Henleaze & Westbury Voice February 2025

Jules Taylor, 63, a porter at Westbury Fields Retirement Village, has won two world Quadrathlon titles after taking up the sport - which combines running, cycling and swimming with kayaking - a couple of years ago.

Report: Page 23

Blaise Museum faces axe

BLAISE Museum faces closure as Bristol City Council makes tough choices over its budget for the coming year.

Bristol City Council leader Cllr Tony Dyer (Green, Southville) said the plan was to temporarily close Blaise, Georgian House and Red Lodge, whose visitor numbers are a tiny fraction of those of M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, and mothball the collections while work takes place to explore other ways of running and funding them.

The council needs to close a £52 million funding gap in the next five years.

Arts organisations have slammed the threatened cuts as cultural vandalism while a petition on the council website urging that the museums be reprieved has attracted nearly 3,000 signatures.

Council figures also show that visitor numbers at Blaise Museum have fallen sharply since charges for parking at were introduced at Blaise Estate.

Report: Page 8

Girls win award for short film

Pupils from Years 10 and 11 at Badminton School have made a short film that has been selected from 1,000 entries for an award.

PAGE 12

King honours supportive gran

A woman from Henleaze who has been supporting estranged grandparents for two decades has received an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours List.

PAGE 10

Dismay at missed bin collections

Residents in Henleaze and Westbury are among hundreds across Bristol who have suffered missed bin collections as the city's waste service continue to struggle.

PAGE 15

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n NEWS

Celebrations all round over new crossing

THE new year has started well for people living near Canford Lane in Westbury-on-Trym following the completion of the installation of a long-awaited zebra crossing.

Residents had been campaigning for the road safety measure since 2016 but even after funding was agreed it was some years before the work could take place.

The project is a rare example of an outcome that pleases all political parties: the crossing was approved under a Labour administration and delivered under a Green one, with strong support from Conservative ward councillors until May 2024 and from Liberal Democrat ward councillors thereafter.

The three Tories, Steve Smith, Sharon Scott and Geoff Gollop, said: “Many people have been campaigning for this for many years but it was in 2019 that the three Conservative Councillors for Westbury and Henleaze steered a proposal through the Area Committee and got the funding to build the crossing.

“It’s been long delayed by the pandemic and other things but the money we secured then was always there, and it’s brilliant to see the project finally come to fruition. We have enjoyed seeing so many residents already using it.”

The Lib Dem councillors, Caroline Gooch, Stephen Williams and Nicholas Coombes, celebrated the installation with residents, including 95-year-old Kevin Gummett.

They said: “We are delighted that we were able to finally ensure the completion of the crossing on Canford Lane. This much-needed improvement will provide a safer route into Westbury village for residents of Canford Lane.

“Although funding was allocated five years ago for the works, delays meant that inflation caused the costs to exceed the budget. Last year, following pressure from us as your new Lib Dem Councillors, the design was rationalised to save unnecessary costs, and the work was able to go ahead.”

Steve Smith, Sharon Scott and Geoff Gollop, who campaigned for the Canford Lane crossing when they were Tory councillors

Lib Dem councillors Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes at the crossing with residents including Kevin Gummett

A delighted Kevin Gummett, 95, makes a safe and celebratory trip across the new crossing

Plogging - you heard it here first!

HAVEN’T heard of ‘plogging’? No, neither had we, but a mum from Horfield is hoping to change that and spread the word when she takes part in the World Plogging Championships later in the year.

Plogging began in Sweden in 2016 and is now a growing initiative around the world which involves picking up litter while you jog.

Claire Petrie is excited to be one of a team of four representing Great Britain in the annual event, which originated in Italy in 2021. Claire co-ordinated a Bristol plogging community event last November, for which members of the public were encouraged to sign up and join in. Similar events also took place in London and Exeter and were put on by Planet Earth Games, which has joined forces with A Future Without Rubbish to bring plogging to the UK.

Having resumed a childhood interest in running as an adult, Claire qualified as a personal trainer and realised how good a tool running was for both the community and the environment.

She said: “I wouldn’t call myself an ecowarrior but I care hugely about the planet. I don’t find I am on the frontline constantly shouting about it, but I try to live my life in a green and environmentally friendly way.

“When I heard about plogging I thought it was great as it was an opportunity to first of all go out for a run, but also meet new people and do good for the planet.”

As part of a pilot project set up by Planet Earth Games, Claire established a plogging group in Bristol, which has made significant steps towards cleaning up litter in the local area, as well as giving participants the chance to enjoy exercise with new friends.

In competition, teams compete both to run the furthest and to collect the most litter. In their monthly sessions, Claire’s group will “run from A to B, litter pick at B,

weigh what s been collected and run back”.

Despite some negative attitudes towards plogging, Claire is keen to promote the activity into the future. “It’s a brilliant way of looking after your physical and mental health and keeping active; meeting likeminded individuals, as well as having a positive impact on your local community and the planet,” she said.

Countries are currently being invited to bid to host the fifth World Championships later in the year, with an eye to sponsorship for the UK to host the event in future years.

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Calire Petrie and fellow ploggers in Horfield Right: Plogging in action in Lockleaze

n BUDGET: BRISTOL FACES TOUGH CHOICES

BRISTOL City Council is set to make some tough decisions this month in the face of a funding crisis.

Suggested ways to make savings include closing museums, reducing the library service, raising fees for meals on wheels, charging for disabled parking spaces and cutting council tax benefits for the poorest families.

A proposal to axe school crossing patrols across the city provoked widespread cross-party protest and looks unlikely to go ahead.

The budget options were discussed by two finance subcommittees in January before being put to the strategy and resources policy committee on February 3 ahead of a final decision by full council three weeks later.

Council leader Cllr Tony Dyer wrote in a blog on the council’s website that a crisis in local government finances had been driven by rising costs, a lack of government funding, a national failure to reform the country’s health and care

Council bids to close £52m funding gap

system, a national housing crisis, and a growing need for vital safeguarding services for vulnerable children and adults.

He said: “Bristol is no exception and will face bankruptcy if we can’t close a £52million funding gap over the next five years.

“This needs to start straight away. There is no doubt that it means difficult choices, more taxes and charges, and we recognise that the money we raise does not go as far as it once did.

“We don’t like that any more than local taxpayers do, but it is the reality we must contend with.

“We need to take a bigger,

bolder, and more politically courageous approach to our budget.

“We cannot keep salamislicing public services, nor can we pretend that words like ‘efficiency’ and ‘productivity’ hold all the answers. These approaches have been tried before. Too often the savings haven’t been made, the can has been kicked down the road, and we have overspent our budget.”

Cllr Dyer (Green, Southville) said it would “not be a perfect or painless process”.

At a finance sub committee meeting last month, councillors spoke up in support of the city's lollipop men and women.

Members heard that removal of the patrols would only save £314,ooo a year.

Cllr Ed Plowden (Green, Windmill Hill), chair of the transport and connectivity committee, responsible for crossing patrols, said: “If they are removed, more people may choose to drive and that could increase the danger for those, particularly deprived people, who may not be able to afford a car and will still be travelling actively.

“One way to reduce the impact of taking out school crossing patrols is to install zebra crossings where possible but often the patrol is there specifically because it’s not a simple site to do this and it’s not the same as a proactively attended patrol.”

“We can also review the need for them on an ongoing basis as we roll out school streets and liveable neighbourhoods and as we put in other measures to try to improve road safety overall.

“On disabled bays, the saving is so negligible, it would be a pity to take it forward.

Branch libraries face closure threat

SOME of Bristol’s 27 libraries face closure as part of the city council’s efforts to balance the books.

Draft proposals offer a range of options from keeping the current provision unchanged to halving the authority’s £4.7 million annual libraries budget.

Following discussions at a finance sub-committee last month, it is probable that the most drastic proposed cuts - £2.4 million – will not go forward. However, doing nothing is also unlikely to be an option.

The chair of the public health and communities committee, Cllr Stephen Williams (Lib Dem, Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze) says he wants to modernise the library service, which he believes has suffered from years of “stealth cuts”.

But this is not a simple process, he told councillors.

“Usage of our libraries has enormous variations across the city. Avonmouth library has about 3,000 visitors a year.

“Henleaze library and Bishopston on the Gloucester Road have about 70,000 visitors a year – an absolute massive

W-o-T and Henleaze Councillors Williams, Gooch and Coombes outside the library

difference.

“We need to think about what sort of library service we want.

“I would like, whatever the network is, for it to be open for when people find it convenient to go to the library, so that will require some evening openings, and can we deliver other council services from this network of buildings as well?

Councillor Williams told the finance sub committee that cuts of £40 million were needed across the council so the library service had to make a contribution.

He said: “While we have 27 [branch] buildings across the city that have the word ‘library’ across their door, we do not have a comprehensive service.

“Across a given day, quite a lot of those libraries are closed.”

He said Bristol had more libraries than any other core city, citing Liverpool, which has 16.

The Central Library should be safeguarded and a task force set up to establish which branch libraries should remain open, he suggested.

Councillor Kelvin Blake (Labour, Hillfields) said library buildings were not used only for library services but were a community asset. Keeping them open would mean services could be increased when finances improve.

Previous attempts to reduce the number of libraries in Bristol in 2018 and 2022 were dropped after a public outcry.

Libraries are just part of culture cuts proposed in the budget, which will be finalised next month. Museums and arts organisations are also under threat. Closing museums a 'nuts' idea: Page 8

n BUDGET

Closing museums a 'nuts' idea, says councillor

BLAISE Museum and two other small museums could be closed under budget cuts.

The proposal is to shut them temporarily and mothball the collections until alternative sources of funding can be found.

