Henleaze & Westbury Voice April 2024

The St Christopher's School site in Westbury Park, which has been designated an Asset of

Victory for campaigners

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after successfully getting St Christopher’s School in Westbury Park designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The decision by Bristol City Council means the site cannot be sold without local people first being given the chance to buy it.

St Christopher’s School closed in 2020 after 70 years serving

children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the hope is that it can in future be used again for that purpose to help meet increasing demand in the city.

A spokesperson for the SEND Alliance for St Christopher’s, the group that put together the ACV bid , said:

“We are over the moon that

the legacy of St Christopher’s school has been officially recognised. ACV status means that we now have a real chance to ensure this wonderful site returns to being a community asset so it can serve SEND families again in the future. A big thank you to everyone at Bristol City Council.”

Report: Page 3

'Heritage heroes' are honoured

Hard hat volunteers at the Clifton Suspension Bridge have won a Heritage Heroes award after visitor numbers doubled.

PAGE 13

Van-dweller numbers rise

A record estimated 800 people in Bristol are now living in vehicles, prompting concerns about lack of action to move them on, particularly from The Downs.

PAGE 11

School celebrates £10m revamp

Elmfield School for Deaf Children's primary site in Horfield has celebrated its official opening after a £10m refurbishment..

PAGE 18

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St Christopher's is 'a special place'

FAMILIES of former pupils of St Christopher’s School have welcomed the success of a bid to protect the site.

They hope Bristol City Council’s decision to designate it an Asset of Community Value (ACV) will be the first step in bringing back special needs educational provision.

The new legal status, granted after the SEND Alliance for St Christopher’s submitted a 40page dossier backed by Bristol North West MP Darren Jones and many others, means that the ACV must be taken into consideration in any future plans. The community also has a chance to bid for, and buy the site, if it comes onto the market.

Julie Owen’s daughter, Angharad, spent nine happy years at the school and Julie believes the site has the potential to open up and be used for SEND provision again.

Celebrating:

She said: “It's brilliant news. St Christopher's School was a very special place and helped so many families, like ours, over so many years. It's really important

for us that Bristol City Council has acknowledged the unique education it provided - especially for children with severe autism. I really hope this means the

community will be able to buy the site and do something amazing there in the future because there's so much need among SEND families in Bristol.”

Angharad, 35, has Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, and attended the school in Westbury Park between 1998 and 2007. Her mother believes the care and education Angharad received at St Christopher’s was second to none. Angharad now lives independently in a flat in Downend, cared for by her mum and brother, Alex.

The St Christopher’s site, which includes the Grade II listed Grace House, is owned by a London investment firm, the FORE partnership. Plans to develop it as a luxury retirement village were turned down in August 2023. More than 1,300 objections were lodged against the scheme.

Julie and Angharad Owen

Our

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Meet the candidates for police and crime commissioner

VOTERS are being asked to decide who sets the priorities and appoints the chief constable of Avon & Somerset police.

On May 2, elections will be held to vote for the next Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, or PCC.

Coming with a salary of £88,600, the PCC's role is to oversee the force, ensuring it is "efficient and effective"

The PCC's powers include:

• Hiring and firing the chief constable, and holding them to account for running the force

Benet Allen

(Liberal Democrats)

Born in Taunton, has worked in TV news and for a coach company. Former deputy leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council, male voice choir singer and hospital charity fundraiser.

The Lib Dem plan for the police:

• Make policing more visible and community-orientated

• Increase prosecution rates for serious and violent crime

• Help police to work with integrity and without discrimination

• Focus on ‘broken windows’ - small crimes that damage confidence and trust

• Predict and provide policing to help tackle rural crime as well as urban crime

• Help make sure offenders don’t do it again – most want to ‘go straight

• Setting objectives for the area through a police and crime plan

• Setting the budget and determining the precept charge paid by council tax payers

• Contributing to national and international policing capabilities

• Bringing together community safety and criminal justice partners, to 'join up' local priorities.

• Funding crime prevention services

The current PCC is Conservative Mark Sheldon, who was elected to the role in 2021,

Clare Moody

(Labour)

Clare brings rich experience, from her current role as CEO of a charity to her time spent working in No 10. She previously represented our region as an MEP.

Investing in neighbourhood policing – to build safer communities and help prevent and solve crime.

Supporting victims of crime –making sure victims are properly listened to, and get the help they need when they need it.

Prioritising reducing violent crime – The scale of violent crime, including knife crime and violence against women and girls, isn't inevitable but it needs focus and commitment to fix it.

Preventing crime – work with agencies across the public sector and civil society to prevent crime and build safer communities.

Restoring trust and confidence in the police –enabling the police to take pride in high standards.

in an election postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic.

He took over from independent Sue Mountstevens, who stepped down after being in the post since it was created in 2012.

Nominations for the PCC opened on March 18 and will close at 4pm on April 5.

So far three of the main political parties have announced candidates. The Voice has asked them to send a short biography and manifesto to outline their priorities.

They appear below in alphabetical order:

Mark Shelford

(Conservative)

Mark has over 35 years of experience of serving our country in the military and local government and has been your PCC since 2021. Resides in Bath with his family.

When elected, Mark pledged more police, a focus on tackling serious crime and to represent every community when holding the police to account. He has delivered. The constabulary has trained over 1,500 new officers, is the best force for illegal drug disruptions and has seen a 300% increase in rape cases reaching court by designing a nationally acclaimed investigation model. He appointed a courageous Chief Constable determined to restore trust in policing.

Mark will prioritise crime prevention, tackling anti-social behaviour and violence against women. He remains committed to reducing re-offending, supporting skills programmes for prisoners and ensuring victims get support.

Green Party

The Green Party had not announced its candidate as the Voice went to print – details will appear in the May edition.

A party spokesperson said:

"The Green Party candidate for ASPCC will prioritise prevention of crime, working with schools, families and the young people who are both perpetrators and victims, with a special focus on knife violence in cities.

"We have seen recently in this region how much work still needs to be done to improve culture inside the police force.

"A Green ASPCC will strengthen the independence and accountability of misconduct panels, while building recognition of the integrity of the vast majority of officers. We will ensure Avon and Somerset Police get closer to and regain the trust of the communities they serve."

For more information visit the website www.aspccelections. co.uk.

Council elections

Elections for the 70 seats on Bristol City Council also take place on May 2.

Nominations close on Friday April 5.

The deadline to register to vote for these elections is midnight on Tuesday April 16.

The deadline to apply for a new postal vote, or to change an existing postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday April 17.

On May 2, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. Voters will be asked to show photo ID before casting their vote.

It's our city, we voted committee ...

by Dr Caroline Gooch and Mary Page Pg Dip, Co-founders of It’s Our City Bristol

IN under two months, the mayor of Bristol will be gone. Two years ago, in a local referendum Bristol citizens voted on a three to two basis to remove the role of directly elected mayor. This was a year after the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives ran candidates for Bristol mayor on ‘Scrap the Mayor’ campaigns. Councillors of all parties were increasingly concerned that the position of executive mayor led to a lack of democracy and representation, as all decisions were centralised.

At the start in 2012 when the first mayor had a rainbow cabinet, the concentration of power wasn’t so obvious, as multiple views were represented at the top table. After mayor Rees was elected and sacked the other parties from his

Cabinet, Labour took full control despite not having a majority.

The Liberal Democrats then twice tabled a council motion to hold a referendum on the way our city is run. The first time was unsuccessful, but on the second attempt, politicians from all five parties on the council supported the motion to have a referendum on the governance of Bristol.

Outside of the council, the ‘It’s Our City Bristol’ group formed. Local politicians and activists from all five Bristol political parties, as well as independents, worked together to run the ‘It’s Our City, Vote Committee’ campaign.

It was an honour and a pleasure to work cross party on this campaign, and we achieved a 59%-41% split in favour of moving to a committee system of governance. The turnout of almost 95,000 voters was higher than at the 2012 referendum in which just under 77,000 people voted, and

which had only narrowly backed the mayoral system, 53%-47%.

On May 2nd Bristol will vote once again for the councillors who will run the new committee system. There will be eight committees composed of councillors allocated in proportion to the number of council seats held across the city. It’s not proportional representation, but it will ensure that views across the city, and the political spectrum, are heard across every aspect of council decision making and that someone who represents your values is in the room. The current six local area committees who decide how to spend public funds locally, will become nine so that they are each smaller and more representative of each community’s needs. The whole structure should be more democratic and grass roots than under the mayoral system, and more empowering and inclusive

for the citizens of Bristol.

To make this system work, we need to elect councillors who are prepared to work together to reach a consensus. Many people are tired of the behaviour of politicians who disrespect each other and the public. We need meetings to be productive, and as professional as in any other workplace. Compromise should not be a dirty word, and collaborative politics should be welcomed. We need to include everyone in discussion to achieve the best result for the most people.

We want you to have your say so please register to vote by 11:59pm Tuesday April 16 on https://www.gov.uk/registerto-vote

If you are voting in person on May 2, then please remember you will need photo ID.

ST

Pictured: A recently reupholstered armchair

Understated Elegance at Fears Watch Company’s New Clifton Boutique

As one of Britain’s oldest and youngest familyrun watch brands, Fears Watch Company, is delighted to announce the grand opening of its Clifton boutique, a momentous occasion in their rich history. Established on Redcliff Street in 1846 by Edwin Fear, the company faced a brief hiatus from the late 1970s until being reestablished in 2016.

Located at No. 4 Clifton Arcade the new boutique builds on the success of their first showroom which was located within their Bristol HQ in 2022 . Ready to warmly welcome customers from the 2nd April Fears invite you to join them in-store Tuesday through Saturday for a calm sense of luxury in the Clifton boutique while exploring the collection of British built watches.

Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, the (4th) Managing Director and great-great-great-grandson of Edwin Fear, has brought the company back to its original and historic home city of Bristol where their watches are designed.

Nestled in the historic Clifton Arcade within the charming Clifton Village, the boutique finds its perfect home amidst surroundings steeped in mid-late 19th-century heritage. Within a stone’s throw of one of the original Fears locations, Richmond Terrace, the arcade mirrors seamlessly with Fears’ commitment to tradition and craftsmanship.

The opening of the Bristol boutique signifies not just the continuation of Fears’ legacy but a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. As they take this significant step forward, Fears remains devoted to its roots in Bristol while embracing

the timeless allure of British horology and watchmaking.

Fears’ mantra of ‘Elegantly Understated’ can be seen throughout their watches that are still proudly hand-built in Britain. The Fears collection is a sophisticated, yet contemporary range of watches that retain inspiration from their vast archive and collections are named after historic Bristol locations the company once inhabited. The collection showcases the evolution of what Nicholas Bowman-Scargill envisions his family would’ve created if the company had continued through the late 70s

until present day.

