Keynshamvoice March 2014 by Emma Cooper

FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Keynsham & Saltford March, 2014 Issue 24

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www.keynshamvoice.co.uk Cooking with Verona Coffee Shop, P42 | What’s On, P47

Inside

Group begins battle for Breaches Gate P2

Residents ‘in shock’ at plans for green-belt sit site te

Hicks Gate fire station proposal is revealed P4 £1,900 raised for popular teacher after attack P9 Meet the team 999 crews call in a crisis P24 Landslip road closure to stay for 6 months P31

Plus... Letters... p17 Nostalgia... p43 Books... p49 Business of

the month.. p53 Property... p55 Sport... p56 Classifieds p60

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March, 2014

News Residents start Keynshamvoice contacts Emma Cooper Publisher

Joni Mann Editor

0117 908 2121/ 07715 770448 emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

07887 561567 news@keynshamvoice.co.uk

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April deadline Our March edition will be going to print on Monday, March 31. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by Thursday, March 27. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

Your views Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

Local information Council Connect 01225 39 40 41 Keynsham Town Council 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham 0117 986 8683 www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk Keynsham Citizens Advice Bureau 0844 848 7919 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk General inquiries: 101 Emergency: 999

Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk Inquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 NHS Urgent: 111/ Emergency: 999 Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 842462 Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk (Freephone) 0808 808 5252

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Keynshamvoice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Keynshamvoice is distributed each month to Keynsham residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk. This month 11,000 copies will be distributed around Keynsham, Saltford, Burnett, Chewton Keynsham, Compton Dando, Queen Charlton, Corston and Woollard.

Neighbours on a Keynsham estate say they are “in shock” that Bath and North East Somerset Council has earmarked greenbelt land on their doorsteps for up to 250 new homes. Residents of Teviot Road have launched an action group to fight proposals to remove the land’s protection, which are contained in the local authority’s core strategy – a document that maps out where development will take place over the next 15 years. The group – the Friends of Breaches Gate – say they were in the dark about the plans until the final week of B&NES’ public consultation on the document, which refers to the site as “land adjoining east Keynsham”. And a visit to around 50 homes on the estate, they say, revealed their neighbours were also not aware of the proposals for the fields, historically part of Breaches Farm and currently protected as part of the green belt between Keynsham and Saltford. The council, however, says there was “extensive” consultation, including a full-page article in its own Council Connect mgazine delivered to every house, and a number of residents from the area attended an exhibition on the plans. Charlene Fleck, who has lived in Teviot Road for 13 years, said: “The news was a complete body blow – neighbours and dog walkers are all in shock. It’s all very well saying we’ve had public consultation but the question we are all asking is ‘how did we not know about this?’” The group, which has members who have lived at Teviot Road for nearly 50 years when the estate was new, say the land has been used over decades for recreation by residents and families and dog walkers from across Keynsham, as well as by children walking to school on a route that means they can avoid traffic. The council’s core strategy document was amended last year to provide scope for more housing, with green-belt sites at Keynsham near Teviot Road to the east and off Charlton Road and Parkhouse Lane to the south earmarked for possible development as well as sites at Whitchurch and on the edge of Bath at

Odd Down and Weston. Public consultation on the changes ran from November 11 to December 20, along with a public drop-in event in Keynsham on November 21. People on the local development framework mailing list were also informed directly of the plans by the council but the Breaches Gate group say they believe more could have been done to inform those living closest to the sites in question. A council spokesman said: “We were very pleased with the attendance at the East of Keynsham exhibition and our officers spoke to a number of residents who lived in the vicinity of the proposal. Towards the end of the proposal we received a phone call from a resident who lived in the vicinity of East Keynsham who believed there was insufficient publicity. In response, before the consultation ended we undertook door-to-door leafleting. “Every single person we met during this leafleting was aware of the proposal, some had attended the exhibition and a few were unhappy the council was communicating with them again on the same issue.” As part of the public consultation, members of the Friends have raised concern at the loss of the fields, fears over drainage on the site which they say acts as a “natural sponge” for run-off from their estate and the cost of bringing utilities such as electricity to the site on the edge of the town. Proposals to provide an access road to any new development from Teviot Road have also sparked fears it could lead to a loss of parking in the existing estate and create a rat run. Another Friends member, Bob Elcome-Thorpe, who has lived in Teviot Road for 10 years said he and his neighbours also worried that the site could end up accommodating far more than the proposed 250 homes in years to come. Developer Mactaggart & Mickel has already made a submission to the council proposing that 800 homes could be built on the green-belt land, it was revealed in January. Mr Elcome-Thorpe said: “We came to live here because of this amenity and the tranquility – it’s a wonderful open space that has

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News battle to save Breaches Gate site been used for at least 50 years by this community and at the stroke of a pen B&NES wants to remove it.â&#x20AC;? A planning inspector is due to hold examination hearings on the proposed core strategy in a matter of weeks, with the Breaches Gate site due to be discussed the second of week of April. Members of the public who responded to the public consultation can speak at the hearing. Programme officer Chris Banks, who is arranging the hearings, can be contacted at zen43998@ zen.co.uk. The Friends of Breaches Gate are hoping more residents will join them in their battle to save the land, showing their support, offering help or advice, and have set up an email address for anyone who wishes to get in touch: breachesgate@saveourgreenbelt. co.uk. Alternatively people can call Friends member Peter Holland on 0117 986 9479.

Peter Holland, Debbie Holland, Charlene Fleck, Christine Bakeman and Bob Elcome-Thorpe, founders of the Friends of Breaches Gate, in front of the green-belt site near Teviot Road

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News Hicks Gate fire station unveiled Proposals for a new five-bay fire station at Hicks Gates roundabout have been unveiled by Avon Fire and Rescue Service. It would replace Brislington and Keynsham’s existing fire stations, which would close under proposals revealed in January, merging resources from the two at the new site. The new station would be built on green-belt land off the roundabout between the A4 and Durley Hill, with a new access road created onto Durley Hill. The fire service says the location, just off the ring road, would provide easy access to Bath, Bristol and Gloucestershire. Public consultation on the proposals has now begun after dicussions between the fire service, Bath and North East Somerset Council and a number of organisations and interest groups at a meeting on February 24. The plans went on display at Keynsham library and the town council offices at the end of last

How a new fire station at Hicks Gate could look, left, with access onto Durley Hill and the roundabout to the top left of the main image month and are also available online at www.avonfire.gov.uk/ investing-for-the-future/build-anew-fire-station-at-hick-s-gate. The proposals are part of Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s drive to make annual savings of £4.5million through its Investing for the Future programme, which includes plans to build three new

fire stations, expand another and create a new fire service HQ on the existing Keynsham fire station site. Feedback on the proposals can be submitted by email to future@avonfire.gov.uk or by post to Avon Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, Temple Back, Bristol, BS1 6EU.

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News Reopened station ‘to bring in £770k a year’ More detailed plans have been unveiled to Saltford residents as B&NES Council looks for their views on reopening the village’s station. A public exhibition was held at Saltford Hall where display boards revealed facts and figures put together by consultants looking into the scheme in a study commissioned last year. The proposals focused on reopening the station at its former location, off the A4 to the east of the village, along with parking for up to 150 cars. An estimated 647 trips would be made to and from the station every day, the figures suggested, adding up to 203,700 trips per year and an estimated revenue of £770,000 per year from rail fares alone. Forecasts also suggested 125 people per day would expect to park their cars at the station, the

results from the study said, with potential for an extra 175 overflow parking spaces on nearby land. Chris Warren, of the Saltford Station Campaign, said he was pleased with the turnout at the event on February 25 and it marked a step towards their hopes of seeing the station back in service. “People have been generally positive, saying it would be great to have the option of walking along the road and taking the train to Bath,” he said. “People have said they could get rid of the second car, it would give kids greater independence, and people could come to Saltford by train without driving. “This is future-proofing the village. In 20 or 25 years' time I think people will say thank god the station was put in here, or it

could have been somewhere else along the line. It would provide a link to Bath and Bristol and from there it would open up the country.” The information on display at the public event is all available online at http://bathnes.gov.uk/ consultations/saltford-railwaystation-survey. Members of the public are now being asked to comment on the information put forward by March 26, with their feedback helping to complete a report on the scheme which is expected to be published shortly after. The proposals to reopen Saltford Station are part of the second phase of the regional MetroWest project, which aims to reopen the Portishead line as well as a number of stations in and around Bristol, and would bring two trains per hour to the village.

Local attraction closes its doors The doors have closed at HorseWorld’s visitor centre just months after its application for a new visitor centre at its site in Whitchurch was turned down by B&NES Council. Bosses at the charity pointed to “plummeting voluntary donations” at the same time as a sharp increase in the number of horses needing the charity’s help. A statement from Horseworld read: “Despite some successes in increasing income, particularly through increased visitor numbers, HorseWorld has continued to lose money.” However, the closure has been questioned by a 30-strong, long-standing group of supporters who, in an open letter to the management of the charity, said: “Last year we had over 70,000 visitors at the centre – how can this be financially insolvent when it is so popular and very well supported?” The attraction shut on February 28 with staff in consultation over redundancies.

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March, 2014

News Manager reveals as opening day

Dog survives adder attack Milly, the nine-yearold Weimaraner had an unexpected fright while enjoying her normal walk in some flooded local fields, when she had a nasty encounter with an adder. Her owners were unaware of what had happened, but they noticed straight away when she suddenly became lame and was unable to touch her foot to the ground. Her foot quickly began to swell and they knew that something serious had happened. Milly was rushed into our Keynsham surgery, where she was thoroughly checked over by our vet Rebecca Gibb, who immediately suspected that Milly had been bitten by an adder. She was then rushed to our Emergency and Critical Care department in Whitchurch, where she could receive specialist care. As Milly arrived at the hospital she was experiencing an abnormal heart rhythm and things were looking serious. She was closely examined which revealed two puncture wounds on her toes, further suggesting an adder bite was behind her mysterious symptoms. She was immediately given antivenin, which to everybody’s joy and relief caused the swelling to reduce rapidly. Milly’s condition stabilised, confirming the diagnosis of an adder bite. The strange thing about Milly’s story is that adders

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Keynsham’s new Waitrose store will welcome its first customers through the doors on March 20, the company has announced. The retail giant is taking over the Co-op supermarket in Broadmead Lane, which closed on Saturday, February 15. Waitrose officially acquired the site on February 20. More details of what residents can expect to find in the new store and what will be happening over the next few weeks were revealed by opening branch manager James Baldry at a presentation to Keynsham town councillors on February 18. The company had four weeks to completely transform the Broadmead Lane site, he explained, gutting the existing fixtures and fittings to create a larger 27,000 square foot sales floor, including a 72-seater cafe and meat, fish, deli and hot food counters, bakery and wine

department. The Keynsham store will also be piloting a “grazing area”, where a bench and seating will be provided next to the deli and bakery areas to allow customers to stop for something to eat and drink as they shop in the store. The store will sell some nonfood goods such as kitchenware and plants, but won’t have a clothing range, he said. The car park will offer 300 parking spaces and the store will be open from 8am to 9pm every day, except Sunday when it will trade from 10am to 4pm. Staff training will also be carried out during the four weeks for the 82 former Co-op employees who have transferred to the new store and for the 125 new members of staff taken on in a recruitment drive. Mr Baldry, who attended the council meeting with retail manager Darren Emmett and

are normally in hibernation in February, which made this diagnosis very unlikely. We suspect that due to the flooding some adders have been washed out of hibernation and so we would urge everybody to be very careful while walking their dogs in the flooded countryside. We are pleased to report that Milly has made a complete recovery and is happily back at home with her family and has put the incident far behind her. Our vets are always on high alert for unusual symptoms and will never discount a diagnosis because it goes against what we expect to see. Our Whitchurch Hospital is open 24 hours a day, sevem days a week, 365 days a year, so our critical care team is always standing by to make sure we can respond to emergency situations like Milly’s. If you would like to find out more about the facilities and the work we do at Highcroft Vets, take a look at our website www.highcroftvets.com.

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News what’s in store just days away The town’s old Co-op store is being transformed by Waitrose retail support manager Verity Prest, said: “We are thrilled to be part of a very vibrant community and we are very much looking forward to taking part in it.” As part of its work in the community, he said, representatives from the store would also be meeting with local schools to discuss how the firm could help them, through healthy eating campaigns or CV writing advice, for example. Three different local charities will also receive a share of

New link for town to superhospital Keynsham will get an enhanced direct link to Southmead Hospital as part of a shake-up of bus routes next month, First has announced. The new number 17 service will take passengers from Keynsham to the new superhospital via Hanham, Kingswood, Hillfields and Fishponds. It replaces the 507 service operated

by Wessex and will be run commercially by First. Many of the changes, which will take effect in April, are in response to Southmead Hospital’s redevelopment under which most major NHS services will transfer to the site from Frenchay. Timetables will be available at www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/ bristol_bath/ from mid-March.

£1,000 each month through the company’s Community Matters scheme, in which customers are given a token after every shop to put towards one of three good causes selected every month.

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News A step forward for Somerdale Plans to build up to 700 new homes at Somerdale in Keynsham have cleared another hurdle, winning outline planning permission from Bath and North East Somerset Council. Taylor Wimpey’s blueprint for the former chocolate factory site has been given the go-ahead by the local authority, after details relating to the ambitious plan were hammered out by the developer and the council. It brings a step closer the transformation of the complex into a new community with hundreds of new homes, employment, a primary school, a local centre with shops, medical centre, care home, as well as a new Fry Club and sports facilities. Demolition of Block D, one of the existing factory blocks, has already begun before work gets under way on building the new Fry Club, which will include new changing rooms, function rooms, a sports bar and skittle alley and a room for community groups.