But Councillor Mark Weston, leader of the Conservative group on the city council, says they should stay open while other options are explored. Savings from closing them would be a drop in the ocean, he says.

An online petition, Save Our Museums, started by Cllr Weston, had nearly 3,000 signatures as the Voice went to print.

The final decision will be made at a full council meeting at the end of this month.

Addressing a sub committee meeting in January about the planned arts cuts, Lynda Rooke, president of the union Equity, said: “The question you must ask yourselves is, does Bristol want a cultural desert?

She said the amount of annual savings that would be made by closing the museums were “meagre” – £64,000 for Red Lodge, £39,000 for Blaise and £29,000 for Georgian House – compared with the total proposed budget cuts of £43 million.

Cllr Tim Kent (Lib Dem, Hengrove & Whitchurch Park) said: “There must be better options than just saying we are going to lock

the doors on the museums. That doesn’t make the costs go away for those buildings or having to look after those collections.

“The idea that we will not reopen those museums is totally unacceptable.”

Sub-committee member Cllr Rob Logan (Labour, Filwood) said: “It seems like such a small saving considering the cultural damage that will be done.t feels nuts to close them while we come up with a plan.

Cllr Jonathan Hucker (Conservative, Stockwood) told the meeting on, January 16: “Given it’s a relatively small saving, it’s something that would be very difficult to support. I’m not convinced that given there would be costs to mothballing the museums that it would really be worth closing them."

Council leader Cllr Tony Dyer (Green, Harbourside) said the three museums earmarked were only open two-thirds of the year and then only four days a week.

Blaise Museum had 18,000 visitors a year and both Georgian House and Red Lodge between 8,000 and 9,000.

“To put that into perspective, M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery receive 700,000 visitors per year,” he said.

“We are not looking to sell off any of these properties, in fact for the Georgian House and

John Wills House

Red Lodge we cannot sell them off, they have title restrictions that prevent them being sold or redeveloped for other purposes.

“Blaise Castle estate could potentially be sold off or renovated or redesigned in some way but that would be much further down the line if we were to take that course of action."

He said one option could be to charge an entry fee, although the meeting was told this would not save as much money as the option to close them.

The sub-committee’s comments will go to the strategy & resources committee on February 3 to agree a draft budget for a vote at full council on February 25.

• Visitor figures revealed at another meeting last month showed a drop-off in visitor figures Bristol City Council installed pay-anddisplay at Blaise car park in March 2022.

Figures reveal that a total of 22,884 people visited the museum in the 12 months that followed, between April 2022 and March 2023. But this tailed off dramatically to 14,207 the following year.

And although it picked up again in 2024/25 to 18,005 visitors, this was nearly 5,000 fewer than in 2022/23.

Includes reporting by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Family's tribute after road death

THE family of a man who died in a collision in Clifton before Christmas say he ‘will be sorely missed’.

Paul Adams, 74, died in hospital on December 24, three days after he sustained serious injuries in a collision involving a red Peugeot at the junction of Whiteladies Road and Alma Road.

His family said: “Paul was born in Westbury-on-Trym and spent his whole life in that area.

“Before retirement, he worked for Rolls Royce and more recently Royal Mail.

“He had been happily married to Juliet for nearly 17 years.

"Much of his spare time was spent on charitable causes including Sacred Heart and St Antony’s churches, where he loved to sing, and the Mill Hill Missionaries.

“Paul will be sorely missed by his many friends, and especially by Juliet.”

Specialist officers are providing support for Paul’s family.

Police investigations are continuing. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or has any dashcam footage, is asked to call 101 and quote reference 5224407651 or contact Avon & Somerset Constabulary online.

End of an era for theatre school

BRISTOL Old Vic Theatre School in Clifton is ending its degree courses.

It announced last month that it would not be accepting undergraduate students from September 2025 although it would continue to offer postgraduate qualifications.

In a statement, it said: "Recent challenges that are having a widespread impact across the sector have combined to make the School’s undergraduate training model financially unsustainable. These include capping of student fees, restrictions to international student visas, cuts in grants, and increases in costs.”

Many stars of stage and screen have attended BOVTS, including Pete Postlethewaite, Olivia Colman, Brian Blessed and Jeremy Irons.

Paul Adams and his wife Juliet

n NEWS

A POPULAR bar/restaurant in Shirehampton has been forced to close, compelled to do so by “the overwhelming external factors that continue to impact small businesses”.

The Hideaway Bar & Kitchen on Shirehampton Road shut at the beginning of January. In communications to its customers, it said: “Since we embarked on this adventure in 2019, we have faced unprecedented challenges, from Brexit to a cost of living crisis (and not forgetting the small issue of a global pandemic in the middle somewhere), all of which have placed immense strain on

our operation.”

Reflecting on what the Hideaway meant to him and his team, manager, Óðinn Ward, said, “Over the years, this little place has grown into something so much more than a business—it became a community, a home, and a family. And that’s because of all the customers. Each one brought laughter, joy, and warmth into our lives, and saying goodbye feels like letting go of something truly irreplaceable.”

He was quick to acknowledge his team of staff, for “showing resilience, creativity and

Oli named as Lib Dem candidate

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

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

He works as a coordinator aiding community organisations with sustainability.

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

Meanwhile the Green Party has changed its candidate for the election on May 1 of a leader for the West of England Combined Authority.

In November, it named Bristol City Councillor Heather Mack but she has stepped back to concentrate on her council role and the party has chosen Mary Page, a media and marketing specialist and former Lib Dem., Labour and the Conservatives have both selected former Bristol city councillors, Helen Godwin and Steve Smith respectively, for the election. Reform has yet to name its candidate.

JANE Jackson, from Henleaze, who has worked tirelessly for two decades to support estranged grandparents, has been appointed MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

She has been given the honour by the King for her services to older people.

Jane set up the Bristol Grandparent Support Group (BGSG) in 2007 following a breakdown in family relationships which led to many lost years of contact with her beloved granddaughter. Developed and run by its members, the group evolved to support grandparents who have lost contact with their grandchildren, not only in Bristol but across the UK and beyond.

Jane says her personal story of initially joyous times with her granddaughter, and the subsequent sense of bereavement and bewilderment she felt when a string of incidents meant that further contact was denied, gives her understanding of the sense of grief and isolation that grandparents feel when that loving, caring relationship is taken away. She appreciates that family breakdown occurs for a variety of reasons - separation and divorce, drug and alcohol dependency, violence within the home, bereavement and family feud - but thinks that the rights of grandparents are often overlooked and misunderstood.

Describing the moment she heard she was to be honoured, Jane says: “There was no mistaking that the envelope held something quite important, stamped with URGENT-PERSONAL and CABINET OFFICE. It isn’t often I am speechless but when I opened it and read the content I was lost for words.

“I have done nothing to warrant this honour.

camaraderie as they have navigated the last five years. Their hard work and positivity has been nothing short of inspiring, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions.”

Local reaction to the news was sadness, but residents praised the great staff, ambience and welcome extended to young and old, humans and dogs alike.

Óðinn now moves on to a new chapter, but urges “everyone in our community to continue supporting local businesses as this year will continue to challenge, especially those in independent hospitality outlets.”

Pressures force closure of neighbourhood restaurant Campaigning gran Jane thrilled to receive MBE

All I did was to set up BGSG, a group to help me as well as others, at a time when there was so much darkness, so many unanswered questions.”

She insists that it is really the grandparents at the heart of the group who deserve the award.

While estrangement continues to be a source of great sadness to Jane, she says she is thankful for everyone’s kind words and excitement over her award and vows to continue to “move along together, supporting one another and continuing to raise awareness of the living bereavement that is estrangement.”

Bus gate plan for Park St in bid to improve journey times

MAJOR changes that will see through traffic banned from Park Street and buses given priority have been unveiled by the city council.

The proposals include a bus gate at the top of Park Street and a bus-only lane at the bottom from The Centre to College Green as well as more bus lanes and cycle lanes on Queens Road and in front of the Victoria Rooms.

The scheme is funded by central Government and is expected to cost £15 million. It is part of a wider £37 million package of measures to improve traffic flow across the city along the Henbury to Stockwood

number two bus route, which goes through Southmead and Henleaze.

The council's aim is to improve bus journey times and encourage more walking and cycling.

George Burton, head of network at First Bristol, said: “These proposals would make our services more reliable and help to encourage more people to travel by bus. Our Whiteladies Road services, including the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 77 and Y6, encounter serious delays because of congestion. At peak times, at around 4.30pm, journeys are taking an extra 10 minutes from this time last year."

Jane Jackson with husband Mark

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Pupils win film award

\ YEAR 10 and 11 pupils from Badminton School have been successful in the 10 Shot Film Awards.

They created the film ‘Love is a Challenge’ as part of the project with The One Day Film School. The film was created by Lily, Izzy, Emily, Ava and Arisha in Year 10 and Florence and Emily in Year 11.

Their film was shortlisted from more than 1,000 others and won the Popular vote award for Years 10-12 category. They were also nominated for Best Cast: Years 10-12.

Suzanne Smith, Emmy award-winning casting director and 10 Shot Film Awards judge, commented: "Beautifully shot. Lovely dynamics between the actors - it is so interesting you can see more when there is no dialogue".

Lucy Culverwell, head of

Year 11, said: “It is so exciting that we’ve won this award and shows how hard our students have worked. We were up against some great schools across the UK, so to come out on top is testament to how hard the students worked on the project”.

Florence, Year 11, commented: “We had an unforgettable experience with

the One Day Film School, where we created short films using iPads. It was a fascinating introduction to filmmaking, and I gained a deeper understanding of how to plan, direct, and edit a project, even with simple tools. Collaborating with my group was both enjoyable and rewarding, and it taught me the value of teamwork in bringing

a creative vision to life. I'm incredibly grateful that our film was chosen as the winner—it was a proud moment for all of us, and I truly appreciated the recognition of our efforts.”