To celebrate this significant occasion, Fears extends a special invitation: bring in a copy of this publication to the boutique and receive a complimentary glass of English sparkling wine as you view the Fears collection and learn about its historical ties to the area. Nicholas BowmanScargill expresses his heartfelt acknowledgment of this milestone, stating, “We are proud to share the beauty of Fears with watch enthusiasts and the Bristol community, offering a unique and sophisticated experience at our new boutique. This step is a homage to our heritage. This move symbolises not merely a physical presence but a profound connection to our origins, perpetuating the legacy of Fears Watch Company in the heart of beautiful Clifton. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new.”

For additional information, please explore the Fears website at www.fearswatches.com or contact us through the following channels:

Phone: 0117 427 1846

Email: enquiries@fearswatches.com

CLIFTON ARCADE BOUTIQUE OPENING APRIL 2024

We specialise in stunning made to measure curtains that will add a touch of class to your home.

Choose from a range of fabulous fabrics, tracks and poles that will enhance your interior design. We offer a free measuring service and can advise on the best window dressings to match your budget.

To

We supply and fit a wide range of top-quality blinds from leading manufacturers including Louvolite, Eclipse, Decora, Arena.

Available options include Roller, Venetian, Roman, Perfect Fit, Pleated, Blackout, Cellular and Vertical Blinds.

To arrange a free measuring appointment, please contact us. YOUR NEW LOCAL LUXAFLEX DEALER EXCLUSIVE STYLES FOR EVERY WINDOW AND DÉCOR

Shutters are the epitome of elegance. Webber and Spencer design, supply and fit beautiful shutters in Bristol that will add the wow factor to your home. Our plantation shutters are perfect for both contemporary and modern homes and are available in a range of colours and finishes.

To book a free appointment for a designer to measure up and provide an estimate, please contact us today.

Concern as van-dweller numbers rise

BRISTOL now has the highest number of people living in vehicles across all council areas in Britain after a sharp rise since 2020.

An estimated 800 people are living inside between 600 and 650 vehicles in Bristol, with the city struggling to balance their needs and neighbours living nearby.

Many van dwellers are living on the Downs, causing frequent complaints from much wealthier people living in houses and flats in Clifton and Stoke Bishop. Complaints include litter and public urination, although Bristol City Council recently closed many public toilets, adding to the problem.

Numbers have shot up from between 100 and 150 before the pandemic, according to a new council report addressing the complex issue. But Conservative councillors accused the mayor of “kicking the can down the road” during a member forum meeting on Tuesday, March 12.

Councillor Geoff Gollop, representing Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze, said: “We’re getting very confusing messages. You’re telling us that the area on the Downs is a low impact area, and yet your own waste officers are saying that they will not collect fly tipping from that area because they do not feel safe in doing so.

“That worries me. Who is kicking the can down the road? It feels very much like you are by not taking action on this critical issue. Residents are reporting significant troubles arising from that encampment.”

According to the report, other council areas have a smaller number of vehicle dwellers but a higher proportion, when taking into account the total population of the area. Brighton and Hove have an estimated 300 people living in vehicles, representing 0.1 per cent of the local population, slightly less than the 0.14 per cent in Bristol.

Glastonbury and Falmouth, while smaller areas, have a much higher proportion of people living in vehicles. Glastonbury has a population of 7,000, with 150 vehicle dwellers making up 0.22 per cent of the population. And many councils don’t count the number of vehicle dwellers, making it difficult to compare the scale of the issue across different areas.

Marvin Rees, the Labour mayor, said: “Nobody’s kicking the can down the road. The demographic of people living in vehicles and caravans is switching, from people who may have made it as a lifestyle choice to people who are living in there as a last resort because of poverty.

“We’ll do what we can to bring forward meanwhile sites, we’re bringing forward one in Sea Mills. They’re not always easy to bring forward because you have to put facilities on them as well.

“We want to treat people in vehicles with the same due care that we treat everyone else in the city with. That means striking a balance between punitive action, that is very limited what’s available to us, and supportive action that we may take with physical and mental health, and also into permanent housing.

“This comes in the context of a housing crisis. One of the things the housing crisis looks like — on top of a cost of living crisis, and the driving down of local government resources, and the failure to support local government to build homes over the last 14 years — is people living in caravans and vehicles, where they can’t afford to be part of our housing stock.”

Reasons for living in vehicles vary, but a common concern is the exorbitant cost of renting or buying a flat or house in Bristol, compared to the relatively cheap cost of a van.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

S etting the stage for sustainable fashion

CLIFTON Clothes Swap has chosen The Brightwell in Bradley Stoke as its nominated charity for its event on April 21.

The Brightwell is a centre supporting people affected by neurological conditions including MS.

Nicola Clarke, who works at the Redgrave theatre in Clifton, started running regular charity clothes swaps in 2022, and set up a supporting Facebook page ‘Clifton Clothes Swap’ in January 2023, followed by an instagram page @cliftonclothesswap. The theatre allows her to use its stage for her events, from which all proceeds are given to local charities. There is also a raffle where you can win a gift voucher for theatre tickets.

During the cost-of-living crisis, the opportunity to swap good quality, no longer needed clothes for new-to-you outfits in excellent condition is likely to benefit many residents. In addition to being budget-friendly, clothes swaps decrease waste going to landfill.

Entry to the April event, which runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm, is £3. Each visitor can take up to 10 good condition men or women’s clean clothes (no stains or holes) or as-new adults’ shoes or accessories in exchange for tokens to ‘buy’ the same number of items from the clothes swap. If you wish to take more clothes than you brought, you can pay £1 per additional item.

Nicola said “Our February event raised much-needed funds for the Blonde Angels, who help the street homeless in and around Bristol. In April I am delighted to be helping The Brightwell.”

Allotments rethink call

PROPOSED hefty increases in Bristol’s allotment rents and charges look set to be a major issue in the run-up to the Bristol City Council elections next month.

There was a huge row earlier this year after plans were put forward to raise the fees for the first time since 2018 and introduce new rules.

Thousands of people raised objections, which led to most of the rule changes being dropped, although the rent rises were still said to be needed.

As part of the negotiations over the council’s budget for 2024-25, the Conservatives persuaded the Labour-led administration to delay the increases, which would see the cost of a medium plot rising from £70 currently to £113 in 2025, and then £156 in 2026, until next year.

Now the Green Party, which says it was excluded from those discussions, has “called in” the decision made at the Labour

cabinet meeting on March 5 to bring in the rent rises from 2025. The call-in was being discussed at a meeting made up of councillors of all parties on March 27, after the Voice went to print. But whatever the outcome, it’s likely the issue will be revisited after the elections on May 2, when Bristol will be returning to a committee system rather than a cabinet one.

Councillor Emma Edwards (Bishopston and Ashley Down), leader of the Green group, said, “When the city finally gets balanced committees representing all parties elected by residents, the Greens will make sure the committees pick up the pieces and start to listen to the concerns, wisdom, and insight of allotment communities.

“Sadly, the furore created by these ill-judged proposals means it will be a more difficult task to ensure a collaborative debate that develops a better way to manage this service.”

Heritage heroes

an award.

The hard-hatted guides, who take visitors on an hour-long tour of the vaults on the Leigh Woods side of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, have researched and

created props to bring the story of Brunel and his bridge to life.

Their enthusiasm and dedication led to visitor numbers at the bridge doubling last year.

They have won a Heritage Heroes award, from the Heritage Alliance, sponsored by specialist insurer The Ecclesiastical.

Village Show date

ONE of the highlights of the year in our community, the Westbury on Trym Village Show, will be returning to the Village Hall and Gardens on Saturday September 7.

The names of many of the classes will be inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Hooked on Books’. There will be plenty of opportunities for growers, crafters, gardeners, cooks and photographers of all ages to showcase their talents and interests. Money raised goes towards the support and maintenance of the Hall.

Bookings for stalls and attractions are being taken. The ever-popular Marshfield Brass Band, which adds to the traditional village show atmosphere, has already been booked.

The show schedule will be published at the beginning of May and will be available in local shops, businesses and the WOT Library.

Remember to add 7th September to your diaries and calendars. It is always a lovely way to end the summer and look forward to the coming of autumn.

Further information, including the Stallholders’ Application Form may be found on the show’s Facebook Page and website (wotvs.co.uk).

Carole Thorpe (WOT Village Show Chairman)

LEE Pullen, pictured, and his 13 fellow volunteers tour guides at the Clifton Suspension Bridge have won

Threeyearsago,Istoodasthe LiberalDemocratcandidatefor BristolCityMayoronaScrap theMayorticketastheLib Demsfeltthepositionof ExecutiveMayorledtoalack ofdemocracy.

Whenwehadarainbowcabinet thiswasn’tsobad,atleastthe myriadpartyviewsinBristolwere representedatthetoptable. UnfortunatelyMayorRees scrappedtherainbowcabinet,so Labourhavebeeninfull executivecontroldespitenot havingamajorityontheCouncil.

TheLiberalDemocratstabledthe motiontoholdareferendumon theexecutivemayoralrole,which wassuccesfullypassed. Politiciansfromallfourparties thenworkedtogetherwithnonpartyactiviststorunthe‘It’sOur City,VoteCommittee’campaign. Itwassuchanhonouranda pleasuretoworkcross-partyon thiscampaign,andweachieveda 59%-41%splitinfavourof movingtoacommitteesystemof governance.

OnMay2nd Bristolwillvotefor thecouncillorswhowillenterthis newcommitteesystem.Each areacurrentlyintheremitofone cabinetmemberwill,going forward,behandledbyoneof8 committeescomposedof councillorsallocatedin proportiontothenumberof councilseatsheldacrossthecity. Thiswillensurethatviewsacross thepoliticalspectrumareheard acrosseveryaspectofcouncil decisionmakingandthat someonewhorepresentsyour valuesisintheroom.

Tomakethissystemwork,we needelectedcouncillorswhoare preparedtoworktogetherto reachaconsensus.Manypeople aretiredofthebehaviourof politicianswhoseemtotreat governingasagame,anddebate asasport.TheLiberalDemocrats arecommunityfocussedandwill workhardforthebenefitof Bristolpeople.

Weareaskingforyoutovotefor myself,NicholasCoombes& StephenWilliamstobeyournew

councillorsforWestbury-on-Trym &Henleaze.Wewanttomake surethatwerepresentyour values,andfightforyour priorities.Wewillcampaign locallyformorefundingfor health&socialcare.We’ll championtheenvironmentand protectourrivers.We’llpushfor busfranchisingtoimprovelocal busservices,andinvestinfixing ourroads&pavements.

Fromthe2nd May,yourlocal councillorswillhelptorun Bristol,sovotefortheteam thatsharesyourvalues,works hardallyearround,andwillbe thevoiceforresidentsof Westbury-on-Trym&Henleaze.

ONLYTHELIBDEMS CANUNSEATTHECONSERVATIVES INWESTBURY-ON-TRYM&HENLEAZE

TheConservativeshavetakenourareaforgranted.Lifeis gettingtougherandmoreexpensive.OurNHSisonits knees.ToryGovernmentfailuresleadthenewsdaily. TheConservativesnolongersharethevaluesoflocal residents.UseyourvotestosendtheGovernmenta messagetheycan’tignore.

