of the regular social groups and be part of something truly meaningful.

We are BS15, have grown in size to 70 volunteers and the four projects have made a big impact on the Kingswood and Hanham community. Some of the successes include:

• Helping people who have previously felt excluded to develop new skills and make a positive contribution.

• Seeing people form new friendship groups, where they previously felt alone.

• Seeing people from different generations, heritage, disabilities working together and encouraging

each other.

• Transforming a derelict space, into a beautiful growing space and sensory garden. Creating a space of wellbeing for volunteers and visitors.

Vicky said: “One challenge we have faced has been managing the rapid growth and onboarding of new volunteers effectively. Despite having over 70 volunteers, we still lack capacity for all the projects we envision. We are continually working to expand our volunteer base, particularly seeking skilled volunteers.”

“Our Kingswood projects are run from a church hall in need of refurbishment. Securing funding to transform this space into a warm, efficient, and flexible community hub is a key focus moving forward.”

Some of the new projects for We are BS15 this autumn include a pilot programme that aims to welcome refugees and newly settled communities in Kingswood through cooking and sharing food from around the world.

Vicky said: “Additionally, we will start a coffee morning called ‘Young at Heart’ in September 2024, aimed at reducing social isolation among the over-50s with coffee, cake, activities, and entertainment every week.”

To find out more, visit: https:// wearebs15.co.uk/

If you are interested in volunteering with We are BS15, you can contact hi@wearebs15. co.uk. The team are particularly looking for: cooks, drivers, IT specialists and a volunteer coordinator.

free tea, coffee, squash, pastries, cakes and more. No

n MESSAGE FROM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER

Violent few do not represent us

THE recent riots we witnessed nationally were deeply troubling.

We saw a small but violent group instil fear in our communities and bring chaos and disorder to our streets.

Since that Saturday night we have seen disruption reverberate across our area.

What took place was not a protest: what we witnessed were criminal acts, plain and simple.

These actions do not reflect the values of the Avon and Somerset area. We are known for our strong, diverse and vibrant community, where people from all walks of life live peacefully alongside one another.

The scenes we witnessed are a stark reminder of how a few can disrupt the harmony that so many work hard to maintain.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the police officers who were on the front lines, displaying professionalism and courage in the face of direct attacks aimed at them

individually.

Their dedication to protecting the public and maintaining order, while distinguishing between legitimate protest and criminal behaviour, is commendable.

The individuals involved are now facing the consequences of their decisions, with the whole criminal justice system recognising the need to respond quickly and firmly.

It is essential that we send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated and that those who engage in violence and disorder will be held accountable.

No one should feel they cannot live their lives as normal, living in fear of Islamophobic or racist attacks.

I want to reassure our residents that I will continue to engage with our diverse communities to ensure everyone feels safe and supported.

I also encourage anyone who is the target of attacks or witnesses them to report them to the police or Crimestoppers.

Our response to those that want

to divide us should be to find new ways to develop our understanding of each other and create connections, and build on existing work to bring people together.

We must focus on what kind of place we want Avon and Somerset to be.

I am deeply committed to using my role to achieve real, tangible outcomes.

One way I will do this is by developing a police and crime plan to guide policing priorities and strategies over the next five years.

I have spent the past few months listening to people across our area, and identified five key priorities that reflect your concerns: strengthening neighbourhood policing, reducing violent crime, preventing crime, supporting victims, and improving the standards of policing.

Your input is crucial in shaping this plan: you are best placed to speak about the needs and concerns of your area and identify changes that will really make a difference.

It’s important to me that your voices are heard, which is why I hope you will participate in a consultation underway until October 28.

The feedback I receive will directly influence how the issues that matter most to you are tackled.

You can get involved via my website at tinyurl.com/rxzaj6cw, where there is an online survey and details of public forum meetings.

If you are not online you can contact 01278 646188 for details of how to participate.

n COMMUNITY NEWS

WHITFIELD TABERNACLE TRUST

THE Whitfield Tabernacle Trustees have had several things to celebrate in recent weeks.

A key milestone was reached when the Trust’s Planning and Listed Building Consent applications were recently approved by South Gloucestershire Council. The permission will allow for the reinstatement of the mezzanine balcony and the construction of a new entrance lobby. ‘Our previous planning permission enabled us to save the Grade I listed Tabernacle by securing the walls, reinstating the roof and installing windows’ said Trust Chair Anthony Hick. ‘This latest permission will allow us to turn a saved building into a useful building’.

The Tabernacle project is being managed on behalf of the Trust by South Gloucestershire Council with funding from the West of England Combined Authority. The Trust hopes that contracts for the next phase of work will be issued in October, but it is likely to be Spring 2026 before the building is fully open.

