Henleaze & Westbury Voice April 2023

Plans unveiled for 40 homes at St Ursula's

BRISTOL City Council’s housing company Goram Homes aims to develop 40 homes at the former St Ursula’s School.

The developer’s business plan, approved by the council on March 7, is for more than 3,100 homes across the city over the next decade, half of them for social rent or shared ownership.

For St Ursula’s, it proposes 28 homes for sale, nine for social rent and three for affordable ownership.

The former Catholic girls’ school site in Henleaze, a Grade II listed building, is owned by the council.

Goram Homes’ website states: “Bristol City Council has passed this site to Goram Homes for development. No planning permission has been applied for or granted yet. The site has the potential for conversion into apartments.”

The sports hall at St Ursula’s has been rented out to Shine, an organisation that runs after-school and holiday clubs, for nine years.

Shaun Parker, who runs Shine with fellow director John Colley, said they had always known they would have to move one day but were disappointed that no one from Goram Homes had contacted them before the plan was made public.

“We provide childcare for hundreds Turn to Page 3

Points West's Alex Lovell finds a frock at the

St Peter's

shop: Report: Pages 14 & 15

Redmaids' choir hits high notes

Singers from Redmaids' High School in Westbury are celebrating a series of successes in choral competitions.

PAGE 26

Taking the slow route ...

A footpath in Henleaze is still awaiting registration- 17 years after an application was made to the council.

PAGE 5

Compromise plea on car park

Efforts are continuing to try to persuade the council to compromise over bringing in charges at Westbury Hill car park close to a GP surgery.

PAGE 7

Lunar Optical has been providing Bishopston with a comprehensive eyecare service for 10 years.

Thank you for supporting your local, independent opticians.

Jill and Killian look forward to the next 10 years on Gloucester Road and opening their new, independent opticians at 3 The Mall, BS8 4DP.

St Ursula's 'could become apartments'

From Page 1 of working families and have 120 staff across the region. St Ursula’s is our flagship site. Throughout this process, all we have asked is to be kept informed of developments and unfortunately this has not happened this time.”

A spokesperson for Goram Homes told the Voice: “There is the potential to develop the Grade II listed building at into apartments, but it is still very early days, and no plans are in place yet. We aim to carry out a range of technical surveys

later this year, to better understand what might be possible. Once that’s complete, we’ll start engaging with the local community to make sure any plans can best serve the wider area.`

“We know one of the buildings on the site is currently leased by a sports club and is well used the local community.

"Therefore, we’ll work closely with Bristol City Council and Shine to help ensure an alternative space is found for them before any development starts.”

When,fortunately for the nuns, time really did stand still

TO many in Henleaze and Westbury the clock atop the former convent and school of St Ursula’s was a familiar sight.

But I wonder how many realise the potential tragedy which lay behind the silent clock face.

A horological friend needed my help in resolving an embarrassingly and potentially serious problem. He knew our daughter was a pupil there, and would know their headmistress, Sister Cecelia.

He had been commissioned to carry out work on their nonfunctioning clock.

“How can I help?”

“Their nineteenth century clock is a traditional weight driven one, and although fully wound it had stopped, probably years ago”.

He went on to explain that

History writer Julian Lea-Jones on how a potential drama was averted at St Ursula's

as a safety measure, horological practice was to place a large sand box directly beneath to catch the weight should the winding cable break.

“So?”

“Just this, the clock is not in a separate clock tower, but in a small turret at the apex of the roof. I do not wish to alarm the sisters but unfortunately, probably never having seen the clock in operation they hadn’t realised the significance of the sand box”.

“Is that a problem?”

“Yes, very much so. They have put a lid on the box and have made it into a chapel altar.”

“What!”

Vaccination centre shuts

THE Covid-19 vaccination centre at UWE Bristol has shut its doors after 19 months.

Since it opened in July 2021 in the decommissioned Nightingale Hospital space, more than 273,000 jabs have been administered there. Health chiefs say people needing jabs should now go to vaccination clinics in community settings, GP clinics and pharmacies – details can be found at www.grabajab.net.

Anne Morris, chief nurse and operational lead for the vaccination programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) said: “The closure of BNSSG’s large-scale vaccination centre is a positive milestone and part of the natural evolution of our Covid-19 Vaccination Programme. The community-based vaccination model we have in place makes the most of the strengths within our health system and makes it as easy as possible for people to get their Covid vaccinations.

“Despite the success of the Covid Vaccination Programme, we cannot afford to be complacent about this virus. We continue offer first and second dose Covid-19 vaccinations at regular community vaccination clinics across our area. If you have been putting getting vaccinated, please don’t delay.”

“Yes, at some stage the already rusty winding cable will break, and a Sword of Damocles, in the form of a hundredweight of cast iron will bring an apocalyptic end to their devotions. Can you please explain to Sister Cecilia, that as soon as possible I need to

have the sandbox uncovered, and that if she wishes, I will help relocate their altar to a safer place.”

Look out for more of Julian's tales in future editions of the Voice

Cllr Geoff Gollop with the newly installed out-of-hours swipe card device

A FOOTPATH in Henleaze has not been registered after 17 years.

Bristol City Council has a legal duty to deal with applications to register a Public Right of Way “as soon as reasonably practicable”.

But a bid to protect a path off Ridgehill, which was made in 2006, has not been processed.

And, councillors heard, that is not even the longest delay – an application in Hotwells is not completed after quarter of a century.

Registering a footpath as a Public Right of Way protects the public’s access to well used paths, particularly if a landowner wants to stop people using them.

During a member forum meeting on Tuesday, March 14, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees blamed the delays on austerity, which began in 2010 when the Conservative government slashed funding for local councils across the country. But the oldest applications were made when Labour was in government.

Conservative Councillor Steve Smith, representing Westburyon-Trym and Henleaze, said: “I’m not trying to point fingers with this one. I think it would be a little unfair to try and blame you for something that’s been going wrong since before some of the members of this council were born. But do you accept that the council does have a clear legal duty here, which at the moment we’re not complying with?”

There are 11 outstanding applications which the council has not yet processed. The mayor said priorities were being changed to focus on paths obstructed from public use. He promised to provide updates on the lengthy delays “very soon”.

Mr Rees said: “We have lots of legal duties in the council and one of the things we’ve pointed out to the government is that we’re very stretched. The challenge we’re facing with local government finance now means that not only are our frontline

services being challenged, but also our backroom capacity.

17 years – and still waiting! Charity challenge

“Anyone will turn up with a placard for libraries, public toilets and parks, but nobody comes and says save our planners, save our lawyers. And yet it’s that backroom capacity that keeps these backroom processes working, and when they don’t work people get so frustrated. There’s a committee element to this as well, maybe it’s a taste of things to come, we’ll see. Some work is being done to reprioritise the work of the committee, alongside a piece of work with some national legislation, and we’ll streamline the processes and make decisions easier to come to.”

Cllr Smith replied: “While it’s unfair to blame you Marvin, I think it’s also a little unfair to blame austerity. This has been going on since Tony Blair was prime minister.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A STOKE Bishop resident cycled over 260 miles around Bristol in 24 hours in aid of the charity Parkinson’s UK.

Fraser Jamieson, 57, has raised more than £4,000 to fund the charity’s vital work.

Fraser decided to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK because his step-father David, pictured, lives with the condition

He said: “The 24-hour cycling challenge was tough both mentally and physically but nowhere near as challenging as living with Parkinson's is for David. He was a very active person before he was diagnosed"

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Pledge to act on knife crime after fatal stabbing

MEASURES to tackle knife crime have been agreed overwhelmingly by Bristol city councillors.

More than £650,000 will be spent installing and improving CCTV on local authority land over the next two years, a serious violence strategy covering the city and wider region will be developed and “blind spots” for attacks will be designed out of future planning developments.

The motion was tabled at a meeting of full council on March 14, by Cllr Mohamed Makawi (Green, Cotham) whose friend Adam Ali Ibrahim was fatally stabbed in Castle Park on January 31.

Labour made several changes to the proposals which the Greens initially opposed before the chamber voted in favour with just one Green member against.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Makawi said: “I am delighted my motion passed – the council has sent a clear message that Bristol can, and will, do more

to tackle knife crime and, most importantly, its causes.

“By taking simple steps like providing emergency bleed kits and training to night-time venues, fixing ‘blind spots’ and providing more lighting and CCTV in hotspots, we can save lives.

“I really hope we can find more money to support Bristol’s fantastic grassroots and community organisations, who are at the forefront of this in persuading young people to put down blades.

“Of course, the iron test of this motion will be that it is followed by real action, which I hope it will, given the support from all parties – it is too important to ignore.”

He said he was disappointed by Labour’s amendment.

“Greens felt it removed some important parts of the motion, like references to the council’s drugs strategy, addressing the stigma of neuro-diversity and crucially a commitment to

improve lighting in known dark areas,” Cllr Makawi said.

“But the amended motion still sends a strong message and commits the council to take action and so despite those changes we were happy to support it.”

Labour councillors said their alterations “strengthened” the motion and removed a requirement to “identify licensed premises which fuel anti-social behaviours at the root of knife carrying and review the licence compliance”.

They said this implied a link between the nighttime economy and knife crime, which was an “unproven and harmful assumption”, and replaced it with a commitment to work with the Bristol Nights Board on

preventative measures rather than penalising pubs, bars and clubs. The group backed parts of the original proposals, including increasing the coverage of bleed kits at venues.

Labour cabinet member for public health and communities

Cllr Ellie King said: “While taking on board the goodwill of this motion, there were several reasons why we felt it needed considerable changest.

Licensing committee chairman Cllr Marley Bennett said: ‘Our Labour amendment seeks to strengthen the original motion in several ways.

“Some of it is simply to tighten up the wording where necessary .”

Ronaldo Griffiths, 19, of Osprey Road, Bristol, faces a jury trial in July for the alleged murder of 36-year-old Adam Ali Ibrahim, which he denies.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mohamed Makawi

Hopes of shift on new car park charges

BRISTOL’S Mayor Marvin Rees has promised to look again at plans to introduce charges at the council-run Westbury Hill car park at Westbury on Trym.

Plans to charge GP patients, churchgoers and shoppers £1 an hour, seven days a week, have caused an outcry.

Opposition councillors tried to reverse the plans, which also affect nine other car parks and are due to come into force in the autumn. Their bid at full council last month was unsuccessful but Mr Rees did say his administration would take another look, particularly with regard to patients using the surgery that adjoins the car park.