OnlytheLiberalDemocratscanunseatthe Conservativeshereandgetabetterdealforyou andyourfamily.

LabourandtheGreensjustcan’twinacross Westbury-on-Trym&Henleaze.Votingfor themwillrisklettingtheConservatives sneakbackin.

STEPHEN WILLIAMS CAROLINE GOOCH NICHOLAS COOMBES

New bus service

A NEW bus service linking Henleaze to Gloucester Road via the city centre will start next month.

Operator First says the 77 route will directly connect the busy and popular shopping and leisure areas of Stokes Croft and Whiteladies Road with the city centre every 30 minutes at peak times and will help relieve pressure on nearby bus services.

The route is one of three cross-city links starting in April 7. Service 41 connects Kingswood and East Bristol with Sea Mills, Shirehampton and Avonmouth while the number 5 will link St Anne’s and Clifton. It will operate every day and provide journeys into the evening, and will run alongside service 8 (Temple Meads to Clifton) to provide extra capacity on this busy route.

George Burton, Head of Network for First West of England, said: “All the changes we’re introducing in April are as a result of listening to our customers, local residents and

working with local councils. We’ve also been able to work closely with the West of England Combined Authority to consider introducing new routes without the need for public funding.

“Introducing new cross-city routes, adding capacity, creating faster, express journeys and connecting more parts of the West of England, coupled with single ticket prices frozen and our Tap On, Tap Off technology making it quicker to travel and ensuring you pay the cheapest fares, shows we’re doing all we can to encourage more people to make bus the travel of choice.

“We’re now firmly in a post-pandemic recovery, and following a successful recruitment campaign our driver numbers have increased, and we’re seeing great signs that people are returning to bus travel and new people are using the bus.”

Timetables for the new routes will be published soon. Details will be on the First West of England website.

End this unfair benefit limit

I WAS shocked to learn, via new research from the End Child Poverty Coalition, that 2620 children in our constituency are impacted by the unfair two-child limit to benefit payments. Which equals 11% of all children in this area. Alongside this, the figure for child poverty for Bristol North West is 28.0%.

We don’t limit access to the NHS to two children per household. We don’t lock children outside of the school gates and say that education isn’t for them just because they have older siblings. So why, when a family faces tough times, do we deny a child the support they need to stay fed, housed and healthy, just because they happen to have more than one older brother or sister.

This is the reality for the 1.5 million children impacted by the unfair two-child limit, which is essentially a sibling tax. Removing this tax means that younger siblings will get the same support as their brothers or sisters.

I understand that in order to address the increasing numbers of children in poverty, the End Child Poverty Coalition are calling for an end to the two-child limit to benefit payments, as part of their All Kids Count campaign. If the government were to do scrap this policy which prevents larger families from claiming child related benefits for their third or subsequent child, 250,000 children would immediately be lifted out of poverty.

Barry Biddiscombe

FROM OUR MP

Learning lessons from the past

FIRSTLY, thank you to everyone who attended my recent Village Meetings in the Westbury-onTrym Village Hall and at Scott Cinemas in Westbury Park, and to those who managed to get tickets for the cinema screenings of my Village Matters short films – a project that uses local history to discuss issues that are pertinent to constituents today. (If you missed the screenings, my team will make the films available to watch on my YouTube channel soon: www. youtube.com/@darrenjonesmp.)

The House of Commons feels very much like the end of term, with everyone waiting for the Prime Minister to announce when the General Election will be held.

While we wait for that election, the Spring Budget was the big news from Parliament. Sitting alongside Keir Starmer, to advise him in real time how to change his speech, I listened to the Chancellor announce a further 2p cut in National Insurance, while the Budget documents showed the burden of tax is not only at a 70year high but will go up every year for the next five years. To make it worse, the country has more debt as a size of the economy than since the war and, because more recently that has been bought on variable interest rates, the cost of debt interest is now over £100bn and the third largest department in Whitehall (after the NHS and Work and Pensions).

To make it worse, coming out of the Budget, the Chancellor announced his plan to abolish National Insurance contributions

altogether – an irresponsible, unfunded, spending commitment costing £46bn a year – without a plan for how to pay for it.

Now, I know the Government doesn’t like to remember Liz Truss’s short stint as Prime Minister. But apparently they need to be reminded that she crashed the economy off the back of £45bn a year unfunded tax cuts that sent mortgage bills rocketing. So, I did just that, penning a formal letter to Rishi Sunak the very next day.

The public rightly look to their National Insurance contributions as the bedrock of our welfare state, where working people and their employers all contribute towards funding our NHS and the state pension. It was originally designed as an insurance, giving people the financial help that they need during illness and unemployment.

The Chancellor didn’t set out any plans for how he proposes to fund abolishing National Insurance. Assuming he doesn’t want to repeat Liz Truss and former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mistakes and crash the economy, he will have to fund it somehow.

Given taxes and the national debt are both at record highs, will he cut funding for GPs, driving more patients to pay for private healthcare? Will he end the right to be seen in your local hospital? Will he cut support towards the cost of social care? Will he put an end to incapacity benefit? Will he abolish jobseeker’s allowance? Will he make a cut to the state pension?

To put an end to an end to such speculation, I put the question to the Government during my speech in the Budget debates that were held in Parliament in the days that followed the Chancellor’s announcement. I declared that the public has a right to know and opened the floor for any Minister to respond. But the handful of Tory Ministers that turned up to defend the Budget stayed silent. (You can watch my speech in full on my YouTube channel.)

In other Budget news, the Chancellor announced the Government is closing the nondom tax loophole that allows wealthy people who live here, but who were not born here, to not pay tax here. This has been a long-held Labour Party policy that the Conservatives spent 14 years disparaging.

I’m glad they’re abolishing the non-dom status for anyone who has lived in the UK for four years. Billionaires who enjoy living in our country should pay taxes here. If the Conservatives had done this years ago, they could have raised billions for our public services.

The Conservatives know that Labour had plans for how it would spend the money generated from closing the non-dom tax loophole. So, they’re doing this in an attempt to limit the amount of breathing space that a future Labour government would have to clean up their mess – once again putting political point scoring ahead of the prosperity of the country. (It won’t work of course –we saw this coming a mile away!)

Closing the non-dom loophole isn’t the only Labour policy the Chancellor has copied. He also announced that he wants to improve efficiency in the NHS, and later across other public services. This is something that I have been leading on for Labour over the past half year, in my role as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Clearly the Government has ran out of out of ideas of its own, so they should do the country a favour and call a General Election now. (Maybe they have by the time you read this!)

As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can get in touch with me on email 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 SW1A 0AA.

Darren Jones writes for the Voice

Government acts over city planning delays

THE Government has placed Bristol City Council’s planning department “under designation” because of its failures to deal with applications in time.

This means developers wanting to build between one and nine homes can apply directly to the government’s Planning Inspectorate for permission, bypassing the council. Householder applicants or proposed developments of 10 or more homes are not affected.

The backlog of applications has come down from its peak last summer, but in February there were still 600 without an assigned case officer. Councillors on the growth and regeneration scrutiny commission were updated about the issue on March 7.

Alex Hearn, director of economy of place, said: “It’s obviously not positive at all, we recognise that. It’s also important to recognise that there’s a lot of progress being

made in the service.

“The officers in the service are doing a brilliant job and are very committed to getting the backlog down to zero, which we hope to be able to do by around summer. This doesn’t mean that we’ve been stripped of our powers.

“We’re working with the Government around our action plan to get us out of the designation. Once our action plan is approved and delivered, if we can show two clear quarters of sustaining good performance, then there’s every chance that we can have the designation rescinded.”

John Smith, executive director of growth and regeneration, added: “It’s not a positive thing. It reflects historically that we have had significant issues in planning, and that’s caused delays to applicants and we’re very sorry about that.”

Opposition councillors called for more action to tackle

the crisis in the planning department.

Commenting on the designation, Conservative Councillor Richard Eddy, chair of the development control A committee, said: “It’s hardly a surprise to anyone who has followed closely the ‘log-jam’ in Bristol’s planning system over the last few years. Every time I attend the meetings of the Planning Users Group — and practically daily receive complaints from planning applicants and their agents — I hear of continuing problems and delays in the service.

“This is directly handicapping Bristol’s regeneration and the provision of new jobs, economic investment and housing.

“Officers have the full support of elected members in seeking to reduce this backlog and recruit the necessary professional planners to remedy the unacceptable delays. Indeed, under chief planner Simone

Wilding, appointed in May 2023, there have been significant reductions in the planning backlog and new officers have been put in place, but more needs to be done to resolve the fundamental problems.”

Green Cllr Tony Dyer added: “The actions required will have an impact on the planning process far beyond the end of the current administration and the current model of governance. It is therefore vital that any proposals agreed between BCC and [the government] have the full support of all political parties to ensure continuity into the committee model of governance.

“Bristol desperately needs a robust planning system that does not fast-track pet projects over the current unacceptable backlog and will hold developers to a higher standard, taking into account the needs of Bristol residents.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

£10m refurb creates a very special school

ELMFIELD School for Deaf Children celebrated the official opening of its £10m premises in Sheridan Road, Horfield.

Among the guests were the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, cabinet councillors Ellie King and Tom Renhard, governors, pupils and families.

The children gave a poetry reading with all performances in both BSL signing and spoken English.

Writing on his blog after the visit, the

Mayor said: “Elmfield School for Deaf Children’s primary site is an inspirational learning environment which has a fantastic, bespoke acoustic design and a layout which we know promotes best practice in deaf education. This new school means Elmfield can double its numbers to 48 pupils, and provide a world-class, specialist learning environment.

“This specially designed school will provide pupils from Bristol, the surrounds –

and as far away as Wales, with an inclusive learning environment that meets pupils’ needs. It was a pleasure to tour the school and to see the students clearly already making the most of their wonderful new facilities, after £10 million investment.”

The school now has eight classrooms, sensory rooms, a green screen filming room, an open plan library in the heart of the building, alongside a fabulous life skills and creative arts area.

NOAH’S ARK PRE-SCHOOL RETAINS ITS OFSTED OUTSTANDING

Noah’s Ark pre-school is delighted to have retained its Outstanding rating following a recent Ofsted inspection. The Managers, Jane and Sophie are thrilled that Ofsted have once again recognised the unique and special place that Noah’s Ark Pre-school is for young children and their families. In fact, to quote Ofsted, ‘Parents report that it is very much a 'Noah's Ark' family that you join when your child attends the setting’ and ‘children flourish in this exceptional pre-school.’

The staff have been recognised as ‘highly skilled delivering excellent learning opportunities in small groups to help support children with their communication and language and personal, social and emotional development.’

As a parent said, ‘Ofsted have confirmed for us what we

already knew.’

During their inspection, Ofsted were able to experience the rich environment in which the children learn and grow with opportunities for learning both inside and out ranging from food exploring, woodwork, openended ‘real’ everyday resources such as padlocks and keys, coins and buttons to name just a few. This holistic early years’ experience for 2-4 year olds is key to their success.