The Tabernacle Trustees have also thanked Kingswood Town Council for awarding them a £5000 community grant to help with the costs of external signage around the Tabernacle, and some ongoing costs that the Trust needs to meet before contractors move on site to start the phase. Trust Secretary Kim Scudamore said ‘The Tabernacle project has never been just about saving an important old building. We are working to provide a building that will make a positive contribution to the life of Kingswood; just as the original Tabernacle founders aimed to do back in 1741. As a Trust we have very similar aims to the Town Council, so we appreciate their support’.

The Trust plans to open the doors to the Tabernacle on Friday September 13 between 10am and 4pm for the community to come and learn more about what is planned for the building and to get an idea of what the space has to offer. Trustees have to stress that the building currently has no floor and no level access. A visit would therefore not be suitable for anyone with mobility issues.

Kim Scudamore

n NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence

BRISTOL U3A

U3A has been active in Bristol for 40 years, and September marks the start of our anniversary celebrations.

The first event is at The Foundation, Triodos Bank in Deanery Road on September 17. This is our regular monthly talk, and is open to all.

Doors open at 10am, and there’ll be a speaker talking about the British Raj in India from 10.30am. As it's our 40th anniversary, a few long-term members will share their experiences of u3a over the years.

The Lord Mayor of Bristol will also be there to say a few words, and the event will round off with a celebratory buffet lunch.

Don’t worry if you can’t attend, as we’ll be in the Crafty Egg in Fishponds from 2.30pm on September 18 and the Orchard Cafe in Clouds Hill Road, St George, from 2.30pm on September 20.

Do drop in for an informal chat over a cuppa.

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 semi-retired.

Bristol u3a members have access to over 170 interest groups across greater Bristol and around 30 that are local to East and North East Bristol.

This month’s feature group is Ukulele For Fun, which meets on the second and fourth Friday afternoon of the month at All Saints Parish Church in Fishponds. The group started in January and is enjoying playing popular songs chosen by the members.

The group does not offer formal tuition, so everyone pitches in to help each other.

No prior skills are required to join, and new members are welcome.

There's a spare ukulele to try, the songs are mostly well-known favourites and there are chord sheets to practice at home if you want. Contact Bev Weekes at popnted@googlemail.com.

To find out more about u3a, contact learnlaughlive@bristolu3a. org.uk.

Lindsay Gough

Insect life is truly mind-boggling ...

HAVING just returned from Scotland my thoughts have been lingering on midges and gnats. Luckily we were rarely bitten, partly because of the brisk Scottish winds. And let’s admit it, gnats can also add a certain je ne sais quoi to a scene: perhaps twinkling in the sunbeams or shimmering in streamers above the trees, almost like a disturbance of the air rather than a gathering of insects. They show a peak of activity in the autumn but in fact there are active gnats all year round. You can see winter gnats even on the shortest days, performing mating dances in favourable weather.

There are around 10 times as many species of non-biting ones as there are biting ones and, despite being vanishingly small, they are a significant group of insects in more ways than one. For a start there are well over 1600 species in the UK alone. In worldwide terms the gall gnats (to be continued) are claimed by some to be the largest of all insect families. “Hang on,” you cry, “what about those beetles of which God is so inordinately fond…” Beetles comprise a group called the Coleoptera - the largest Order of insectsbut Orders are divided into Families and, apparently, the gall gnats win the family

This rosette is made by the influence of the gall midge Rabdophaga rosaria on its host plant, a sallow. This is the midge larva’s home and its food source. Photo by AfroBrazilian

competition!

Gnat and midge are general terms used for those tiny flies (of the Order Diptera) that tend to gather in large groups, or clouds, for mating purposes and they really are quite extraordinary. Some are less than 1mm long when adult. They go through complete metamorphosis from egg to larva to pupa to the adult flying insect. A life cycle, as complex

as that of any insect, ending in a tiny adult complete with a central nervous system, the ability to fly, find a mate and produce hundreds of eggs. An insect the size of a grain of salt which can lay 300 eggs! One of the things I most enjoy about the natural world is having my mind boggled and the ability of nature to miniaturise a functional insect into a speck this small really does the job!