Artist’s impression of how the Fry Club and pitches could look Charlie Joseph, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey Bristol, said: “We’re delighted that we are nearing the completion of the purchase of this prestigious development site in Keynsham. “As well as building muchneeded new homes – including affordable housing – our development will bring many additional benefits to the local area, including new employ-

ment opportunities as the build progresses.” The new homes will range from one-bedroom apartments to five-bed detached houses and the developer is already inviting potential buyers to register their interest on its website at www. taylorwimpey.co.uk. Councillor Paul Crossley, leader of B&NES Council, said: “Combined with the £34 million regeneration of the town centre,

this is another boost to revitalising Keynsham as a great place to live, work and visit. “The council has been working hard alongside Taylor Wimpey to ensure that Somerdale has the right balance of homes, workspace for new local jobs and community facilities. This is an exciting development that will benefit residents both now and for generations to come.” Once complete the site will also include a new FA-standard floodlit football pitch and two new cricket pitches in addition to 13 full-size and two junior football pitches, two existing cricket pitches and a nine-hole golf course which are being retained. The site will also include open space with a wildlife wetland area, riverside walks and cafe and a cycle/footbridge over the River Avon. Some of the existing factory buildings will also be kept to create 10,000 sq ft of space for employment.

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News Former pupils raise £1,900 for Wellsway’s popular Miss Taylor Hundreds of former Wellsway School pupils have sent cash and messages of support to a muchloved teacher whose bloodied and bruised photo made national headlines after she was attacked in January. Jennie (Jean) Taylor was left with nasty head injuries after she was assaulted in her own home in Totterdown on January 28. She was struck over the head by a man who came to the door of her house in Green Street, and who then stole £100 from her handbag. Her shocked former pupils, many of whom still live locally, rallied round to replace her lost cash and buy her a bunch of flowers – but have been overwhelmed by the response. Helene Cook set up a Facebook group to spread the word about the attack and the fundraising appeal – and the sum has now reached almost £1,900 as tributes pour in. Mum-of-two Helene, who has organised reunions with her old schoolmates before, said she had been in touch with retired English teacher Miss Taylor, who hopes to meet up with some of her former students soon when they will show her the messages they have received. “She was thrilled when I told her we’d raised £1,100 in two weeks. “We are hoping she will splash out on something for herself.

The Facebook page that has rallied support of former pupils

Jennie (Jean) Taylor pictured during her time at Wellsway School “We also have pages of messages to print out. She is so fondly remembered and the messages are really heart-felt, about how she inspired pupils – some have even gone on to teach English themselves. “She said she was surprised so many of us remembered her – but you wouldn’t forget a teacher who we thought of so fondly. She was always smiling at the front of the class.”

The messages and donations have come from nearly 550 former pupils who attended Wellsway School in the 1970s through to the 1990s, spanning 20 years of Miss Taylor’s teaching career. Helene said: “It think the message we are all sending her is ‘Thank you for what you did for us and recover soon’.” The man who carried out the attack on Miss Taylor is

described as white, in his late thirties or early forties and of medium build. He was possibly wearing a green/grey hooded top, a baseball cap, faded blue jeans and dark shoes. Appealing for information, Avon and Somerset Police Investigator Paul Hopes said: “We’ve had a lot of people get in touch with us either directly or through the media offering everything from flowers and money to free decorating work. “I’m really heartened at the public’s response to what has been an horrific ordeal for Jean.” A reward of up to £3,000 is being offered by the charity Crimestoppers for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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News Final curtain for theatre group An award-winning youth theatre company is bowing out after 22 years of entertaining audiences with their annual musical shows. Rising costs and falling membership are just two of the reasons behind the decision to disband the Keynsham Youth Theatre group, said chairman Graeme Savage. But the young performers plan to go out on high, putting on one last performance next month, which will be the national youth premiere of comedy musical The Decent Rogues. Mr Savage said the group had faced a difficult decision over keeping up standards in the current economic climate but the final show would be a celebration of what the group had achieved over the past two decades. He said: “Despite some generous support from The Great Western Round Table and Keynsham Town Council, rising costs and the current economic climate are making it very difficult to keep the group going as a viable proposition, without drastically impacting on the standards that we strive to, and feel that the young people involved in KYT deserve. Added to that, reduced demand through dwindling membership and audience numbers, and the changing personal circumstances of many involved with the group have all had an impact on finding the many committed volunteers essential to keep KYT going. “We have, though, taken the decision to be positive, and rather than let the group limp along and fade away, we should

Keynsham Youth Theatre perform The Wiz last year

use this final production to celebrate all that KYT has achieved in the last 22 years, and we’re

delighted that we are able to do this by being the first amateur company in the country to be given permission to present this award-winning new musical." Over the years, the young performers have brought hit shows such as Grease, Fame, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma and Guys and Dolls to local audiences, winning acclaim and a number of awards along the way. In 2010, KYT won the National Operatic and Dramatic Association’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for The Drowsy Chaperone, and in 2007 was invited to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London, in a gala for youth theatre companies. The performers have also appeared in many local events,

including Keynsham Music Festival, and has entertained guests at the annual Christmas Eve Reception hosted by Bath’s Royal Crescent hotel. Looking to the future, Mr Savage added: “We have to accept that this is a relatively expensive hobby, but with groups like Bath Dance College, Bath Academy of Musical Theatre and others providing excellent support for youngsters looking to pursue a serious career in the arts; with Fry’s Pantomime thriving, Keyford Dance School still performing locally, and smaller independent drama societies forming regularly, we are sure that the young people of Keynsham will still be well served with opportunities to perform.”

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News

Frack Free Somerset and Wales groups protest in Bridgend

The Decent Rogues

Anti-fracking group at demonstration

Broadlands Academy, April 9-12

Groups opposed to fracking took their campaign to the doorstep of one company that had hoped to win permission to carry out the controversial process in Keynsham. Members of Frack Free Somerset joined campaigners from Frack Free Wales in Bridgend to protest at the offices of UK Methane.

Keynsham Youth Theatre are ending their 22-year run with an award-winning musical created by two local writers. Romantic comedy caper The Decent Rogues was witten by Dan Lashbrook and Rob Pratt and has enjoyed a sellout run at London’s Bridewell Theatre and also claimed the National Operatic and Drama Association's award for Best Musical Production in 2011. Now it will be brought to the stage at Broadlands Academy from April 9-12, which will be the show’s national youth premiere. Mr Lashbrook said: “Rob and I are thrilled to see that The Decent Rogues is going to be performed again, and that Keynsham Youth Theatre are finding new life and energy in our characters and music. "Since the performances at the Bridewell Theatre,

we’ve had the two-piano score fully orchestrated by the highly respected Pete Readman, who worked on the music for the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, so we’re unbelievably excited about hearing our score played live by an 11-piece orchestra for the very first time.” The Decent Rogues focuses on two seemingly respectable businessmen who commit one crime each year, shaming the rich and giving back to the poor of the Edwardian village of Horston Barrow. They've decided on one last daring escapade but it all starts to go horribly wrong. The Decent Rogues will be performed at Broadlands Academy from April 9-12 at 7.30pm each evening. Tickets cost £8 and are on sale now from the Box Office on 01761 414957 or can be booked online at www. kyt.ticketsource.co.uk.

The firm was behind a proposal to carry out exploratory drilling at Hicks Gate, which has been temporarily withdrawn while the company focuses on other sites in South Wales and Somerset. The protest was part of Frack Free February, which saw the Somerset group hosting talks, film screenings, fundraising events and more.

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News Family ‘could be forced to move’ by new marina Planners will decide in a matter of weeks whether to give the goahead to a 326-berth marina on the River Avon in Keynsham. The scheme submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council in October would include a facilities building with toilets and showers, a reception, chandlery, tea room, office and parking for 144 cars. Objections have been raised, however, including from some already living on the river. The proposals for land off Broadmead Lane, near Avon Valley Country Park have been put forward by Enzygo Limited in partnership with Next Phase Development, which presented the plans to Keynsham Town Council last year, and on behalf of Wiltshire-based MJ Bendall and Partners Ltd. A report by the applicants

says the marina will create six new full-time jobs and four parttime posts and provide a significant proportion of the estimated 460 berths needed over the next 10 years in the region. It also estimates the site could turnover £1.2 million when fully occupied and adds: “Berth holders, visiting boaters and non-boating visitors to the marina will also spend money away from the marina site in local shops, pubs and restaurants close to the marina and along the canals.” During public consultation, which closed on March 6, 11 objections to the scheme had been received by the council. Boat owner Clare Devonport who lives on a narrow boat in Broadkey Moorings and said she feared the plans could force her family to move.

She said: “I think the plans as they stand are of too large a scale and need to be revised with greater consideration to risks of flooding, wildlife and provision for an existing residential community.” Flooding and the proposed access from Pixash Lane proved to be the main concerns for a number of the other objectors, including B&NES River Champion Dave Laming, who is also part of the River Regeneration Trust which is in the process of drawing up a strategy for riverside development for the Broadmead Peninsula, including a marina. The full plans and reports are available to read at www.bathnes. gov.uk, planning portal reference PP-02994434. A target date of May 19 has been set for a decision on the marina plans.

Skills fair to help young people take the next step A CV surgery, mock interviews and advice from a range of industry experts will be on offer to young people at the Bath Skills Fair. City of Bath College is hosting the event on March 12 for 15 to 25-year-olds to find out more about opportunities in the world of work. Representatives from local and national companies looking to recruit young people will be on

hand to discuss apprenticeships, jobs, sponsored degrees, paid gap years and voluntary work. Rotork will be one of the companies on the lookout for new apprentices, with current apprentices available on the day to talk about their roles. Other organisations will include Bath and North East Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Deloitte, KPMG, Wessex Water, the Brit-

ish Army, Fitness First, Barclays and UWE. Entry is free of charge and the event is open to school and college students from 12-3pm and to young people and their parents from 4pm-7pm. Visit www.bathskillsfair.com, email skillsfair@citybathcoll. ac.uk or call 01225 328720 for more information. You can also keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter @BathSkillsFair.

Butterflies hosts nearly-new sale A charity that supports families living with autism is holding a fundraising event and inviting the community to get involved. Butterflies-Haven is organising a nearly-new sale on Saturday, April 26, from 11am-1pm at St John’s Community Hall. Anyone who would like to rent a pitch at £10 should get in touch with the group on 0117 329 0123 or email butterflies.haven@ hotmail.com. The group has now settled into its new headquarters at the @One Centre at St John’s Church and its new group for older youngsters, Step-Up Youth Group, which was launched last year, has proved a great success. The charity’s goal for this year is to set up an agency to support young adults struggling to find employment. Founder Trisha Williams said: “This is another huge gap in the world of the autistic spectrum and can result in very dire scenarios, including severe mental health issues and vulnerability socially. I am sure we can achieve this goal and once done it will be a very unique aspect of our service.” Find out more about the charity’s work at www.butterflieshaven.co.uk.

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March, 2014

Youth and education Phoebe Bidgood, left, receives her award from B&NES Chairman Neil Butters and Curo’s Louise Swain; below, Mencap volunteer Grace O’Hara with Andrew

Time Out in our own words a babysitting course, first aid, drug awareness, sexual health and lots of other things. “Time Out out is a great place to learn and try new activities Phoebe

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Time Out is fun, full of projects and activities that young people can do and expand their skills. “We have karaoke, air hockey, table tennis, pool, Xbox, computers, free wi-fi, Garage Band and Logic Pro, art workshops. We learn new things including cooking,

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Meet new people and have a good time Iona

Keynsham Town Council Youth Service Time Out Drop-In Centre, 1-2 River Terrace, Temple Street, Keynsham Call Mark Willcox on 0117 986 8683 or email youthworker@keynsham-tc.gov.uk Open drop-in sessions: Mondays and Thursdays, 7-9.30pm. Project nights: Wednesdays, 7-9pm.

Say hello to new street team! StreetSpace Keynsham is the new collaborative approach to detached (street-based) youth work in the town. Youth workers from Keynsham Youth Service, Keynsham Parish and Keynsham Methodist Church are working together to engage with a range of young people in the places they are congregating. Currently workers can be found in and around the Memorial Park on a Monday evening and will soon be operating in the Queens Road/ Kelston Road area of the town on a Thursday evening. StreetSpace is a national organisation that aims to promote young people’s personal, social and spiritual development in line with the core youth

work principles of empowerment, education, participation, and equality of opportunity. Richard Passmore, national team leader of StreetSpace, said: “Our aim is to help local projects deliver innovative youth work on the streets and in the community. In Keynsham, the partnership in this work of several youth providers is exciting and something we are seeing increasingly across the country in these financially challenging times.” Look out for your local team of detached youth workers in Keynsham and do come and say hello! Dan Crouch StreetSpace Keynsham Team Leader

Honours for our young volunteers A Keynsham teenager who has led a group of other young people in improving sites around the town has been named B&NES Young Volunteer Leader of the Year. Phoebe Bidgood, who chairs the Time Out Task Force group, was presented with the accolade at the Bath and North East Somerset Council 2013/14 Chairman's Community Awards last month. Youth worker Mark Willcox said: “It’s excellent to see Phoebe receive this award. The work she has done is really commendable and she’s a great role model for young people in Keynsham.” The Time Out Task Force is sponsored by Curo through its Neighbour Hoodies project, which sees young people taking on jobs such as repairs or repainting, asking the community how they can help make a positive difference. Phoebe has chaired the group for two years and said: “Being a Neighbour Hoodie in Keynsham has given our group far more recognition with members of the public for the work we do and the difference we make in our neighbourhoods. The extra-curricular activities are great for our CVs and have already opened doors for me personally in getting work experience.” Also being honoured at the ceremony at the Guildhall was 18-year-old Grace O'Hara, who has been volunteering at Keynsham and District Mencap Society (KDMS) for the past four

years. Grace was named Young Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to the charity where she supports the Thursday 18+ Club and volunteers on day trips and holidays. Laura Jefferies, the manager at KDMS, said: “Grace is a fantastic young lady and a true inspiration. “We are delighted she has won this award and that her commitment, contribution and dedication has been recognised." Councillor Neil Butters, chairman of the council, said: “The volunteers, community leaders and businesses that make such a fantastic contribution to the local community and inspire others to get involved to shaping the future of their community have been celebrated through these awards. “I’d like to thank everyone who made a nomination and congratulate all of those people who received an award.”