Jane and Sophie are incredibly

proud of their team and the ‘extra mile’ that they all choose to go on to support the children and their families and are delighted that Ofsted could see this shine through and acknowledged this in their report by saying ‘The managers and staff are exceptionally passionate about giving children the best start in life.’

‘The team are excited about the next chapter for Noah’s Ark as we reflect on what we

want to do next. We will be developing more opportunities for local trips for our children to explore the environment around Pre-school as part of both their physical and personal and social development. A key value for us is that of ‘fostering a love of the natural world’ and so we plan to build on our planting and growing experiences for the children so that they can begin to understand the importance of caring and nurturing the world in which we live.’

Noah’s Ark is currently taking applications for September 2024. if you are interested in arranging a visit, please contact us on 0117 9446229 or email office@ noahsarkps.org.uk. We look forward to showing you what we can offer your child.

Start the journey

Nurseries needed Bugsy at the double

SO many students at Fairfield High School wanted to tread the boards in the school's production of tthe musical Bugsy Malone that the production had two complete casts.

The performances, with the young gangsters armed with custard rather than bullets, were a huge success with audiences.

The sell out shows demonstrated some swift scene changes, strong acting performances, well-choreographed dance routines plus many humorous moments.

Natalie Thompson, head of performing arts, said: “A massive thank you to our cast and crew for their professionalism and all around brilliance for taking Bugsy on with such gusto. We were honoured to have 150 members of the Fairfield Family wanting to take part this year, a new record! And finally a big thank you goes to all those who bought a ticket and helped Bugsy Malone come to life with their cheering and clapping.”

Photo: Gavin Power Photography

COUNCILLORS have called for new nurseries in Bristol as extra hours of free childcare is rolled out to thousands of new parents. Money from property developers could soon be used to set up new nurseries and help meet rising demand for places amid a dire national shortage.

Labour won cross-party support for their motion on using money raised from the community infrastructure levy, charged to developers, to help pay the capital cost of new childcare facilities. This follows a campaign on the issue backed by many Bristol-based organisations.

The plans include recognising childcare as key infrastructure, protecting funding for early years and maintained nurseries, and asking the West of England Combined Authority to give grants to new childcare providers. The motion was carried in a full council meeting on Tuesday, March 12.

Labour Councillor Amal Ali, who put forward the motion, said: “As a Labour councillor and a mother, I want to play my part in helping Bristol’s children get the best start in life. We’ve done a lot on this so far. Marvin Rees’s administration has protected children’s centres and nurseries from Tory austerity. I’m proud of this — other cities have not been so fortunate.

“As with any issue this big, there’s of course more to do. We want this to be at the forefront of everybody’s mind as we move to the committee system.”

Greens successfully tabled an amendment to the motion, with requests to lobby national political party leaders, rather than just the government.

From this month, working parents of two-year-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare. More changes will come this September and a year later.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Spring Open Day

Friday 26th April 2024

Preschool to Year 8

Ages 3 - 13

Come and discover life at Clifton College Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory School. You will have the chance to meet staff, tour the classrooms and explore the wider facilities. Children encouraged to come along!

If you can’t attend our open day, book a personal tour at a time convenient to you at: cliftoncollege.com

School celebrates excellent Ofsted report

TRINITY Academy in Lockleaze is celebrating a hugely positive Ofsted report following its first inspection.

The secondary school, which opened in 2019 as part of Cathedral Schools Trust, has been rated Good overall and Outstanding for leadership and management and pupils’ personal development.

Four inspectors visited Trinity Academy on January 23 and 24, observing lessons and meeting staff and students. In their report, they described the school as a vibrant community where pupils felt supported to achieve highly.

“This is an ambitious school that wants the very best for its pupils, both academically and pastorally,” Ofsted said.

“The school’s ambition, to nourish the ‘head, heart and soul’ of the pupils who attend, is fully understood by the school community. The school provides a wealth of opportunities and celebrates its cultural diversity.”

The inspectors praised the ambitious and well-planned curriculum and the exceptional extra-curricular programme at the 814-pupil school, which has a music specialism.

They also noted the warm and respectful relationships between children and staff.

“Lessons are not disrupted by poor

behaviour. The school is calm and orderly because pupils understand the rules and routines in place. “

=Headteacher Eiron Bailey said: “We are delighted with this report. Whileschools are so much more complex than single word judgements, we do see the full report as a recognition and affirmation of our mission and hard work”.

Neil Blundell, chief executive of

Cathedral Schools Trust, said: “This is a wonderful endorsement for the school and welcome news for education across the city. We are proud that personal development was judged to be outstanding and the report recognises that ‘the school provides a wealth of opportunities and celebrates its cultural diversity’.”

Trinity Academy has pupils in Years 7 to 11 and will open its sixth form in September.

MP shares tips on public speaking

SHADOW Cabinet Minister Darren Jones delivered a workshop on public speaking at Fairfield High School.

The invitation to Mr Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West, came from the school’s Fem Soc and took place on International Women’s Day.

Mr Jones has run his Speak Like You Own the Room masterclasses at a number of secondary schools in Bristol during this academic year. At Fairfield, he explained how his tips could be used in many circumstances, such as a doctor or nurse as they spoke to patients, a bus driver as they spoke to customers, or as an IT technician while deciphering technical problems.

Mr Jones showed some clips of public speaking that demonstrated less than favourable body language, such as lack of eye contact, fidgeting in the seat and speaking over each other.

For those students with their eyes on a career within the political world, he gave tips to both the chair person (giving everyone equal time to speak and knowing when to move an argument along for example) and questioner (maintaining a calm disposition

and not accepting evasive answers).

In questions and answers at the end of the workshop students quickly got down to the nitty gritty: in 10 minutes they had established the MP’s age, how much he earned, and the steps needed to become an MP, Mayor or Councillor.

Mr Jones said: “I was shy growing up but learning the saxophone and being on stage was a turning point as my confidence grew. I now represent around 100,000, if you include young people who can’t yet vote, and am in and out of national TV studios and

the House of Commons every week. Aside from this, I really enjoy meeting the next generation of leaders. Fem Soc are a great bunch of students who listened intently, showed great body language of their own and who I am sure will have bright futures.”

Jenny Putman, director of English and Classics at Fairfield High School, said: “We would like to thank Darren for this wonderful masterclass which will be relevant for all walks of life, and especially for combining his visit with International Women’s Day, something as a school we value very highly.”

MP Darren Jones with Jenny Putnam and students at Fairfied

Care

Household budgets remain under pressure during the continuing national cost-ofliving crisis. We continue to treat your money with respect, while leading Bristol in a way that is compassionate and unapologetically ambitious.

We have retained our Council Tax Reduction Scheme, supporting 32,000 households with up to 100% discounts. Our Local Crisis Prevention Fund continues, after helping around 5,000 households this year with essentials like food and fuel. Working as One City, more than 70 Welcoming Spaces have helped people stay warm and connected.

Bristol’s budget this year is again led by building homes.

Ensuring people have a safe, secure, and affordable home is the biggest contribution we can make to tackle poverty and climate change, improve health, and drive ambition. We have got Bristol building: more than 12,500 new homes were completed between 2016 and 2023, including the first from Goram Homes, our councilowned housing company. 86% of these homes are built on previously developed land; 3,000 more homes were under construction in April 2023; and we will deliver another 3,000 council homes by 2029.

Despite 14 years of national austerity, increased need in our city, and rising inflation, we have protected your frontline

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services. This year we have again safeguarded all of our children’s centres and libraries, and also opened our new £10 million Elmfield School for Deaf Children. And we keep investing in early intervention, with our world-class £15 million south Bristol Youth Zone opening in 2025.

At Portway Park & Ride, we opened Bristol’s first new train station in almost a century, with work well underway on another at Ashley Down. 2024 saw our 100,000th One Tree Per Child tree planted and a 10% drop in nitrogen dioxide pollution across Bristol – with Clean Air Zone help still on offer. And, by 2029, Bristol City Leap will have invested £771 million in clean energy:

Marvin Rees shares his views with the Voice

creating 1,000 new jobs and cutting around 150,000 tonnes of emissions.

We have faced huge challenges. Many are still with us. But, together, we have made real progress in building a better Bristol: our City of Hope.

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n NEWS FROM S us WoT

MAYOR Marvin Rees thanked litterpickers from SusWoT, Henleaze and other groups at a presentation evening at City Hall for litterpickers. Cabinet Members and Bristol Waste Managers expressed their appreciation too. These litterpicking groups work hard to keep our streets clean, and it was marvellous to meet so many fellow litterpickers.

SusWoT have agreed to meet Bristol Waste to discuss how some of the techniques and technology used by SusWoT might be adopted across the city by other groups to improve their effectiveness. In Henleaze and Westbury litterpickers are given a few local streets to look after and keep their picker, hoop, and bags at home. This means they can litterpick when they like. Many groups meet only once a month or week for a communal session which means that kit might only be used for a couple of hours a month. SusWoT has its routes mapped on its website so that people can see exactly where they are expected to work. SusWoT also has a phone app ‘WoTPlot’ that people can use to photograph serious litter issues so

that they are stored on the app’s map, so that they can be reported to Bristol Waste or dealt with by another litterpicker using the app to find the problem. SusWoT has signed up to be part of Retrofit West. The West of England Combined Authority have set up this project with the mission to help support householders make their homes more energy-efficient and comfortable by reducing heat loss. SusWoT will endeavour to provide advice and guidance to help local householders find the easy and most cost-effective improvements they can. Many people are daunted by long lists

of improvements that ‘should’ be made, following a survey. They so are overwhelmed by the amount of well-meaning advice that they end up doing nothing. SusWoT want to help householders get started. Retrofit West have sources of expertise and are building an effective supply chain, finding expert installers and suitable suppliers. Retrofit simply means fitting something in your house to reduce heat loss. Keep it Clean is a project to keep the river Trym and Hazel Brook and their surroundings clean. SusWoT is looking for volunteers to keep small sections by the river clean. All kit would be provided.

Himalayan Balsam is a nonnative invasive plant found on or near the banks of rivers that starts to appear in April. Recently it has been hugely reduced along the Trym and Hazel Brook. To stop it spreading it must be pulled up before it flowers. The flowers can propel the seeds 10m which is how it spreads.

Get growing: April is the best month to sow many vegetables and salad crops so now is the time to get growing. SusWoT plans to have some vegetable plants for sale at the Westbury Parish Church Community Fair on Saturday 11 May. If you would like to help grow some seedlings, mainly tomato, to sell please get in touch. The Community Garden between Stoke Lane and Reedley Road is looking smart and is a great place to sit quietly and rest. The Library Garden now has broad beans growing quite well as well as onions, garlic, and herbs. The more people who can help look after these the better.

To offer to help with any of the above contact suswot2050@gmail. com. Or come to a meeting, 7.30 on the last Thursday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall.

The community garden in Westbury-on-Trym

Thinking of installing solar panels? Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork

Climate change awareness and increased interest in sustainability has meant that homeowners in England are increasingly turning to solar panels to reduce their environmental impact and energy bills.