Conservative group leader Cllr Mark Weston tabled a motion urging Mr Rees to “revisit, review and reverse” the idea. He called on the mayor to “commit to conducting full consultation” and “explore possible compromise solutions”, such as making the first hour free but increasing how much drivers would pay after that so the council still earned the same income.

It also demanded pausing the sell-off of four other district car parks to “evaluate their impact on local high streets and then consult on those plans as well”.

The motion was supported by the Lib

Dems but failed because Greens and Labour, the two biggest parties in the chamber, voted against.

Cllr Sharon Scott (Conservative, Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze) told the meeting: “Westbury has a thriving high street with the only banks in north Bristol. Parking charges will no doubt influence people to park on the street, impacting local residents. The large primary care centre, Holy Trinity Church and Methodist church are all either on the car park itself or minutes away.”

She said the Methodist church doubled as a community hub used by more than 2,000 people a week, including Scouts, Guides, Alcoholics Anonymous, Bristol Ballet Centre, a drama group, a foodbank and a Ukrainian centre.

Cllr Scott said: “What message is the council giving to volunteers who give up their own time to help, then to be charged for the privilege? Is the council really going to charge people to worship or see a doctor?

“This car park is used by many, it’s a vital part of Bristol life and it’s not just for the residents of BS9 who apparently can afford to pay extra charges, which some ill-informed councillors in this chamber seem to believe.

“This scheme should not be used as a tax

on daily life. We need a consultation and a proper debate on the first hour being free, no annual permits and free parking on Sundays.

“Simply bringing in charges without consultation will harm our communities and local economy.”

Labour group leader Cllr Steve Pearce said: “These car parks aren’t free to maintain – by keeping them free you’re subsidising motorists inherently at the expense of other forms of transport.”

Cllr Ed Plowden (Green, Windmill Hill) tabled an amendment “opposing the principle of free parking” but this was also voted down.

Earlier, at member forum, Cllr John Goulandris (Conservative, Stoke Bishop), asked the mayor: “Is it possible for the council to give the GP surgery a very small number of passes that they could give to patients so they don’t end up having to pay?”

Mr Rees replied: “We want to explore the potential of that.“There is a cost to it and I want to talk to our health partners about that cost. We’re in a dilemma, they’re in a dilemma and I hope we can sit around the table and resolve it.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Net zero funding

BRISTOL has been awarded €1.5 million (£1.3 million) following a successful bid for a new innovative climate action project through the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme from the European Union Cities Mission.

Together with 52 fellow Pilot Cities across Europe, Bristol – the only UK city to be awarded funding - will use the grant to further accelerate climate action and rapidly decarbonise the city. The successful Bristol consortium partners are Bristol City Council, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Abundance Investment.

Councillor Kye Dudd, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Energy and Waste said: “I am delighted ."

New row over playing fields

A FRESH row has erupted between Cotham School and campaigners trying to secure open access to Stoke Lodge playing fields.

The campaigners say a criminal damage allegation against one of their supporters has been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

But they say the 76 year old man involved was “offended and outraged” by evidence submitted by a school employee.

We Love Stoke Lodge (WLSL) action group have now called on the school to investigate and apologise to the man.

The Voice has contacted the school, but at the time of going to print has had no response.

The investigation was into claims that in May 2022 someone put sticky tape on metal boxes by the park gates, blocking hidden CCTV cameras installed by the school in January that year.

WLSL said the CPS had written

to the man last month saying the criminal damage case had been dropped because “there was no realistic prospect of conviction.”

WLSL said: “We do not know why the prosecution was being brought – this is alleged to have happened in May 2022. The school have said the hidden cameras were in place in January, but local people didn’t know about them until we published the fact in October.”

The group have been campaigning to have the 26 acre site kept open for public use. The school, which uses the area as playing fields, put up fences around much of it in early 2019, despite local objections. The site is open for public use at restricted times.

WLSL has applied to have the playing field designated as a Town or Village Green, and in independent inspector was due to report on the proposal in March.

Bristol City Council’s Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee will then decide the application.

In October 2022 the Voice reported that WLSL had complained that metal boxes by gateways into the area contained hidden CCTV cameras.

Cotham School said at the time that two covert cameras had been “reluctantly” installed because of repeated vandalism of gates and fences.

In January the Information Commissioner’s Office said the covert CCTV cameras were not compatible with GDPR guidelines. The school said following ICO advice and “concerns from the public” it agreed to delete all historic footage from the cameras, and install “enhanced” signage, warning people that the CCTV cameras were in place.

In February a planning application for a CCTV camera pole was rejected by the council.

Station to open in summer Diversion review

A NEW train station is due to open this summer on the Portway after suffering months of delays.

The station will take passengers every half hour from the Park and Ride close to Junction 18 of the M5 motorway along the Severn Beach rail line to Bristol Temple Meads.

Construction work began in January last year and was due to finish in September, but was then pushed back to “early this year”. And now the opening date has been delayed again, according to Bristol City Council, although the station is “substantially complete”.

City Hall chiefs hope the station will encourage commuters out of their cars and onto public transport, as part of an ongoing push to cut congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions.

A report to the council’s cabinet said: “The Portway Park and Ride rail station is now substantially complete and due to open by summer 2023. It will be the first new rail station to open in Bristol since Parson Street in 1927, and the first new rail station to open in the West of England since Filton Abbey Wood in 1996.

“The station is now substantially complete with

the testing, commissioning and safety vali-dation processes currently under way. The station will widen access to the rail network and encourage modal shift from private car trips.”

The Park and Ride car park is also being expanded, with works due to finish at the end of March. City transport planners are also exploring how to improve the journey along the Portway for buses, bicycles and pedestrians, although few details are currently available.

The station has been paid for with funding from the council, the Department for Transport and the West of England Combined Authority. The has risen a further £1.4m due to the delays.

Portway train station will have one platform serving both directions, long enough to fit up to five coaches. As well as Temple Meads, trains running along the Severn Beach line stop at Shirehampton, Sea Mills, Clifton Down, Redland, Montpelier, Stapleton Road and Law-rence Hill. In the other direction, trains also run to Avonmouth, St Andrews Road and Severn Beach.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

THE mayor of Bristol has promised to take a second look at a “risky” diversion for a major cycling route.

A section of Concorde Way, connecting the city centre to north Bristol, will be closed for at least a year to make space for construction workers building the new Ashley Down train station. The section running from St Werburghs and Ashley Down to Petherbridge Way closed in March. The diversion set by Bristol City Council directs cyclists up Boiling Wells Lane, and then advises people to ride along the busy Muller Road or get off their bikes and walk.

But the diversion has been criticised by cycling campaigners and local Green councillors, who called on the mayor to reconsider the temporary route. Marvin Rees said he was “always happy to go back over” decisions such as this.

Trees –

KENNINGTON Avenue in Bishopston once had a tree outside every house – and if residents have their way it will eventually be like that again.

The drive to restore the greenery was started by Amy Williams, who has lived in the street for five years. She was struck by a photograph from 100 years ago that showed the avenue lined with magnificent trees.

So when a tree had to be felled outside her home, Amy was quick to donate to a Bristol City Council scheme to plant a replacement.

Would you like to sponsor a tree?

Bristol

org/Bristol

Trees for Streets runs the National Street Tree Sponsorship Scheme, a charity initiative that aims to empower communities and green our streets. It's a very simple process - just select a location on an online map and upload a donation. More information at treesforstreets.org

Soon afterwards, three more old trees had to come down because of rot and a vehicular collision. Amy decided to take action by inviting others in the street’s WhatsApp group –started during the pandemic – if they would contribute towards new trees.

Donations poured in, and this winter five new trees have been

The tree planting project has fostered community spirit among neigbhours young and older

supplied via the Trees for Streets website, which is now hosting the scheme for the council.

Simeon Linstead, project director for Trees for Streets, said: “Amy knew more needed to be done, but rather than cursing the darkness, she decided to light a match.

“With about 120 houses on

the street, Amy realised that they would only need a few pounds from each resident ‘…and that’s a tree!’ If people chipped in more, they would be able to transform their street entirely.

“It was so easy, we just sent a message via WhatsApp saying, ‘We’re planting trees, does anyone want to contribute?’ And

everyone chipped in straight away.”

The neighbours found the tree-planting initiative has had added benefits. It has brought their community together and has been a great way to connect their children with nature, showing them that they can make a positive difference to the

world immediately outside their front door. The children plan to get involved watering the tree over the summer months.

The community plans to plant more trees, of the same species as those that were there before, and is considering planting trees further afield in less affluent parts of Bristol.

Kennington Avenue in Bishopston as it looks today and how it was many decades ago when the trees were thriving

'Eyesore'garages could be replaced by homes

AN “eyesore” block of garages in Redland could be demolished and replaced with six new houses. But some locals are worried it will add to parking problems in the area.

The garages off Cossins Road date back about 70 years. They back onto Redland Green in what planning consultants describe as a prime location.

Westbury Park Community Association say on first inspection they broadly accept the proposal, and local councillors say it could clear up a long running problem of dereliction.

But at the time of going to press three neighbours had submitted anonymous objections – mostly on parking grounds.

They all say that Cossins Road is one of the first roads people come to outside of the nearby Residents Parking Scheme – and as a result it sees “dangerous” parking behaviour, which they said impacts on children using the road as a school route.

One said: “Due to the adjacent parking zone this area is heavily congested with parked cars so this development would add to this congestion with added vehicles and the loss of off road parking facilities.”

Another voiced concerns about the effect on Redland Green. A third welcomed new housing, but said it would add to parking problems.

Currently there are 25 brick garages on the site in a U shape – and the plan involves demolishing 22 of them.

Two years ago consultants Walsingham Planning submitted a “pre-application” proposal to build fourteen homes on the site. Their latest full planning application says it has taken council comments into account, and reduced the number to six.

They propose a row of five two-storey three-bedroom houses, backing onto Redland Green, with roof terraces overlooking the Green. And one single-storey three-bedroom “lodge house”.

There will also be seven parking spaces, and bike storage.

Walsingham say in their application the houses will form a “mews style” development, and

will be “unobtrusive” to houses on Coldharbour Road which back onto the site.

They were due to hold a public meeting in late March to display the plans and answer residents’ questions.

Kevin Chidgey from WPCA said they were encouraging local people to come forward with comments, so potential objections can be considered.