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March, 2014

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Youth and education

Time to celebrate reading!

Vitali’s work in focus at show Keynsham photography student Vitali Lazitski unveiled his work to the public at an exhibition in Bristol last month. Street scenes and unusual characters spotted in Bath provided the inspiration for his black and white documentary photography, which was displayed at Paintworks Event Space in Brislington. Vitali was exhibiting highlights from his A level coursework alongside other creative arts students from St Brendan’s Sixth Form College. Art gallery owners were among the guests at the event,

which also welcomed friends and family of the artists, photographers, designers and teaching staff from the college. Graphic artist Ian "Swifty" Swift opened the show and said he was impressed with the standard of the work on display. Simeon Arnold, curriculum manager for creative arts at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College said: “I am very proud of the effort that the students have put into their work and am delighted to be able to give them the opportunity to showcase their key pieces at this public event.”

World Book Day is a celebration! It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world. This is the 17th year there’s been a World Book Day, and on March 6, 2014, children of all ages came together to appreciate reading. Very loudly and very happily. The main aim of World Book Day in the UK is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. It’s all about getting kids closer to the books and

authors they already love, and letting them discover more books and authors they’ll love every bit as much in the future. Complete Control, based in Corston, has been producing for the last three years the hugely popular World Book Day website and this year’s website we’re taking one step further. We are launching a new online, interactive web tool aimed at children, which will take them through the seven stages of storytelling to create their own story, while getting hints and tips from authors, either to get started, to keep going, to get their story back on track, or to help them to get over the “blank piece of paper moment”. Visit www.worldbookday. com and get involved with all the amazing content the website has to offer.

YourNews Got a story about your school, club or youth group? Tell us about it at news@ keynshamvoice.co.uk or call 07887 561567.

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March, 2014

Youth and education Cadet aims to Young foragers invited make the finals on Easter exploration A Keynsham cadet has made it to the regional finals in this year’s CVQO Duke of Westminster Award. Victoria Brimming, 18, will battle it out in the next stage of the competition with 23 other young cadets in a gruelling four-day selection in Somerset in April, which will put her teamwork, leadership and communication skills to the test. She will be competing to be named one of nine finalists in the prestigious Award, which recognises outstanding cadets from across the country. As part of the Somerset challenge, the cadets can also gain a Level 3 qualification in Leadership and Management from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). If named a finalist, Victoria, who is a member of 2386 (Keynsham) Air Training Corps, will be rewarded with a three-week educational expedition to South Africa.

Youngsters are invited to get a taste for foraging this Easter as local expert Chris Westgate leads a morning walk in the countryside. Children will be introduced to a wide array of edible wild plants, collecting ingredients to make soup and pesto while learning the golden rule – never to eat anything they find unless they have checked with Chris first. Chris, who owns Keynshambased Heavenly Hedgerows and produces drinks and food from foraged goodies, said: “Even a short walk along a hedgerow can provide a huge range of tastes and texture for the young forager. Particularly in the springtime there is a bounty of fresh greens ready to liven up your taste buds." The walk will begin at Newton Farm Shop, at Newton St Loe, where wild treats on offer should

include wild garlic, nettles, dandelions and more. Spaces are limited on the Easter walk, which will be held on Wednesday, April 9, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and booking is essential. Tickets cost £12.50 for children, to include a colouring competition, hot chocolate and a chocolate brownie, a light

lunch as well as a basic guide to foraging and a jar of pesto to take away. Adult tickets are £7.50 to include tea or coffee and a biscuit, and a light lunch. To book and for further information, contact Roz Golding on 01225 873707 or email roz. golding@newtonfarmfoods.co.uk or celia@newtonfarmfoods.co.uk or visit the shop.

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TER T E

News

Photo: Sophie Blakeley

Members of Keynsham Royal British Legion’s Women’s Section pose for a 2014 charity calendar, which has raised £881

I’m hounded for driving at 20mph I fully understand and appreciate the need for a 20mph limit on roads around schools in Keynsham. However, while driving up the Wellsway and keeping to the limit I have been hounded by motorists behind me on several occasions. I have had lights flashed at me, horns blown at me and on more than one occasion motorists overtaking me. Is it really necessary to have a 20mph limit at all times? I would have thought a 20mph limit between the hours of 8am and 9am and 3pm to 4.30pm would be sufficient and also reduce the possibility of accidents caused by irate and impatient motorists. Name supplied

Thanks to all who supported calendar On behalf of the ladies of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section Keynsham branch I would like to thank everyone who purchased their 2014 calendar. Extra special thanks go to l ocal photographer Sophie Blakeley, printer allmedia of Longwell Green, all sponsors and to Emma and staff at Keynshamvoice for designing the adverts. Without all of your help this venture would not have been possible.

The sale of the calendars exceeded all expectations and raised £881, which will be sent to the 2014 Poppy Appeal and to the RBLWS Benevolent Fund. Thank you all once again for your support and generosity. Betty Dixon, Secretary, Royal British Legion Women's Section, Keynsham Branch. (Charity no 219279)

Farce on roads caused by speed limit must be reviewed While I have resisted commenting on the 20mph speed limit, letters from Mr Woodham/ Alastair Singleton have prompted me to do so. I’m amazed that people are surprised that some motorists ignore the new limit. It’s because they know they can. Why? Because the police have openly stated that they do not have the

Residents invited to network event

March, 2014

manpower to enforce it. So why introduce it? It is clear that Charlton Road has a problem with speeding, but a blanket 20mph limit over most of Keynsham will not solve it. Money should have been spent at the heart of the problem, not willy-nilly without any thought. Did our councillors sit down with the police before making their

decision? If not, why not? As tempers flare among those who choose to ignore any speed limit and those of us trying to comply, this farce needs to be seriously reviewed. Being unable to get out of third gear is very annoying! John Howlett. Keynsham

Residents are invited to find out more about activities and services offered by a range of community groups at an event this month. Keynsham Town Council is hosting its second Community Networking Evening on Wednesday, March 26, at Wellsway School from 7-8.30pm. Clubs, groups, charities and more will have stalls at the event with representatives available to speak to visitors who want to find out more. A council spokesperson said the evening was ideal for those who wanted to join a new club, find out about support services, volunteer on a project or make contact with local community groups. For more information, contact Dawn Drury, deputy town clerk at Keynsham Town Council’s offices, 15-17 Temple Street, call 0117 986 8683 or email deputytownclerk@keynsham-tc.gov.uk.

Park flashmob A flashmob planned for last month in Keynsham Memorial Park has been postponed until April, say organisers. The event, which aims to celebrate the best of the town, involving a range of community groups, is a collaboration between Time Out Youth Drop-In Service and Fringe Arts Bath (FAB). A photo will be taken of all those who attend the event at the Bandstand to display at the FAB Festival 2014 from May 23 to June 8. Follow @FringeArtsBath on Twitter for the latest updates.

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News

The Dame in rehearsal with one of the ‘Babes’

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March, 2014

Panto season isn’t over yet! If you thought panto season was over, fear not – the Keynsham Parish Players are promising to create plenty of traditional panto fun this month. The group will be staging A Sherwood Tale, their original version of Babes in the Wood, which was a sell-out when it was performed a few years ago at Wellsway School. Now updated and with an enthusiastic cast who have been rehearsing for months, the date has been set to lift the curtain and entertain audiences at St John’s Church Hall from March 20 to 22. A spokesperson said: “There is an heroic principal boy, with his followers, an hilarious dame with her elaborate costumes and risqué character and also a beautiful heroine and two very cute ‘babes’.

“Of course, there has to be a wicked villain with his sidekicks, and the fairy queen who uses her magic to bring everything to a satisfactory conclusion. “In fact, there are all of the characters, the romance, the devilry, and the laughter that you expect to see in a well-written, compelling and thoroughly entertaining pantomime. It’s not to be missed.” A Sherwood Tale: Our original version of Babes in the Wood is at St John’s Church Hall, Keynsham from March 20-22 at 7.30pm each evening with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday, March 22. Tickets are £7/£5 conc, and are available from the Parish Office on 0117 986 3354, mornings only, from cast members or on the door. Profits will go to local charities.

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March, 2014

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News All welcome at walkers event The group behind plans to put Keynsham on the map for walkers is holding its first public meeting this month. Residents and traders are invited to find out more about the bid to link Keynsham to the national Walkers are Welcome network on March 20. If the bid is successful, a walking festival could also be held later in the year to celebrate the town’s inclusion. The initiative aims to make towns and villages across the country more attractive to walkers by promoting local walks and maintaining and improving facilities such as footpaths and signposts as well as aiming to bring benefits to the communities involved in the form of extra tourism and encouraging more people to walk and use public transport in their own areas. More than 100 towns and villages are part of the network, including Bradford-on-Avon and Winchcombe in the West Country. The Keynsham steering group has been working since November to raise support for the scheme, gathering signatures from residents to support the bid, speaking to businesses and getting feedback from local walking groups. Keynsham Town Council has agreed to pay the £50 membership fee. A spokesperson said the group had also visited many pubs, restaurants and cafes to discuss the benefits of organised

walks visiting their premises and added: “Not only will the scheme enhance the standing of the town, with national recognition, but also benefit the residents and traders alike.” Members of the public are invited to the open meeting on March 20 at 7pm at the Old Manor House Hotel, Bristol Road, Keynsham, where the owners have waived the room hire fee. Members of the steering group will be available to answer questions and let people know how they can get involved. Anyone who wants to get in touch with the steering group can email chairman David Johnson at davidgeojohnson@yahoo. co.uk. More information is also available at www.walkersare welcome.org.uk.

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March, 2014

Advertising feature The Dining Rooms serving up quality and good value The Dining Rooms have come to Keynsham. Empresses Catering Company have recently taken over The Ship Inn’s Restaurant and with great success.

Chef David Yeomans and his team of cooks and serving staff offer a great inexpensive lunch or evening meal out, with a wide range of meals just two for £12.99 and there very wellpriced £5 lunch. The curries come highly recommended, equalling what you would expect in a top Indian restaurant. Chef and owner David Yeomans comes from a

background of catering with his own well-established catering company and other food outlets. David has brought some life to the restaurant with a small makeover in The Dining Rooms and daily changing specials with a great range of locally sourced products. Pieminister pies are a sure winner and only cost £7.95 on a bed of creamy mash with seasonal vegetables and thick gravy, the best price by far in Keynsham with other competitors charging £9.50 for the same dish. The restaurant offers a wide, varied menu with table service from 6pm daily. The Upper Dining Room is available for private dining and parties and is completely free of charge when

you use the catering facilities. Buffets are available from just £4.95pp . Traditional Sunday roasts are served every week from noon to 6pm with a choice of four changing meats (always including Bridgewater Beef and Bridgewater Lamb) and a

vegetarian option priced at just £7.95. We recommend booking if you want to come between noon and 2pm as the restaurant can be at maximum capacity. The open fire is inviting, especially when it is so bitterly cold outside. The Lounge is cosy and is the perfect place to sit with breakfast, reading your copy of the Keynshamvoice with a hot, freshly-ground coffee.

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March, 2014

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News Lions leap to aid of flood victims Local fundraisers hit the High Street last month to collect cash to help the Somerset communities so badly affected by the recent severe flooding. Keynsham residents gave generously to the Lions Club Keynsham’s collection on February 15, adding £1,325 to the Flood Relief Fund launched by District Governor Lion Marianne Warren of Lions District 105SW. She said: “We in the Lions District 105SW are exceptionally grateful to our neighbouring district 10W and in particular the Lions Club of Keynsham, who once again were setting the pace for disaster collection. We are also most grateful to other Lions Clubs in other parts of the country.” The Keynsham Lions were on the High Street from 9am until 3pm with their collecting buckets and said many passers-by were

pleased to see the efforts to help those struggling as a result of the floods. Media Officer for the Lions Club of Keynsham, Lion Alan Hale, said: “Yet again the local community in Keynsham and Saltford and visitors to the town have been so very generous and they were so pleased to see that we were collecting to help people whose lives have been put in suspension just 40 miles down the road. “The effect on their lives is very difficult to comprehend but we were pleased that we could be the key for local people to help their near neighbours.” The Lions administering the Flood Relief Fund will be given the details of those most in need by the Somerset Community Foundation. Every penny will be spent on helping local flood victims

Photo: John Watts

Keynsham resident Sheila Crocombe donates to the appeal with collector Lion Alan Hale and the Keynsham Lions will be adding a further £1,000 they had previously raised and will pass on donations from other local organisations. Keynsham Lions President Lion Stephanie Louis said: “I believe that the local community are always willing to support any collection we carry out because

they know that we guarantee that every penny collected goes to the cause that it is collected for.” Anyone interested in learning more about the Lions Club of Keynsham and how they might join them can visit the website at www.keynshamlions.org.uk or they call 0845 8339817 (local rate calls) for an informal chat.