Solar panels can be bought and owned outright by the homeowner or installed on the property by a third party who will take a lease from the homeowner of the airspace above the property to install the panels and then lease the panels to the homeowner.

When installing solar panels on residential properties in the UK, the following considerations may be of relevance to the homeowner:

By Shelley Faulkner, solicitor with AMD Solicitors

Advertising Feature

1. Planning Permission: In most cases, installing solar panels on residential properties falls under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission is not required. However, limitations exist, for example, panels should not protrude more than 200mm from the roof slope and should not exceed the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys). In

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

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 %.

addition, listed buildings or properties within conservation areas may have stricter regulations.

2. Building Regulations: Solar panel systems must comply with building regulations regarding structural integrity and adequate roof support, electrical safety, and fire safety.

3. Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS): Solar panels should be installed by a specialist MCS certified company. This certification confirms that the installation was compliant with industry standards.

4. Grid Connection and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): To connect your solar panel system to the electrical grid and benefit from SEG, you need to consult with your local District Network Operator.

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.

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

from your neighbour.

6. Buildings Insurance: You should check with your insurance provider to ensure that the installation of solar panels does not affect your coverage and that there is adequate coverage for your solar panel system against damage or unforeseen events.

7. Mortgage Lender: If you lease the solar panels you must obtain your mortgage lender’s consent to the lease of the airspace above your property. You may wish to seek legal advice on the terms of the lease if you are at all unsure of your legal position in granting the lease.

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.

5. Party Wall Act: If your installation involves work on a shared or party wall, compliance with the Party Wall Act may be necessary, requiring notification and consent

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.

that the panels have been safely and correctly installed. You should also ensure that there is evidence of regular maintenance and servicing.

If you would like to discuss this, or any other conveyancing matters further, please contact AMD on info@amdsolicitors.com, 0117 973 5647 or pop into any of our four Bristol offices.

members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the leading professional body in this field. We offer a free initial consultation for new clients.

For advice on administration of estates, trusts, wills, powers of attorney and all private client 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.

Consulting with local authorities, experienced installers, and legal professionals is crucial to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations specific to your location.

When selling a house with solar panels, documentation should be provided to your conveyancer to enable them to pass this on to the buyer’s conveyancer to show

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

AMD Solicitors are delighted to announce our new charity of the year as Flamingo Chicks. Flamingo Chicks is a charity tackling social isolation by giving disabled children and those with illnesses such as cancer the opportunity to enjoy dance and explore movement. They also provide a peer support network for parents and carers, intergenerational volunteering, global outreach and advocacy. Various fundraising activities will take place throughout the year, the first major event will be a team from AMD running a half marathon and another running 10K. Sponsorship link to appear on our website soon.

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.

Copyright AMD Solicitors

FREELANCE MUM HUB

FREELANCE Mum, a support network for self-employed mothers, is opening a hub in north Bristol.

The idea is for mums to meet monthly to ‘netwalk’ for fresh air, focus and friendship. Crucially, they can bring their children along.

The group meets at The Ardagh in Horfield on April 18, May 16 and June 20 for walks plus free coffee and cake. Freelance Mum also offers mums who juggle parenting with running their own business an active online community, with weekly virtual coffee mornings where members across the country can connect.

Membership is free for the first 30 days and is then £25 a month.

Freelance Mum was founded in 2013 by Faye Dicker, who was balancing motherhood with her voiceover work. Hubs have sprung up in Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Southampton and even New Zealand.

The North Bristol hub will be run by Faye Dicker with Freelance Mum Claire Callaghan, a self-employed physio. The netwalks are being funded by Bristol Business and Enterprise Support through YTKO West of England.

Claire used to travel across Bristol to the city to get to the original FM netwalk in Ashton Court so jumped at the opportunity to launch a hub closer to home in Horfield.

She said: “I wanted to help set up a hub in North Bristol as I've lived here for over 15 years, and really feel there's a need for this. I've also gained so much from meeting and working with other Freelance Mums, so it would be great if others could benefit too.

“Sometimes networking can feel forced and transactional. Freelance Mums is just the opposite! The informal netwalk format and Faye's welcome and natural sparkle ensures that everyone is comfortable and able to express themselves in whatever way they wish. We're keen to bring women from diverse jobs, backgrounds and experience levels together.”

For further information, visit https://www.freelancemum.co.uk

WOMEN'S WELLBEING WALK

A GROUP of 25 women got together on March 3 for a 'Women's Wellbeing Spring Stroll' around Durdham Downs and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The weather was on their side with beautiful warm sunshine which was a real treat after the surprise snow in Henleaze on the previous day. It was an opportunity to meet new people and do what women do best - i.e. have a chat!

This is the second walk that Rachel Joshi, a health and wellbeing coach from Henleaze, has organised. All participants are encouraged to speak to at least one person they have never met before.

If you'd like to join the next wellbeing walk, please email rachel.joshi@ hotmail.com. Also if you are interested in finding out more about how Rachel can help you with your health & wellbeing goals, please email her.

HORFIELD COMMON JUNIOR PARKRUN

A NEW free weekly 2km Junior Parkrun has launched at Horfield Common and will take place every Sunday at 9am, weather permitting. The first event on March 10 saw 124 finishers.

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/horfieldcommon-juniors/

CHOIR OPEN REHEARSAL

THE Filtones Choir is, as a one off event, holding a choir open rehearsal on Wed. 24 April at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Elm Park between 1.45 and 3.45. It is free for all to drop in and listen to how the choir prepare for our concerts, and you can even join in if you feel inclined. Meet the choir for free tea and biscuits during their break. You are assured of a very warm welcome.

PLEA FOR VOLUNTEERS

LOCAL charity Home-Start Bristol is looking for volunteers. The charity supports families with under 5s across Bristol and South Glos who are going through tough times. Volunteers are needed for home-visiting or to help at parent groups, for 2-3 hours a week. The next volunteer training course starts on 25th April. Visit homestartbristol.org.uk, email admin@ homestartbristol.org.uk or call 0117 9501170 for more information.

Time for action to end loss of young lives

THE recent loss of young lives across the West of England is a huge concern.

At my annual Schools Summit, students pitch ideas to me for new policies.

Sometimes it’s the environment, transport, or about skills. This year’s big theme turned out to be how to tackle knife crime.

Many young people are currently worried, anxious and unclear about what they can do to best avoid knife violence. But they know the awful toll of young lives only too well.

Mason Rist and Max Dixon – aged just 15 and 16 respectively – were stabbed in Knowle West back in January.

Darrian Williams, also just 16, was killed in Easton in February.

Another 16-year-old, Mikey Roynon, was stabbed and killed at a birthday party in Bath last June.

In 2022, Radstock teenager Charley Bates was another young victim. His killer was prosecuted last August.

Knife crime is impacting young people, who are changing their behaviour from fear, for example staying in more and not seeing their friends so frequently.

There is no single answer – far from it. But I do know we must act.

We need to invest in young people and the resources that help them. Real-terms reductions to local council budgets for the past 14 years have hit youth services very badly.

There is also a lack of mental health support for youngsters growing up in an ever more complex and fast-changing world. As a former NSPCC-trained child protection officer, this is something close to my heart.

Young people need mentors, to take part in activities that build their self-esteem. They also need access to first rate support from qualified professionals.

Sadly, young people are staying away from youth clubs and youth provision because they and their parents are frightened. That’s a vicious circle we need to break.

We also need to smash the myth that carrying a knife makes you safer. It doesn’t.

However secure it makes you feel, you’re actually more likely to be stabbed with your own knife than anyone else’s. By carrying a knife, you’re potentially arming your attacker.

The police are right to hold knife amnesties. But the fall in police numbers and prosecutions under this government is unacceptable. I also can’t fathom the reason to wait until the autumn to ban dangerous ‘zombie knives’ and

machetes. And when the worst happens, we need people trained to react.

At my schools summit, youngsters learnt from the brilliant anti-knife crime campaigner Leanne Reynolds how to use ‘bleed kits’, which contain everything needed to give first aid to someone rapidly losing blood.

So, here’s the deal: to tackle knife crime head-on, we need to get everyone on board – community groups, charities, businesses, police and especially young people.

It also requires political parties to work together, something as West of England Mayor I’m keen to encourage.

The senseless loss of young life is an utter and total tragedy. It’s time for action, so we can beat it – together.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n COMMUNITY NEWS

HORFIELD C OMMUNITY ORCHARD

ARE you a Community Pollinator? People power will help turn Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) into a year-round source of food forage and shelter for the many kindly and diverse insects we all rely on for fruit pollination. If they become hungry and homeless, so do we!

Last spring, one of our active, Harvest-share members was keen to apply to the Bee Bold Community Pollinators fund, a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) initiative. Other members took part in films made to support the bid - and everyone was buzzing! Our project, ‘Bee Active, Bee Fruitful!’, was successful!

An experimental Wild Bee Hive prototype was installed in our Home Orchard Plot in July 2023. It’s been a talking point with visitors at Apple Day and Wassail - and a great way raise awareness of wild bees and other pollinating insects.

It’s true that our nature-friendly orchard is already a welcome place for pollinators. We have identified ways to make it even better. These include adding more pollinator-friendly fruiting plants and herbs, and more ‘dry’ hedges. The project also brings opportunities to engage orchard-lovers from the wider community in the activities.

Past experience teaches us that proper preparation of planting areas is key to success. Many hands make lighter work! Lend a hand and muck-in at one of our Bee Active. Bee Fruitful volunteer sessions. Tasks range from deep digging of bramble roots, to gentler sieving

n

of rough mulch materials. The activities involve 'green exercise' of some kind. There is something suited to every ability.

Looking for other ways to be a Community Pollinator? Please get in touch if you can donate homegrown woody herbs, herbaceous berry and fruit bushes, and pollinator-friendly bulbs. We also welcome local orchard lovers to join us Friends of HOCO, and support our work year-round.

Bee Active, Bee Fruitful! Community Pollinator volunteer sessions: Saturday 13 April

Please sign-up c/o the HOCO website: http://www. community-orchard.org.uk

Come along with a friend or family member!

Phone 0117 373 1587

Words

by Shannon Smith aka The Apple Tree Lady

Photograph by Jamie Carstairs

NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence

WALK AND TALK

THE Walk and Talk initiative is now available to women aged 18 or above who live or work in Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police are inviting women to meet with female police officers or PCSOs to show them areas in which they feel vulnerable or unsafe in their communities.

Walk and Talk lead for Bristol, Acting Inspector Jonathan Scott, said: “If there are particular areas in your neighbourhood that make you feel unsafe, or that you avoid, then a walk and talk is a way to meet with a female police officer or PCSO and show them these areas, explain experiences you have had, and also a chance to ask any questions you may have.”

The Walk and Talk initiative was initially launched as a trial in Somerset in September 2023. To find out more, visit: https:// www.avonandsomerset.police. uk/apply/walk-and-talk/

Birdsong chorus is well worth the early start

COME mid-April the dawn chorus is amplified by the voices of returning migrants joining in with our resident birds. The singing begins in the gloaming, the sun still below the horizon, and the full concerto usually persists for an hour or so after sunrise. The world is quieter at dawn and the air often still, allowing the songs to carry up to 20 times as far, giving the singers a greater reward for their efforts. Listening, as colour seeps back into the world, is a joyous experience and worth the effort (even I admit it).