He said: “We are seeking views from Community Association members on the proposed redevelopment of this unattractive site and that we have already noted a number of concerns from those living close to the site about the possible impact of on-street parking in Cossins Road and the loss of views to Redland Green.”

Bristol City Councillor for

Redland, Martin Fodor, broadly welcomed plans to tidy up the site.

He said: “There were issues with dereliction in the past that had to be made safe, and this site has been identified for housing development in the draft local plan for some years.

“We'll be pressing for planners to secure the most sympathetic and sustainable design in keeping with the sensitive location overlooking the Redland Green Conservation Area.”

He said he hoped to gather local residents’ views at the consultation event.

The planning application can be viewed on the Bristol City Council planning portal with the reference 23/00665/F

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Hospice opens 'flagship

THE doors have opened on the latest charity shop for St Peter’s Hospice.

The shop, which can be found at 112-114 Whiteladies Road, is the 43rd shop for the hospice and will be the charity's flagship store.

The décor reflects the vibrant nature of the Clifton location, giving the shop an elevated look and feel, using bold colours, neon signs and an emphasis on sustainable design. It’s a great backdrop for the eye-catching clothing, vintage treasures and unique items which can all be discovered in store.

Long-time supporter of St Peter’s Hospice, BBC Points West's Alex Lovell, raised a toast to the opening declaring: “I hope you raise squillions here. Cheers to the shop and its opening!

“Anybody who knows the area has probably been touched by St Peter’s Hospice or knows somebody whose family have been there.

“We can’t all dig deep at the moment, but we’ve probably got some stuff up in the attic or have some clothes that we don’t fit into that we could bring out and donate and help to raise money for the hospice.”

St Peter’s Hospice retail director, John Broomhead, thanked shop manager, Thom Madine, and the staff and volunteers who’ve been working behind the scenes to get the shop looking fabulous for opening.

John Broomhead said: “We’re really delighted with the look and feel. While this shop appeals to a younger buyer, we have stock that caters for all the family.

Alex Lovell joins Frank Noble, Thom Madine and John Broomhead to celebrate the opening of the new St Peter’s Hospice shop on Whiteladies Road

'flagship shop'

“Thank you to the people of Bristol who’ve supported us with their fabulous donations – it wouldn’t be possible without you.”

The retail division is important to the Brentry hospice as it helps to provide a source of stable funding. Frank Noble, CEO of St Peter’s Hospice says: “At the moment our fundraising is down but our retail is up and it’s going to stay up because the quality is so amazing. It means that we are able to plan ahead and provide for our clinical services.”

St Peter’s Hospice flagship shop is open from 9.30am5.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am-4pm on Sunday. The shop operates a daily quiet hour between 9.30- 10.30am (10 –11am on Sundays).

Alex Lovell tries on a hospice shop 'find', above Left: Outside and inside views of the St Peter's Hospice flagship in Whiteladies Road

MP

There are no quick fixers for Britain's deep-rooted

ANOTHER year, another budget. But what’s new?

The country still isn’t in great shape, sadly. Whilst global inflation is starting to ease, domestic inflation is proving more stubborn. We all know that, of course, given the cost of everything.

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced some welcome changes to funding for childcare. But we must wait until 2025 for them to kick in. That’s not great news for those of us currently paying a fortune for childcare and, quite frankly, it was also a bit of political trap. The Government could only afford to fund this by keeping public sector funding (for other departments like health and education and policing) to 1%. Departmental spending is almost guaranteed to be higher than that, but the great thing about the 2025 start date is that it’s after the next election. So, it’ll be a problem for whoever comes next!

The honest picture is stark. Our national debt is too high and we’re paying over £90bn a year in interest alone. Income from taxation is declining (because we are an aging population and trade has been declining), which is why levels of taxation on working people and business is the highest it’s been for many decades. There was also no mention of resolving public sector pay disputes and, remarkably, very little to say on the long term fixes for high energy bills and delivering on our net zero targets (note: you can do both at the same time).

We shouldn’t be surprised, of course. It’s the end of the Parliamentary term and we’re coming up to a General Election which will happen at some point next year. Most of our problems are deep structural problems that can’t be turned around quickly.

Whoever ends up in Government after the next election will have plenty on their hands.

Thankfully, in local news, my ‘Better Buses or Bust!’ campaign has had a better reception than the Chancellor’s budget. I’ve had a great response to the launch of the campaign, with the first 100 journeys logged in only a few days, and the number of submissions increasing throughout the first week.

At the time of writing, more than a quarter of the journeys logged are from Henleaze and Westbury-on-Trym, so thank you to everyone who is supporting the campaign!

Please keep the momentum going and continue to log your journeys at www.darren-jones. co.uk/bus throughout April and May. I plan to do a monthby-month comparison to see if reliability improves from April –like one bus company has claimed it will – or if the long-running problems persist. More data means more evidence, and it will strengthen my case if I need to hold the bus companies to account.

In other bus news, unfortunately Stagecoach will be putting the brakes on parts of routes 10 and 11, which will now only go as far as Southmead Hospital. Several constituents who use the service to travel to UWE, Bristol Parkway train station and Aztec West have contacted my office, bewildered by the changes that will leave them high and dry for getting to work or university. This isn’t right. Whether you cannot drive, or choose not to, you should be able to trust that the bus services that you rely on will not vanish in a poof. Frankly, we already have enough ghost buses.

Our bus services are run by private companies, but public

transport is an essential public service, and so I have requested an urgent meeting with Stagecoach to speak up for my constituents. I’ll share details of the outcome of this meeting in my next column.

Last month, I mentioned that I had written to the Council about concerns raised on the planned introduction of parking charges in the car park by the Westburyon-Trym GP surgery. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has replied to my letter, informing me that the proposed charges will be subject to consultation before becoming Council policy, so you will still have an opportunity to make your views heard. I’ll share information on this public consultation when it is announced.

As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can get in touch with me on e-mail at darren.jones.mp@parliament.uk, by calling my office on 0117 959 6545 or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London

Wanted: your ideas to keep us moving

I’VE always said that local people know their communities best. I’ve also always remarked that people across the West are endlessly able to come up with great ideas. You only have to look at my Big Choices public meetings I held last summer to see that!

Now you may or may not have come to these meetings, where I listened to thousands of people air their concerns and suggest solutions to the many, many challenges we have on the buses at present. If you did, thank you for engaging in one of the knottiest issues this region is facing right now!

If you didn’t, fear not. You’ve still got time to tell me your community’s unique transport challenges and help me find the best transport solution for its particular needs.

Welcome to WESTlocal - a new £2 million fund from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to help communities design and then run their own version of new transport in their patch.

Maybe the challenge in your area is driving children to school? Getting older residents to the shops? Workers to large local employers at the start and end of shifts?

Whatever it is, with WESTlocal - open

to a wide selection of community groups, schools, faith groups, town and parish councils, and more - we will unleash the power of local people working together, and keep residents on the move.

All you need to do is come up with an idea, then get together with other groups in your community (or go it alone if you want to), identify a range of transport needs and come up with a transport scheme to tackle them. We will support you to put those plans into action and make them a success.

The fund is super-flexible, and communities can consider a range of ideas, with fixed timetables or flexible services, and pre-booked or “buy on the bus” services. They could run to key locations – think GPs or colleges. And various vehicles can be used. Traditional buses, minibuses - you name it!

Your proposed scheme must serve residents based in the West of England area. Your ideas must be locally designed and new - they can’t simply keep schemes going that are already in place.

For those thinking “but I’ve never run public transport before, Dan” - don’t worry.

Expert advice and support will be made

available every step of the way, to help all those looking to set up a new transport scheme.

Once you have got your idea, contact transport.operations@westofengland-ca.gov. uk and put ‘WESTlocal idea’ in the address line.

The West of England Combined Authority will get back to you to explain the rest of the process. You have from now until the end of April 2024 to have the idea and get the application process in. Okay, so now you can get going - there’s nothing stopping you!

This is people-powered transport, designed and delivered locally.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Flowers for Coronation year Plea for furniture

THE Westbury Society would like the whole village to join in this year.

The Westbury on Trym Society Committee will be organising its local house to house collection of funds for flowers around the village centre as usual this year - so look out for the arrival of an appeal envelope in your letter box. Residents are always generous with their support and working with Blaise Nurseries to fill our pots and baskets with colourful displays makes such a difference for daily visits to the village for everyone.

This year is a very special one too; the nation is welcoming a New Monarch to the throne and we would like you all to pay a tribute to our crowned King with your own individual floral displays.

“So we are organising a Westbury in Bloom: ‘Front Garden Display Year’ and hope you will feel inspired to join in, making your roads something to be proud of. In June and July members of our team will tour all the roads in and around Westbury at different times and will

note all the front gardens that have been planted or decorated in some way with flowers or shrubs in beds, boxes, tubs, troughs or baskets.

Finally, we will select some for prizes -but you don’t need entrance forms - just a bit of smartening and planting in a small way from April onwards - when we shall start to take pictures (with your permission).”

“It doesn’t need to be anything huge or spectacular - just a tidy front garden with a bit of colour in it. If you haven’t got much garden, use one or two pots, a

hanging basket, or a window box. Be friendly and get together with your neighbours to arrange a coordinated line of colour along your road and if your garden has been a bit neglected, don’t despair - wild flowers love poor soil (remember all those bomb sites if you are old enough). Just loosen the surface soil a bit and buy one of the many packets of wild flower seed now available. The bees will love you – so will the King ! The one thing you must remember to do is to use a small watering can or bucket to give your flowers some regular water - like Blaise Nurseries do for our village pots - or use your washing up water like we were told to do during the wartime (- but without bleach in it!).”

We are looking forward to a smart and flowerful Westbury on Trym and at the end of the summer we will send pictures of your efforts to the King!

Hilary Long - for the Westbury on Trym Society Committee and other volunteers

SOFA Project is launching an appeal for quality reusable furniture and household goods following an increase in demand from low-income families.

Despite the recent fall in headline inflation, the price of furniture has risen by over 11% in the last year according to February’s figures released by the Office of National Statistics.

The furniture and household goods donated to SOFA Project will be used to meet local needs, including Bristol City Council’s Local Crisis & Prevention Fund.

Other furniture will be sold through SOFA Project’s shops in Gloucester Road and West Street in Old Market.

Donations can be made to SOFA Project and arrangements for free collection by contacting https://www.sofaproject.org.