The role of gnats in ecosystems can be very complex. Fungus gnats live on the fungi that colonise dead wood. The larvae either feed on other insects (even smaller!) or they eat the fungal spores. If you go on a fungal foray this autumn you may well spot some tiny larvae, or the adults simply hanging around the toadstools. Gnat larvae often play a part in the decay cycle by consuming rotting vegetable matter. These larvae, some of which are aquatic, are a significant food source for larger invertebrates, fish and birds. The adults, accumulating in their millions in order to mate, provide a vital food source for birds which is especially valuable in autumn for birds on migration. As for the gall gnats, architects of fantastic structures and with a family life which gets quite Greek myth, we’ll have to save them for next time.

n NEWS

Lessons from the Bristol Pound

Lessons from the Bristol Pound Support

HOW do we hold economists to account when we don’t understand what they are talking about?

That’s the concern of author Diana Finch, from Kingswood, who has written a book that aims to help give us the knowledge we need to challenge the way money functions in our society.

Diana does this through the story of the Bristol Pound, a short-lived but important local currency system.

Her book is called Value Beyond Money: An Exploration of The Bristol Pound and The Building Blocks for An Alternative Economic System.

Diana is well placed to tell this story, having been the managing director of the currency project, envisaged as a way of keeping money generated in the city within Bristol, in its later years.

The Bristol Pound began in 2012 in a wave of enthusiasm.

for foster carers

Support for foster carers

It was the largest local currency to operate in the UK. It was the first local currency that could be used to pay local taxes, and was the first to have both digital and paper forms from its inception.

But as more people switched to paying for goods via smartphones, use of the currency declined and it closed in 2021.

But Diana says this does not mean the Bristol Pound was a complete failure; she believes we can learn from it.

“It was always a limited experiment. We couldn’t make it a viable system in its own right. But one of its aims was to help us

24 HOUR LOCKSMITH & DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS

think differently about money, our role as consumers and purchasers.

“We have to make economics more accessible. If people do not understand the arcane language and knowledge of finance and markets, they cannot question it and that is very dangerous. We need to encourage people to think more critically about the economic system – what is its purpose, is it delivering against that purpose, and how do we stretch the resources of Planet Earth to meet the needs of its people?”

Diana, who has had a number of roles in the charity sector and is currently a director of Bristol Food Network, is keen to talk to local groups about the ideas in her book. She can be contacted at hello@bristolpoundlegacy.info

The book has been published by Arkbound in Bristol and is available online and at Waterstones in Bristol.

A SUPPORT programme launched for foster carers and children in South Gloucestershire is expanding into a second hub home following the success of the first.

South Gloucestershire Council collaborated with The Fostering Network to launch the first Mockingbird Family Model in 2023. The model is designed to make fostering relationships stronger and more sustainable by providing an extended family approach that connects foster carers and children through shared experiences.

A SUPPORT programme launched for foster carers and children in South Gloucestershire is expanding into a second hub home in Oldland Common following the success of the first.

At the heart of each group of foster families, or ‘constellation’ is a ‘hub home’, where specially recruited and trained foster carers support other foster carers and children by offering advice and group social activities.

For more information about fostering in South Gloucestershire, visit: https:// fostersouthglos.org.uk.

At the heart of each group of foster families, is a ‘hub home’, where specially recruited and trained foster carers support others by offering advice and group social activities.

For more information about fostering in South Gloucestershire, visit: https:// fostersouthglos.org.uk.

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

n SPORT

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB

THERE was a carnival atmosphere at Keynsham Bowling Club following the final fixtures in the Men’s Thursday Bristol and District League, as two of our teams celebrated promotion for the 2025 season.

Our C Team competed in the fourth division, where last year they finished eighth out of nine teams, so expectations were not high. They started strongly, winning their first 10 games, then experienced a slight late-season blip.

However, a match against Page Park in mid-August not only secured promotion but also made them league champions with a game to spare. Skipper Andy Abraham did a great job of bringing together a team of existing and new members, with six new players making their debuts during the season.

On the final Thursday, our B and C teams were playing at home whilst our A team travelled to Knowle, needing one point to gain promotion.

Before the game, our side was second in the league on 100 points, with Knowle third with 91 points. With two sides being promoted and 10 points at stake, there was everything to play for.

Loft Boarding & Insulation

The team returned to Keynsham after the game having won on two rinks, drawing 5151 on shots and picking up six points. Promotion was assured and our photo shows the A and C team players in the clubhouse celebrating.

The A team captain, Geoff Yorath, thanked all those who had played during the season, not least

FRY'S BOWLING CLUB

Bristol and District League: Victoria Park made a successful trip to Fry's as Fry's threw away another good position. Fry's held a lead heading into the final quarter, but with all rinks dropping 6 in quick succession, the game swung in Victoria Park's favour and with Fry's unable to recover, they only took 2 points from the 51-58 defeat. Fry's visit to Knowle 'A' saw a continuation of the poor run of results. Poor starts on rink 1 and rink 3 set Fry's behind. Unable to pull back the deficit, Fry's fell to a 42-68 defeat with no points gained. Fry's were left in trouble following yet another pointless evening against bottom side Ardagh. A wet night made conditions tricky, with rink 1 struggling, conceding multiple shots on lost ends, and only managing mostly singles when they did win an end. This set the game up for Ardagh with other two rinks tight. Both rinks came down to the final end, with Ardagh taking both rinks and a 52-37 win, leaving Fry's in a precarious situation with Fry's only having one game left.