For those of us who find getting up at sunrise an unwelcome prospect (I was poorly named) we can listen out for the dusk chorus as sunset encourages the birds to sing again. Singing in low light levels attracts less attention from predators and it is too dark to search for food, so it makes sense to use the twilight to proclaim your territory and try to attract a mate.

Identifying birds from their song is a challenging art but people have been doing it forever, and, consequently, there are many little mnemonics. The best ones emphasize the rhythm of the song as well as the sounds.

My parents taught me “Did he do it, did he do it? Who can tell?” which is an age-old transliteration of the song thrush’s refrain. Incredibly, an individual can have 100 of these phrases, usually repeating each one a couple of times and varying his choices to produce his own unique composition: “did he do it” remains one of the most well-used lyrics.

The song of the chaffinch is written as “H, E, B, R, E, W, S, Hebrews!” with the last few

syllables speeding up as they go. Great tits flutily chant “teacher, teacher, teacher” though it is also a big joke in our family that any puzzling bird call is invariably a great tit. Their extensive range of vocalisations may help to explain how great tits, widespread in Europe and a sedentary species, have evolved different accents in different regions, rather like people.

The coal tit is one of our less common garden birds but listen out for “see saw, see saw” and you might see him. The wren, tiny as he is, has an explosive warbling song which always contains a rasping section, like a tiny stick being quickly dragged along a fence “tttrrrrrrrrr”. But best of all is the wood pigeon, whose rich, throaty tones offer the seductive suggestion to “take twoooooo cows, Taffy”. The chiffchaff, like the cuckoo (who is desperately hard to find nowadays, though a few pairs still breed in the Bristol region) sings his name and he is normally the first of the migrants to start singing, usually in March. That first irregular “chiff, chiff, chaff, chiff”, perhaps on a chilly day, coming defiantly from a high perch on a naked tree-top, really sends the heart a-leaping like almost nothing else.

A chiff chaff singing Photo: Edwin Anderton

Trymview Hall care home, Westbury-on-Trym

Nutrition and hydration

Thursday 16th May 2024 2pm-4pm

Join us with our fantastic Head Chef Darren, to hear advice on nutrition and hydration in older age, from preparing appealing snacks to tips on improving appetite. Pick up our free guide and sample a range of our chef’s delicious dishes.

Trusted to care.

To book please call 0117 405 9775 or email nicola.wolff-donitz@careuk.com

NEWS with

I’M sure you don’t need reminding that February and March have been very wet. This isn’t causing the vines too much stress at the moment because they are dormant but they won’t like it if it continues into the growing season. The vines usually start to produce shoots and growth around the middle of April. Just like a person, they feel stressed in extreme conditions and can often get fungal diseases if the ground is extremely wet or dry. I have been meaning to make a rainwater collection system all winter and have joked that as soon as I finally get round to building it, we’ll probably have a drought and I’ll have missed all the rain collection opportunities!

Now the pruning of the vines is over, I’ve switched to pruning the willow windbreak. It’s quite a different process to vine pruning and involves sawing rather than snipping with secateurs. At the vineyard edge, we now have huge piles of 20 foot long, thin willow branches that we’ll chip for mulch as soon as the ground dries out enough for vehicles to drive across it.

For the last two weeks, I’ve been sharing the vineyard field with around 25 sheep. We

have a couple of rams but mainly pregnant ewes who are due to give birth around the end of March. They’ve been doing a great job, nibbling all the grass down to ground level which will give me a headstart keeping things clear and giving the vines some space to grow. They especially love nibbling the fresh, young leaves off the willow branches I’ve just chopped down.

On the wine front, our new sparkling white has been released and is proving very popular. We should have a new sparkling red in a week or so as well.

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk

www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk

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

Early 20th century Belle Époque diamond tiara, assessed clarity Sl2

n WHAT'S ON henleaze&westburyvoice

Sunday April 7

n ANTIQUE, VINTAGE & COLLECTABLES FAIR, 10am-3.30pm. Ashton Court Mansion House, BS41 9JN. Fine jewellery, gold and silver, china, militaria, books, prints, paintings, vinyl, Vintage clothing and accessories, furniture, watches, toys and lots more. Over 40 stalls all inside mansion house, Café serving teas, coffees, cakes. £2.00 entry, under 16s free

Wednesday April 17

n BRISTOL FRIENDS OF WNO warmly invite you to a talk at The Apostle Room , Clifton Cathedral on Wednesday 17th April 6.45 for 7.15 start. Britten's Death in Venice Ahead of WNO's critically acclaimed production, writer, and broadcaster Nigel Simeone, explores Britten's extraordinary score, its close relationship with Thomas Mann's original story and the extent to which the opera can be seen as a kind of musical biography. Easy parking, bar, Friends £8, Visitors £10. Further information from Melanie David, Tel: 01934 842014 email melaniejdavid@ btinternet.com

Saturday April 20

n FRIENDS OF BADOCK’S WOOD annual meeting, 10-11.30am at the Greenway Centre. Visual annual report with a slideshow and talk about the past year in the wood, and about plans for the future. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues and aspirations for Badock's Wood.

Monday April 22

n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM CLUB

2pm. The Windermere Children (12). Child survivors of the holocaust are brought to Windermere to recuperate under the supervision of volunteer therapists. A powerful and uplifting drama starring Tim McInnerny and Iain Glenn. Carers welcome, easy access Refreshments £4. St. Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD

Monday April 29

n EDWINA HAYES in concert Westbury on Trym, Village Hall Eastfield Rd BS9 4AG - 7.30pm. £17.00 tickets from SeeTickets.com “ The sweetest voice in England” Nanci Griffith.

n WESTBURY WILDLIFE PARK The park’s peaceful setting, with children’s play area and cafe, is now open for you to enjoy from 22nd March with your friends and family from Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Refer to the website wwpf.uk for events, activities and volunteering opportunities.

Regular events

Various days

n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE CLUB

meet at the RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Thursday afternoon is for improvers, and Monday and Friday afternoons, are for more capable players. These are EBU recognised sessions. You may come alone to any afternoon session or Wednesday evening when a partner will be found. The two evening sessions are Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information go to our website at www.woebridgeclub.co.uk or contact our Secretary Alan on 0117 4526947.

Monday

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

Contact: Les on 07305695579

n WESTBURY SINGERS: Westbury Singers - If you enjoy singing, we invite you to join our friendly, non-auditioned, 4-part choir in term-time on Monday evenings 7:30pm - 9:30pm at Reedley Road Baptist Church (far left entrance off the car park). Ability to read music useful but not essential. See our website www. westburysingers.org for more information, email us on wotsingers@gmail.com, or simply come along one evening!

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 biscuitscontact 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 7.00 - 9.30pm. We are an active and friendly group with a varied programme plus extra sessions for craft, coffee, book clubs, walks etc. Visitors are always welcome and for more information do call Sue on 07813795936 or email westburyparkwi@ gmail.com

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

n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR AND BAND sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church

Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www. bristolharmony.wordpress.com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.

n SCOTTISH DANCING TO GET FIT AND HAVE FUN with Bristol Westbury Scottish Country Dance 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 WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meet on Tuesday mornings at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church, 10.30am-noon. An interesting programme of speakers; come along to make friends. For more details, ring Kate 07905 064720.

Wednesday

n HENLEAZE CHORAL SOCIETYmeets 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 new volunteers. Special Event: 18 November (10-3) Winter Market with Café (Homemade cakes etc)

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 COME AND ENJOY free tea and cake in a friendly atmosphere at Holy Trinity Church, Church Rd, Westburyon-Trym every Wednesday 10.30-12. Call 0117 9508644 (mornings) for more information

n HEALING Spiritual Healing is available from 2pm to 3.30pm by the accredited healing team at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www. westburyparksc.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 local area. Call 0117 435 0063 for more information.

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Tania by email at tanialake@yahoo.co.uk

n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30 start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www. westburyparksc.org

Wednesday & Saturday

n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Each week we’re open Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Events: 6th April Café open 10-2, 4th May Spring Market and Café open 10-3.

Thursday

n HENBURY SINGERS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS. We meet each

Thursday 7:30 – 9:15 at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park, BS9 1BW. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www.henburysingers.org. Contact secretary@henbury singers.org.

n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB welcomes new members. Annual membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month, 2pm, Bradbury Hall Waterford Rd. Henleaze. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@ yahoo or phone/text 07880 700270

n SINGING TO REMEMBER We meet on 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday from 23.45 pm in The Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. It is a friendly, supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. Anyone interested can phone me 0117 9426095 to book a place or discuss.

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 at St Peter’s Church Hall. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.

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

n FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.30-10.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

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 Black Swan, Stoke Lane from 2 to 4pm. For more information, contact Anne on annestygall@gmail.com

News and views from our city councillors

Westbury Hill Car Park - no charges for now

The Mayor did not get his original budget approved. We agreed to support an amended budget if he made significant changes. Firstly, we wanted car park charges deferred for a year (giving us more time to campaign against it). Secondly, we wanted a small pot of money allocated to local communities to spend on minor transport improvements. Thirdly we wanted money diverted to support bus services. I am delighted to say that this amended budget was approved.

However, the threat of car park charges being introduced remains, so we encourage everyone who is opposed to this (92% according to our survey) to register at wotcarpark@gmail.com to be kept up to date.

Henleaze Road/Southmead Road roundabout

We are delighted that, thanks to all the pressure we have put on the Council

over several years, the resurfacing is now imminent, and we are assured it will be done before the end of March.

Waste and Recycling Collections

I am writing this on a wet Thursday afternoon in mid-March. I had a great sigh of relief when our black bin was collected this morning but grew increasingly fraught as 5pm arrived and I faced the challenge of reporting each of 4 missed recycling collections!

We are promised that things will get better, but after three months of problems they are aware that we and you are far from happy. We continue reporting missed roads to the Council and the waste company each week. Most bins are eventually collected, but we repeatedly tell them that this is not an acceptable level of service.

A reminder of what you should do if your rubbish is not collected.

1. Report a missed collection on the council website after 5pm, or on the following day.

2. Bristol Waste should come back the next

We are a 24hours service provider, Domiciliary Care Services.

Domiciliary Care / Home Care / Supported Living: We are committed to providing 24 hours homecare support in the comfort of your own home.

Live-in Care:

We provide full-time care in the comfort of your own home, a viable alternative to residential care, especially for individual and couples.

Respite Care / Night care:

We step in when you need to make time for yourself from caring for your loved ones.

Community care / Support:

We support you with all community activities such as shopping, attending medical appointment and all social activities within the community.

Extra care / support:

We provide specialist care for people with special needs / complex care while at home.

Our staff include: Registered Nurses (RN) / Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMN) / Registered Learning Disabilities Nurses (RLDN) / Senior Support worker (Medication competent) / Support Worker.