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March, 2014

News If you cycle, then have your say Whether it’s more bike parking, new traffic-free routes or improvements to existing cycle tracks, cyclists in Keynsham can raise the issues affecting them on the journeys they make. Jessica Fox-Taylor, who lives in the town, is hoping to be joined by other residents when she sits on Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Cycle Forum on the second Tuesday of every other month as a Keynsham representative. The group, whose meetings are open to the public, puts forward ideas, suggests improvements and comments on major schemes that could have an impact on cyclists across B&NES – including large developments like Somerdale. One of the recent plans put before the group was for a “shared space” for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles in Keynsham’s new town centre. Jessica said: “This is a really big thing for the area and I want to make sure enough Keynsham residents are involved in discussing these major developments. “The forum gets consulted when major traffic schemes are being considered, such as the plans for Keynsham town centre. “The biggest problem for cyclists in Keynsham is narrow roads and the fact there is no real network of cycle routes – the railway path is just out of our reach with no off-road, traffic-free routes, so leisure cycling is not great for Keynsham.” The forum could play a large role in putting forward sugges-

Jessica FoxTaylor, left, with Breeze rider Tamzin

Breeze Rides A cycling group for women who are new to cycling or are getting back on their bikes after a long break is being trialled in Keynsham, growing to more routes and longer distances if there is enough interest. Jessica Fox-Taylor also leads women-only Breeze Rides as a volunteer with British Cycling and is hoping to set up a group in her hometown. The rides she currently runs in Bath use the Two Tunnels track and Bristol-Bath cycle path and are around five to 10 tions for better links for cycle routes around the town and, with more housing developments on the horizon, ensuring the schemes meet the needs of local cyclists, Jessica added. “I know the routes I cycle and where I would like to cycle, but

miles long. She said: “I would love to run something closer to home. Breeze Rides support those who just want a gentle ride and they won’t be pushed to go beyond their ability. “Cycling is really handy for short journeys, saves money and is great for the freedom of being out and about in the open – I absolutely love seeing kids cycling with their mums on the Breeze Rides.” Jessica has set up a series of five short, traffic-free rides to gauge interest in a local group. They will run fortnightly from that’s just one person and one small set of routes. More people can feed in more ideas and identify the links that can be mapped so that we can put them forward to the council.” The B&NES Cycle Forum meets every other month on

Sunday, March 30, starting from the Bird in Hand car park at 2.30pm, and running along the Bristol-Bath Railway Path towards Bitton and Warmley. Rides are free to attend, but are limited to eight places per ride. To register search for the rides at www.goskyride.com. The link to register on the first ride is http://bit.ly/1fBYNc1 Anyone who is interested in finding out out more can email bathbreeze1@gmail.com, follow on twitter @bath_breeze or like the Facebook group BreezeBath. the second Tuesday every other month and the next meeting is Tuesday, March 11, at 6pm at the Guildhall, Bath. To find out more about the forum and getting involved email Jessica at bathbreeze1@gmail. com.

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March, 2014

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News Work begins on Avon Promenade Work is due to begin this month on a track that will eventually take cyclists and walkers from Keynsham all the way to Hotwells in the heart of Bristol. The Avon Promenade project will get under way at Clarence Road, in Redcliffe on Monday, March 10. This first phase of the scheme is a 700-metre-long, two-way cycle track next to the River Avon at a cost of £380,000. The Avon Promenade will follow the area’s waterways and provide a traffic-free route for cyclists and walkers. Bristol mayor George Ferguson said similar schemes had been successful in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. “This scheme is exactly what we are going to see more of in Bristol as cycling and walking routes are improved so that

anyone aged eight to 80 can feel that they have an option to travel in this way. “We’ve used funds from the Sustainable Transport Fund and the Local Enterprise Zone as the first step towards making this part of Bristol a more accessible, safer and pleasant place to walk and cycle. “I’ve seen this sort of cycle track used successfully in the Netherlands and in Copenhagen, this year’s European Green Capital and separation really works where roads are busy and we can find the room. “New infrastructure such as this is backed up by wider measures such as cycle training, working with employers, the freight industry, police and Driving Standards Agency to help make cycling a more regular, normal and safer experience.”

YourNewsYourViews Got a story? Tell us about it at news@keynshamvoice.co.uk or call 07887 561567. Share your views with us at the same email address or write to us at Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR.

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March, 2014

News Meet the team the emergency For those forced to flee their homes in the event of a fire the sight of a fire engine, sirens blazing and crew on the alert, must be a welcome one. But as the firefighters on board get to work tackling the blaze it is perhaps a vehicle that arrives soon after that provides the most immediate relief to those left with nothing more than the clothes they stand in. Driving this second vehicle are volunteers from the British Red Cross, called in by the emergency services to provide support and practical help to those who suddenly find themselves homeless – whether through fire, flood or even a power cut. The vehicle driven by the charity’s Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS), which is based at Keynsham fire station, is a mobile shelter filled with the things someone facing this kind of crisis might need in the hours after being forced out of their homes, from a cup of tea to a

supportive, fully trained listening ear. Holly James, FESS Gloucestershire co-ordinator, said: “When someone has a fire or emergency and is displaced from their home we offer support, we look after them while firefighters tackle the fire and provide immediate, temporary shelter, emotional support, clothing, toiletries and refreshments. We’ve got blankets, a shower and cooker onboard the vehicle, we can help people with sorting out somewhere else to go if need be and have phone numbers of other services to give people. “When something like a fire happens it makes you realise how many things you need – we even have items for pets, such as dog bowls and leads. They have thought of everything.” Each volunteer is fully trained in providing the emotional support needed and they can even accompany the victims as they go back inside their homes for the

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March, 2014

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News services will call on in a crisis first time after the fire crews have made it safe. Fire isn’t the only eventuality the team find themselves dealing with, as they can be called on to help households during a power cut, were on standby during the recent severe floods and are currently in talks with local search and rescue services to provide support to people with missing loved ones. The FESS team and their vehicle have been based at Keynsham fire station in Temple Street for around 15 years. There are currently 15 volunteers – a number the team would like to double with a recruitment drive at the end of this month. The team is available around the clock, 365 days of the year, with two volunteers on call during each shift, carrying a pager which is contacted by the fire service when support is needed. Volunteers then have 30 minutes to get to the fire station and get on their way to the scene

of the latest emergency. With varied backgrounds, most of the team have full-time jobs, said Holly, while others are retired and available during the daytime.

“Volunteers are all different ages and they all get involved for different reasons,” she said. “For some it’s a cause close to their hearts, some just want to

help others, and some have been with the Red Cross for years. It’s definitely a rewarding role, it makes the volunteers proud that they help people, that’s what they enjoy.” The FESS open day will be held at Keynsham fire station on Saturday, March 29, from 2-4pm, when the team’s vehicle and its equipment will be on show and volunteers will be available to answer any questions and explain the role they play in more detail. The FESS team also rely fully on their own fundraising efforts, with volunteers coming up with ideas to bring in the donations, which this year could include a sponsored cyclathon. For more information on the Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service, drop in at the Keynsham open day or call Holly James on 0117 3012632 or James Roberts on 0117 301 2619. More information is also available at the British Red Cross website www.redcross.org.uk.

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March, 2014

Duncan’s Corner with Saltford resident Duncan Hounsell British Summer time begins on Sunday, March 30, when the clocks go forward one hour. We will all adjust our clocks while bemoaning the “lost” hour. Clocks have a strong appeal to our emotions. The recently renovated clock on the Church Hall, Saltford, is a lovely timepiece in the heart of the “old village”. The now removed clocktower at Keynsham was an iconic landmark, whatever one thought about its appearance. While useful and decorative, there was a time when having a reliable clock could be a matter of life and death. In the past, any sailor could gauge how far north or south of the Equator (Latitude) he was by the position of the Pole Star at night or the height of the sun. However, working out how far east or west (longitude) was

St Mary’s Church Hall clock and , right, Keynsham’s old clocktower a huge problem. The Earth takes 24 hours to rotate and so one hour marks 15 degrees. As a ship moved east or west, the sun rises at different times. When

the sun was overhead the sailor could set a clock to noon local time and compare with a clock showing the time in the home port. Every hour’s difference

meant 15 degrees longitude. The problem was that until a few hundred years ago there was no clock that could keep time on the deck of a rolling ship in all weathers. As a result, ships became lost, crashed onto rocks, or were at sea longer than they need have been, condemning sailors to scurvy and hunger. In 1714, Parliament passed the Longitude Act with a prize of millions of pounds to anyone who could solve the problem. Between 1730 and 1760, a man of humble origins, John Harrison, developed clocks and watches of incredible beauty that worked. Sailors literally owed their lives to Harrison and his clocks. Perhaps we should not get too annoyed on Sunday, March 30, as we give our clocks that extra bit of attention.

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March, 2014

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Early Years Great start to learning

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Learning is fun. At Here We Grow we know that children learn from everything they see, hear and do. Children learn best when they are happy, through play and from being actively involved, excited and interested in what they are doing. At Here We Grow we firmly believe in providing a wide range of play-based activities and experiences for children to allow them to learn effectively. Each child is viewed as a unique individual with their own needs, opinions and interests. As far as possible we plan for each individual child, using our observations of their needs, interests and developmental stage as a starting point to extend their learning and introduce them to new experiences and concepts as appropriate. We believe it is also important for children that we introduce, encourage and foster new inter-

ests in a broad range of areas so they have as extensive a range of experiences as possible. This is done through carefully thoughtout, enriched termly themes. Despite the rain, spring is in the air we are looking at “Spring” as a theme this term – reading stories and singing songs about spring, taking our magnifying glasses for jolly welly walks to look for signs of spring in the mud. Now at Here We Grow we’ve got two young guinea pigs

for the children to learn to care for and a regular visitor who teaches the children French. We have a concert at the end of every term, which always incorporates a French song. Led by qualified teachers, our aim is to provide a learning environment which enables children to feel secure and confident enough to take risks in their learning and to learn through “trial and error”, discovery and exploration. Children are able to self-select resources and encouraged to use them in innovative and creative ways to extend their play and thinking, learning to happily share and communicate with each other. “Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the preschool because they are well supported by a skilled and knowledgeable staff team.” Ofsted 2012/3

Try therapy on the trampoline Children with any special needs and their siblings are welcome to join our Froggies sessions at Kingswood Gymnastics where they have use of all gymnastic equipment, air-track and trampolines. Children learn to jump, balance, roll and land safely under supervision of our qualified instructors and work for awards. We also offer one-to-one individual rebound sessions. Rebound therapy is a form of physiotherapy, using the trampolines to provide therapeutic exercises to people with a wide range of disabilities and special needs. It involves using the moving bed of the trampoline to provide movement in the participant. Sessions are available daytime and weekends for just £12 per half hour. We are a well-established centre and also offer recreational and artistic gymnastics, trampolining, pre-school sessions and birthday parties. Call 0117 947 6449.  See advert on Page 28

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Early Years

March, 2014

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Youngsters take part in a Children in Need tapathon

Dancing for decades at school! The Keyford Dancing School is now in its 40th year and offers pre-school ballet-based classes for children from two and a half in Keynsham and Saltford. As well as ballet, children, at the school have the opportunity to attend modern classes on

Tuesday or tap on Fridays. All class times and venues can be found on the website www.keyforddancingschool.co.uk . Older pupils can enter examinations, medal tests and take part in shows and displays. Classes for all age groups.

Inspiring little stars for 20 years Happy 20th birthday to the Helen Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Grady Drama Academy who started their first successful drama classes way back in 1994! Dynamic developmental drama classes in Keynsham, Bishopston, Almondsbury, Portishead, Westbury-On-Trym, Redland and Downend are held weekly for children from ages five to 18 and on Thursday evenings there is a special adult acting class which will bring out the child in you! The curriculum is second to none and written by qualified Speech and Drama teachers. Each term, parents are invited in to see the class in action and in the summer term all classes will be taking part in a special year-end show to be held at the

prestigious Redgrave Theatre in Clifton in July. Each class aims to develop creativity, language and communication skills as well as being great fun! For more information, call 0117 900 1602, email bristol@ helenogrady.co.uk and check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/HelenOGradyBristol to see how much fun they have!