Coils of Fear

by Olivia Wenzel

Review by Bob Deacon

OLIVIA Wenzel is a writer, performer and musician, born in the former East Germany in 1985 and who today lives and works in Berlin. 1,000 Coils of Fear is her first novel. The unnamed narrator has a white punk German mother and a black Angolan father. The author is a playwright and this is reflected by the novels structure which takes the form of the narrator engaging in a witty question and answer dialogue with herself. There are several examples of the everyday racism the narrator experiences because of her colour. She finds herself frequently chosen for security screening at airports and

when she attends a play about the Berlin Wall coming down, she realiSes she is the only black person in the audience of around a thousand people. She is sitting with her boyfriend, by a bathing lake, when four neo-nazis turn up making racial slurs with one proudly showing off his swastika tattoo. The narrator visits New York and rejoices in the freedom of walking down Fifth Avenue eating a banana. Back in her native Germany, a black woman eating a banana would inevitably

invite a racist ape analogy or the banana would be seen as an analogy for a penis and attract a sexist comment. In New York she has the novel experience of being openly smiled at not less than five times every day. She confesses that as a kid there was nothing she wanted more than a magic ointment that she could apply before going to bed, that would make her white overnight. These experiences are neatly interwoven with her family’s backstory. We learn about her blond, beautiful grandmother, whose dream growing up in the newly formed socialist East Germany, after the Second World War, was to be a stewardess and to travel all over the world. Instead, she became pregnant, and ended up at the age of 40, disabled with chronic back pain, unemployable and voting for the extreme right. Her mother excelled at school, being elected class president before transforming into a rebellious punk who ended up being followed by the Stasi and imprisoned by the East German state with custody of her daughter being granted to the grandparents.

This is a quirky, innovative and thought provoking novel, superbly translated by Priscilla Layne, illustrating the racism and homophobia experienced by a queer woman of colour growing up in a unified Germany.

OPENING HOURS

Henleaze Library 0117 9038541

Mondays 11am-5pm

Tuesdays 11am-5pm

Wednesdays 1pm – 7pm

Thursdays 11am - 5pm

Fridays 1pm – 7pm

Saturdays 10am to 5pm

Westbury Library (Staffed) 0117 9038552

Mondays 2pm – 7pm

Tuesdays 11am – 4pm

Wednesdays 11am – 4pm

Thursdays 11am – 4pm

Fridays 11am – 4pm

Saturdays 11am – 4pm

n NEWS FROM S us WoT

Use it or lose it

Curry Club: SusWoT has started a monthly event dinner at a local restaurant. Many local businesses are struggling, and this is a way to have a good evening out and support a local business. There used to be three curry restaurants in Westbury, now there is one. If that closes how will people complete the traditional Westbury pub crawl? SusWoT will be investigating a campaign ‘Use it or Lose it’ in Westbury to see if we can persuade locals to use their local shops and services where possible. Westbury will not be so attractive as the local businesses collapse and we must travel further and further to find the services we need. Henleaze shops appear to be well used and doing relatively well why the difference?

Cleaning the Trym: This work continues, and every Friday SusWoT volunteers remove rubbish from our local river. So far about 120 tonnes has been removed. Recent TV shows quote scientists saying that all UK rivers are polluted. Not surprisingly often there is untreated sewage in the Trym flowing through the middle of the village. This is due to some houses upstream having toilets that are ‘misconnected’. When flushed the contents go straight into the road drains and then the river

rather than into the sewer. Downstream of the village, when there is too much sewage for the pipes to cope, the sewers ‘burst’. Wessex Water are very good and send teams to pick up the sanitary towels and wet wipes people flush away that have escaped onto the land and into the river. SusWoT are working closely with Wessex Water to resolve these problems and work is planned over the next seven years to deal with this. Remember, you should only flush the three p’s, pooh, pee and paper and never pour paint or chemicals down a roadside drain (or let a builder working for you do it). Heat Pump Ready Programme: Bristol has been awarded the funding for this. Only Oxford and Cambridge have similar programmes. The aim is to develop a way to deploy heat pumps in places with high density

housing. The skills, expertise and methods to do this will be developed virtually from scratch as there are few qualified people around. There will then be a trial to see if 200 homes can be fitted with heat pumps quickly. It is crucial that the heat pump installations are successful. To ensure this there will be a fully managed process. Community engagement will be at the heart of the approach bringing the industry to Westbury and ensuring that the people of Westbury have everything they need to make the decisions about installing an Air Source Heat Pump. This project will put Bristol at the forefront of Air Source Heat Pump installation, and the skills and learnings from the project will be rolled out across the country. All Bristolians will benefit from the local skills and experience gained and Bristol will become a centre of heat pump expertise.

A heat pump, above The Trym meets the Avon, left

FAMILIES using a community hub that’s been supporting people in Lockleaze for 25 years say its future could be jeopardised because of council plans to redevelop the area.

Bristol City Council wants to demolish the Cameron Centre and former police station next door, and replace them with a new community space, and 37 affordable homes.

But Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust (LNT), which uses the centre to provide services for local families, many on low incomes, says the move has come as a surprise.

Chief executive Suzanne Wilson says the proposal could scupper its plans, and she has called on BCC to work with the Trust on the project.

She said: “The council plans have been sprung on us. They are planning to build on land where we have been for 25 years, without talking to us.”

The Trust runs a community hub in Gainsborough Square, offering families help with fuel bills, working with food banks, a Warm and Welcome Space,

Dismay over plans to knock down vital community hub

and a pop up café. It uses Cameron House for a library, and community activities including faith groups and family activities, and the Trust earns an income from rentals.

Suzanne said they had told BCC they were in talks with Raised in Bristol, a social enterprise nursery, which could bring 20 new jobs, nursery places and a reliable income.

LNT says it need 450sq m of space to house the nursery, and community space to rent – but the new plan only has just over 300sq m of community space.

“We know the local community and are simply asking that the council work with us as development partners with a meaningful say in the design and construction – we want to get residents involved and provide something the

community wants and needs.”

“Knowing the planning system, we now face many years of uncertainty about our future.”

The Trust employs 13 staff and has dozens of loyal volunteers. Bristol City Council says the plans take into account public feedback from a consultation exercise in 2021.

It says the development will consist of 37 one, two and threebedroom flats available for social rent, and a community space, plus parking for 40 cars.

Councillor Tom Renhard, said the development was part of the city’s plan to build more council homes to meet the growing local need.

He said the proposed public space will be at least 30 per cent bigger than the existing centre.

“We have heard from members of the community

about the desire to retain library provision, hireable space for community groups and potentially a cafe. These are all ideas to be considered as part of the final planning process to deliver a mixed use community space and although the budget is tight, we will consider comments received in the consultation carefully.”

He said Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust will be able to apply for a Community Asset Transfer as the preferred bidder, as they are the existing user of the building.

“We will support LNT to submit a business plan setting out how the organisation proposes to use the space, which we would expect is developed in partnership with Lockleaze residents to realise the aspirations of the community.”

Can you provide Ukrainians with a home?

A YEAR ago, many local people responded to the plea by opening their homes to Ukrainians fleeing from war.

Some Ukrainians have settled with host families in Bristol but now would like a home of their own. The host families have been amazing in opening their homes and helping in so many ways.

The appeal now is for landlords to rent properties to Ukrainians. Or perhaps you have an annexe where an individual or family could live independently?

The rent would have to be realistic, especially as many are in effect ‘single parent families’ with men still in Ukraine; often mothers only have part-time jobs during school hours.

Bristol City Council have come up with a package of incentives for landlords https://www.bristol.gov.uk/business/housing-for-business-andprofessionals/private-landlords

If you would like to offer a place in your own home to someone who needs to ‘move on’ from their current host, now is the time to step forward.

At the Westbury-on-Trym Ukrainian Hub, we respond to the need for English lessons with 3 levels on Wednesday mornings and on other days too. On the day of writing this, we welcomed 4 new Ukrainians, 2 of whom arrived during the past week.

Thank you for reading this article and please consider if you could help. wotukrainianhub@gmail.com

Come and join us at Westbury Forum

THE Westbury Forum is an opportunity to meet with our three Councillors and members of our local police team. They will provide us with updates on local matters and there will be the opportunity to ask questions, to raise concerns and to discuss issues.

Our first post-Covid meeting, in December, was attended by about thirty residents and I hope that a similar number will come to our next meeting, which take place in Westbury Library on Falcondale Road on Tuesday April 18th, beginning at about 7:45pm. with tea or coffee and biscuits provided from about 7:30pm.

The Library provides a venue which is close to the centre of the Village, and the Forum is an example of how it can be used as a community hub for evening events, so I hope you will come along on the 18th if you possibly can. Because the front doors of the library are controlled by the Extended Access system, we have been asked to use the side entrance, wherever possible. However, this involves two steps; if this would cause you difficulties, please let me know and we can open the front doors to enable access via the ramp. If you have any other questions, or would like to make any announcements in the meeting, please contact me on 0117 9502825 or by email at westburyforum@gmail.com

If you are unable to attend in person, we hope to provide access by Zoom, so drop me an email at the above address and I will send you the link nearer the time. we hope to see you, either in person or via Zoom, on the 18th!

Malcolm Neave Westbury Forum

Care in your own home

Care

home

Why being kind to yourself is not always easy

“Don’t be so hard on yourself” people say. But that’s not so easy, especially if you have a neurodivergent brain. Tracy Tainton unpacks what’s behind the well-meaning sentiment “be kind to yourself”.

SELF-care and self-compassion are not signs of selfishness, laziness or indulgence - to me they are a necessity.

I am almost 63 and feel like I have been striving for most of my life. It feels alien to me now to slow down and try not to compare myself and my achievements to those of others. To realise I am good enough as I am and with what I do. And what am I striving for? To be the “best” student, partner, parent, friend, colleague, employee, to be the richest, to be the most sustainable, to be the kindest etc etc. By my standards I come up short every time. The result: I quite often have low selfesteem about my value.

As an example, my parents, believed that education was the key to all troubles and travails in society and that if I was to be able to navigate my adulthood with confidence and social responsibility, then I needed an education. I agreed and agree with this notion,

but although my parents were very proud of my academic achievements (four degrees including a Ph.D ) it was never enough for me. I constantly compared myself to others, what these others were doing and how well they were doing it.

Self-esteem is reliant upon external factors we cannot control, and yet we define ourselves by them. I understand this now. I do find it hard to practise self-compassion too, ever so subtly different to self-esteem and on occasion has been used as a synonym for selfcare. All three are different.