The film can be watched here: https://www. onedayfilmschool.com/ screening-room/

n NEWS

Anger over 'shameful' bin collection failings

HUNDREDS of bin collections in Bristol are being missed because of staff sickness and vehicle breakdowns.

Residents have flooded councillors with complaints over the “shameful” service by city council company Bristol Waste.

The problems are worst in north Bristol, with 250 streets missed in Clifton alone in December.

The local authority says measures are being taken to resolve the issues permanently, including introducing four new recycling crews and an evening collection, plans to extend the recycling processing operations at Albert Road depot to 24 hours a day, and bringing forward a similar new facility at Avonmouth tip, which would reduce transport distances from the kerbside in the north of the city.

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Jos Clark said every councillor would have had numerous complaints from householders about missed collections over Christmas.

Cllr Clark told member forum on January 14: “This situation is unacceptable.

“The contract that we, as a council, and the taxpayer have entered into is that we put our rubbish out each week and it gets taken away, but unfortunately over the past few

BOOK REVIEW

months that trust has broken down.

“Residents who live at the end of the pickup round have not had their bins emptied for weeks and weeks, quite literally.It’s shameful as a city that we’re in this situation."

Cllr John Goulandris (Conservative, Stoke Bishop) said residents’ impressions of Bristol Waste’s performance were that the council was poorly managed.

Environment and sustainability policy committee chair Cllr Martin Fodor (Green, Redland) replied that improving the service was a priority.

“There was a very high level of sickness and vehicle breakdowns in December. The latest figures show an almost complete, accurate rate in the last week and I’m really glad to say it’s caught up thanks to the measures that have been taken but we need to have a properly funded service and I will be pressing for that.”

In a reply to Cllr Jerome Thomas (Green, Clifton) he said: “Multiple missed collections is most frustrating for residents.

"We need to find out if there are recurrent missed streets because that means there is a pattern rather than something exceptional, so I will push for an answer to that.”

In a written reply to questions from Cllr

Nicholas Coombes (Lib Dem, Westbury-onTrym & Henleaze), Cllr Fodor said: “Since July 2024, Bristol Waste has introduced four recycling rounds to build capacity back into service delivery. Subsequently in October, Bristol Waste introduced a proactive evening collection. As a result, there were improvements to operational performance, however there remained challenges in the north of the city.

“Bristol Waste has worked closely with the council to progress a planning variation for the recycling bulking station in January 2025. This will increase processing capacity and improve the efficiency of the service.

“Also, the council client team and Bristol Waste are expediting the opening of the bulking facility at Avonmouth.

“This will lead to a significant improvement in the recycling service in the north of the city as transport distances will be reduced between doorstep and depot.

“This will also improve the recycling service reliability for the rest of the city.

“Bristol Waste is expected to collect missed collections within 24 hours of a report. Performance is closely monitored.” By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner

THE year is 2013 and we find ourselves in a remote area of south west France. The main character and our narrator is 34-yearold Sadie Smith, an American undercover spy, hired by shady employers, to infiltrate a group of eco-activists called Le Moulin.

The novel is based on a real-live issue, the diversion of local water supplies into vast mega-basins to support agribusiness at the expense of local farmers and the environment. Sadie is a complex and engaging character. She is good at what she does. She likes wine, enjoys driving and prefers older unreconstructed men. She is proud of her surgically enhanced body which she uses to full effect in seducing the men she is paid to spy on. These include Lucien Dubois, who she accidently, on purpose, bumps into in Paris.

Lucien has contacts in Le Moulin and she is invited to join their commune.

We follow Sadie as she gradually wins the trust of the eco-activists. We are also led backwards, through her life, and a long list of undercover assignments. Sadie hacks into the activists e-mail account, where she is fascinated by a series of messages from a 76-year-old activist called Bruno Lacombe, who lives alone in a cave. Bruno has forthright views on the superiority of Neanderthals and the inferiority of us Homo Sapiens. He believes not in revolt but in a return to our ancient past.

Although Bruno and Sadie are destined never to meet, his emails and Sadie’s analysis and her commentary on them form the

backbone of the book.

This novel is an enjoyable and engaging read, providing the reader with both a spy thriller and a thoughtful examination of larger issues including the future of humanity, individual motivation and the trajectory of our civilisation. A must read for 2025.

If you are seeking a New Year resolution which you can easily achieve, come and visit us at 100 Gloucester Road, and sign up for a library card giving you free access to more than two million books. You will receive a warm welcome.

Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

Opening Hours: WoT

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Opening Hours: HENLEAZE

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n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

Southmead: Kaz Self and Kye Dudd (Labour)

THANK you to Henleaze and Westbury Voice for allowing us a regular column. The Voice is distributed to part of our ward, so we’re delighted to contribute.

David Lloyd Club spa extension planning application

The deadline to respond to the planning application was 16th December 2024. At the time of writing we are waiting to find out if the planning inspector will give permission or not. We are hoping that the commitment made by Club to make a positive contribution to the local community in terms of a Community Infrastructure Levy payment is upheld.

Play park at Eastfield

We were delighted to see the opening of the new play park in Eastfield (off Home Ground) last year. It comes after years of campaigning by local residents as part of ‘Friends of Eastfield Park’. We are looking forward to a formal

n ADVERTORIAL

opening ceremony later in the year, hopefully with the Lord Mayor in attendance

Potholes

It’s that time of year when potholes start to appear and the road surface can soon deteriorate. The new government have made a commitment to tackle road repairs and allocated an £6.7M pounds for our region in the last budget. If you see a pothole then please report it by the link at https://www.bristol. gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/ report-a-street-issue

Climate action

We were pleased that Southmead

Join a growing community this new year

SEEING news headlines about climate change, war and division can leave us feeling powerless and isolated as individuals. What can we do? There’s few places left in the UK for community to thrive. Even less for nature to flourish. Very little at all for anything which doesn’t tick the boxes of our fast-paced culture of productivity and profit. Community, along with nature, is being pushed to the edges of what it can survive. And nowhere is this more true than for our food system.

Communities of people growing, cooking and sharing food was once the joyous heart of our society. But those local, organic, and resilient food systems have been lost to industrialisation, alienating us from our food, from each other and from the natural world. What we have gained in year-round produce at rock bottom prices, we have lost in connection to the land and what sustains us.

But there are pockets of resistance. Places where food helps community and nature thrive despite these pressures. The

Community Farm is one of those places.

A place to connect with nature and each other through the power of food. A place to feel, see, touch, taste and experience what food grown in community with nature can be. A place to feel your spirits soar as you see land where nourishing food is grown with care. A place to show the wider world that a different way is possible. Gentler, kinder. Stronger and braver. Better for all.

This new year, come and see for yourself. Join us for volunteering and events on the land or get a home delivery of organic food that's been grown with hands and hearts.

was one of three locations in the city announced last year to be part of the ‘Tackling Energy Together’ project. Southmead Development Trust have a small team running this project and it’s already up and running. The project aims to look at ways that we can reduce the energy costs associated with heating our homes. Some postcards have been delivered to local residents advertising the project, if you got one we’d encourage you to get involved. If you’ve mislaid the card, you can find out more about the project here:- https://southmead.org/ community-climate-action-plan

Bin collections

We are aware of ongoing issues with bin collections and continue to raise these with Bristol Waste. After some signs of improvement there seemed to be a deterioration over the Christmas period. We are monitoring any proposals to reduce collection frequency in the forthcoming Green Party led

budget for Bristol and are opposed to 4-weekly black wheelie bin collections.

Bristol budget decisions

In February Bristol has to set its budget for the next year and its council tax. We are aware of proposals to remove funding for school crossing patrols and local libraries, we are firmly against these proposals.

Southmead ward boundary

Please note that Southmead ward covers roads like Home Ground, Clover Ground, Comb Paddock and the Lakes area. If you have an issue in these roads, please contact us rather than the Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze councillors.

Kye & Kaz

Contact us:

cllr.kye.dudd@bristol.gov.uk 07795 509 531

cllr.kaz.self@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 716

March with us to the big game!

Registered Charity No. 269177

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes (Lib Dem) W-o-T & Henleaze:

Canford Lane Zebra Crossing

A new zebra crossing on Canford Lane is now complete, after eight years of effort. Local residents, supported by Lib Dem campaigners, petitioned for a crossing in 2017. A traffic count at the time showed 1,000 vehicles per hour using the road, impeding residents from crossing to Westbury village.

Funding was allocated five years ago for the works, but delays allowed cost inflation to exceed the budget. After pressure from your new local councillors, the design was rationalised to save unnecessary costs, and work started in December. With the stripes painted and lights flashing, the crossing , next to the Cemetery gates, is now in use.

It’s great news to have this long overdue project finished, but there are plenty more on the list, including Henleaze Road.

Waste collection

Again the refuse and recycling service struggled over the holiday period, and many collections were missed. Thank you to those residents who reported these to us, which we have escalated to the service provider – Bristol Waste.

Twenty years ago, Bristol had one of the best services in the country, leading to the highest recycling rates. This year we have been hearing about failures almost every week, and daily over Christmas. This isn’t acceptable to us as local councillors. As well as chasing up individual missed collections, we have also been raising our concerns directly with Bristol Waste directors, and publicly with the councillors and council staff responsible.

Nicholas Coombes and Caroline Gooch have both raised the issue in public questions to the Green Party chair of the council’s environment committee, asking for an action plan to raise standards. Additional crews have been recruited (partly replacing those lost by the former Mayor’s disastrous cuts), and a new depot in Avonmouth is being constructed. We will keep up the pressure until residents notice the results.