Scores:

25th July: Fry's 51-58 Victoria Park (Bristol); Rink 1: 22-20; Rink 2: 1521; Rink 3: 14-17; (2-8)

1st August: Fry's 42-68 Knowle 'A'; Rink 1: 13-19; Rink 2: 13-25; Rink 3: 14-24; (0-10)

8th August: Fry's 37-52 Ardagh; Rink 1: 12-25; Rink 2: 11-12; Rink 3: 14-15; (0-10).

those who came in to play when others were absent.

Next season our A team will be playing in division 1, and our C team will join our B team in division 3.

With the leagues coming to a finish, activity on the green centred on club competitions. Our ladies played one another in the 2 woods, and Jan Iles and Maggie Davies became the winners, to face each other on our finals weekend.

The men took to the green to compete in their triples competition, resulting in Ken Gaull, Geoff Yorath and Steve Palfrey waiting to do battle with Brian Pearce, Andy Abraham and Roger Palmer in the final.

The annual Tom Pells Cup resulted in the team of Jan Isles, Jennie Crockford, Graham Cavill and Paul Matthews picking up the trophy.

Mike Barrow

Friday Triples League:

The latest game in the Triples League saw Avonvale travel to Fry's. A good day for the home side saw two rinks record victory. Avonvale took a comfortable win on the third rink, but this was not enough to overcome the deficit as Fry's took a 47-40 win along with 10 points.

Scores:

9th August: Fry's 47-40 Avonvale; Rink 1: 20-8; Rink 2: 17-10; Rink 3: 11-22; (10-2).

Cups:

The annual Alsop Shield match against Keynsham took place at Fry's, with Fry's hoping to regain the shield that Keynsham won last year. The game started well for Fry's with 3 rinks pulling out a lead at the halfway stage. Keynsham fought back with some big counts, with rink 2 and 3 taking a lead, which would briefly give Keynsham the overall lead, only for Fry's to edge away again. As the game neared a conclusion, Fry's would pull way again with some big counts, with rink 3 coming to back to record a win, which saw Fry's wrap up a 95-75 win to regain the Alsop Shield.

In the Triples League Cup, after receiving a bye through the semifinal, Fry’s could not repeat last year’s success as Severn Vale would book their place in the final.

Scores:

26th July: Fry's 95-75 Keynsham; Rink 1: 29-9; Rink 2: 26-16; Rink 3: 26-25; Rink 4: 14-25.

n BOOKS

Holiday food: not always plain sailing

Are you back from holiday having gained a few pounds?

Dietitian Sue Baic has written a book that might help you avoid the same problems next time

How has your background helped with writing the book?

I have been working in Bristol as a registered dietitian and nutritionist for 25 years, with 10 years lecturing at Bristol

University. When I set up my own nutrition consultancy in 2017, I considered how best to use my skills and decided to apply to offer enrichment talks on cruise ships which led me to look into how to enjoy the temptations of 24-hour food on holiday without piling on the extra pounds.

What prompted you to turn your findings and experience into a book?

I had been working with a few cruise companies, giving talks on board. Talking with crew and guests led me to realise that there was no book on the market to provide this kind of guidance, and that there was a real interest in having something like this to hand.

What research was involved?

All the tips in the book are based on good, practical science –everything comes from a research

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

perspective. I looked at both nutrition and psychology studies, examining how to combine moderation and pleasure. I researched the effects of types of food, as well as the impact of eating in groups, speed, timing, location etc. Studies show that half of the weight gained in a year comes from holidays and it can prove very difficult to get rid of afterwards.

What kind of tips might readers find to guide them?

There are 50 bite-sized, practical tips in sections including snacking, restaurant dining, drinks, breakfast and staying active. Many of the simpler strategies involve buffet dining, such as: sharing a dessert, using smaller-size plates, piling up on salad and vegetables first, keeping high-calorie sauces on the side and eating more slowly. All these tips are designed to

New powers will bring more growth

THE new government has made economic growth its overriding mission.

That’s also been mine. Growing the economy is how we improve living standards for everyone and create the wealth we need to help get our public services back on track, and improve things like public transport.