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March, 2014

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Early Years Learn from the best this summer ADVERTISING FEATURE

Performing Arts Summer School children aged between two and a half and 19 years are hoping the Bristol School of Performing Arts Summer School at White Hart Lodge on Brislington Hill will be their first step to a life treading the boards in musical venues around the country. The Summer School will take place this year from Monday, July 28, to Saturday, August 2. The school, which is run by John Redgrave, has the reputation of being a first-class teaching establishment from where big-budget theatrical productions at the Hippodrome and Bath Theatre Royal trawl for young talented musicians, actors, singers and dancers. The school counts among its patrons such familiar names as Bill Kenwright, known for his successful West End productions, and Vanessa Redgrave, who is in fact John Redgrave’s cousin. Professional artists who will be at the Summer School and

inspiring young performers are Gemma O’Duffy who appeared in the film and stage versions of Les Miserables, and Elysia Lawrence-Tebb, an internationally renowned choreographer and others still to be announced. The Bristol School of Performing Arts has existed in the

city for over 40 years offering young people from the age of four to adulthood the chance to experience every aspect of theatre – drama, dance, acting, mime, singing, as well as finding out what goes on behind the

scenes in sound, lighting and make-up. Mr Redgrave has been in the entertainment profession for over 50 years and has experience in all areas of showmanship. As a director he has worked with many famous stars, including Norman Wisdom, Ken Dodd, Frankie Howerd, Tony BenF nett n and Sarah Brightman. He is also highly regarded in the theatrical world for his skills t as a a producer and lighting designer. d John moved to the theatre school to the former landmark s pub p in Brislington four years ago, as he was of the opina ion io that youngsters are very keen to perform but really k prefer to go somewhere other p than their local community t centre or church hall to exhibit their creativity. He believes they enjoy attending a venue that is completely dedicated to the performing arts and takes them away from their local school environment.

Children from the BSPA have made appearances in many productions over the years, including The Lion King, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Sound of Music. Last year, a team of 20 children appeared in Evita at the Bristol Hippodrome and two teams of 40 children in Joseph at the same theatre giving the young performers an affordable chance to work alongside seasoned professionals and to regularly experience the learning curve of appearing on the stage of a number one touring theatre. So why not take the opportunity of a free trial session, or apply to join our Summer School and work with professional directors, choreographers and vocal coaches, all of whom are still very actively engaged in the profession and visit us from their London base for this very special week. Phone 07714 495373 or ask at White Hart Lodge for a Saver Card enabling payment to be made in instalments for as little as £5.

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News Beer festival to return Tickets for Keynsham Cricket Club’s 2014 Beer and Cider Festival are now available following last year’s sell-out inaugural event. As well as cider and ale the festival will also offer live music, activities for children and refreshments when it returns on May 4. Tickets cost £5, including a commemorative glass and a token for a first drink, and must be bought in advance. More than 800 people attended last year’s debut festival, with tickets selling out two weeks before the day itself. Keynsham’s chairman Derek Joyce said: “We were delighted with the success of last year’s event and we’re determined to make this year’s even bigger and better. “We will be offering a tremendous range of local ciders and real ales as well as top quality catering, live music and entertainment for the kids.

March, 2014

Discuss issues with MP at surgeries

Bath and North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg will be holding surgeries for residents on the following dates in March and April: Saturday, March 8, at 3pm in Chew Magna; Friday, March 14, at 2.30pm in Saltford; Saturday, March 22, at 3pm in Peasedown St John; Saturday, April 5, at 10.30am in Paulton; Saturday, April 12, at 3pm in Midsomer Norton, and Friday, April 25, at 4pm in Batheaston. Call 0117 987 2313 or email jacob.reesmogg.mp@parliament. uk to make an appointment.

First-choice school for 93% of pupils Guests pictured at last year’s Beer and Cider Festival “If any local businesses want to get involved in the event we have some great sponsorship deals available that can be tailored to meet your needs.”

Tickets for the festival are available from the Keynsham CC clubhouse or online at www.kccbeerandciderfestival. co.uk.

A Keynsham school is among a number in B&NES that are oversubscribed for the September 2014 intake, the council has revealed. More youngsters have applied to Wellsway School than there are available spaces in Year 7 in the new school year this autumn.

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March, 2014

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News The other schools which are oversubscribed for the September 2014 intake are Beechen Cliff School, Hayesfield School, Oldfield School, Ralph Allen School, St Gregory’s School and Writhlington School. However, 93 per cent of pupils in B&NES have been offered a place at their first preference school for September.

Can you take the heat for firewalk?

People willing to walk over red-hot embers in the name of charity are need for a fundraising event. The St Peter’s Hospice Firewalk is being held in Bristol’s Millennium Square on Friday, March 21, where 70 people will walk over 4.5 metres of wooden embers, which can reach 500C. Professional instructors will be on hand to ensure participants can take the heat. Registration for the event costs £20 and it is hoped that participants will raise a minimum of £175. To sign up, visit the website at www.stpeters hospice.org

Road closure to remain in place for six months A road closure that has seen traffic diverted on to some routes around Keynsham and Saltford will remain in place for another six months, the council has said. A landslip following the recent downpours closed the A431 Kelston Road in mid-February and several diversions have been in place since, directing traffic towards the Keynsham bypass, the A431 to Willsbridge and the A4175 towards Hicks Gate, among other routes. Bath and North East Somerset Council has employed some of the latest technology to determine the cause and severity of the landslip, including ground radar technology, expert independent geotechnical engineers and drilling rigs, as well as CCTV. A council statement said up to 20 boreholes would now need to be drilled, including on land

either side of the road, and additional excavations would examine the ground below. It continued: “The works so far have indicated that the ground is slipping by as much as seven metres below the road surface. “Due to the complexity of this problem, the council will need to complete an analysis and design of permanent works to the best repair in terms of cost, effectiveness and completion time. “Based upon a comparison with with similar landslips elsewhere in the country the works will take at least six months to complete. “Closing the road is not a decision we have taken lightly. We understand the impact on people’s journeys – but the safety of the travelling public is absolutely paramount and until there

is a solution in place we cannot consider allowing vehicles, cyclists or people on foot to use this stretch of highway. It is simply too dangerous.” Following the recent bad weather, work on drainage on the Bristol-Bath cycle path at the junction of the A4 and A36 is planned after the site flooded. The work is part of a programme of major improvements to the cycle route in 2014/15. The 200-metre section was closed while the water was pumped away and the path was reopened after.

YourNews Got a story? Tell us about it at news@keynshamvoice. co.uk or call 07887 561567.

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News Former school staff visited the renovated Temple Primary School in October to see its transformation into new homes

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March, 2014

Accolade for work on school

by Rebecca Day

A developer has received an award for its work carried out on a Keynsham listed building. Whitecroft Developments Ltd achieved the Building Quality Award for its work on the former Temple Primary School on Bath Hill, which has now been developed into homes. Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Building Control Awards ceremony took place on February 14 at the Bath Guildhall. The awards, which are in their 14th year, aim to promote and reward builders and designers who have undertaken work in the Bath and North East Somerset area, and excelled in their achievements. The awards were presented by Don Foster MP for Bath, Elaine Marson, chair of the Bath Stone Group, which sponsors the awards, the chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Councillor Neil Butters and Philip Mansfield, the build-

ing control manager for Bath & North East Somerset Council. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for homes and planning, said: “Once again the judges have been impressed by the good number of high quality nominations. The winners cover the wide range of quality work undertaken in our area from small domestic extensions to larger commercial schemes and works to listed buildings.” The winners of the awards received an inscribed Bath Aqua glass bowl and framed certificate. Winners from these awards will be entered into the regional Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence awards and possibly then into the national LABC Building Excellence awards. Other winners included Newland Homes for its work at Seven Dwellings on Park Road and Gratton Ltd for its work on Copperlea, Mead Lane, Saltford.

One of the listed building’s distinctive windows

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March, 2014

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News Bringing rural web up to speed by Rebecca Day

An ultra-fast broadband service has launched at a farm shop in Newton St Loe, in a bid to enhance communication between rural communities in B&NES and cities. The broadband was launched at Newton Farm shop by North East Somerset MP, Jacob ReesMogg, and Wansdyke Telecom CIC director David Bland. A demonstration was given at the shop where visitors were able to Skype Chris Conder, who is from Broadband for the Rural North – a company which inspired Wansdyke. Properties already connected to the Wansdyke fibre optic network have been receiving speeds in excess of 700 megabits per second. Mr Rees-Mogg said: “The lifeblood for rural communities over the next 100 years is how we communicate with the outside world.

Jacob ReesMogg with Wansdyke Telecom CIC director Evan Wienburg “Wansdyke is enabling businesses and homes in the region to access the high-speed communications that are currently only available in cities. “It is going to preserve the welfare of rural communities, and allow us to lead the lives we want to lead."

Mr Bland added: “Newton Farm Shop is now clearly the fastest farm shop in the West. Customers can now access ultrafast broadband speeds while they sip their coffee or buy local produce. “We’re demonstrating what a rural business can achieve

with a truly high quality, really fast broadband connection.” Wansdyke plans to expand its base around Newton St Loe, reaching out to the most rural communities in NE Somerset. The telecoms company will announce its full range of products and pricing next month.

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March, 2014

News New family-run cafe hopes to help others through Fairtrade The owner of a new cafe in Saltford is whole-heartedly backing the community's support for the Fairtrade movement. Matthew Joyner, from Keynsham, has launched Verona Coffee Shop on Bath Road and says Fairtrade goods will be at the heart of the venture. He said: “I think it is extremely important that suppliers in Third World countries are supported to help give them the opportunities to support their own families. It is completely unfair that certain national organisations use their dominance to pay well below what is fair and prevent the producers from earning what is fair and reasonable. “As Saltford and Keynsham are both areas supporting Fairtrade it is only right that Verona also supports Fairtrade, and I will continue to do so. I want my two young children to grow up

Members of the team at Verona, which has opened in Saltford being aware of their responsibilities to people many thousands of miles away and this is the very least I can do.” Matthew will be running Verona with his wife and mother, as well as employing a number of local people.

Alongside sandwiches and baguettes with Anstees Bakery bread, jacket potatoes, speciality teas, soft drinks and hot chocolate, the cafe will also be serving up coffee using Verona beans freshly roasted in Bristol and which have given the cafe its

name. Matthew said: “As soon as customers walk through the door they feel the welcoming atmosphere and Mediterranean feel. It is a very relaxing venue. “These premises are perfect as the coffee shop has parking for 15 cars including a disabled space, excellent views over the fields due to the double sliding doors and windows, along with a garden area that will soon be landscaped to include a children’s play area with outdoor seating. As it is on the main road with good access I feel it ticks all the right boxes.”

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March, 2014

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News Cutting hair for two good causes A Keynsham salon is splitting more than £700 between two local organisations that support young people after the team spent a day cutting hair for the good causes. Customers at gents’ hairstyling salon The Lounge, in the High Street, were invited to get their locks cropped for just £5 on Saturday, March 1, with all proceeds being shared between Keynsham’s Time Out Youth Drop-in Service and Kingswood-based charity Hop, Skip and Jump. The final sum came to £713 and manager Brian Hassan said it had proved to be a great day. He said: “I want to thank all the people who supported these two causes and we hope to do it again in the future. The staff worked really hard. It was an excellent day – we helped good causes and had fun doing it.” The cash will be handed over to the two organisations by the

A customer gets a new look during the charity day at The Lounge, Keynsham company’s managing director Clare Barrett. Keynsham youth worker

Mark Willcox said: “What they have done is commendable, especially in this economic climate.

Thanks to all the staff for their hard work and those who supported the fundraising day.”

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News Pool to

Thought for the month with the Reverend Philip Simpkins, Keynsham Methodist Church Many of us will celebrate Mothering Sunday on March 30 as a special occasion when we show our appreciation to those we love and care about. Mothering Sunday was historically a day when domestic servants were given time off from their work to return home. Many youngsters from the age of ten years and older had left their families to go and work in the “Big House” washing, cleaning, dusting and learning their trade. They were often expected to work six days a week and very long hours. There was little rest on the Sunday and it usually included attending the local church along with their Master and the other servants. On the fourth Sunday in Lent the servant girls were

by Rebecca Day

‘Let’s hold onto those important family values whereby we show our appreciation to those we love’

Mothering Sunday

allowed to go home and be reunited with their families. They would often pick flowers along the country lanes as a gift for their mothers. They would also be expected to attend their “mother” church where they would be encouraged to thank God for his love and care. It was a happy and joyful service followed by a great feast at

March, 2014

home where families were reunited. Mothering Sunday has changed over the years but let’s hold onto those important family values whereby we show our appreciation to those we love and to the God who loves and nurtures us. Perhaps for some it can be a time for being reunited with our family, for some mending bridges, for others demonstrating that we care and for others taking a quiet moment to remember parents who have died but are so precious to us.

Keynsham swimmers are being encouraged to take the plunge at their local pool to raise funds for Sport Relief. Keynsham Leisure Centre, which is a part of the Aquaterra group, will be hosting the Swimathon from March 21-23. Participants will join thousands of swimmers across the country by completing in 5k, 2.5k and 1.5k individual challenges, or 5k and 1.5k team challenges. Simon Ibrahim, swimming coordinator at the Aquaterra Aquatics Academy said: “Our customers and staff have been passionate supporters of Swimathon for many years. In 2014, we’re encouraging as many swimmers as possible to get involved. "From families, to experienced swimmers and beginners, Swimathon is a fantastic way to raise money for Sport Relief and improve health and fitness at the

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March, 2014

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News host Swimathon

same time.” Established in 1986, the Swimathon is a nationwide swimming challenge, encouraging swimmers from across the UK to swim a variety of distances at their local pool and raise money for charity. Over the past 27 years, more than half a million swimmers

have taken part, raising over £40 million for charitable causes. The Swimathon will also be held at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre and South Wansdyke Sports Centre. Enter at www.swimathon.org until March 16.

Chamber of Commerce with chairman Lynn Young February's meeting Current Projects – The Walkers Are Welcome Action Group are trying to get 600 signatures in order to join the national ‘Walkers Are Welcome UK Network’. Other towns which have already joined the scheme have noticed a 40 per cent rise in footfall, with a knock-on effect of increasing High Street turnover. How will the regeneration of the town centre effect the visually impaired? It has been mentioned that the roundabout at the top of Bath Hill is to be removed and replaced with a “shared space scheme” as piloted in Poynton. The meeting heard the scheme allows pedestrians to cross anywhere; curbs are removed and replaced by an up-stand of 12mm. Any concerns should be addressed to the disability officer for B&NES.