Funding for local groups

Bristol City Council devolves small amounts of money from the Community Infrastructure Levy (paid by building developers) to local areas. This fund was previously used to pay for the Canford Lane zebra crossing. This year we would like to support community organisations in Westbury and Henleaze. If your group

has a project in development, please get in touch to discuss the application process and award criteria.

Action for climate and nature

In December, the Liberal Democrats led Bristol City Council to pledge its support for the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill.

The bill aims to ensure that the UK does its bit to limit global warming to 1.5 C, restoring nature and biodiversity loss by 2030, and calls for a climate and nature assembly to build consensus between citizens and the Government.

In October, the CAN Bill was reintroduced into Parliament as a Private Members Bill by Dr Roz Savage, Lib Dem MP for South Cotswolds. This follows years of the bill receiving cross-party support in Parliament, but never receiving enough Parliamentary time to become law.

Local Councillor Caroline Gooch seconded the council motion which endorsed the bill. Bristol City Council joins the 374 councils across the UK already backing the bill.

Council budget cuts

In late February the city council will meet to agree its budget for 2024/25 and set the rate of council tax. All seventy councillors will vote on the budget, which in a change from the last couple of decades will be based on a set of recommendations from a cross-party committee.

Something that hasn’t changed is that the council is under severe financial

pressure. Even after a likely 5% rise in council tax and some extra money from the government the council will still be facing a huge gap between projected income and expenditure. This is because of continued costs increases from providers of adult social care, for elderly people and for younger adults with complex needs. The hike of employers’ national insurance in the Labour government Budget has made matters worse.

Costs in children’s care also continue to rise due to increased demand and fewer people coming forward to foster, meaning many children are placed in very expensive private care homes, often a great distance from Bristol, which is an awful situation for the children.

These rising costs and income shortfalls mean that without action the council would have a budget gap of almost £52million. Councils aren’t allowed to run deficits for day to day activities, they must set a balance budget. This means that cuts in other service areas are required. Councillors have been sifting through options prepared by officers for the last few months. Among the controversial items are cuts to the libraries budget, reducing grants paid to community groups and charities, and closing some of the city’s museums.

Cllr Stephen Williams chairs the committee that has responsibility for libraries and has been resisting the proposal to chop £2million out of the library budget as it would require closure of over half of the city’s branch libraries. He has succeeded in squashing plans from the previous Labour mayor administration to move and downgrade the Central Library and has obtained agreement from colleagues to set up a working group charged with modernising the library service. It is hoped that any eventual cut to library finances will be reduced drastically compared to the initial proposals. Stephen is also urging colleagues to transfer the Red Lodge and Georgian House to either the National Trust or English Heritage.

Nicholas, Caroline & Stephen

cllr.nicholas.coombes@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 750

cllr.caroline.gooch@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 669

cllr.stephen.williams@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 772

FEATURE

LEASEHOLD OR FREEHOLD PROPERTY: THE DIFFERENCES

When considering purchasing a property it is useful to know some of the differences in property ownership in England and Wales. AMD Solicitors’ Laura Wilkinson discusses some of these differences.

FREEHOLD: Freehold ownership means that you own the property and the land the property stands upon and is commonly seen in houses.

Freeholders have:

• Greater freedom over the use, improvement and additions to their property subject only to restrictions contained in the title deeds or matters governed by legislation, planning or Building Regulation rules.

• Sole responsibility for maintaining their home and external grounds.

• Freedom to sell their property without seeking permission.

LEASEHOLD: Leasehold ownership is governed by the terms of the property’s Lease. An owner of a leasehold property (the “leaseholder”, “lessee” or “tenant”) will own the right to live in

the property for a set number of years subject to conditions in the Lease.

The building and land it stands on will be owned by the “freeholder” or “landlord”. Flats and maisonettes are sold as leasehold, houses can also be sold as leasehold.

Lease Term: The Lease will have been granted for a fixed term for example 999, 125 or 99 years. The Lease and its remaining term will be passed on each time the property is sold, the remaining length of the term reduces as time passes.

Leaseholders should be aware that mortgage lenders may not lend where 80 years or less remain on the Lease. It is possible to extend the term by statutory right or negotiation with the landlord, however, there could be significant cost in doing so, these costs will increase significantly once the term falls below 80 years.

Ground Rent: The Lease usually requires a leaseholder to pay ground rent to the landlord which may be a nominal sum of no financial value, or may be more significant, especially if

the Lease provides for periodical increases. If the ground rent rises significantly, the amount could become unaffordable and you may have more difficulty selling or mortgaging the property in future. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 was introduced to restrict the overcharging of ground rent in new or replacement long leases but this does not affect existing leases.

Service Charges: The costs of maintaining and insuring the building will be arranged by the landlord or management company and are passed on to all leaseholders by way of “service charges”. The amount payable varies depending on the services provided and works required in any given year. There may be other charges collected for example a reserve or sinking fund for major projects.

Restrictions and Obligations: Leases may contain restrictions or obligations which limit the use of the property including:-

• A requirement for landlord consent to certain activities or actions (e.g. having pets, hang-

ing washing over your balcony, installing external aerials, removing carpets, subletting or selling the property).

• A requirement to seek permission from the landlord for certain internal alterations to the property. Consent should not be unreasonably refused unless the terms of the Lease specifically prohibit you from the proposed alteration. This is in addition to compliance with legislation, planning and Building Regulation rules.

• Obligations to not do anything that would cause a nuisance to the building’s other property owners.

It is important to comply with restrictions or obligation as the landlord may be entitled to take legal action if you do not.

Conclusion: Whatever type of property you are buying, you should make sure that you understand your obligations as owner. If you would like advice or assistance with any property matters please call on 0117 973 5647, email info@amdsolicitors. com or drop in to one of our four Bristol offices.

Trial closure for Ladies Mile wins approval

A TRIAL weekend closure of Ladies Mile on the Downs looks set to go ahead this summer in spite of some concerns.

The idea from the Downs Advisory Panel was considered by the Downs committee on January 13. A couple of councillors spoke out against the plan, but the committee, made up of councillors and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, voted to press ahead with the experiement, although the details remain unclear.

In a report to the committee, Robert Westlake, chair of the advisory panel, said: “The opportunity could be used to explore future use of this potentially valuable location as an additional space for a range of commercial activities and events. A weekend closure could also be linked to the out-ofhours security initiative, to combat escalating anti-social behaviour.

“Ladies Mile Road in particular suffers from illegal driving and parking on the grass, while the highway itself serves no particular purpose other than as a rat run and for commuter parking.

Labour Councillor Kye Dudd said: “In theory, it’s a good idea, returning the road to recreational uses or nature. But there are a few factors that need to be considered and that probably in the long run prevent it from happening.

“We’ve got proposals now for parking charges on the Downs, so there’s the loss of income potentially to the council, that doesn’t exist at the moment but will potentially exist in a year’s time. Given the council’s financial position, that loss of future potential income will probably be in play, rather than closing off the road.”

Another issue is that Stoke Bishop people would have to drive further to get to the shops in Clifton. Many residents drive down Ladies Mile to get there, and they would have to drive a more circuitous route otherwise instead of straight through the park.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Caroline Gooch said: “Stoke Bishop doesn’t have much in the way of facilities. If they want to go to Clifton, the way to get there is to go down Stoke Road and along Ladies Mile. It’s an awfully long

way round, and would transfer all the traffic onto Blackboy Hill.”

The Downs committee doesn’t have the power to close Ladies Mile, but can make suggestions. The decision was referred to the events sub-group, who will themselves then have to refer the matter to the council's transport policy committee to take the final decision on closing the road. Despite the opposition, the majority of the Downs committee voted in favour of the trial closure.

Green Cllr David Wilcox said: “As a current member of the transport committee, I would welcome the closure of Ladies Mile. It would only be closed for one or two days on the weekend, and it would still be open five days a week. I think we need to think bigger about the trial, because statistically, closing it for one weekend isn’t going to prove very much.

“We need to do it for more weekends, to get some proper data about what the impact of closing this road is. I don’t agree that it’s a massive detour to get to Clifton. There’s a couple of traffic lights that might slow you down, but it’s not a massive way — considering some of the things we’re doing in east Bristol and south Bristol with liveable neighbourhoods. It’s not a big deal.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

n ADVERTORIAL

A rare treat for G&S lovers!

BRISTOL Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society proudly presents The Grand Duke, Gilbert and Sullivan's final and rarely performed operetta, in a grand, traditional production. BGSOS invites you to an exciting opportunity to see a show that even some of our most seasoned members, who have been performing G&S for over forty years, have never had the chance to do.

Our upcoming production will be directed by Sarah Nash, who previously brought Princess Ida to life for BGSOS audiences. Sarah’s vision this year emphasises authenticity, returning to a traditional approach after last season’s bold D&D-inspired Pirates of Penzance.

The story unfolds in the whimsical Grand Duchy of Pfennig-Halbpfennig as a spirited theatrical troupe hatches a bold plan to overthrow the miserly Grand Duke Rudolph. When their scheme is discovered, the

actors rely on a peculiar “statutory duel” – a satirical legal loophole in which the character who draws the lower card meets a “legal” end. What begins as a staged coup leads to a whirlwind of chaotic rulership, as the hapless actor Ludwig finds himself unexpectedly wearing the crown. With romantic entanglements, twisted misunderstandings and Gilbert’s signature wit, The Grand Duke is a captivating mix of hilarity and farce.

Complete with a professional orchestra to capture Sullivan’s dynamic score, The Grand Duke promises an unforgettable experience. The Grand Duke will light up the stage at the Redgrave Theatre, Clifton, from 27 to 29 March 2025. We look forward to sharing this rediscovered classic and creating memories for both G&S aficionados and new audiences.