You won’t be surprised to learn that I completely support this national focus on economic growth. As West of England regional mayor, I have a key role in helping the government to deliver this ambition.

Indeed, one of the very first meetings our new Prime Minister held at 10 Downing Street, just four days after being elected, was with all the regional mayors of England.

He wanted to make clear to us the vital role we have to help deliver the new government’s objectives against a backdrop of very, very tough economic circumstances.

Compared to the other regions outside London, the West of England has a very strong economy. We can take pride in that, and the major contribution we make to UK national wealth.

But our wealth is not spread widely or fairly enough locally.

If we harness our untapped potential, our

region can become an even greater economic powerhouse, raising living standards right across Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.

We already have an important record of delivery across the West of England.

Just last month, the West of England Combined Authority Committee approved £9 million of investment into the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone.

When finished, this site will offer state-of-the-art facilities for new and growing businesses, and create up to 1,300 jobs for local people. Creating jobs outside of the most populated areas will also help ease congestion and shorten people’s commutes.

The Somer Valley is just one of the focussed growth zones that we have in the West of England, along with the West Innovation Arc in South Gloucestershire, Bath to Bristol Corridor and the Severn Estuary. All will be key to local and national wealth creation.

By focusing on our areas of strength, and taking a strategic approach to the infrastructure needs of the region, we can deliver greater returns on investment and attract even more money – private as well as government.

It is also essential that we give all our workforce

individual depending on what outcomes are desired.

Travelling Light: 50 bite-size tips to avoid weight gain on a cruise vacation by Sue Baic is available on www.amazon. co.uk as an eBook or paperback. We have one free copy of Sue’s book to give away to the first name pulled from the hat. If you would like to enter the draw, please send your name and contact details to: news@ hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice. co.uk by September 30.

the skills they require to make full use of the new opportunities.

Through services like Skills Connect, my mayoral combined authority has already helped thousands of local people find training and new jobs.

The government will give me as mayor more new powers over employment and skills, that will allow us to go much further and more quickly.

The progress we’ve made so far across the West of England is good, but I’m determined to use these new mayoral powers and responsibilities to bring about greater economic success in the future –something you, your family, and our region deserve.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n KINGSWOOD MEMORIES & HERITAGE MUSEUM

WARMLEY DELIVERY MEN

This month’s “memory” celebrates those popular characters from years gone by: the many men (and women) who delivered provisions, drinks and milk to customer’s homes.

The first photograph features a popular local milkman, Denis Bryant, who delivered milk across the Warmley, Wick, Kingswood, Oldland, Mangotsfield and Staple Hill areas for 53 years, finally retiring in 1986 at the age of 68. Denis prided himself on never letting any customer down, even in the very worst winters. Denis’s son, Alan, followed in his father’s footsteps before he also retired, and is now joint curator of Kingswood Heritage Museum.

The second photograph features Tommy Thompson, a travelling greengrocer who lived in Stanley Road and delivered vegetables around the Warmley area for over 43 years. Tommy uniquely persevered with horse drawn transport long after others “went mechanised”. His cart was pulled by five different horses over these years, including Marcus (featured also in the photograph), who joined him in retirement in 1974.

You can find out more about these and other local characters by viewing the displays featuring Warmley in Kingswood Heritage Museum.

Kingswood Heritage Museum would like to hear from any of our readers who remember these, or other local delivery drivers. If you have any memories that you would like to share please contact us on 0117 960 5664 or by email at: kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com

Museum opening

The Museum is open until the end of November from 2 – 5pm every Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, and from 11am to 5pm on Bank Holidays.

Free admission:

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September

Kingswood Heritage Museum and the adjacent William Champion’s Garden and Grotto are both open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 2024, and all visitors are admitted for free on these two days. There is free parking at the Museum, and refreshments will be available in the Museum tea room.

Bristol Tools for Self Reliance will also be holding a Tool Sale on both days.

Museum talk: Bristol Zoo

This month’s talk takes place at Kingswood Heritage Museum on Wednesday 11th September, when

Martin Hall will tell the story of Bristol Zoo, including its history; when particular animals were introduced and enclosures built; the gardens; the Zoo’s successor at Cribbs Causeway, the Bristol Zoo Project, and the future of the Clifton site.

Admission costs £4, and light refreshments are available; doors open at 7pm and the talk commences at 7.30 pm; seats can be reserved by calling 0117 960 5664

Volunteer opportunities

Kingswood Heritage Museum always welcomes new volunteers. The Museum would particularly like to hear from anyone with experience of, or an interest in marketing and publicity. If you are interested in helping the Museum in any capacity, please either: email us at kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com or call us on 0117 960 5664.

mail@arjelectrical.co.uk