Self–esteem is a fluctuating beast, depending upon what occurs in our lives and how we perceive our value to these events compared to others. It is looking outward for acceptance and worth. So we can’t really control our self-esteem and how valued we feel.

Self–compassion is looking inward and believing we are of value simply because we are human and alive and a part of this world, and we are ok being us! Self-compassion is so much harder to practice, unless you believe the L’Oreal models and “think you’re worth it. Yet “being ok being us!” is so much more

empowering and rewarding – it is acceptance.

Self-care: For those of us who have attended some form of talking therapy the following phrase will be very familiar; “Selfcare is not selfish. You must fill your own cup before you can pour into others.” Compare the oxygen mask advice during a flight emergency – fix your own mask on before you help anyone else.

Ideally, we all undertake regular self-care activities whereby we do the things that make us feel taken care of mentally, physically, and emotionally. But this doesn’t always happen, and we may need to check ourselves and remember we are important, too. Sometimes our feelings become too much, and we need to distract ourselves until we are better able to cope. We could ask ourselves when we’re overwhelmed by our emotions, “is our response justified and proportional?”

If you have not experienced poor mental health, what has been described above may seem obvious. But for those who have a brain which is neurodivergent and experiences near constant intrusive negative thoughts, being kind to oneself can be troublesome and even distressing.

n VINEYARD NEWS with INGRID BATES

How to make our fizz really sparkle

THERE is a whiff of spring in the air. The celandine is flowering at the base of the hedgerow and I’m starting to feel a slight pressure to finish my pruning! I wouldn’t say I’ve enjoyed working in the cold weather but I’m pleased we’ve had it because all the vines are still nice and dormant.

As things start to hot up it becomes harder to decide which tasks take priority. Once the vines start to grow, things tend to settle into a routine but right now I’m constantly wondering whether to focus on strimming, mulching or pruning. There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything so I try to make the best of it. I’ve been thinking about the best way to balance grass growth with baby vine growth. I want to allow strips of grass to grow tall to encourage wildlife but don’t want the baby

vines to be crowded out. Every year I try to change things around a bit but ultimately the weather has quite a lot more control over everything than I do!

As part of my new, more holistic approach, I’ve ordered 30 cubic metres of mushroom compost to lay over the ground to help suppress weeds and nourish the vines. Spreading

that will keep me busy I’m sure!

On the wine front I’ve been busy working to create some exciting new rosé and sparkling wines labels. We’ve been trying different dosage options for our new fizz. Dosage is the final stage of the traditional sparkling wine making process where you can choose to add tiny amounts of sugar or even brandy to add a special zing to the flavour. It’s quite a fun process. Even a small addition can make a big difference to the final flavour. These new wines will all be released in the next few months. Can’t wait to share them with you!

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk

www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk

@DYvineyards (twitter) dunleavy vineyards Facebook & Instagram)

Easter Sculpture Festival

Friday 7th to Monday 10th April, 10am-5pm

Spectacular garden sculptures, workshops and refreshments in a beautiful setting

Admission: Adults £10 (£11 with Gift Aid). Children, Friends of the Garden, students, University staff and alumni FREE.

Online booking in advance or card only at the gate www.bristol.ac.uk/ botanic-garden

Trying different options for the dosage of our new fizz

n EDUCATION

College's journey of improvement

CITY of Bristol College is celebrating its first Good rating from Ofsted since 2010.

A team of 15 inspectors reached the conclusion after spending four days at the college in January.

Ofsted praised CoBC across a number of areas including the way that “staff and students collectively create a culture where students and apprentices can be themselves. As a result, students and apprentices are respectful and value the diverse and inclusive college population.”

“Teachers and other college staff foster mutual trust and respect. Students and apprentices are keen to learn and are supportive of each other in their learning. As a result, students and apprentices display high levels of positive behaviours and are proud of their work. They enjoy their lessons and are motivated to engage in new experiences,” the inspectors said.

Teachers were said to have extensive subject knowledge and experience.

The new inspection framework also assesses providers on how well they meet skills needs. The report recognises the important role that the college plays in the city and beyond:

“Leaders and managers work effectively with employers and stakeholders to identify the current and future skills needs,” they said.

The college was rated as Inadequate in 2014 and 2016. In inspections in 2013, 2017 and 2019 it was judged to Require Improvement.

Peter Rilett, Chair of the college’s Corporation said: “I am delighted that the recent Ofsted report recognises the journey that City of Bristol College has been on and the distance travelled; rewarding us with a Good rating.

“As Bristol’s College, the report is clear that we have strong relationships with a wide range of partners which helps us to meet local, regional and national skills needs.

“The Corporation appointed Julia Gray to the post of Principal & Chief Executive at the start of this year. Julia brings over twenty years’ experience working in the Further Education sector to this role and will lead the college on the next phase of our journey.”

Julia Gray added: ]“I am so pleased to have joined City of Bristol College at the right time to have had the privilege to work with staff, students, apprentices and stakeholders to lead us through this most recent Ofsted inspection.

“The college plays a key role in the city and region and this successful inspection outcome recognises the hard work of the wholecollege team and the significant achievements of our students and apprentices.

“This Ofsted outcome will allow us to look to the future, our continued improvements and the further work that we can do to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

The full report can be viewed on the Ofsted website https:// reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/31/131094

A NURSERY owner whose setting has again been praised by Ofsted has warned that continued Government underfunding is putting the sector at risk.

Lisa Mann, owner, Clyde House Day Nursery in Nevil Road, Bishopston, said: 'We were delighted to maintain our Good status at our recent Ofsted inspection.

'This really is no mean feat given the challenges of the last three years, the ongoing recruitment and funding crises at nurseries nationwide, not to mention the introduction of a new assessment framework at the same time!

"Providing inspiring care for Bishopston children for more than 30 years, I am thrilled that the continued hard work and commitment of all our staffled by head of operations Sue Bennett and manager Becky McAuley - has been recognised and praised by Ofsted.

"As a small, family-feel setting, we pride ourselves on building close relationships with each and every child,

Funding crisis is putting nurseries at risk - owner

respecting their individuality and interests. It's great that this was highlighted in the inspection, with Ofsted saying, 'Parents are impressed by staff's responsive flexibility in their planning. ...if a child brings in a favourite or special item from home, staff quickly focus an activity on it and develop children's interest and knowledge further.'

"However, while Good Ofsted ratings are positive, they will soon be meaningless if the government continues to underfund the sector, leaving increasing numbers of nurseries in Bristol and beyond with no option but closure. With huge cost pressures on parents and settings at the moment, I really hope our MPs step up and take a deep look at the sustainability of the nursery sector before it's completely brought to its knees."

Clyde House opened in 1992 and has 45 children on roll. Ofsted inspector Rachel Howell visited in December and rated it Good for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

Ms Howell's report highlighted the strong development of communication and language skills, including for those children with English as an additional language.

"Parents say that children are well cared for, and that staff are kind, lots of fun and build close relationships with each child that respect their individuality and interests. Children behave well," the inspector said.

"Staff encourage children to be increasingly independent. They offer them lots of praise as they try to do things for

themselves, building their confidence and sense of responsibility effectively.

"Partnerships with parents are strong ... Staff communicate successfully with parents through daily chats and messages, as well as entries in an online app. Parents all say they feel well informed."

Lisa Mann's comments came before the Budget on March 15, when the Chancellor promised a huge expansion of early years education and childcare.

For some years, providers have complained that the amount they receive from the government to fund 'free' hours for three and four year olds does not cover the costs. More money is promised to pay f or funded provision for one and two year olds but the detail is still awaited.

• It was not only humans that dressed up for World Book Day at Fairfield High School - the doors were adorned too, in a competition that demonstrated much creative flair and love for books. This Where's Wally entry, which came third, featured a number of FHS staff members.

talent

FAIRLAWN Primary School held a Bake Off competition inspired by the theme of nature.

Every child was invited to bring in a bake and the top six designs from Key Stage 1 and 2 went into a technical challenge.

Key Stage 1 decorated a cupcake with a ladybird design and Key Stage 2 made stained glass biscuits. The final winners were Edie in Year 1 and Laura in Year 4. With over 100 entries the bakes were sold at an afterschool sale and made over £350 for Friends of Fairlawn to put back into experiences for the children during the school’s Year of Nature. Robin in Year 4 said: "It was really fun baking all day and now I'm entering the real Junior Bake Off inspired by our Fairlawn one".

Teacher Miss Scott, who organised the event, said: "The pupils rose to this challenge, showing amazing resilience, imagination and skill. Many thanks to the parents who supported their children at home to bring to life their incredible creations and to the Friends of Fairlawn for supporting the entire project."

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

A culinary-inspired World Book Week at Redmaids’ High Junior School

JUNIOR School pupils at Redmaids’ High School enjoyed a fun-filled week of activities to mark World Book Day in March.

Inspired by this year’s culinary theme, the girls were asked to create their very own recipe for a ‘Fit for a King’ cookbook. The girls had to imagine King Charles III was popping over for tea and created mouth-watering starters, main courses and dessert ideas. As well as making a collective cookbook, this was also a competition to be judged by the Redmaids’ High catering team! The girls were lucky enough to receive tips from cookbook author Kalpna Woolf via a virtual assembly on how to inject their own personality into a successful recipe page.

On World Book Day itself, the Junior School added a twist to their dressing up by adorning themselves with utensils and cookery ware such as aprons, chef’s hats, tea towels and even cupcake crowns, staff included!

All the girls had a brilliant time in their dance workshops hosted by West End in Schools, as they choreographed routines to Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile (Years 3 & 4) and Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (Years 5 & 6), which brought these stories to

life in a fun, imaginative way.

Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a visit from children’s author Tamsin Mori, who inspired the girls with adventure-filled, personal anecdotes from her childhood. Years 5 and 6 were enthralled by author Fleur Hitchcock’s own writing experiences and influences for her best-selling thrillers. She also explained the book editing and cover illustration process to give the children an understanding of how storywriting evolves into a published book.

All girls received a World Book Day token that they could exchange for a free book of their choice in participating bookshops. In recognition that not all children are fortunate enough to own their own books, the girls were asked to donate a book from home, to our partner school, with a message about why they hope the next reader will love it as much as they did.

Local, independent bookshop Max Minerva’s was also on hand to offer advice on book choices and organized a fantastic book sale at the school.