Tickets available now at www. bristolgsos.co.uk or directly from the Redgrave Theatre.

n NEWS

'Temple of tinkles' book brings in £7,500

A BOOK that scandalised Bristol and was banned from the city’s libraries has made more than £7,000 for the city.

Ladies Mile is the title of the memoir of the late Victoria Hughes, who was toilet attendant on Clifton and Durdham Downs for more than 30 years until the 1960s.

“She kept detailed notes of the women, many of whom were ‘sex workers’ and used the toilets and cried on her shoulder,” said Kerris Harrop, who has privately republished the book.

“It was regarded by the city’s libraries as ‘too shocking’ to put on their shelves.”

By Christmas she had sold 700 copies and last month she presented the proceeds to Bristol Lord Mayor, Councillor Andrew Varney, chair of the Downs Committee. The money is for the restoration of the toilets where Victoria Hughes worked.

Kerris said: “As long as people order the book I will supply it and raise more money to improve our pretty Victorian loos on the Downs.

“The book is an amazing story of compassion and drama amongst the sex workers on the

Downs back in the day. Every penny goes to the restoration of the Victorian Temple of Tinkles.”

Interest in the book has been widespread, with buyers from Wales, Scotland and other parts

of England as well as from Bristol and the surrounding area.

It took Kerris 18 months to get permission to reprint the book. “Firstly, I had to find out if Victoria had left the copyright to anyone. It meant that I had to check with the relatives of Victoria and the relatives of her editor, the late David Foot, a journalist and author,” she said.

When she was satisfied that no one had the copyright, Kerris had to approach the Intellectual Property Office for a licence to reprint the book. She then had to type the entire text ready for the printer.

Victoria Hughes died aged 80 in 1978 and is honoured by a blue plaque above the toilet entrance which says she “befriended and cared for prostitutes when she worked here”.

Ladies Mile is the name of one of the roads crossing the Downs which in the 1930s was used by local society ladies to ride their horses.

Kerris Harrop presents a cheque to Lord Mayor Andrew Varney Photo: Julia Foot

n NEWS FROM S us WoT

Litterpicking volunteers are needed as some of our volunteers are retiring. There are 28 litterpicking rounds, each is litterpicked by one or two people. However, some areas need more volunteers. Each person is given a hoop, picker, and a supply of Bristol Waste bags. The litter collected can be put in a domestic black bin. If there is too much litter to go with domestic waste, full bags are left by a street bin to be collected by Bristol Waste. If you would like to help, please contact SusWoT. Keep it Clean is a project to recruit local people to help keep the Trym river system, its green spaces and surrounding roads clean. SusWoT will continue to keep the river itself clean for safety reasons. This may take a year as we will need to recruit 24 people, there are already six. In Crow Lane there is an Aldi whose trolleys often escaped and there was litter around the site too. Working with Darren Jones’s office we now have seen a response from Aldi saying that they will do daily checks on litter and trolleys around their site. If this works, it will be a great help.

Growing vegetable plants for the May Fair starts now. The Fair at Holy Trinity Church and in the Doctors’ car park is on Saturday 11 May. SusWoT raises money for its projects by growing vegetable plants from seed and selling them. Tomatoes are the most popular, up to

The diet of worms

1000 plants have been produced in past years. The cherry type ‘Sungold’ and medium sized ‘Alicante’ are the most popular. Tomato plants are tender, and so winter sown plants need protection usually in a greenhouse. If you have a greenhouse with space and would like to look after some tomatoes, please contact SusWoT. Retrofit West and SusWoT are holding three talks about saving energy at home. These follow the event at the Village Hall in November when 250 people attended the day long Warmer Westbury Homes Fair. The first talk will be on Wednesday 19 February 6:45- 8:30 in Westbury Library. The focus of the talk will be how to make your home more energy efficient, where to start and how RetroFit West can help. There will also be a Q & A session. More about Retrofit West on their website. Worms are fantastic tunnellers, and creatures that are the living, breathing engineers of the underworld. They eat and recycle organic matter to keep our soil healthy’. So says the Soil Association and Charles Darwin was a great admirer too. In 2014 SusWoT started a project that promoted wormeries in Westbury.

Some are still going strong turning food waste into compost and producing a superb natural liquid feed. If you want to start a wormery get in touch.

To contact SusWoT email suswot2050@gmail. com

Alex Dunn

Worms working to make compost from waste food

n NEWS

Jules, 63, wins two world championships

A PORTER at a retirement village in Westbury-on-Trym has become the Quadrathlon World Champion over two distances for his age group.

Jules Taylor, 63 won both the 2024 Middle Distance Quadrathlon World Championship and 2024 Long Course Quadrathlon World Championship in the over 60s category.

Jules said: “I really did enjoy competing in both events and was very proud of my results, particularly in Hungary. It had been years since I did a long distance event and combined with the 35 degree heat, it was very challenging.”

While triathletes compete in three disciplines, quadrathletes combine cycling swimming and running with kayaking.

For the Middle Distance Quadrathlon World Championship held in Lincolnshire, Jules completed a 1.5 km swim, 30 km bike, 7 km kayak and 9.3 km run in a time of 2 hours and 51 minutes.

At the Long Course Quadrathlon World Champion held in Hungary, Jules claimed his second world title with a 2.6 km swim, 20 km kayak, 62 km bike and 21.1 km run in a time of 6 hours and 59 minutes.

Jules is sponsored by the St Monica Trust,

where he works as a porter at Westbury Fields Retirement Village.

He said: “I was working as a personal trainer when all the gyms shut during lockdown. I needed something to do to keep me occupied and saw an opportunity to volunteer with the St Monica Trust.

“As I got more stuck in, I thought – I really like this – and it’s great interacting with all the residents who are so supportive of what I’m doing. When the chance of a permanent position came up I jumped at it.”

St Monica Trust’s director of retirement villages Roger Hayward said: “What Jules achieved last year would be a staggering achievement at any age, but even more so when you consider he is almost old enough to

Rolex - Gentleman's Oyster Perpetual Submariner bracelet watch ref. 5513 Sold for £6,000

American Interest - William Faden, (1749-1836) - Plan of Charlestown South Carolina, 1780 Sold for £7,000

be one of our residents.

“He is a constant source of inspiration for our residents at Westbury Fields - and vice versa - as I know that some of them enjoy working out with Jules when he is using the onsite gym or running around the cricket pitch in his lunch hour.”

Jules’s 2024 world championship victories added to the Overall National Champion title, which he won by competing in four quadrathlon races in the UK, winning against quadrathletes who were half his age.

He only started competing in quadrathlons in 2022, having previously competed in half-marathons, marathons, triathlons, Ironman events, ultra distance kayaking and 24hr ultra running.

“I’ve always been competitive and always felt the drive to be doing something. It doesn’t matter what, as long as I enjoy it and can be good at it,” he said.

Jules said: “I’d like to thank the St Monica Trust for sponsoring me.

"I’d also like to thank all the residents at Westbury Fields for their support and inspiration. Every day they remind me that if you keep using what you’ve got, then you never lose it and that it’s always possible to improve – no matter what age you are.”

info@clevedonsalerooms.com

Howard & Sons armchair Sold for £3,000

Clevedon Salerooms, The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon,

n PHARMACY BLOG

Infected sore throat? Walk-in NHS pharmacy treatment can help you

A SORE throat can be most unpleasant; the pain and discomfort makes eating, drinking, or speaking hard. Most cases are harmless, but the NHS-funded assessment and treatment offered at Kellaway Pharmacy enables children from 5 years and adults to access appropriate therapies, including antibiotics.

What causes sore throats? A sore throat is a symptom usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection. Viruses, including cold and flu viruses, cause four in five sore throats. Sore throats are common. Around half of us will have at least one sore throat a year. Most will usually get better without treatment within one to two weeks.

If the sore throat hurts so much, it must be tonsillitis, right? Tonsillitis is a precise clinical diagnosis denoting inflammation of the tonsils. It occurs when the clumps of tissue on either side of the back of your throat (tonsils) become painful and swollen.

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

Patches of creamy pus can appear on the tonsils. It may cause fever, and usually, there is no cough. Sore throats can turn into tonsillitis.

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

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

Cool drinks, cool, soft food, and ice lollies can ease the pain of sore throats. Adults can suck ice cubes or hard sweets and gargle with warm, salty water.

INFECTED

(5 YEARS & ABOVE)

IMPETIGO (1 YEAR & ABOVE)

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

(CHILDREN AGED 30 DAYS TO 2 YEARS)

n LETTERS

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

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

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

Where have the birds gone?

MY garden backs onto Badocks Wood in north Bristol.

Over the years I have had a flock of sparrows nesting in a large bush in by front garden. There must have been 25 plus of them chattering all day long and feeding from the food I put out in the back garden.

I have had many wood pigeons, collared doves, large flocks of all the types of tits together with greater spotted woodpecker and robins(?)

I also had at least four grey squirrels who regularly ate all the buds off of my camelia shrubs at this time of year so that I never had any flowers.

I put a seed feeder out together with three fat balls and these were eaten in less than a week.This was as it was all summer up to September last year. When I returned from a holiday mid September after three weeks I noticed that very little of the food had been eaten.

Since then I have seen a single sparrow once, no wood pigeons or collared doves. The only birds I have seen have been a few tits of various types. Very little food is eaten. There are no grey squirrels. There is no birdsong. Do you have any knowledge of what might be going on. I am alarmed that there might be a disease affecting wildlife.

Terry Carter Terry Carter

Join our neighbourhood book exchange

WE'VE often put books that we've read on the wall outside our house and we thought it would be a good idea to make this a permanent, weather-proof fixture - so we got a 'book swap box'!

The idea is that people can help themselves to a book and/or drop one off that they've read!