Market stalls in the new town centre? Some members have been trying to find out details about the planned market stalls for the new development. Tender packages were due out in October. Car Park Signage Brian Simmons has been contacting B&NES Council daily requesting they improve the car park signage. Relocation of leisure centre No news on the relocation of the leisure centre as yet. It was expressed that membership would be reduced if the leisure centre closed and was replaced by only a small swimming pool, without all the current facilities under one roof. Next meeting April 7, meeting at 6pm in The Old Manor House Speakers: Norton Tax Office – tax experts to answer questions on the Chancellor’s Budget announcement.

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March, 2014

News Website hosting with Nick Leonard of NIKL Designs Okay – so you’ve decided your business needs a website, you have a good idea of what it should look like (in line with your brand) and how it should work, but you’re not sure what to do next! Well, if you decide to go it alone and build your own site there are two things you’ll need to do; 1. Register your domain name 2. Arrange site hosting These days there are hundreds of providers out there who can help fulfil your requirements, ranging from free web builder providers such as Wix and Weebly, through to hosted service providers such as Heart Internet, Fast Hosts, 1&1 and 123Reg. You even have the option to host your site on your own servers if you have the know-

how and the inclination. As with other aspects of internet presence you have to consider what’s right for you and your business. Free web builders are great as they get you started, usually allowing for a fairly straight forward set-up and design process, but they can be limited in terms of how flexible they are; most use fixed templates with static imagery, colours and fonts, you may not have much control over the domain name and you could have to accept links and advertising for the host company on your site. It’s simple advice, but be sure to search around and explore all your options before making a final decision.

Swap seeds and advice at event Green-fingered guests are welcome to visit Farmborough to celebrate the village’s fifth “Seedy Saturday”. The annual seed swap for North Somerset takes place at Farmborough Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 8, from 10am to 2pm and will bring together growers of all abilities to share tips, experiences and, of course, seeds. There will also be talks, children’s storytelling and crafts during the event. Sam Ross, Seedy Saturday co-ordinator and author of the website Get Seedy!, said: “Seedy Saturday is the must-be-there event for seed swappers, amateur gardeners, allotment-holders,

horticulturalists and the local community. It encourages people to have fun growing and saving local and heritage seeds, while reaping the rewards. Seedy Saturday has grown into a popular event over the past five years, but Photo: Phil Gray at heart it remains a community seed swap for experienced and aspiring growers who want to share both seeds and tips on how to grow them.” Seedy Saturday is organised by a small group of local volunteers and is sponsored by Pennard Plants, Box Steam Brewery, Beans and Herbs and Barefoot Books. Entry to Seedy Saturday is just £1, with children under 16 free. Visit www.seedysaturday. org.uk.

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March, 2014

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News

Looking your best

Be a friend and tackle loneliness

with Hannah Saunders of Beauty at Serendipity

Friendship and a little of your spare time could go a long way towards easing the isolation and loneliness felt by some older people in Keynsham. Volunteer befrienders are needed to help tackle a waiting list of elderly B&NES residents hoping to find someone to offer companionship and support from a chat and a cup of tea to visiting the shops or going to a cafe together. “Most befrienders offer up to an hour or so a week – but just an hour can make a huge difference to a lonely person,” said Janet Dabbs, Age UK B&NES’ chief executive. “We provide full training and support to the volunteers, and they would never be called upon to do any nursing work – it is simply about offering friendship.” To find out more, call Age UK B&NES’ befriending co-ordinator Ceri Sanders on 01225 462641 for an initial chat.

How many of you use a body sponge, loofah or pouf? Did know that these products can be a serious breeding ground for some nasty bacteria and germs? I challenge you to cut your body pouf in half and you will be amazed by what you see. It may be black inside, almost mouldy looking; this is all of those nasty bacteria and germs that you are spreading around your body during washing, which you are trying to clean and exfoliate. So why does the pouf etc harbour so many bacteria and germs when we soap them up and rinse them clean? When we have washed and “cleaned” our poufs we assume that they will dry within a few minutes. Well, unfortunately they don’t. When they are damp they tend to invite bacteria into all the

nooks and crannies of the pouf. Additionally all our lovely dead skin cells commonly found on our body poufs provide food for nasty bacteria, making it a great place for them to live. It is advised that we should renew our poufs every three weeks, that’s nearly 20 poufs in a year! So why would we still want to use these things full of bacteria and germs? Well, I can tell you why I used to use mine: because it lathered up my shower gel, left my skin soft

and glowing and got rid of all those dead skin cells and my built-up tan. However, since I cut open my body pouf and have done some research, I have not used mine again. It went straight into the bin that night. So what is the alternative do our pouf? Well, it is Dermalogica’s Ultimate Buffing Cloth. The buffing cloth is a quick-drying, hygienic, exfoliating cloth made from extra-durable nylon, which helps polish the skin to a silky perfection. It can also be washed in the washing machine, therefore you only have to purchase very rarely. I hope this will now make you more aware of all the nasties that live within something that we all believed would be good for our bodies. Now put those poufs in the bin. Hannah x

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March, 2014

In Good Health with Anna Casey, pharmacist at Chandag Road Pharmacy Nausea and vomiting in adults is not usually a sign of anything serious and tends to just last just a day or two. Vomiting is the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of ridding itself of harmful substances from the stomach or a reaction to something that has irritated the gut. One of the most common causes of vomiting in adults is gastroenteritis, this is an infection of the gut usually caused by a bacteria or virus and can also cause diarrhoea. Other causes of nausea and vomiting include motion sickness, early stages of pregnancy, certain medication, stress and food poisoning. Ginger is thought to help with nausea and can be particularly useful when suffering nausea during pregnancy, try sipping a tea made from grated root ginger and hot water. Travel sickness bands may also be helpful during pregnancy as

well as with motion sickness. They work by pressing on an acupuncture point on the wrist, place on the wrist first thing in the morning and press down on the button on each wrist about twenty times during waves of nausea. Sometimes vomiting can be a sign of something more serious. You should contact your GP if you have been vomiting uncontrollably for more than 24 hours, you have severe stomach pains, your vomit is green or there is blood in your vomit. Diarrhoea is the passing

of looser or more frequent stools than is normal for you. Most cases will clear up after a few days without treatment although you can buy antidiarrhoeal medicine from a pharmacy to shorten the length of time your diarrhoea lasts for. Loperamide is the main medicine used as it is effective and has few side effects. However, it is unsuitable for children to take. To prevent diarrhoea and vomiting caused by infection from spreading, it is important to wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food, clean the toilet with disinfectant and avoid sharing towels, flannels and cutlery with household members. Other symptoms that may be experienced with diarrhoea and vomiting include stomach

cramps, headache and loss of appetite. The most important thing is to make sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t become dehydrated. Oral rehydration sachets are available from pharmacies, you dissolve them in water and they replace the salt, glucose and other important minerals that are lost through dehydration. Diarrhoea and vomiting can be more serious in babies than older children because babies can easily lose too much fluid from their bodies and become dehydrated. They may become lethargic or irritable, have a dry mouth and have loose, pale skin. If they become dehydrated, they may not pass much urine, they may lose their appetite and have cold hands and feet. It is important to give extra fluid to babies and children including oral rehydration fluids.

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March, 2014

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News

Pen to Paper with Keynsham Creative Writers We are regularly featuring a piece of writing from Keynsham’s own Creative Writers. The group meets at Keynsham Library on the second and fourth Monday of the month and new members are always welcome.

Five a Day

KTN listener Elizabeth Saunders

Spread word about ‘talking paper’ A service keeping more than 100 people with visual impairment up to date with local news is hoping to spread the word about what it offers. The team at Keynsham and District Talking Newspaper (KTN) record news items onto digital USB sticks, which are then sent free of charge to listeners across Keynsham, Saltford, Bath and Bristol.

It keeps those who find printed material difficult to read in touch with local news and includes information from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the Macular Society, as well as features such as gardening, recipes, walks and more. If you know of anyone who is visually impaired and who would like to receive KTN, call 0117 299 3021 or email info@ktn.co.uk.

I’ve not been feeling all that good In fact I feel quite ill I twist and turn in bed at night Just trying to keep still I don’t know why I feel so bad I’m into healthy eating I eat the things they say I should Five fruit or veg – no cheating I only eat my five a day Yes honestly I do Today I’ll have five cherries And tomorrow veggie stew. Last Monday it was awful Five bananas I did eat I spent the day in agony From my head down to my feet

I miss the days when I could eat Whatever took my fancy Delicious soups and stews and rice With a drop or two of brandy. I look in the mirror and what do I see All skinny and pale and poorly Could that really be a reflection of me It’s no wonder that I am lonely I wonder if I’ve got it wrong I’ll have another look Maybe there’s something else I can eat Now where did I put that book. Dorothy Majoram

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ECIP

Ingredients 3 tbl spoons vegetable oil 1 white onion 1 tbl spoon tumeric 1 teaspoon chilli powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 green pepper 1 kg diced chicken breast 500g chopped tomatoes 1/2 pint chicken stock 2 tbl spoons tomato purĂŠe

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March, 2014

Chicken curry with Verona Coffee Shop, 231-233 Bath Road, Saltford

Method Cook the onion, garlic and pepper with 1 tbl spoon of oil. Add tumeric, chilli powder, paprika and rest of the oil. Stir well and

cook for two minutess on a low heat. Add chicken and cook until the chicken is sealed. Add the chicken stock and cook for a

further 10 mins. Add the chopped tomatoes and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked then add the tomato purĂŠe and stir for two minutes.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

March, 2014

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Picture courtesy of Bygone Bristol

Nostalgia A steam train visits Keynsham Station. For more on pictures and publications from Bygone Bristol, call 0117 942 3177.

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March, 2014

News Lace-maker launches new class by Rebecca Day

A lace-maker wishing to pass on her skills in textiles is launching a new class, after featuring in Keynshamvoice’s Crafts column. Europa Chang Dawson, a former maths teacher, has been lace-making for over 30 years. She said: “It was something that captured my imagination when my class in junior school went to a museum and I saw a lace pillow among the exhibits. “From that day, I saved my pocket-money and bought bobbins when I had the opportunity.” Born in China, Europa came to the UK with her family as a refugee, and became a UK citizen in 1953. While she wanted to study textiles, her parents encouraged her to follow the family tradition and take an academic route, studying maths instead. However, becoming a maths teacher didn't stop Europa following her dreams, and she decided to teach herself lace-mak-

ing. She then had several lessons after she married, but stopped due to family responsibilities. After her husband sadly passed away, Europa started on the City and Guilds creative textiles course, where she specialised in lace and achieved a diploma. Her course gave her a grounding in all the British laces, and needle and bobbin lace. Europa is also an embroiderer, and attends classes in Japanese-style embroidery. Almost 70 years old, Europa would like to pass on her knowledge before her hands become too stiff to make lace, she says. “Lace-making has a wonderful history in Britain, and helping to preserve this craft seems to me to be a small return for all kindness from the country that gave my family welcome when we were refugees.” Europa’s lace-making classes will begin on April 3 at Fear Hall in Keynsham. Sessions will run

Photo: Ros Anstey

Europa Chang Dawson with some of her work every Thursday, from 2-4pm. Each term will last for nine or 10 weeks, depending on the number of students. All lace-makers are welcome. To register interest,

or for more information, contact Europa on ecmonkey@hotmail. co.uk or 0117 986 1369. Contact Europa before the end of March to sign up.

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March, 2014

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Puzzle page

Sponsored by

Win!

£20 to spend at Find the names of the 23 Prime Ministers below in this month’s wordsearch competition Andrew Bonar Law Anthony Eden Arthur Balfour Clement Atlee David Cameron Duke of Grafton Earl Gray Earl of Bute Earl of Derby Earl of Rosebery Edward Heath George Grenville Gordon Brown Harold Wilson Henry Addington Henry Pelham John Major Lord North Margaret Thatcher Marquis of Rockingham Robert Peel Stanley Baldwin Tony Blair

Sudoku: Difficulty hard

To enter We have a £20 voucher to spend on goodies from Keynsham’s Polkadot to give away to one lucky reader in our monthly wordsearch competition sponsored by Eveleighs. Just complete the wordsearch above, cut it out and send it to us at Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR. Closing date is Friday, March 28, 2014. The winner will be the first to be randomly selected from the correct entries. February’s winner of a £20 voucher to spend at The Entertainer was Jayne Cross from Saltford

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March 8

Keynsham Orchestra with “Symphonies for Spring”. Come and hear your own local orchestra play works by Smetana (Ma Vlast), Schubert (Unfinished Symphony) and Sibelius (Symphony No.1). Tickets at £9, £7 concessions. On the door/ from church office. 7.30-10pm RBLWS Indoor Car Boot Sale, Royal British Legion Club, 8-10 Charlton Road, Keynsham. 10am-2pm. £5 per table – to book, please call Gill on 0117 986 8868. All welcome. Meditation in the Christian Tradition (The World Community for Christian Meditation). A series of six introductory meetings to be held on Saturday mornings from 10.30-11.30am, starting March 8. Each meeting includes some teaching, a period of silent meditation, and time to discuss. Our teaching is rooted in Christianity, but meditation exists in all the major faith traditions. Anyone from any faith tradition or none is welcome to join us and meditate in their own way. We will meet at St Dunstan’s Parish Hall, in the Walsingham Room, Bristol Road, Keynsham BS31 2BQ. For more information call 0117 986 2753 or visit www. christianmeditation.org.uk

March 11 St Keynsham Townwomen’s Guild’s March meeting at the Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham, incorporates our annual general meeting. All new members and visitors will have an insight into the general operation of St Keyna Townswomen’s Guild and be able to find out more about the various sub groups and their plans for the coming year. St Keyna Townswomens Guild meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fear Hall, Keynsham between 9.45am and 11.45am. They are a friendly, outgoing group of ladies who enjoy interesting speakers and numerous sub-group outings and activities. Do come along to our next meeting for a coffee/tea and

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Have you got an event you would like to publicise? Or do you run a club, society or community group in the Keynsham area? Send details to news@ keynshamvoice.co.uk or call us on 07887 561567 and we will make sure thousands of people in and around Keynsham know about it. biscuits and you will be made most welcome.