To support reading at a junior level, the school ran a Sixth Form/Year 5 Reading Buddy scheme. The seniors escorted

the juniors to Max Minerva’s for a tour of the shop, the chance to swap their WBD token for a free book and, to find out about the latest reads from the booksellers’ themselves. What a treat!

Redmaids’ High Junior School, based on Grange Court Road, places reading at the heart of the school, with the current library located front and centre when you enter the school. This summer, a second

library will open, becoming a fiction library and wellness zone, whilst the current library will focus purely on non-fiction.

To experience a typical day in the Junior School, the next Visiting Morning is on Thursday 4 May, or individual tours can be arranged at a time to suit you. Please contact Admissions on 0117 989 8427 or by emailing junioradmissions@redmaidshigh.co.uk for information.

Children's services improve SEND cases soar

THE number of parents in Bristol taking the city council to court for issues with special educational needs provision tripled last year.

The rapidly increasing number of tribunal appeals shows the scale of anger among parents with Bristol City Council's long-standing education problems.

Parents can take their local council to a first-tier tribunal for several reasons if they are unhappy with a decision about special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision. These tribunals can take more than a year to settle, delaying children’s education.

Education chiefs faced questions about the increasing number of tribunal appeals, during a meeting of the people scrutiny commission. The number of appeals jumped from 37 in 2021 up to 120 last year.

According to council papers, of the 120 tribunal appeals lodged last year, 46 were due to the council refusing to assess children; 10 were refusal to issue EHCPs; 62 were the content of EHCPs; one was a disability discrimination case; and one was not sent to the council.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

BRISTOL City Council’s children’s services have made significant improvements in the past five years – but there’s still a way to go.

That’s the verdict of an Ofsted inspection published last month that found the authority’s provision to require improvement in three out of five key areas.

The report highlighted progress since the previous inspection in 2018, including in the quality of support provided to children in care and for care leavers, but noted that more must be done to ensure that children benefit from consistently good support.

The report found strengths in the service and praised the work of social workers and support staff to ensure that children and young people feel valued and listened to, and for identifying the needs of disabled children.

Bristol City Council and partners will now work together to produce an action plan in response to this report which will be submitted to Ofsted by the end of June.

Councillor Asher Craig, Cabinet lead for Education, Children Services and Equalities said: “I welcome this report and its findings and fully accept that there are areas of our

Children’s Services where we must work and build on to ensure that all our children and families receive a consistent level of support. We have a dedicated, caring and talented Children’s Services team who put families first. Children and families are a key focus for us which is underpinned by our Belonging Strategy, and I am confident that we have a committed senior leadership team in place which is passionate about making the changes needed, with a strong vision for the future of children’s services in Bristol.”

Abi Gbago, the newly appointed Executive Director of Children and Education, said: “I am pleased that inspectors have recognised the significant improvements that have taken place since their last inspection. In the short time that I have been here I have been really impressed by the level of expertise and compassion across the teams and I know we have a strong commitment to our vision for Children’s Services from city leadership. We fully accept the findings of the report and are clear on the steps we need to take to deliver the improvements required whilst building on our strengths.”

ANIKA Mistry, one of Bristol’s Youth Mayor’s, met the King and Commonwealth leaders at an event at Buckingham Palace.

Anika, a student at Trinity Academy in Lockleaze, was invited to represent Bristol at the Commonwealth.

She spoke to King Charles about the significance of youth representation. He agreed with the importance of listening to young people and shared that he was ‘proud’ of Bristol for introducing leadership roles for

Youth mayor Anika meets the King

young people.

Anika was one of the youngest attendees at the event and has shared with fel-low students the inspiring leaders she met, what Buckingham Palace is like and of course how

the palace canapes tasted!

A school spokesperson said: “Trinity is extremely proud of all Anika has achieved in her role as Bristol Youth Mayor, the energy she has brought to the role and the experiences she has shared with us. Anika has informed and inspired our stu-dents. She embodies Trinity’s ethos of developing the Head, Heart and Soul to become the best versions of ourselves.”

Redmaids' singers hit the High notes

THEY'RE singing a happy song at Redmaids’ High School after a series of choral successes. On Saturday 11 March, the senior choir and a cappella group Close Encounters took part in the Bristol Festival of Music, Speech & Drama and were both awarded trophies for winning their classes with stunning performances. The Senior Choir won the Susan Weaver trophy for singing Viva La Vida by Coldplay and Soldier, Soldier in the free choice class. Close Encounters won the Malcolm Williams memorial trophy and sang The Sound of Silence and Big Spender to rapturous applause. Adjudicator John Pomphrey complimented both choirs.

The success continued the following day, when Close Encounters travelled to Warwick School for the National Final of the inaugural GSA (Girls' Schools Association) Choir of the Year. After submitting their video entry for the competition in December, Redmaids’ High received the news in February that Close Encounters were one of six choirs selected for the competition final. The students, Rosie, Claudia, Maddy, Charlie, Hattie, Emily and Grace rose to the occasion and performed with vitality and style. Close Encounters were delighted to be placed as runner-up with some fabulous feedback.

Head of Keyboard Studies and longstanding member of the Music Department, Mrs Kate Woodman, who trains both choirs, commended the students. “Singing is incredibly important at Redmaids' High, and we are fortunate to have many talented singers who perform in our six outstanding

choirs. The girls are committed and work so hard in every rehearsal which is testament to their fantastic achievement at the events over the weekend.

"The judges were extremely complimentary about their singing, and I am so incredibly proud of them all."

n PHARMACY BLOG

Better running buses could mean fewer of us suffering from hay fever

A BUS stop, a post box and a local Community Pharmacy - this is not a joke, but the top three things wanted within a 15-min walk or cycle from our homes. The result of a recent YouGov poll showed that a majority of the public (62 %) would support their area becoming a 15-minute neighbourhood.

So let's talk about the first, not the community pharmacy but bus stops. Why? A well-functioning public transport system reduces traffic congestion, encouraging us to walk and cycle more, thereby reducing air pollution - which we know impacts all our health, especially children, older people and people with heart, breathing and underlying health conditions.

As we head into spring, better air quality could also mean

welcome relief for hay fever sufferers. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Pollen is a fine powder from grass, trees or weeds.

Worcester University has revealed that twice as many hay fever sufferers live in built-up towns and cities versus the countryside, putting it down to weather, pollution and stress. (Relax: Stress makes us more susceptible to allergies like hay fever).

In built-up towns and cities, grass, tree and weed pollen particles get trapped closer to the ground because of traffic pollution combining with dust clouds. These clouds of dust and pollen hang around on days when there is no wind to break them up. Better running buses

Dementia project

BRISTOL Dementia Action Alliance is launching a pilot project. The aim is to make Shirehampton the first ‘Dementia Aware Village’ in Bristol.

A spokesman said: "This is a unique pilot project and we would very much welcome support to spread the word around not only the residents and businesses of Shire but to make other areas aware of project so that it can be further rolled out across the communities of Bristol."

Shirehampton will soon have its own Memory Café.

If anybody would like to hear more about the project and get involved contact Lisa Dicker at Community@bdaa.org.uk

Repair cafe bid

ENGINEERING students from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) will open a ‘repair café’ at the university’s Frenchay campus this year, thanks to funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The MAKERS project - Making And Knowledge Exchange for Repair and Sustainability - will aim to improve representation and belonging in engineering for women and people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic groups, and from underrepresented backgrounds.

The students will work closely with local community groups in Easton, Eastville and St Paul’s - drawing on their experiences of establishing successful repair cafés in their areas - with the aim of opening a café in the university’s School of Engineering in October 2023.

could mean fewer hay fever sufferers.

Sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, and throat are common hay fever symptoms that an everincreasing number of adults (one in four Bristolians) and children will suffer from.

How to manage hay fever

• Keep windows closed in homes and cars as much as possible

• Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen

• Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to help prevent pollen from getting into the eyes

• Shower and change clothes after being outside and at night to wash pollen off

• Avoid drying clothes outdoors when the pollen count is high.

• Vacuum regularly and use an air filter/ purifier with a HEPA filter to extract and remove pollen and dust particles.

0117 9246579

18 Kellaway Avenue, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7XR

•Tie your hair up and wear a hat when outside

• Stay indoors and avoid grassy areas when the pollen count is high; also, close windows & doors.

Begin antihistamines and the various preventative treatments at least a month before the hay fever season starts – start now! Help is always available at Kellaway Pharmacy; come speak with us for advice on prevention and symptom treatments. Remember to book your spring Covid booster jab - book online or call 119.

Challenging a Will if it does not reflect the testator’s true

Sarah Burgess, Solicitor at AMD Solicitors, looks at challenging a Will if it does not reflect the testator’s true intentions

Advertising Feature

IN recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Will disputes. Most cases are settled using mediation but around 180 cases are taken to the High Court each year. This number is expected to rise because:-

The gift that pays for itself

How leaving money to charity can save you Inheritance Tax

- People are living longer. More people are changing their Wills later in life perhaps as their family dynamics change.

- Adult children are facing greater financial struggles and they depend upon an inheritance to get by.

- High property prices means that people’s estates are worth more and so it can be worthwhile to make a claim against an estate.

will be. However a Will can be worded to provide that a gift of 10 % of the value of your estate at that time is given to a charity or charities of your choice. The effect of this will be that the rate of Inheritance Tax payable on the whole estate is reduced from 40 % to 36 %.

By Shelley Faulkner,

solicitor with AMD Solicitors

- During the Covid pandemic new measures were introduced to enable people to witness Wills by video. It is harder to assess whether someone has testamentary capacity remotely and this could result in more Will disputes.

In same circumstances, it has been calculated that this reduction in the tax bill can serve to leave the estate, even after payment of the gift to charity, with a value as high as if the gift had not been made. Thus the gift can in some cases quite literally pay for itself.

the contents of their Will. Example of where a Will failed for lack of knowledge and approval Mr Reeves was a successful businessman who created a £100 million fortune during his lifetime. When he passed away, he was 71 years old. He had four children; Mark, Bill, Lisa and Louise. Mr Reeve’s last Will was made in 2014 and highly favoured his daughter Louise. She was left 80% of his residuary estate, the remaining 20% passed to Lisa. Their brother Bill opposed the application for the 2014 Will being admitted to probate. He argued that their father did not know and approve the contents of the Will and was unduly influenced. Bill asked the court to uphold an earlier Will made in 2012, which left the estate 26.67% to Bill, Lisa and Louise and the remaining 20% equally to Ryan and Ria (Mark’s two children).

for the distribution of the estate, and the estate can then be divided as if the Will had been made in these terms. A Deed of Variation could therefore provide that 10 % of the estate is to pass to a chosen charity or charities, making the estate as a whole eligible for the reduced rate of Inheritance Tax.