Stephanie Turner & Nigel Hurst Stoke Lane

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

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

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”

And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.

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

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

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

Bristol Exeter

Newton Abbot

n WHAT'S ON

Saturday February 8

n GOLDFINCH CREATE AND PLAY

art and craft space in Westbury-onTrym is hosting a charity fundraiser. Book your hour's spot on the 10am, 12pm or 2pm workshop to weave your own symbol of love, with all proceeds going to the charity, Young Bristol. As with all Goldfinch Create and Play workshops, there will be something for everyone to engage with, including fun, sensory tuff trays and toddler crafts. Please visit https://www.goldfinchcreateandplay.co.uk to book your place. The website also includes the new timetable of all classes and workshops being held throughout 2025.

Monday February 24

n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM

CLUB - Golden Years (12A) 2016, 2pm. Retired couple Arthur and Martha take up bank robbery after their pensions are cut, refusing to accept the injustice of their circumstances. Filmed in Henleaze, come along and spot our local landmarks! Starring Bernard Hill, Alun Armstrong, Sue Johnston and Simon Callow. Carers welcome, easy access Refreshments £4, St. Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD. For more information please call 0117 435 0063.

Saturday March 22

n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR with Bristol Ensemble conducted by David Bednall perform Haydn’s Nelson Mass and CPE Bach’s Magnificat in St Peter’s Henleaze at 7.30pm . Tickets from £5 www.bristolbach.org.uk

REGULAR EVENTS

Various days n WESTBURY WILDLIFE PARK

The park’s peaceful setting, with children’s play area and cafe, is open for you to enjoy 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. 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.

n PILATES CLASSES, Northcote Scout Hall, BS9 3TY. Mondays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Mixed Ability inc. Beginners); Tuesdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Gentle); Thursdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.45am (Mixed Ability - inc Beginners). Small, friendly classes. Please register interest before attending. Full details at www.mindbodypilates.org. Contact; Leanne 07817189474 or leanne@ mindbodypilates.org

n TEATIME CHURCH - Children and families are welcome to join us once a month at the back of Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-on-Trym for crafts, games, stories and songs, followed by supper for all the children. There is also a baby/toddler area and a monthly Lego challenge. This is a very informal service, where children/adults can learn a little about God and the church in a fun and friendly environment. All are very welcome! Please visit our website for further information and monthly dates https://www. westbury-parish-church.org.uk/ teatime-church/

n WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? North West Bristol Camera Club is a friendly local club with a membership ranging from beginners to those with considerable experience. You will be welcome whether you use a mobile phone or the latest mirrorless camera. Google NWBCC for more details.

n CANFORD BOWLING CLUB season has started again, and new members of any age or experience would be very welcome. Free coaching is available. Our open day is 25th May. Why wait? If interested please email canfordbowlingclub@ gmail.com or ring 07504254499. Come and give it a go.

n BRISTOL HOME LIBRARY SERVICE - We are a free service for any adult who lives in Bristol and who can’t get to their library but still wants books or audio books. Volunteers call monthly. Contact us if you would like to volunteer or know someone who needs us. BHLSVisits@royalvoluntaryservice.

org.uk or 07714 898558

n BRISTOL STITCHERS - a friendly, independent creative members group which meets three times a month at Helliwell Room (Horfield Parish Church Hall, Horfield) offering Talks, Meet and Stitch sessions, Meet and Stitch Plus and Workshops. More information here: https://bristolstitchers.wordpress. com/about/ Contact Joanne our Chair here: bristolstitcherschair@ gmail.com

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.

Mondays & Fridays

n FLEDGLINGS AT TRYMWOOD STUDIOS Mondays and Fridays, 9.30am - 10.30am. Joyful, nature-based workshops for 0-4s and their carers. Storytelling, poetry, songs, early-years science and maths and artmaking - all in our 18th century studio, gardens, and meadowlands. For more information and to book a free taster session: www.trymwoodstudios.co.uk info@trymwoodstudios.co.uk

n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) 2-4pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we

will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www.goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk

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 PILATES WITH JULIE WATERS, Westbury-on-Trym Academy School, Channells Hill, Bristol BS9 3HZ. Tuesday 6.30 pm & 7.30pm term time only. Small friendly groups. Call Julie on 07817 809734 or email jules_waters@hotmail.com for more information.

n COMMUNITY SIGHT LOSS HUB, First Tuesday of each month, 11am1pm at Trinity Church, Henleaze. Join our coffee morning for blind and partially sighted people to socialise with others and receive advice and guidance from our experienced advisors. Tailored support also available by appointment by calling Sight Support West on 0117 322 4885.

n WESTBURY FOLK/COUNTRY DANCING - come along to have some fun folk dancing on Tuesdays 1.30 – -3.30pm at Westbury College in College Road. All dances are called and refreshments are available. FFI contact Christine on 07775 628524 or codonnell100@ btinternet.com.

n A GENTLE WAY TO KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN! Chair Aerobics, Tithe Barn, Shirehampton, Tuesdays, 10-11am, £7. Maintain and progress your strength, stability and balance at our seated and gentle standing exercise class. Songs from every era to enjoy and complement a workout for mind and body wellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@gmail.com

Mondays

n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) on Monday afternoons 2.00-4.00pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www.goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk

n KEEP FIT WITH DANCE MOVES – at Horfield Methodist Church BS7 8SN, Tuesday mornings, from 10.15- – 11.15am, and at St Peter’s Church, Filton, BS34 7BQ, Tuesday afternoons, 2- – 3pm. Improve your mobility, strength, co-ordination and general wellbeing whilst while having fun and making new friends. Suitable for all ages. Try first session free. For further information contact Eileen Scott on: 07969 929733, or email: scottyartois@hotmail.com

n SCOTTISH DANCING TO GET FIT AND HAVE FUN 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, 7.30 to 9.30 pm. www. westburyscottish.org.uk

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

n BRISTOL A CAPPELLA: Tuesdays 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church. Bristol A Cappella is an awardwinning mixed barbershop chorus of around 30 members who love to sing close harmony a cappella. Our songs are mainly from pop music, with a bit of rock and some musicals. www.bristolacappella.co.uk/ Contact: membership@bristolacappella.co.uk

Tuesday and Saturday

n BRISTOL HF RAMBLING CLUB

We are a friendly sociable club with a variety of walks. We have 2 Tuesday walks of either 8-9 miles or 5-6 miles. On Saturdays we have varying length walks including a hill walk eg Brecon Beacons once a month. If you would like more information please visit our website.

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 http://www. henleazechoralsociety.org.uk/

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB

Wednesday morning whist drives, 10.00 for 10.30, all welcome. £2.00 including tea and coffee. Located in Grange Court Road next to Newman Hall. Please see our website for information and all social events. https://henleazebowlingclub.org. uk/social-events/

n A CLASS FOR EVERYBODY!

Keep Fit, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 10-11am, £7. Improve your health and wellbeing with this low-impact exercise class. With music from the 60s to today’s pop to enjoy a supple strength workout. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@ gmail.com

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.

ter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 11.15am-12.15pm, £7. Maintain and progress your strength, stability and balance at our seated and gentle standing exercise class. Songs from every era to enjoy and complement a workout for mind and body wellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@ gmail.com

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, Westbury-on-Trym every Wednesday 10.30-12. Call 0117 9508644 (mornings) 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 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 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

n SWIFTS INCLUSIVE SPORTS swimming sessions are for adults 18+ with any type of disability (hoist available) 7-8pm. £5 per session at Henbury Leisure Centre. Contact Karen Lloyd at 07734 335 878.

Thursday

n TODDLERS TOGETHER is a parent and toddler group for the community. It takes place every Thursday during term time from 10-11.15am at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church Hall, BS9 3AA. There are toddler toys, a baby area, a weekly craft activity, singing, drinks and biscuits and a final prayer to end the session. We ask for a £2 voluntary donation per family on the door. You can just turn up - no need to pre-book. To find out more about this group, visit https://www. westbury-parish-church.org.uk/ toddler-group/

lively group of older people who meet to chat, play Scrabble or cards. Trips out and entertainments are arranged, plus we have tea and biscuits for only £1! Do come and make some new friends.

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB

Thursday afternoon short mat bowls, 13.30, all welcome £3.00, tea and coffee provided. Located in Grange Court Road next to Newman Hall. Please see our website for information and all social events. https://henleazebowlingclub.org. uk/social-events/

n ARCHITECTURE & BUILDINGS GROUP U3A meets at Henleaze United Reformed Church Meeting Room, Waterford Road, 2-4pm on the fourth Thursday of the month except July, August & December. We are a small shared interest group. No previous knowledge required. Contact Rod for further information. Email: rodathey@gmail.com or call 07792 200949.

n SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING – Looking for a new hobby? Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First evening free! Thursdays: New/Inexperienced dancers 7–8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/Advanced dancers 7.30–10pm (£6). St Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www.rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 0117 968 3057.

n SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First evening free! RSCDS Bristol. New/ Inexperienced dancers 7-8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/Advanced dancers 7.30-10pm, (£6). St.Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www. rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 0117 968 3057.

n LADIES KEEP FIT - – Thursdays 10-11am, St Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze, £7. This friendly, popular session is suitable for all ages, levels and abilities; it is an all-over workout for cardiovascular fitness as well as toning, and has a dance element. Full information on the website: www. exercisewithlailibrooks.com; Email: laili@tiscali.co.uk to book.

n A GENTLE WAY TO KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN! Chair Aerobics, St Pe -

n FRIENDLY CLUB meets every Thursday from 2 - 4pm in the Methodist Church Hall, W-O-T. We are a

n WEST BRISTOL ORCHESTRA is a small, friendly amateur group that enjoys music-making without public performances. It meets on Thursday nights in term time at St. Peter’s Church, Henleaze at 7.15-9.15pm. We would especially welcome more string players. Please visit our website for further details at maths.bris.ac.uk n HENBURY SINGERS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park BS9 1BW,

7.30 – 9.15, a warm welcome awaits you at Henbury Singers. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www.henburysingers.org Contact the secretary at secretary@ henburysingers.org

n HEALING FOR WELLBEINGFeeling stressed? Healing/Reiki is a gentle, relaxing complementary therapy that helps restore balance and vitality. Drop in sessions with trained volunteers on Thursdays 3.30 - 4.45pm at Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. Donation basis. For information and dates, visit www.facebook.com/ BristolHealingGroup or contact Selina on 0117 9466434 or selinanewton@ yahoo.co.uk.