March 14 Keynsham and Dictrict Mencap Society will host a race night at Saltford Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Races shown on giant screen, entry £3, bets £1. Tickets from the office on 0117 986 5659. No under-16s, tickets must be purchased in advance.

March 17 Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society. A showing of local films of historical interest by Clive Burlton at The Key Centre, Victoria Methodist Church, Charlton Road, Keynsham, 7.30pm. Visitors welcome, £2.50.

March 20 Walkers are Welcome public meeting, 7pm, Old Manor House Hotel, Bristol Road. Find out more about plans to make Keynsham part of the national Walkers are Welcome scheme. Visit www.walkersarewelcome. org.uk.

March 20-22 Keynsham Parish Players present A Sherwood Tale: Our original version of Babes in the Wood at St John’s Church Hall, Keynsham. Curtain up at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday, March 22. Tickets £7, concessions £5 from The Parish Office on 0117 986 3354, mornings only, from cast members and on the door. Proceeds to charity.

March 21 Keynsham & District Twinning Association’s Annual quiz evening to be held at St Dunstan’s Church Hall, 7.30pm start. Tickets £5 per person. Six people in a team – if team books in advance one free place i.e. six for the price of five. We will again donate some funds to the Marie Curie Charity.

March 22 RBLWS Jumble Sale, Royal British Legion Club, 8-10 Charlton Road, Keynsham. Entry 20p, all welcome. 10am2pm.

Craft fair at Camerton Hall (BA2 0NL), 10am-1pm in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Great variety of crafts plus plants and refreshments available.

March 26 Keynsham Town Council is holding a Community Networking Event, 7-8.30pm. at the Mendip Hall, Wellsway School, Chandag Road, Keynsham. This event will be open to the public to visit stalls run by local community groups, clubs, organisations and support agencies.

March 29 Open day with the Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service at Keynsham fire station, Temple Street, from 2-4pm. The team’s vehicle and its equipment will be on show and volunteers will be available to answer any questions.

Coming up in April April 1 Saltford Ladies Gardening Club meet at Saltford Hall (Wansdyke room) at 10am on the first Tuesday of the month. Speaker is Mr J Tucker on shrubs for the smaller garden.

April 9 Youngsters can join Heavenly Hedgerows’ Chris Westgate for a morning of foraging in the countryside surrounding Newton Farm Shop, 10.30am-12.30pm. Cost £12.50 per child and £7.50 per adult. Booking essential, call call 01225 873707, email celia@ newtonfarmfoods.co.uk or roz. golding@newtonfarmfoods.co.uk, alternatively visit the farm shop.

April 9-12 Keynsham Youth Theatre perform the national youth premiere of The Decent Rogues at Broadland Academy at 7.30pm each evening. Tickets are £8 and available from the Box Office on 01761 414957 or book online at at www.kyt. ticketsource.co.uk.

March, 2014

What’s on in Keynsham on a regular basis Passionate about local libraries, communities and history? Why not join the Friends of Saltford Library? The group organises author visits, coffee mornings, poetry evenings, writing workshops and visits to nearby places of historical interest. Call 01225 394041 or email june_ wentland @bathnes.gov.uk.

Monday Keynsham Bridge Club is a friendly local club which meets every Monday evening, 7pm upstairs at the Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham. We play Duplicate Bridge in a relaxed and friendly environment, and would welcome new members who have just learned to play bridge, and others looking to improve their skills and enjoy an evening of bridge. For more information please contact Pauline or Robert on 0117 9858495. 50+ Light and Easy Exercise classes would welcome new members to their group. Fun, friendly and social class on Mondays, 10-11am, at Keynsham Methodist Church, Key Centre. Cost £4 per session. Call Jenny for details on 0117 961 3327. The Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion Keynsham would be delighted to welcome new members. They meet upstairs at the RBL Club on the first Monday of each month, 7.30pm. Occasional speakers, social events and outings. Why not come along and meet new friends? Key Voices, Keynsham’s friendly community singing group is looking for new members. Monday from 7.15-9.30pm during term-times at Castle School in Newlands Road. Cost £4 per session, £3 concessions. Call Roy on 0117 949 8587. Keynsham Writing Group meets in the library on the second and fourth Monday of the month, from 2.30-4pm. We are a small, friendly group and welcome new members of all abilities. Call Pat on 0117 986 4722. Keynsham Machine Knitting Club. We meet on the second

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

Short mat bowls – learn to play with a really friendly mixed group at Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham on Mondays, 1.304pm, and/or Fridays, 7.309.30pm, until mid-May. Everyone welcome, free trial. Ring Clive on 0117 986 6793 or just turn up and ring the doorbell.

Tuesday A book group meets on the second Thursday of the month, 7.30pm, at The Ship on Temple Street. For March we’re reading The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier. New readers and drinkers welcome! Email keynsham.bookclub@hotmail. com. Line Dance Class, at The Fry Club, Carter Room, 7-8pm for complete beginners, 8.15-9.45pm for beginners. Every Tuesday except April 15 and May 13. Entry £3.50, everyone welcome, just turn up or call Jacqi on 0117 3730720 or 07974 120184 or Lyn on 0117 9569548 for more details. Free 45-minute buggy walk for parents, newborns, babies and toddlers, first and third Tuesdays of the month, 9.55am meet for 10am start at Keynsham Leisure Centre, Temple Street, Keynsham. Email buggywalk@ gmail.com or find Bristol NCT on Facebook. Keynsham new parents and babies coffee and tea morning, First and third Tuesdays of the month, 10.45-11.45am, Victoria Methodist Centre, Charlton Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2JA. Purpleyoga30@gmail. com Activity Days at @One, St John’s Church, Keynsham. The activities are cookery or art in the morning (10-2pm) then drama in the afternoon (2pm-4pm) for people with learning disabilities, £33.33 for full day, please bring packed lunch. Call the Swallow office to book on 01761 414034

or email judy@swallowcharity. org. Wellsway Ladies’ Badminton Club, 7.30-9.30pm at Keynsham Leisure Centre. For more information, contact Jenny on 0117 986 8331. Boogie Nights at St John’s Church Hall, Keynsham. Dance class and social evening for people with learning disabilities, 7-9pm, £7 per class (soft drinks and snacks provided). Please contact the Swallow office to book on 01761 414034 or email judy@swallowcharity. org. KOPS is Keynsham Older People’s Social Group. This friendly group of local, older people meet on the first Tuesday of the month at Community@67, Queens Road, Keynsham at 2pm. The group is free to join but members usually bring along a small item for the raffle table. New members welcome, call Paula on 01225 484510 or Phyllis on 0117 986 8623. Residents’ Fellowship Association, based at Hawthorn Meeting Room in Carpenters Lane, 2-4pm. Different activities, such as luncheon, quiz, games, including darts, and a committee meeting. On a Thursday afternoon we do crafts and we have a community garden. Contact Jim Lingard on 0117 986 1551. St Keyna Townswomen’s Guild meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the Fear Hall, Keynsham between 9.45am and 11.45am. They are a friendly, outgoing group of ladies who enjoy interesting speakers and numerous sub-group outings and activities. Do come along to our next meeting for a coffee/tea and biscuits and you will be made most welcome. Popular sequence dances at The Fear Hall, Keynsham, 7.30-10pm Anyone interested in dancing welcome, friendly atmosphere, first visit free. Information on 0117 986 2819 or 0117 986 4014.

Wednesday The Community@67 Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm. The 2014 season has started and our members have been

introduced to a number of new authors and a wide variety of different categories. The new year gives the opportunity to welcome joining members so anyone interested can ring 0772 762 6794 or just come along. The book club meets at 67 Queens Road, Keynsham BS31 2NW. ChoirJam, Keynsham’s fun pop choir, meets on Wednesdays, 11am-12.30pm during term-time at Fear Hall, Keynsham. We sing everything from James Taylor to Adele and perform with a live band! Adults aged 18-80+ are welcome to join; there’s no audition and no experience necessary – just enthusiasm and a love of singing! To book a free taster session call Emma Hutchinson on 07793 983040 or visit www.choirjam.co.uk. Keynsham Photographic Society meets at the Fear Hall at 7.30pm to enjoy all aspects of photography. We have visiting speakers; competitions; sessions to share and discuss our own photographs and opportunities to view the best amateur work from the South West. Find us at www. keynshamphotographicsociety. co.uk and come along to share this enthralling hobby.

Friday Keynsham Junior Badminton Club holds weekly girls-only sessions at Broadlands Academy in Keynsham from 6-7pm. The cost is £2 per session and each term is payable in advance, with sessions run over three terms similar to the school year, from September to the end of June. Come along to a session to see how you get on. All coaches and helpers have had the enhanced CRB check and the group is registered with Badminton England and Avon County. For more details call Gary on 07876 480846 or Alan on 07713 149788 or visit www.keynshamjbc.org.uk. CAMEO is a friendly group providing fellowship and a wide range of activities for those living on their own. We have no set membership and we are open to all denominations or to those with no affiliations. We meet for coffee (10am-noon) at Victoria Methodist Church on the first Friday of the month and we also enjoy excursions and entertainments, talks, meals out and organised holidays. If you are interested, come for coffee

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Monday in the month at Stirling Way Community Centre, Keynsham, 2-4pm. We have two club machines to practice knitting. Help and tuition will be given to get you knitting again. We try to have at least four speaker/demonstrators a year. Please come along and join us, we are a very friendly club. Please call Margaret on 0117 986 5559.

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March, 2014

or contact the Church Office on 0117 914 9408 or Christopher Bailey on 01225 872784. Badminton. Join a very friendly mixed group who meet up every Friday to play from 10amnoon at Keynsham Leisure Centre. All welcome, regardless of ability. Just turn up or ring Clive on 0117 986 6793. Try short mat bowls! Learn to play with a really friendly mixed group at Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham on Fridays 7.309.30pm and/or Mondays 1.304pm between September and mid-May. All welcome, free trial. Ring Clive on 0117 986 6793 or just turn up and ring doorbell. Avon Wildlife Trust, Keynsham Local Group. Winter talks, second Friday of each month between October and April, 7.30pm at the Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DS. Adults £2.50, children £1. Refreshments and bring and buy book stall.

Saturday Keynsham Junior Badminton Club holds weekly sessions at Broadlands Academy in Keynsham, with more experienced players taking to the courts from 9.30-11am and beginners and less experienced players from 11am-12.30pm. The cost is £2 per session and each term is payable in advance, with sessions run over three terms similar to the school year, from September to the end of June. Come along to a session to see how you get on. All coaches and helpers have had the enhanced CRB check and the group is registered with Badminton England and Avon County. For more details call Gary on 07876 480846 or Alan on 07713 149788 or visit www.keynshamjbc.org.uk. Healing on the Streets has returned; we can be found on Keynsham High Street every Saturday morning. Whether you have an emotional or physical problem we’re available to listen, talk and pray.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

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In the Garden What mad weeks we have had since the New Year, with the gales and storms and torrential rain. The water tubs are full, what a pity I do not have twice as many. However, damage seems to be limited to a small hole in the plastic corrugated roof of our shed, a couple of wobbly posts in the trellis and a bedraggled clematis struggling up the plum tree. The shed roof will require a new sheet to be fitted, one post in the trellis and one just firming in. The post to be replaced is in the middle of the trellis and in the middle of a very bushy jasmine, or maybe two. Here is an opportunity to cut back the jasmine and replace the post. The clematis, an evergreen named Freckles, seems to be a frail plant to be outside all winter but it has already had its pretty freckled flowers. It needs a couple of straggly shoots to be tied in and the whole thing to be tied in securely. A fiddly job for my stumpy fingers but patience will be repaid. How did everything look in the garden, the first week of February? Several little crocus heads were poking through the grass. They were planted several years ago and have struggled somewhat, but seem to be flourishing now. The rhubarb,

which is exposed to the frost, is showing some good shoots so my efforts are showing results. While January and February did not do much for the garden nevertheless we had several days at the end of February which were mild or, to use another word, benign. Those warm days prompted life into the spring flowers, and also this writer. We had a splendid display of snowdrops, spreading themselves around the pear trees and introducing themselves to many other parts of the garden. I keep inspecting them to find if I have any new species, but with such an enormous number I doubt that I shall find one. As soon as the flowers begin to fade is the time to plant in other parts of the garden, or pass some on to friends. It is known as planting “in the green”. With the very wet weather came some very wet, dead leaves on the grass, beds and big pots. It is a good idea to clear away all this rubbish as it can harbour slugs and snails. Also pick off all the old dead leaves at the base of the primroses and any spent flowers. A little fertiliser dug into the top of the soil will benefit. I have given the roses a very good pruning and they are showing some healthy

shoots . I read recently that if any remaining leaves show signs of black staining then the plant is suffering from black spot, so spray the plant, both leaves and stems, with Roseclear and pick up and burn any leaves on the ground. Do not compost them.