In deciding whether the 2014 Will was valid, the court considered the following:

If you find that a relatives’ Will leaves their estate in an unexpected way, it may cause you to question whether they knew and approved

- Its terms were a dramatic departure from 2012 Will with Bill, Ryan and Ria being almost entirely excluded as beneficiaries;

100

WHILE most of us support a number of charities in our lifetime, it is perhaps not surprising that a smaller number choose to remember a charity in their Will. Clearly the priority for most is to provide for a surviving spouse or children, or to ensure that the family wealth can be passed on to benefit the next generation.

However, government policy is clearly to encourage giving to charity, and a recent development in the law is intended to promote gifts to charity being made by Will. This change may also, on occasion, serve to save Inheritance Tax, or even to create a gift which literally pays for itself.

Reduced rate of Inheritance Tax

Where somebody dies after 6 April 2012 the rate of Inheritance Tax applied to the estate can be reduced from 40 % to 36 % (in other words by 10 %), provided that at least 10 % of the estate passes to charity.

Clearly it is not possible to determine in advance exactly what value the assets you leave by Will will have on your death for Inheritance Tax purposes, or what 10 % of the total value

15

Even where a Will has not been prepared in these terms, it may be possible to take advantage of this tax break. If the beneficiaries of the estate agree, it is possible to effectively amend the terms of a Will within two years of the date of death. A ‘Deed of Variation’ can be drawn up which sets out the family members’ agreed arrangements

- Evidence whether the 2014 Will reflected Mr Reeves’ true wishes;

- Evidence whether Mr Reeves was

This change in the law is clearly very good news both for charities, and potentially for some estates as well. However the detail of the application can be complex. For example, the estate is divided into different ‘components’ depending on how the property will pass to the beneficiaries, in order to calculate whether the 10 % test has been met. Taking specialist advice on the implications for your particular circumstances is therefore essential.

illiterate.

The Judge found the 2014 was invalid, despite being signed and witnessed correctly, because Louise had been unable to prove that her father had knowledge and approved the terms of distribution. How do I challenge a Will?

issues, contact Shelley Faulkner, Florence Pearce and the other members of the team on 0117 9621205, email probate@ amdsolicitors.com or call in at 15 The Mall Clifton, or 100 Henleaze Road Henleaze.

applied for. These cases can be very emotional and appointing a solicitor to represent your interests will help to minimise the stress and time involved in dealing with a dispute.

If you believe that a Will is invalid then you should seek legal advice immediately. It is better to investigate the validity of a Will before probate has been

AMD’s team of experienced private client solicitors and practitioners includes full

AMD Solicitors takes pride in sponsoring local, Bristol based charities and this year is very pleased to be supporting the Bristol branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, the local branch of this national charity which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in Great Britain. For full details of our fundraising activities visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com.

For advice on contentious probate matters, please contact Sarah Burgess or another member of our team on 0117 923 5562, email info@amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our four Bristol offices.

Copyright AMD Solicitors

Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ

The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS

News and views from our city councillors

Geoff Gollop (Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze)

As reported last month, with effect from 1st April 2023, Westbury and Henleaze lost its bus links to the University of the West of England and Bristol Parkway station. As a result of cuts in funding proposed by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), Service 10 and 11 will now stop at Southmead Hospital and not go to UWE, Parkway, Aztec West or anywhere in South Glos,

I am not optimistic about any immediate solution. At a WECA scrutiny meeting on Monday 13th March, the Metro Mayor blamed the decision on the Council Leaders. At a Bristol Council meeting on Tuesday 14th The Bristol Mayor blamed it on the Metro Mayor!

It doesn’t matter who is to blame, but it is the bus users who suffer. We will continue to push for reinstatement, so please keep sending details of how you are affected., • just like the sixth form student who can no longer get to WISE campus using public transport.

• Or the UWE students who will have to spend at least an extra hour each way on top of already lengthy journeys to get to lectures

• And the employees who can no longer get to work

The problems of WECA decision making are not just concerning to local residents. Not only have external auditors raised concerns, so have government departments. WECA has been given a clear message to improve. My concern remains that the leaders claim to recognise how bad this is, but that everyone else is to blame!

A new report has been prepared indicating how serious a problem we have. Please

contact me if you would like a copy of that report.

See Sharon’s article for details of the proposed charges on Westbury Hill Car Park

If you share our concerns please register at wotcarpark@gmail.com. Also see Steve’s article for an update on St Christopher's development in Westbury Park.

• There is an in-person Westbury forum meeting, open to all, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18th April, at Westbury Library

• Contact. If you need help on any matter to do with Bristol City Council, email me Cllr.geoffrey.gollop@bristol.gov.uk or phone 0117 9039946.

News and views from our city councillors

Sharon Scott (W-on-T & Henleaze)

Westbury Hill Car Park update

As I am sitting down and writing this column I am fresh from a Full Council meeting where I spoke on the Group’s Silver Motion regarding a need for a consultation on the proposed car parking change that would directly affect Westbury Hill.

I stated that Westbury has a thriving high street with the only banks in north Bristol, that were not just used by local residents, but also people from outside the ward in areas such as Henbury, Southmead and Horfield.

I raised the fact the large Primary Care Centre and the Methodist church were on the car park itself and that Holy Trinity was only minutes away. I asked the Council whether they were really going to charge people to worship or visit a doctor.

I also listed a few of the different community groups that use the Methodist church and explained how it acts as a

community hub with a weekly footfall of over 2,000 people. I raised awareness that a foodbank use the church, as well as being a Ukrainian hub, which are both vital services. I asked the Council what message they were giving to volunteers who give up their own time to help others and will now need to pay to do this.

We understand the Council will want to generate revenue, but it is the charging structure that is a real concern. I therefore proposed the Mayor to compromise by asking for a consultation and a proper debate on:

• The first hour being free

• No annual permits

• Free parking on Sundays.

I asked the Mayor and the Cabinet Member to meet us to find a workable solution and to discuss a compromise. I believe that simply bringing in charges without consultation will harm our communities and the local economy. Unfortunately, other parties on the Council voted the motion down and it was not carried. This now means that parking

charges will come into this car park (and others) in the autumn, but my fellow councillors and I will keep you posted on this. I’ve attached a link to the speeches regarding the car park on my Facebook page which is below.

Staying in touch

We hold regular zoom meetings for people to stay in touch with us, ask questions or raise concerns. We will be at the Westbury Forum in person at Westbury Library on Tuesday 18th April from 7.30pm.

If you need any help on a matter to do with Bristol City Council, you can contact me by email on cllr.sharon.scott@bristol.gov.uk – I also have a facebook page where I post regular updates: Sharon-Scott-10433537851413www.facebook.com/Cllr-

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS AT FIELD HOUSE NURSING HOME

Providing top quality, best value, holistic care

Field House in Horfield offers safe and nurturing care

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

We also ensure:

• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible

News and views from our city councillors

Steve Smith (Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze)

St Christopher's School Site Development

I’m sure readers will be aware of the proposed retirement development on the site of the former St Christophers School in Westbury Park, which has featured many times in the Voice. The planning application has been working its way through the system for over a year now. It was expected go to a planning committee for a decision in March but was competing for committee time with several other large developments including the zoo site. We then heard that it might get to committee for a decision in April but as I write even that is now in doubt due to some last-minute issues that have arisen at St Christophers. It could be May or even later before this gets resolved, we will keep you informed as and when we know more.

Freedom of the City for HMS Prince of Wales

It was a real honour to speak at March’s full council meeting in favour of granting the Freedom of the City to HMS Prince of Wales, the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the Royal Navy. The meeting voted unanimously in favour of making the award. The ship has been affiliated to the City for a few years and I had the pleasure of meeting many of the crew last year when I was Lord Mayor. Now that they have the Freedom of the City, the ship’s company plan to exercise their right to hold a ceremonial parade through Bristol in June, which promises to be a memorable day – watch this space for details.

Westbury Village Car Park

See Sharon’s article for the latest developments on the proposed charging in the Westbury Hill Car Park. We are trying to persuade the Mayor to work with us on a compromise, but meanwhile we need to be ready to object to a formal consultation

as and when it happens. Please register with us at gmail.comwotcarpark@ and we’ll let you know straight away when this happens.

Stay in Touch

There will be a face-to-face Westbury Forum at Westbury Library on the Tuesday 18th April from 7:30, and we will be there to meet residents and answer questions. Many thanks to Malcolm and the Westbury Library Group for organising this. We will resume our regular forums via Zoom from May. You can also contact me by email on cllr. steve.smith@bristol.gov.uk, or phone on 07769 285266. I also try to post regular updates on my Facebook page at fb.com/ CouncillorSteveSmith. We publish regular email updates – please contact me if you’d like to be added to the mailing list for these.

Building Excellence

Saddle up for Tour de Bristol

BRISTOL’S biggest bike ride, the Tour de Bristol, returns on Saturday 15 April when hundreds of cyclists will use their pedal power to raise funds for local charity, St Peter’s Hospice.

Join in to ride in memory of a loved one, for fun and fresh air, or to smash a personal goal. Cyclists of all abilities are catered for with routes starting from UWE’s Frenchay campus, weaving around the Gloucestershire countryside, covering distances of 40k, 65k and 100k.

Denise Davies from Westbury-on-Trym has signed up to ride the 40k distance this year, along with a team of more than 16 family and friends. They are all riding in memory of Denise’s husband Marc, who received care from the hospice when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Denise said: “Before he became ill Marc had raised money for the hospice when running full and half marathons. This is the year that Marc would have turned sixty and it will also be five years since he died, so I want to do something special in memory of him. I sent out the invite to Tour de Bristol to friends from school, university and locally as well as family and the uptake has been fantastic. Some of my team are seeing it as a fitness challenge, a couple are keen cyclists but most of us will be dollying along trying to make sure that no one does anything silly.”

Marc was 54 when, completely out of the blue, he was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma tumour. He attended the Day Hospice at Brentry where he had access to clinical therapies and spent time with other people of the same age in a similar situation to him. Towards the end of Marc’s life Hospice at Home nurses played a supportive role in his care.