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 HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybad-

minton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall

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 SINGING TO REMEMBER We meet on 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday from 2 - 3.45 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 FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.3010.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

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 audi-

tions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.

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 BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLECome and meet a group of friendly people and enjoy talks in Spanish, musical events and social evenings. We meet every month from September to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For info, see https:// www.spanishcirclebristol.com/.

n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB:

Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, W-on-T 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 FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.3010.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

Saturday

n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am12pm, every second Sat (except August). Voluntary service run by experienced repairers. Donations welcome. FFI see Facebook @seamillsrepaircafe or email: repaircafe.seamills@ gmail.com

Sunday

n WORSHIP FOR ALL MUSIC SERVICE is a brand new musicbased service at Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-on-Trym. Please join us on the last Sunday of each month from 4pm-4.45pm to sing along with contemporary and traditional worship songs with live music and experienced singing leaders. All are very welcome and the service is suitable for children. Refreshments are served at the end of each service. For more information, please visit https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/services/

n COMMUNITY NEWS

SHAKESPEARE IN SONG

MUSIC lovers are in for a treat this month at a concert at St Alban's Church in Coldharbour Road, Westbury Park.

Three musicians are presenting William Shakespeare in Song on Sunday February 16 from 2.30-3.15pm. They are Charlotte Newstead, soprano, Rebecca Chellappah, mezzo soprano and Claire Alsop, piano,

The programme includes songs by Dring, Corngold and Quilter., Tickets are £10, cash on the door.

EXHIBITION OF QUILTS & THINGS

Holy Trinity Church, Westbury-onTrym, BS9 3EQ.

Saturday March 8, 10am - 2pm Light refreshments available.

Free entry – donations welcome. Any profit to local charity one25. org.uk

Come and see the City & Guilds Diploma work of the Three Tables Textile Artists. The exhibition will include work by members of the church and the local community.

£900 for charities

HENLEAZE Christmas Festival will be donating £900 to each of its nominated charities.

The event, which has a Prize Draw with prizes donated by local businesses, once again attracted big crowds.

Festival co-ordinator Jane Emery says: “! am delighted we have been able to support some very good local causes. It is a key part of the festival and makes all the hard work involved in staging the event worthwhile”.

She added: “I am grateful to all those who bought tickets for the Prize Draw and also give thanks to the many local businesses who donated the prizes.”

The three charities who will receive donations are: the Marmalade Trust, Bristol Down Syndrome Trust and Suicide Prevention UK.

Meanwhile plans for the next festival, on Wednesday December 3, are already under way. “There is a huge amount of work necessary in organising it and making sure everything goes smoothly on the night” says Jane.

Anyone who would like to join the small team of volunteers please contact Jane Emery at: janeemery1951@gmail.com

Stan Hazell

THE Bartholomites return to the stage at Horfield Methodist Church, Churchways Avenue, this month for their annual pantomime.

Performances of Rumpelstiltskin will be on February 20, 21 and 22, all at 7.30pm with tickets at £10 for adults; £6 for under 16s. A relaxed show will be held at 2pm on Saturday February 22 – an inclusive show aimed at those who cannot always access theatre so easily. All tickets for this are priced at £6. Tickets are available by calling 07779 991697 or at www.ticketsource.co.uk/thebartholomites (note a fee for online booking). Contact thebartholomites@gmail. com with any queries.

A weird, wonderful and warm wild plant

WINTER is the time for admiring those beautiful naked trees, frosted seedheads and other chilly things. But come February we are longing for signs of spring and one of my favourites is the emerging leaf-spikes of lords and ladies. Also known as cuckoo pint (rhyming with mint), it is one of our most remarkable wild flowers. The enfolded leaves open to become broadly shield shaped and are often spotted with darkest purple. They reveal another structure – another spikeconsisting of an elegant diamond shaped leafy cloak (called a spathe), wrapped tightly around a long proturberance (a spadix) which has the plant’s tiny flowers arranged around its base.

When fully in bloom the spathe unfurls to reveal the spadix, whose phallic appearance has given rise to many suggestive names (cuckoo pint being the most widespread). The spadix contains starch which, as the flowers mature, breaks down rapidly, creating heat. This in turn wafts chemicals, made by this cunning plant, which mimic the smell of carrion, attracting carrion-eating flies. The flies eagerly follow the scent down into a small chamber at the base of the spathe where hairs prevent their easy escape and where they will rub against the tiny flowers. If they have been

fooled before they will spread pollen from their last adventure onto the female flowers, if not the plant waits. It is only when some pollen-strewn flies do arrive and the female flowers are successfully fertilised that the male flowers release a shower of pollen onto the frustrated flies. This intricate procedure ensures cross-pollination. The hairs then wither, the flies escape and, being of little brain, repeat their mistake many times in the flowering season. At least their little prison is warm!

You may recognise the unusual flower

shape from various houseplants, which, like most plants in the Araceae, or Arum family, originate in the tropics. There is also a silver-striped Italian arum to be found in our gardens. Our native cuckoo pint is one of the northernmost outliers of this family and its striking purple and green flowers add a touch of exotic mystery to our hedgerows and woodlands. The convoluted process described above is typical of the Arums, whereby an insect that normally feeds on carrion is recruited by fraudulent means to effect pollination.

Also typical is the fact that most parts of the plant, especially the bright orange and green berries, are poisonous. You won’t nibble the leaves for long though, as the sharp calcium oxalate crystals will sting your tongue and warn of danger. The starchy root was once roasted and used as a substitute for arrowroot, however, it found more popularity as laundry starch because it has a rather bitter taste. In looking into this intriguing species I have found a reference to it glowing at dusk – part of a Fenland legend. It wouldn’t surprise me if it does do this (after all, it generates heat). But perhaps it is just a weird story to attach to an equally weird plant – I'm determined to find out.

© Dawn Lawrence

Cuckoo pint, Arum maculatum, in full bloom. Photograph copyright Des Colhoun

FINANCE

With Richard Higgs BA (hons) CFP FPFS

Harold Stephens

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

T: 0117 3636212

Your first year of retirement: a financial checklist

Retirement is an exciting milestone, offering the freedom to pursue hobbies, travel, and time with loved ones. However, managing your finances in this new phase is crucial to ensure lasting security and peace of mind.

Understand Your New Budget

The first step is to review your income and expenses. Ensure your pensions, savings, and investments provide enough to cover your needs and lifestyle. Adjust your budget based on actual spending patterns and account for inflation or unexpected costs.

Review Your Income Streams

Your pensions and investments may need careful management to make your money last. For instance, delaying pension

withdrawals or restructuring your investment portfolio could improve tax efficiency and sustain your retirement funds longer.

Plan for the Unexpected

From unexpected expenses to future care needs, having an emergency fund and a longterm care plan is essential. Understanding potential care costs and exploring funding options can help you stay prepared.

Stay on Top of Taxes

Understanding how retirement income is taxed is vital. Tax-efficient planning, such as using your taxfree pension lump sum or gifting assets to loved ones can make a big impact.

Secure Your Legacy

Review your Will, trusts, lasting

power of attorney and beneficiary arrangements to ensure they align with your wishes. Proactive inheritance planning can help minimise tax liabilities and ensure your loved ones benefit from your estate. This is especially important with changes to inheritance tax ahead.

Enjoy Retirement

Retirement should be about fulfilling dreams while staying financially healthy. Focus on setting realistic spending limits that allow you to enjoy everything you have been looking forward to while protecting your long-term financial security.

Personalised Advice for a Confident Retirement

Your first year of retirement is

a time to adjust and plan for the future. At Harold Stephens, we specialise in helping new retirees navigate these challenges with confidence. Our bespoke, independent advice helps to align your finances with your goals, giving you peace of mind to enjoy this exciting new chapter. Contact us today to start planning your perfect retirement.

Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk for a no obligation, relaxed chat about your circumstances.

Search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ for financial planning information and tips.

50 High Street, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3DZ

Easier sudoku

n COMMUNITY NEWS THE

HARBOUR

IT’S a universal issue, but when it comes to dying and bereavement we’re struggling to talk. Half of us worry about ‘saying the wrong thing’ to a bereaved person; and a quarter of us deal with bereavement by keeping as busy as possible.

Difficulty discussing grief heightens loneliness; and grief itself significantly impacts our mental and physical health.

The Harbour is a charity providing counselling for people

facing their own death, the death of a loved one, or follow-ing a bereavement.

They have been providing specialist, affordable counselling to help thousands of people in Bristol to live well with grief since 1992.

They provide a safe space to talk and be listened to within a culture which shuts down conversations about grief. Through counselling, you can process your most uncomfortable emotions about death, dying and bereavement … feelings that can be difficult to share with family and friends.