Contact us today:

info@macritahealthcare.co.uk or visit www.macritahealthcare.co.uk And complete an Who needs care form or call 01173361135 or 07383691944. Citibase, Aztec Centre, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol. BS32 4TD. Our prices are affordable and negotiable.

day. If that doesn’t happen, please email me or Steve or Sharon

3. If your whole street is missed, email one of us to advise.

4. We will report the issue as soon as you tell us about it.

Our next Zoom Forum is on Tuesday 9th April 2024 at 7pm, http:// tiny.cc/WandHApr24

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

Geoff Gollop (Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze, Conservative)

News and views from our city councillors

Henbury Hill and Falcondale Rd works

Your councillors met with the officers managing the traffic light project on Falcondale Road and Henbury Hill Junction. They understand the problem that is already caused by “rat-running” through Southdown and Hillsdon. They are proposing to put half-road closures across both the top and bottom entrances to the roads during the traffic light work. These will be across the “inward” half of the road at each end, leaving the “outward” half open. Residents will still be able to get in and out. Please contact us with any problems and we will pass them on and do our best to get them resolved.

The reason for the works is that the lights at Henbury Rd have reached the end of their life and spares are no longer available to repair them. The replacement therefore needs to be done urgently and has already been delayed by increasing prices and difficulties getting a contractor. There is also a major project planned later this year to put bus and bike lanes on Passage Road between the Crow Lane roundabout and the top of the hill.

Delaying the Henbury Road project any further would mean that it overlapped with that, and there would be two sets of delays on the same road.

There are a few reasons why the project team have decided to close the part of Henbury Road between the lights and the village. Firstly, it means that the temporary lights will be controlling three roads instead of four, allowing more traffic to flow through the site more quickly. It also simplifies the phasing of the work (i.e. which bits of the junction will be closed at which stage), which knocks three weeks off the overall programme.

The Village end of Henbury Road will be marked as “Closed ahead”, but all residents on Henbury Road and the roads that are accessed from it will be able to get access from that end. The signposted diversion route will be along Canford Lane, and the Canford Lane / Falcondale Road lights will be adjusted to allow more time for traffic to get out of the village along that route.

Officers are also aware of the concerns of residents along Northover Rd about traffic using it to bypass congestion. They

will review their traffic management plans to include signs at each end of Northover Road advising drivers that it is not a suitable diversion route. Pot holes Please do keep logging any pot holes that you see. Or email us and we will log them for you. They are dangerous and need to be addressed as soon as possible. Staying in touch

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-

Sharon Scott (W-on-T & Henleaze, Conservative)

News and views from our city councillors

Van dwellers on the Downs

The Mayor published a long-awaited report at the end of February about the issues of vehicle dwelling around Bristol, including on the Downs. The report goes into great length about the reasons that people live in vans and about their needs, which is all perfectly reasonable. Sadly it offers nothing in the way of solutions, leaving the problem for a future administration to deal with. This came after a series of meeting that Councillors for Stoke Bishop, Westbury and Henleaze held with the Mayor last year. Our proposal was for a “no overnight camping” by-law enforced across Bristol, together with the provision of proper sites where people who have to live in vans can stay safely. I attended the March Cabinet meeting to ask for stronger action and later spoke to Points West about it, but the report was accepted by Cabinet as-is. During the discussion, the Mayor insisted that the encampment on the Downs was “low impact”. You should be able to find the report online if you’d like to read it by searching for “Vehicle Dwellers – The Bristol Model”.

Canford Lane crossing

Having asked questions at the March Full Council meeting, I’ve been told that the problem with contract prices that has blocked road projects for over a year has now been resolved. New prices have been agreed with new contractors. I’m told that officers are now updating the backlog of projects, including the Canford Lane Crossing, with the new prices so that they can be sent to contractors. I have asked for an estimate of when that will happen but have had no response so far. Things are moving in the right direction, but we’re not there yet!

Library closures

Many of you will be aware that there have been a spate of unplanned library closures since December affecting libraries all over the city, including Henleaze and Westbury. These were caused by a recruitment and overtime ban. That ban was overturned in February following complaints from Councillors of all parties (including me!).

The service is now morerecruiting staff and the closures are slowing down but haven’t stopped yet.

Stay in touch

You can 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. rthese.

Steve Smith (W-o-T & Henleaze, Conservative)

Bristol is for recycling* No.1

We saved

52,000

2,000 homes were powered by biogas produced from the recycled food waste we collected.

4,000 bags of litter collected through community litter picks we supported.

Gave back over £30 million in social value.**

FINANCE

With

Richard Higgs BA (hons) CFP FPFS

Harold Stephens

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

T: 0117 3636212

E: office@haroldstephens.co.uk

Understanding Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax receipts for April 2023 to January 2024 were £6.3 billion, £0.4 billion higher than the same period last year. With IHT seemingly catching out more and more people, it’s worth taking a moment to consider whether high house prices in the local area will pose an issue for your beneficiaries.

Inheritance tax (IHT) is a levy imposed on the estate (the property, money, and possessions) of a deceased person. IHT is an important aspect of estate planning so it’s important to understand the fundamentals:

1. Thresholds and Rates:

Every adult is entitled to a tax-free allowance known as the ‘nil-rate

band.’ As of 2024, this threshold is £325,000.

In addition to the nil-rate band, there is also a ‘residence nil-rate band’ which applies when a residence is passed on to direct descendants such as children or grandchildren. The residence nil-rate band is currently set at £175,000 per individual.

The standard rate of IHT is 40%, applied to the value of the estate above the combined nil-rate bands.

2. Exemptions and Reliefs:

Certain assets and transfers are exempt from IHT. These may include assets left to a spouse or civil partner, donations to charities, or gifts made at least seven years

before death.

Business relief is also available for certain qualifying assets (sometimes referred to as ‘IHT-Free ISAs’) which aims to reduce the taxable value of these assets, potentially lowering the overall IHT liability within two years.

3. Lifetime Gifts:

Gifts made during an individual's lifetime can impact the IHT liability on their estate. Generally, gifts made more than seven years before death are exempt from IHT.

However, gifts made within seven years of death may be subject to inheritance tax if they exceed the annual gift allowance or fall outside other exemptions. It’s so important to get a handle

on your financial situation and conduct planning as far in advance as possible, which we know can be daunting.

To help you make a start, if you would like us to conduct a complimentary inheritance tax review to find out whether you have a potential liability, please get in touch by calling 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens. co.uk.

We record regular video updates on a range of later life financial topics - search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ on YouTube.

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

n SPORT

Clifton emerge victorious over Old Reds

THE Rugby Football Union’s National 2 West league features local sides Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Old Redclffians and Weston Hornets, who compete against opponents stretching from Camborne in the far South West to Chester in the North West.

It is however the local derby games which create competitive and sometimes feisty occasions with partisan support !

Clifton 38 Old Redcliffians 24

By half time Clifton looked to be coasting to a comfortable win having secured a try bonus point and scored twenty-six unanswered points. They made good use of a strong wind to maximise possession and territory, forcing the visitors to incur a high penalty count.

The return of popular second row Henry Harper after a lengthy absence through injury was welcomed by the lavender and blacks. There was a strong

n BOOKS

comeback by a revitalised Redcliffians after the interval which began to challenge Clifton in an encounter that had its feisty moments, which were well controlled by the referee. However, the home team had more than sufficient reserves to counter any real threat.

Pugilistica 54 by Jack

JACK Allen was born in Westonsuper-Mare and grew up in Bristol. A local rugby player and teacher, Jack has written an ITV drama and a book about Bristol’s nineteenth century bare knuckle fighters which provided the inspiration for Pugilistica 54. We find ourselves in the year 2054. Bristol is part of the Kingdom of England & Wales following Scottish independence and the unification of Ireland. Terrorists have destroyed the Nord Stream pipeline and Dogger Bank windfarm causing energy prices to soar. A new killer virus has decimated the population leaving the NHS overwhelmed. Millions are out of work and hundreds of homeless people are dying on the streets from hunger. The nation is run as a one party state by President Zebec, a firebrand preacher from Texas who is the leader of the Progressive Christian Party. Competitive sport is outlawed, newspapers and magazines banned and internet access blocked. However at secret sites around the city, an annual

Clifton’s early dominance led to powerful number eight Brad Talbot scoring with fly half Luke Cozens landing the first of four successful conversions. Soon after, scrum half Mitch Spencer scampered through a gap from a five-metre scrum to go under the posts. Following a similar scrum, centre Will Owen,

whose strong runs were a feature all game, ran through tackles to touch down. A clever kick ahead by AJ Kilbane led to a chase by fellow winger Zak Hamid who sped into the corner to claim the try bonus point.

Improved accuracy and control after the break by Old Reds led to two tries with firstly replacement Charlie Brabham scoring followed by more pressure sending flanker Jalen Curry in with Jack Gapper converting both efforts.

A strong run by full back Alex Howman, who had gained ground throughout the encounter, found space to run in a fine try. A further trademark Talbot try endorsed the Clifton victory.

Player coach Luke Cozens, pleased to get the win, commented : “We controlled the first half, did the basic stuff well and just needed to keep doing it. We survived their comeback in the second half and completed the job with two good tries."

Roger Opie

Allen

competition named Pugilistica is held to find the next World Heavyweight boxing champion. We follow the life of Jason Lee, a 20-year-old boxer who dreams of becoming world champion. When he was young, his parents were killed in a car crash and he was adopted by his trainer Mickey Rossiter. The regime exercises control in the city via Chief Superintendent Crilly. Anyone caught out during curfew receives a ten point penalty and if you reach thirty points your brain is lobotomized. Justice is administered by Judge Keeling, who oversees trials, fixed in advance by bribing witnesses and packing juries with people close to achieving thirty penalty points. Micky takes Jason to an illegal bout in a disused quarry at Ashton Court. The fight is broken up by Crilly and his thugs. Jason is arrested and sentenced to three years detention , on the evidence of Kathryn Hart, whose partner was murdered by the police and whose son David was put into care. Jason is taken to a boot camp, full of boxers, imprisoned

after illegal bouts, including the current undefeated World Champion, Carl Straffen, who is backed by Crilly and a group of rich businessmen. Although boxing is officially illegal there are a number of lucrative fights sanctioned by the regime. Jason is goaded into a fight with Straffen and floors the current World champion. The fight is watched by Keeling and Crilly’s business guests. They see Jason’s potential, purchasing him for five hundred million pounds and they appoint Mickey as his trainer. We discover that Kathryn is secreting helping the rebel cause, by trading sex with Keeling for information that she passes on to John Nicholson, the rebel leader. She meets Jason and they develop a close relationship whilst she maintains her liaison with Keeling. Will Jason realise his dream of becoming World Champion, will this be a catalyst for the overthrow of the regime, will Kathryn continue her double life, supporting the rebel cause without Keeling finding out and what is the family secret that Mickey is withholding

from Jason? You will need to read the book to find out. This is a gripping dystopian thriller, with believable characters and dialogue, realistic fight sequences and firmly embedded in the city of Bristol including a safe house in Gloucester Road and public hangings on The Downs.

Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

Opening Hours: HENLEAZE

Monday (11am-5pm)

Tuesday (11am-5pm)

Wednesday (1pm-7pm)

Thursday (11am-5pm)

Friday (1pm-7pm)

Saturday (10am-5pm)

Sunday (closed)

Opening Hours: WoT

Monday (2pm-7pm)

Tuesday (11am-4pm)

Wednesday (11am-4pm)

Thursday (11am-4pm)

Friday (11am-4pm)

Saturday (11am-4pm)

Sunday (closed)

Will Owen on the charge for Clifton in the local derby

n PHARMACY BLOG Flights booked, passport ready – don't forget your travel jabs!

BOOKED your foreign trip? Do you need travel jabs or Antimalarials? After a particularly wet and damp winter, travelling can offer - escape, adventure and much needed relaxation plus discovering local food and culture. No surprise that many people will make plans - ticking off bucket-list foreign destinations, head off to exotic destinations, whether for a Gap Year travel , Volunteering or a Career break. Also work travel. Whatever the inspiration reason for the trip, it is vital to do so safely.

Discovering your another country's health system is not usually on your wish list or a memory to cherish. Remember those Channel 4 documentaries, the ones… where "Unfortunate person stranded on a hospital bed in Paradise", …travel

n BOOKS

Close to Home by Michael Magee

insurance was not taken out ("I knew I had forgotten something") or cover invalidated ("I did not know they required me to have travel jabs!"). The unplanned additional cost and anxiety becoming an endless expensive nightmare.

Many countries will have health risks that require vaccinations for protection. First thing is to contact your local GP to find out about availability for NHS travel health appointment and also obtain records of your previous vaccinations. Many people will now have those available on their NHS App. Getting all the information together saves time and ensures you only obtain the required private vaccinations. The recommended time to seek health advice is eight weeks before your trip. Last-minute? Don't

MICHAEL Magee’s debut novel opens with a punch, literal and literary: “There was nothing to it. I swung and hit him and he dropped.” An ambulance is called. The police are called. The narrator, Sean Maguire, thinks the ‘peelers’ seem alright: it’s just a fight, not worth getting worked up about. He goes home to the mould-ridden flat he and his friend Ryan are squatting in. The seriousness of the situation escapes him. It is one in a series of chaotic nights fuelled by alcohol, cocaine and quick rage, followed by long comedowns.

The action of the novel is told in staccato, matter-of-fact statements. The places – filthy clubs, bleak homes, poverty-stricken neighbourhoods in Belfast – are described with pinpoint accuracy, focussing on minute details to evoke their atmosphere. The many characters are observed closely and immediately pigeonholed in Sean’s eyes. In court, his barrister is “some watery-eyed weasel in a two-piece suit, who was full of the kind of useless energy I had only ever seen on a five-a-side pitch, when that one poor bastard who doesn’t want to be there is stuck in nets….”

The effect is to leave enough unsaid for the reader to feel, rather than be presented with, the constant weight on Sean’s shoulders, not to mention the ever-present trauma remaining from the Troubles. Friends, family, even people he meets in community service, pull Sean in every direction, from Ryan to whom he cannot say no even when it costs him his job, to Anthony, his brother, who might kiss someone one moment or knock him out the next, to Mairéad, an almost love interest with her sights set on getting out. Everything is casual: substance abuse, theft, violence, sex, displays of masculinity, homophobia. The joy, within visceral scenes and heartbreaking dialogue, comes from watching Sean figure out what he should take seriously and how to show his care. And while this bookseller certainly can’t advocate stealing Hunger by Knut Hamsun from a bookshop, watching Sean do so to stimulate his quiet love of literature and interest in writing offers the hope that creativity and connection will save him.

Elizabeth Moss, owner of Heron Books, Clifton Arcade

panic, just get in touch with Bristol Travel Clinic on 0800 7723575.

Our prices reflect our ethos that money should not be a barrier to accessing health services. We also offer treatment to delay menstraul periods while on holiday and to prevent altitude sickness. Not travelling but need vaccinations to protect you from Chicken-Pox, Meningitis B or any other work-related risks, we can help.

To get advice or book an appointment, Call Bristol Travel Clinic on 0800 7723575, Complete the online query form : www. bristoltravelclinic.co.uk or visit Kellaway Pharmacy today. We'll get you ready for wherever your journey takes you.

NHS FUNDED PRESCRIPTION TREATMENTS

EARACHE

(adults and children aged 1 year & above)

SINUSITIS

(adults and children aged 12 years & above)

INFECTED INSECT BITES

(adults and children aged 1 year & above)

SORE THROAT

(adults and children aged 5 years & above)

SHINGLES

(adults aged 18 years & above)

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

(women, aged 16 to 64 years)

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

(children aged 30 days to 2 years)

IMPETIGO

(adults and children aged 1 year & above)

BRISTOL u3a

MANY people have never heard of the u3a. u3a officially stands for “University of the 3rd age” but we prefer “You in the 3rd age” as the first definition sounds as though we are an intellectual organisation. Whilst we do have discussion groups that can be considered intellectual e.g. political discussion, philosophy, ethics, we have many other groups such as disco dancing, social groups, walking groups, pub groups.

We are a self-help group aimed at semi-retired and retired people looking to occupy their free time and joining your local u3a is a great way to find and develop new interests and make friends in a relaxed environment. It doesn’t cost much to join the Bristol

u3a – just £20 per year.

Reasons to join:

• Make a difference, stay active, keep learning and have fun.

• Get out to meet face to face – discovering together and making the most of life.

• Members can attend events and talks for free.

• Meet other people with similar interests: learn new things and share your skills.

You can find out more about the Bristol u3a by looking at the following website: https://u3asites.org. uk/bristol/welcome.

We have monthly talks, lasting about 50 minutes, on a variety of subjects.

n TURNER'S VISION

VANNI

Finding glasses that aren’t just your average pair of frames can be tough. Generic glasses that are indistinguishable from the rest are everywhere, and it's not uncommon to find discrepancies between the price and quality of these frames, too. All too often you’re left with the dilemma of investing a significant amount of money on quality glasses that don't seem to justify their cost.

Peter Turner of Turners Opticians

At Turners Opticians, we only stock frames of the highest quality for our clients – brands that we truly believe in. One such brand is VANNI - created by Giovanni Vitaloni in the Northern Italian town of Turin.

0117 962 2474

0117 965 4434

www.turnersopticians.co.uk

VANNI – Where quality meets craftsmanship

Giovanni Vitaloni’s eyewear journey started in 1929 in an unlikely fashion when he was supplying mechanical components to a newly founded automotive industry in Turin.

Fast forward to the 1960s and this family-run business had expanded into the production of rear-view mirrors, paving the way for the technique to be applied to the eyewear sector. By the late 1980s, the brand VANNI was born, deriving its name from the nickname Vanni, given to Giovanni Vitaloni by his friends and family.

VANNI breaks the mould of traditional glasses and encapsulates the essence of Italian artistry and craftsmanship. It stands as a testament to over 35 years of history, research, and experimentation, blending knowledge, culture, and style into its unique designs. The distinct textures and vibrant colours of VANNI frames are carefully designed at the Style Centre in Turin, transforming creative visions into tangible eyewear.

The entire production process of VANNI is based in Italy, enhancing the Made in Italy concept while minimising their carbon footprint, all whilst prioritising eco-compatible production methods and materials.

Designer frames different from the rest

Made from acetate – the only plastic substance not derived from petroleum –VANNI's unique designs emerge from the convergence of craftsmanship and artistic creativity. The use of this strong, durable material gives unparalleled comfort from these lightweight frames whilst of course exhibiting both style and quality.

Coupled with our selection of lenses at Turners Opticians, including varifocal, precise colour tinting, and everyday lenses, you can enjoy personalised solutions that satisfy your individual needs and preferences.

Our clients love the fresh, vibrant look of VANNI glasses and how the uniqueness of the frames capture their unique personality and individuality.

Need help choosing?

At Turners Opticians, we understand it can be difficult to find the perfect pair of glasses that suit your style and facial features - which is why we offer a VIP personalised fitting experience at both our branches to help you choose a pair you’ll look and feel great in!

Call our Henleaze team on 0117 962 2474 or Fishponds team on 0117 965 4434 to book your VIP-styling, or book via our website.

Hope to see you soon!

Peter

Peter Turner is an Independent Prescribing Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, who also works as a Senior Medical Optometrist at Bristol Eye Hospital. Peter has a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.

Mystery of the writing on the wall

ARE you aware that there is a 19th century wall in central Bristol which contains a mystifying inscription: “Half this wall is the property of the Corporation of Bristol”? No explanation as to the ‘whys or wherefores’ or even which half, top bottom, or side. A covert property deal?

Intrigued, I made inquiries and was told the inscription originally accompanied a strange set of marks. Although not understood, these were copied and lodged with the City Archives. I had a fruitless search, but I wasn’t sure what I was looking for and didn’t know where it was filed.

After another two days in the archives I found the strange set of marks. Baffled, I consulted a friend who said it could be a Transpositional Cypher. Months went by, I’d forgotten all about it, when out of the blue he called. He thought it a ‘pigpen cypher’, and if correct was about an underground meeting and the message included the name Wadipam.

I could only find one person of that name in Bristol in 1808. A John Wadipam trading as a glazier, (very surprising considering the venue for his clandestine meeting), perhaps he had a secret fear of defenestration? Was he also responsible for another underground room

off Bath Road which had a window blocked by earth?

So what was the venue of John Wadipam’s meeting, and what merited such extreme secrecy? When I was given a full transcription of the cypher, it was a very short message, “meet at Wadipam’s cellar”. I then discovered that John Wadipam had called upon Frederick Charles Husenbeth, a well-respected Bristol merchant with premises on St Nicholas Street, for his help resolve a long running property dispute. He was trading as Husenbeath and Co, of St Nicholas Street in 1795, and by 1806 the business expanded to Husenbeath and

Son with a further business beneath the New Market in Baldwin Street, beside the ‘Market Steps’ leading to St Nicholas Street from Baldwin Street.

But where was the meeting to take place? Bristol still has thousands of cellars. At last, after newspaper publicity, a person who remained anonymous came forward with a faded photograph of a lettered stone in a cellar, explaining the outcome but not the dispute. We were then told of yet another mysterious inscription that had been recorded, this time in Fulthark Runes - a Scandi red herring to put people off the trail?

A runic message in Bristol, surely not! However Bristol did once have an exclusive Royal Licence to trade with Baltic States. We had it translated, hoping it would throw light on our riddle, but it merely read: “Man is but a heap of mouldering dust”. We finally gave up. However we did find another Scandinavian message on an iron plate set in the pavement near Lloyds Greengrocer’s on Henleaze Road, it memorialised the Danish invasion of the Southwest. It reads ‘Danelaw CATV’. Which obviously stands for: Conquerors Always Thinking of Valhalla.

The stone in the cellar