To register and take part in Tour de Bristol see: www. tourdebristol.co.uk

FINANCE

With Richard Higgs BA (hons) CFP FPFS

Harold Stephens

50 High Street, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ

T: 0117 3636212

Lasting Powers of Attorney – Tips for choosing an attorney and communicating your wishes

ORGANISING lasting powers of attorney (LPA) can give you peace of mind knowing that your affairs will be managed by someone you trust if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. Selecting the right attorney(s) and communicating your wishes effectively are crucial steps in the process.

Pick someone you trust

When selecting an attorney, choose someone you trust absolutely to make decisions in your best interests. This could be a loved one, friend, or a professional such as a solicitor. It's important to pick people that you consider to be responsible, reliable and trustworthy. They

should also appreciate your values and preferences.

Communicate your wishes clearly

When you have chosen your attorney(s), it’s vital to be very clear with them about your wishes. Be specific about what decisions they are authorised to make and provide clear instructions on how you would like your affairs to be managed. Ensure you discuss how you would like to be medically treated, care preferences, and end-of-life decisions. The more conversations you can have, the better. Written instructions can leave less room for error.

Choose more than one attorney

Consider selecting a minimum of two attorneys with ‘reserve’ options in case your attorney(s) become unable or unwilling to act. Attorneys can act jointly or severally, depending on your preferences. If you choose joint attorneys, they must agree on decisions. This can be the more time-consuming option but may provide greater protection against potential abuse. Keep your LPA up to date Review your LPA regularly and update it as necessary to ensure it reflects your current wishes and circumstances. Remember, it must be registered with the Office

of the Public Guardian to be used.

As award-winning vulnerable customer champions, we’re well-placed to help you plan to prepare for the future, whatever that may hold. We can help to organise Wills and LPAs and also help to guide attorneys to ensure they are supported in making financial decisions in your best interests.

Why not come along to a free LPA seminar on Tuesday 25th April 10am – 11.30am St Peter’s Church, Henleaze?

If you would like to have a relaxed chat about your financial circumstances, book your seminar place, or to arrange Wills or LPAs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call 0117 3636 212 or

If you want a relaxed chat about how to manage your assets in later life, then we are on hand to deliver it the good old-fashioned way – face to face right here in your local community

Birds on your doorstep: the wren

TAKE a stroll along a woodland path and you may well hear a loud and insistent bird call, a series of trills and sharp rattling notes. Don’t look up into the trees for the source, but down among the undergrowth. That is where the diminutive Wren is foraging, turning up the leaves in search of spiders and insects.In shades of brown, short and dumpy in shape, with a pert little tail that sits upright from the body and a sharp pointed beak, it is expert at hopping and dashing along the ground, keeping as close to shelter as possible.

In spring the Wren will perch in full view, singing loudly to attract a mate. He builds a series of up to 6 nests, hoping one will be chosen by a female. Having made her choice she then lines it with moss and leaves before laying a clutch of up to 8 eggs.

Wrens do not use bird tables, so if you want to attract them to the garden try scattering meal worms

or seed near the safety of bushes and a Wren might just surprise you as it darts out for a quick meal. Di Bunniss. Avonbirding. blogspot.com

Fraser Bristol Ornithological Club Avonbirding.blogspot.com

Alastair

n WHAT'S ON

March 27

n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM CLUB

Monday at 2pm Six Minutes to Midnight (PG) 2022 Based on the true story of a British finishing school for the daughters and goddaughters of the Nazi elite, in the late 1930s. Starring Judi Dench & Eddie Izzard. Tickets: £4.00 including refreshments. Carers welcome, easy access For more information, please call 0117 435 0063. St. Peter’s Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD

April 11

n THE ARTS SOCIETY BRISTOL lecture on Jewellery in the Age of Victoria is at 8pm at Redmaids' High BS9 3AW. We welcome new members and guests. For more information on our lectures, given by specialists in their own field, see our website www.theartssocietybristol.org.uk

April 19

n BRISTOL FRIENDS OF WNO invite you to enjoy a variety of talks with glorious music at our new venue, The Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral (Worcester Road entrance). Visitors always welcome. Pag or Cav ? A complete DVD showing of one of these two early verismo operas, introduced by Ian Cartwright 6.45 for 7.15 pm Refreshments available, Easy parking

WNO Friends £8 Visitors £10. Further information about this and occasional coach trips from Melanie David Tel: 01934 842014 melaniejdavid@btinternet.com

April 24

n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM

CLUB at 2pm A Coronation Party

Come and join us to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, with entertainment from singer Amy Andrews. Dance and sing along to hits from the 50s-70s and enjoy a cream tea. Tickets: £4.00 Booking essential, please call 0117 435 0063. Carers welcome, easy access St. Peter’s Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD

Regular events

Various days

n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE

CLUB based at RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Five sessions every week, catering for different standards.

Thursday afternoon is Improvers.

Monday and Friday afternoon is for more capable players; this is an EBU recognised session. You may come alone to any afternoon session; a partner will be found. The evening sessions are on Wednesdays and Fridays, and are open to pairs. www. woebridgeclub.co.uk or contact Secretary, Chris Frew, on 0117 962 5281.

Monday

n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided.

Contact: Les on 07305695579

n WESTBURY SINGERS: if you enjoy singing, we invite you to join our friendly, non-auditioned, 4 part choir, in term-time on Monday evenings 7.30p.m. - 9.30p.m.at Reedley Road Baptist Church. Please email the Secretary: gwenalwakeel@yahoo.co.uk.

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

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

n WESTBURY ON TRYM WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, BS9 4AG, from 2.00 - 4.00 pm. We have interesting speakers, and extra activities of crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. Our lively, friendly and inclusive group welcomes visitors at any meeting. For more information call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917

Tuesday

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

n SCOTTISH DANCING to GET FIT and HAVE FUN with Westbury Scottish Country Dancing Club.

Classes for beginners (Email: maggiekirkup@gmail.com) and more advanced dancers (Tel: Cheryl 0117 4012416) at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, Tuesdays 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Details at www. westburyscottish.org.uk

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

ionvoices.org. Visit www.facebook. com/CompanionVoicesBristol and www.companionvoices.org.

n WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meet on Tuesday mornings at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church, 10.30amnoon. An interesting programme of speakers; come along to make friends. For more details, ring Kate 07905 064720.

Wednesday

n BCCS (BRISTOL CATHEDRALCHOIR SCHOOL) CHORAL SOCIETY meets at Henleaze Bowling Club, Grange Court Road, Wednesdays 7.30 to 9pm. A small, unauditioned choir singing varied music. New members welcome. For info, contact Kathy, 0117 949362 www.bccschoralsociety. org.uk/

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

n KNITNATTERSTITCH meet on Wednesdays (term time only) 10-12 @ Henleaze United Reform Church’s coffee bar. For more information contact Paula at knitnatterstitch @gmail.com

n HEALING SESSIONS run by accredited healers take place 2 til 3.30pm at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, or for info contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org.

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

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

n BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR

Always been keen to sing? Come along to our rehearsal nights, 7pm - 9.15pm on Thursdays in St Andrew's Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. No need to read music, no audition, just a voice test to establish whether you are tenor, baritone of bass. We cover many musical styles, enjoy singing in a great social vibe as we prepare for our regular concerts in local and national venues. From the Beatles to Mozart, from classical choruses to classic pop. Ffi : www. bristolmvc.org.uk ; facebook; or contact Steve: secretary@bristolmvc.org.uk;or ring 07776447699; or 07587143220

welcomes new members for the start of their exciting 22/23 Programme of floral design demonstrations. Annual membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month 2pm Bradbury Hall,Waterford Road, Henleaze and begin at 2pm. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. Visitors welcome. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@yahoo.com or phone/text 07880 700270.

n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall

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

n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE starting Sept 8. For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30pm start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org

Friday

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

n U3A SCRABBLE GROUP meets at the Beehive pub , Wellington Hill West, on Fridays from 2 to 4pm. We are a very friendly non competitive group and welcome new members. For more information, please contact Heddy tel 07534717254/ email nigel.d.sara@btinternet.com

n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

You’re not the only victim if you buy a fake

AS the national lead PCC for Economic and Cybercrime, I’m always supportive when I see a national campaign highlighting the impact that fraud can have on communities and how we can work together to stop this criminal activity.

This is why I was delighted to see that the charity Crimestoppers has launched a year-long national campaign to raise awareness about the personal dangers and harms that consumers face when they knowingly or unknowingly buy fake goods.

Causing a £9 billion annual loss to the UK economy, counterfeit goods fraud can be defined as the sale of fake items as authentic goods from established brands.

The criminals behind this crime intend to deceive and exploit consumers into buying fake products, thinking they’ve bagged themselves a bargain. It’s worth stressing that those individuals who deliberately buy a fake product

are also committing a crime and contributing to the problem. There’s always a victim when you buy a fake product: fake goods cause 80,500 UK job losses every year and the crime has links to organised crime groups who are complicit in human trafficking, child sexual exploitation and prostitution.

While criminals are becoming more skilful at finding new ways of ripping people off, there are a few signs to look out for to protect yourself when you’re looking for a good deal.

These include: the price being too good to be true; dodgy websites and an unusual place of sale; spelling and grammatical errors on websites and product packaging; differences in product or packaging; and missing information like the batch number.

I’m urging local people to report any information they have in relation to counterfeit fraud using Crimestoppers’ anonymous

reporting service, which can be found online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Dog theft is a wide concern for pet owners in our force area.

Last month, to mark National Dog Theft Awareness Day, my team spoke to Avon & Somerset Police’s Animal Welfare Legislation Officer, PC Natalie Cosgrove.

She told us that the force recorded 16 cases of dog theft in 2021 and only five in 2022. While a reduction and, I’m sure reassuring to many, that is still five cases too many.

If you are a dog owner, there are specific security precautions you can take to make dog theft harder, including camera doorbells, keeping doors locked and sensor lighting outside your house.

I would also like to remind those who have a dog to not leave it unattended in your car, your garden, or tied up outside shops.

Remember, microchipping is not only a legal requirement,

With Police and Crime Commissioner

it means your dog will be much easier to track down if it is stolen.

I also urge dog owners to consider DNA tracking to help identify their dog if it is stolen then recovered by the police. More information on DNA tracking can be found on the ‘DNA Protected’ website.

If your dog has been stolen, you should immediately contact the police and report the crime as theft.

Mark Shelford