Find out more about this Bristol charity: www.the-harbour.org.uk

All are welcome at their fundraising ceilidh on Saturday March 8 at the Elm Grove Centre. Go to Headfirst Bristol for tickets or scan the QR code.

n FROM BRISTOL NORTH WEST'S MP

Bins must not be a postcode lottery

WHEN you finish reading this wonderful issue of The Voice, you'll no doubt pop it into your recycling bin. You're a conscientious citizen who has done what you can to limit your waste and you’ve correctly sorted your recycling, ready to be collected. But bin day comes around and, once again, you’re left frustrated that the waste collection truck is nowhere to be seen on your street. Sound familiar?

It's a story my office is hearing a lot from constituents of late. And on the day of writing this column (9th January), my team noted there were 486 streets listed on the Bristol Waste website for missed recycling collections!

Bristol Waste has said the missed collections are down to a huge increase in the amount of recycling waste being put out after Christmas and New Year – with as much as 40% more than normal, much of it cardboard and glass. There's a limit to how much waste

its trucks can transport, and then the extra material takes longer to process at the recycling facility.

I can appreciate the extra strain put on our waste collectors at this time of year, but we cannot have a postcode lottery for bin collections, with some streets ‘winning’ and others missing out. This is, after all, a service we all pay for in our council tax bills.

And we know that problems with bin collections don't only occur over the holidays. Bristol Live reported during a random week last October that 301 streets had reported missed general waste collections and 53 streets where recycling was missed.

I have contacted the council to share the concerns raised by constituents and to ask for an update on problems affecting refuse and recycling collections for specific postcodes in Bristol North West.

On a national level, a new packaging policy will come fully into play later this year, called

n COMMUNITY NEWS

HORFIELD ORGANIC COMMUNITY ORCHARD

DID you help wake up the apple trees at January’s Wassail of Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO)? Our orchard is a place of joy, labour, and learning. Fruit trees need love and care, and people love fruit. In 2025 we are planning learning activities and new projects to sustain a fruitful and resilient orchard for the future.

Caring for fruit trees calls for knowledge and skills best developed by working with real trees, over several seasons, and alongside expert growers. Books and YouTube videos don’t cut it when it comes to pruning. Going down online rabbit holes won’t feed lively soil that upholds trees in drought or deluge. Are you keen to get active and get growing fruit trees? We welcome new Harvest-share members joining us and taking part in an Orchard Learning course at HOCO.

Do you fancy a hands-on introduction to the orchard before joining as a member? Come to a boots-on-the-ground working session on Saturday 8 February for a taste of early-season orchard activity. See our website for more details and sign up: https://community-orchard.org.uk/

Help HOCO grow a community of supporters by joining as a Friend of the Orchard. Friends are welcome to volunteer at events and activities, and also enjoy discounted course fees.

Shannon Smith aka The Apple Tree Lady

Extended Producer Responsibility, that will make businesses with a turnover of at least £1 million responsible for covering the costs incurred from the household packaging waste that they create, whether that's in importing goods or sending boxed products to customers across the country. Money raised from this levy will go back to councils to help pay for better recycling facilities.

In addition to taking the financial burden away from councils, it is hoped that this will help to reduce the amount of packaging waste produced and how much of it ends up in landfills.

To end on a local feel-good story about bin collections, it was wonderful to learn that Zac Jones, a constituent in Sea Mills, was recently awarded the Lord Mayor’s Medal for his tireless litter-picking efforts and for helping people in his community on bin day, particularly elderly residents. Thanks Zac!

As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can contact me 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

Golf clubs in bid to chop down trees

PERHAPS even more pertinent given the number of storms this winter, Bristol City Council received not one, but two planning applications at the end of 2024 from local golf clubs seeking permission to remove trees from their courses, amid concerns over safety to golfers and walkers.

Henbury Golf Club lodged an application to fell 10 poplar trees situated between the 1st and 2nd holes. The trees are not protected but are in a conservation area, therefore permission would be required to remove them.

The golf club said in its planning application document: “Over the last six years many branches have fallen off these trees resulting in near misses to golfers and public. We have also had two of these trees snap in half which would have been catastrophic if anyone was in the vicinity.... we believe that they need taking out before someone is injured or possibly killed.” The club pointed out that golfers regularly play near or under the trees, and walkers are frequently in the area with their dogs, so it impacts widely from a health and safety perspective.

The application also stated that trees will

be replaced where appropriate, with “a range of young birch, oak and cherry trees on site ready to be transplanted where necessary.”

At the end of December, however, the council made the decision to refuse the application with a number of objections having been lodged regarding wildlife, the environment and lack of documentation over near misses and proper arborist assessment. It is not yet known whether or not the golf club will appeal.

Not too far away, Shirehampton Park Golf Club also sought to axe 10 trees – including two Scots Pines, which, it says “obstruct visibility across various parts of the course. This lack of visibility creates a severe health and safety risk, as players are unable to see others in the vicinity”. A number of overgrown ash trees are also at risk due to “a disadvantage for our female players, as their teeing ground receives significantly less light than the men’s, resulting in poorer playing conditions.” Finally, two already-dead cherry trees are considered a health and safety risk due to their decaying conditions.

There are some objections to the plan; however, the proposed tree works have been approved by the National Trust, which owns

Some of the Henbury poplars

the land and rents it to the golf club. At the time of going to print, the decision for this application remains pending.

in my survey and let

in May 2025.

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

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

n TURNER'S VISION

Correcting short sight

Why MiYOSMART glasses are a game changer for myopia management in children. When you’re looking for the best way to manage your child’s myopia, it can feel like there’s an unbearable amount of pressure on you to make the right decisions on their behalf.

While their comfort is paramount, you also want to do everything you can to slow down the myopia change and minimise its impact on your child’s life.

For me, MiYOSMART glasses tick every box for the anxious parent. They are an incredible product that is specially developed for children with myopia. They provide a non-invasive, safe solution and are ideal for daily wear, whether your child is studying inside or mucking about outdoors. How do I know if my child has myopia? First of all, it’s important to recognise the signs and symptoms of myopia, also known as nearsightedness and short-sightedness, in your child.

For myopia sufferers, distant objects appear blurry while close objects appear normal. If your child is struggling to see distant objects, squinting frequently or holding books up close, then myopia is a likely cause. Other symptoms include headaches and eye strain.

Unlike traditional glasses which simply correct blurry vision, MiYOSMART lenses work on a deeper level. They address the root cause of myopia progression by slowing down the abnormal growth of the eye. But this proactive approach does more than protect your child today – it significantly lowers your child’s chances of developing potential visionthreatening conditions later in life, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachments.

What makes MiYOSMART glasses so special? MiYOSMART glasses are the result of groundbreaking research by HOYA and the use of patented Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) technology. They feature a central optical zone for clear vision and surrounding defocus segments that reduce eye elongation, the primary cause of worsening myopia.

The optical effect – called peripheral defocus – changes the focus at the peripheral part of the retina, which can gently slow the growth of the eyeball itself. This delaying process halts the progression of myopia.

The results speak for themselves. A two-year clinical study by Hong Kong Polytechnic University found that MiYOSMART lenses can slow myopia progression by an incredible 60% - a fantastic result in the world of vision care.

But the benefits don’t stop there. MiYOSMART glasses come with an antireflective finish, UV protection, and robust durability, so they can handle everything from classroom concentration to weekend adventures. They’re also a brilliant alternative for children who aren’t keen on contact lenses.

How to get your child the latest help for their myopia

At Turners Opticians, we’re passionate about giving families in Bristol access to the very best in myopia management. We’re proud to be a leading supplier of MiYOSMART glasses, and we offer flexible eye care plans to make budgeting easier.

We also offer MiSight 1 Day contact lenses, Ortho-K lenses and atropine eye drops, all proven to slow myopia progression - so whatever your child’s lifestyle, we have an option to suit them.

And for this February and March, we’ve an amazing lens offer for you; a free second pair of tinted or transition lenses with every purchase of MiYOSMART lenses - the perfect way to protect your child’s vision indoors and outdoors, all year round.

To book an appointment, give us a call at our Henleaze branch on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds branch on 0117 965 4434. You can also book online at www.turnersopticians.co.uk

Thanks for reading!

Ginny

Ginny Allwood MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret, is an Associate Specialist Optometrist and Qualified Dispensing Optician, at Turners Opticians in Bristol.

winter sunshine at vineyard

LIFE in the vineyard is continuing to plod along. We've started pruning the vines and are continuing to pollard the willow windbreak as well as mulch some of the drier areas at the top of the vineyard to help the soil retain more water in summer. All these tasks, like many winter vineyard tasks, are quite methodical and repetitive so tend to be quite relaxing. Everything is geared toward preparing for the next growing season. The only break from the stillness tends to be the occasional flurry of bird life in the hedges or the sound and visual spectacle of the rooks suddenly taking to the air en masse which they seem to do a couple of times a day.

There have been some beautifully sunny days recently which made working in the vineyard feel almost euphoric! It’s amazing how a bit of sun can completely change the feel of a

place from being slightly austere and lifeless to full of warmth and birdsong. As always we seem to go from one extreme to the other with the weather and ground conditions - extremely wet to extremely dry. These extremes are not great for the vines or wildlife but we know they are quite resilient.

On the wine front, we have sold out of sparkling white wine but we still have sparkling red, sparkling rosé and still rosé available. Our still rosé recently won a silver medal in the WineGB West awards which was nice and we are beginning to think about prepping our red col fondo for sale!

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk

www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk @DYvineyards (X/Twitter) dunleavy vineyards (Facebook & Instagram)

are

If you’re looking for help with any of the services here, we’re the people to talk to.

Volunteers Steve and Claire

AFRESH GARDENS

(incl FRUIT TREES) WOOD STAINING GRASS CUTTING

PRUNING (incl FRUIT TREES) WOOD STAINING

GRASS CUTTING

PLANTING SCHEMES

PLANTING SCHEMES

HEDGE TRIMMING

HEDGE TRIMMING

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.