On the Plot March should be the time to start sowing seeds on the vegetable plot but with the ground so wet it may not be practical for a while. This is probably the worst start to the gardening year that I can remember so this season’s outdoor sowings will be delayed until there is a dry spell. The only good news is that the soil is not too cold due to the relatively mild winter so when it is dry enough to start sowing then germination should be good – but there again optimism is one of the essential requirements for gardening. When working on the plot try to avoid walking on the soil, especially if it is soaking wet. I use wooden planks to gain access and this avoids muddy boots as well as minimising the amount of soil compaction where you walk. The soil in the prepared areas on my plot has been beaten down by the

March, 2014

torrential rain so before sowing I will gently break up the surface with a rake or three-pronged cultivator. This will allow air into the soil and speed up the drying process then when ready use the rake again to obtain a nice fine tilth. March sowings will include broad beans, leeks, carrots, parsnips as well as shallot and onion sets. Later in the month brussels sprouts, cabbage, peas and radishes can be sown. If you have access to a protected indoor area with a bit of heat, a greenhouse, cold frame or a windowsill, for example, then you can also sow celery and lettuce as well as indoor and outdoor tomatoes. Sow the seeds into seed trays or recycled plant trays filled with good quality compost. I only use peat-free compost and find this is perfectly acceptable but the surface covering over the seeds needs sieving first. Keep the compost moist but not wet and be careful as plants can get tall and spindly if left crowded and searching for the light, especially on a windowsill, so thin the seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Alternatively you can get a head start with outdoor sowings if you prepare the ground first. Cover the area with cloches for a couple of weeks to help the soil warm up and allow some of the weed seeds to germinate. Before sowing remove the cloches then hoe the soil and get rid of the weed seedlings before sowing your vegetable seeds. Include in your seed sowing some flowers that attract pollinators, especially bees. There has been plenty of publicity about the plight of bees so try to do your bit to help and avoid using harmful pesticides if you can.

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March, 2014

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Adult Fiction  Love Anthony by Lisa Genova – reviewed and recommended by Lorraine This novel focuses on the lives of two women. Olivia has escaped to Nantucket to grieve and try to understand the sudden death of her muchloved young son. Born with autism, Anthony didn’t speak, hated being touched and hardly made eye contact. Just as Olivia learns that happiness is possible in his world, Anthony is gone. Beth’s life seems perfect until the day she discovers her husband’s infidelity. As both women grieve in different ways, we watch them grow in strength as they take on new challenges to help them cope and try to make sense of the hand fate has dealt them. Their paths cross when Olivia is commissioned to take photographs of Beth’s family, but it is Beth’s book that brings the two women together in a poignant and truly emotional ending. Lisa Genova has taken a difficult topic and has woven a believable story around it. Her writing is brave and emotional but warm and uplifting too.

with Sarah Wookey from Keynsham Library for the under-12s. Campsites are arranged according to country (16 countries are featured), one campsite per page. Information provided includes directions to the campsite, facilities available, charges, reservations, opening dates, accommodation and any special offers that apply. It lists details of multi-lingual children’s clubs that are available, usefully split in to three age brackets: pre-school, 5-10 and 10- to 14-year-olds. The Alan Rogers website also offers independent campsite reviews from previous campers. Highly recommended to all you camping families out there!

Non-fiction Poetry  101 Best Campsites for Children by Alan Rogers Travel Ltd We’ve just received the 2014 edition of this informative guide to thousands of campsites across Europe that aim to provide really special holidays

 Essential Poems from the Staying Alive Trilogy edited by Neil Astley ‘To be great, be whole: don’t exaggerate Or leave out any part of you. Be complete in each thing.

Put all you are Into the least of your acts. So too in each lake, with its lofty life, The whole moon shines.’ This poem, by Fernando Pessoa (translated from the Portuguese by Richard Zenith) sums up much that is wonderful about this collection of poetry. Edited by the founder of Bloodaxe Books, Neil Astley, the Staying Alive trilogy (Staying Alive/Being Alive/ Being Human) contains some of the finest contemporary poetry out there. Its aim is to introduce readers to poems “to touch the heart, stir the mind and fire the spirit” and it offers us poetry on love, loss, war, birth, death, grief, suffering, memory, immortality and many other universal themes. Mary Oliver’s The Journey on pages 22-23 is a poem that changed the direction of my life; I challenge you to find yours. Young Adult  Downside Up by Hayley Long Shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award, Downside Up introduces us to Ronnie who, abandoned by her father, finds that living in her imagination is much more fun than living in the real world. Neither is Ronnie averse to the odd lie, to the extent that people soon stop believing anything she says. Then

one day, following a head injury, Ronnie wakes up to find that her entire life has been turned upside down… Hayley Long has played with various elements of the traditional novel format in this book: the font and text size change constantly, words are written upside down and sideways and sometimes readers are directed to a completely unexpected part of the story. All of which enhances the storyline and the emotions portrayed and provides young adults/older children with an enjoyable, unusual and fun-filled reading experience. Junior Fiction  When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and Bombs on Aunt Dainty by Judith Kerr In 1933 Judith Kerr and her family escaped from Nazi Germany and came to settle in England in 1936, after living in Switzerland and France. Her World War II trilogy – comprising When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, Bombs S on Aunt Dainty and A Small Person Far Away – is a semiautobiographical account of this dramatic escape and its effect on the fictional character of Anna. To mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, the first two books in the trilogy are featured in this special edition. The publication Books for your Children described Judith Kerr’s trilogy as “a compassionate introduction to the whole subject of World War II.

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 or 07715 770448. Got news? Call Joni on 07887 561567. Email: emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

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March, 2014

Motoring How tyre checks could save your When was the last time you checked the tyres on your car? It is recommended that we all check our tyres for pressure and tread wear every two weeks but how many of us actually do? Not many! Your tyres are the only contact between your car and the road so making sure that they are not flat, damaged or worn can make the difference between crashing and not crashing in an emergency stop situation. “So many people forget to check their tyres and the first they know about it is when they have a blow-out on the motorway or when they can’t stop in time to avoid an accident. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who are driving around on damaged or excessively worn tyres without even realising it,” says Oliver Hall from etyres.co.uk. If you drive with damaged, excessively worn or under inflated tyres, you risk being given a fine and three points on your driving

than properly inflated tyres. This flexing causes heat to build up, weakening the tyre. High speeds quickly cause under-inflated tyres to overheat and disintegrate. This is why you see so many bits of old tyres at the side of the motorway.

licence for each illegal tyre on your car. Following these four simple checks could save your life and your licence! 1. Check the pressure in your tyres. Too low or too high tyre pressure can be unsafe and causes uneven tyre wear. The recommended pressures for your car are usually

displayed on a sticker either on the pillar behind the driver’s door or under the petrol flap. If you can’t find an information sticker, check the owner’s manual. Excessively low tyre pressure can cause a blow-out. Tyres which are very low on pressure have their side walls squashed more under the weight of the car

2. If your tyre is flat, do not drive on it. Sounds simple! As above – if you drive to the garage to pump up a very flat tyre, by the time you have got there it is probably weakened beyond repair. Over half of punctures and slow leaks can be repaired quickly and cheaply if they are dealt with before you have driven on it. So either pump it up where it is, or call a mobile service such as etyres.co.uk who can come to your house and see if it is repairable. The longer you drive with low pressure, the more likely you are to have to make a more expensive replacement.

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March, 2014

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Motoring licence – and life 3. Check the level of tread on your tyres To check the level of tread on your tyres, look under the car so you can see all the way across the tyre from the inside to the outside. All tyres have tread wear indicators – small ribs in the bottom of the main tread grooves. When the tread wears level with these ribs, the tread is at the legal limit. Although the legal limit is 1.6mm, your ability to stop in the wet is seriously reduced once the tread wears below 3mm so think about replacing them before then. 4. Check for any bulges and cuts in the tyre.

These are often caused by driving in to the kerb or over pot-holes. When the reinforcement inside the rubber is damaged, the tyre bulges out because it is weakened and needs to be replaced. The same goes for any cuts in the tyre bigger than an inch, or where you can see through to the canvas or metal wires. Etyres offers a free mobile tyre fitting service so that customers can have tyres fitted on their driveway at home or in their work car park. Joe McElgunn etyres – based in Kingswood since 2005 See etyres’ advert on Page 5

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March, 2014

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For March, we meet Anna Casey, superintendent pharmacist and manager at Chandag Road Pharmacy

Tell us about your company. Chandag Road Pharmacy opened on July 1, 2013. it is part of the small Wellbeing Pharmacies Group which operates just six pharmacies. As such, our pharmacy is the only independent pharmacy in Keynsham. Since graduating from Cardiff University I have always worked for independent pharmacies and enjoy the personal service we can provide for our customers. Emily is our full-time dispensing technician who has been working in pharmacy for over seven years. She is also our stop smoking and weight management advisor and has a wealth of experience in community pharmacy. We plan on further recruitment as the business is growing rapidly in its first year. What service do you provide to the people of Keynsham? We provide a wide range of pharmacy services, including free prescription collection from all the GP surgeries in Keynsham as well as free delivery to anyone requiring it. This is especially useful for elderly or housebound patients. Our EasyRepeats service takes the hassle out of remembering to order or collect your repeat prescriptions as we can automatically order your prescriptions when they are due and send you a text when they are ready to collect/deliver. We also provide NHS services such as stop smoking and the morning-after pill, as well as private services like blood pressure and diabetes testing, weight management, veterinary medicines and an anti-malarial travel clinic. We are here to help with any medication queries and can provide you with a full medicines MOT, which is an NHS service to help people get the best out of their medication. What is the best part of running your business and working in Keynsham? The best part of running the

Emily and Anna at Chandag Road Pharmacy business is the relationships we have and continue to build with our customers. Although it’s only eight months since we opened, we already have many loyal customers and we have also been fortunate enough to have made many friends. We have been very lucky to have been given so much support from the local residents and hope that this will continue as it will ensure the pharmacy continues to thrive and help us provide even more services locally. Keynsham is a very nice place to work and the people who live in Keynsham are very friendly, which makes coming to work enjoyable. What makes your service different from other companies? It is our mission to consistently provide the best service possible for our customers and tailor the service to suit their individual needs. We aim to “go the extra mile” and exceed their expectations so that they decide to use us again and again. We know patients prefer to speak to the same pharmacist day in day out and build up a relationship of trust, so that’s what we offer. A lot of our customers have commented on how much easier it is to park and how quickly we have their

prescription prepared for them. We recently conducted an audit and our average waiting time is just 42 seconds per item. This is something we pride ourselves on and will strive to maintain as we get busier. In addition we have been able to help a good many patients obtain medicines that have increasingly been in short supply recently because we are independent and can deal with all major UK wholesalers. Our involvement with the community also sets us apart from other pharmacies. We are trying our very best to help with charitable fundraising, including the Macmillan coffee morning and our involvement in the Saltford Santa Dash for the charity CRY, both of which we plan to support annually. Being a small business we feel it is very important to be involved in the community and to help with community projects.

phone app for ordering repeat prescriptions and have already begun preparations to start our flu vaccination service in time for next winter. To help us achieve this and meet the growing demand for our prescription service, we will be on the lookout for the right person to join our team as a pharmacy assistant. We will also continue our involvement in community projects, fundraising for local charities and have plans to create a 2015 calendar which will showcase photos taken by local people, of the local area. The calendars will be sold at the pharmacy and in various other locations around Keynsham and all profits will be donated to local charity St Peter’s Hospice. We are asking any budding photographers out there to send in any pictures of Keynsham and surrounding areas they would like to appear in the calendar.

What are your plans for the future of the business? Our main aim this year is to continue building awareness that Keynsham has a new pharmacy and to encourage people to try our service out as we are sure that, once they do, they will want to become regular customers. We are launching a new smart-

Contact: Chandag Road Pharmacy, 47 Chandag Road, Keynsham. Call: 0117 986 4121 Email: info@chandagroad pharmacy.co.uk Website: www.chandagroad pharmacy.co.uk Search for us on Facebook and Twitter!

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March, 2014

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Bath Road, Keynsham

ÂŁ459,950 This beautiful, semi-detached, Victorian property is conveniently located on Bath Road in Keynsham, 0.3 miles from Wellsway School and is fantastic for transport links into both Bristol and Bath. It boasts four bedrooms and a loft room/fifth bedroom. Currently operating partly as a B&B with full planning permission (three rooms), this is a versatile property which could continue to be used as a commercial premises, or as a large family home, boasting all the Victorian splendour you would expect! Large bay windows, centre roses and high ceilings are just some of the character features the property has to offer, while a modern fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, spacious utility room and downstairs WC

and shower room give modernday convenience.

Outside space includes an enclosed lawned garden, with pa-

tio area, along with an extensive driveway and parking to the front of the property. This property has many other attractive features and must be viewed in order to appreciate everything it has to offer! To arrange a viewing, contact Andrews Keynsham office at 10 Temple Street or call 0117 986 9000.

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March, 2014

Sport February saw Keynsham Town’s First XI secure some more vital points in their battle against relegation from Western League Division One, with a win, a draw and a defeat. The month began with a tough away game against Almondsbury UWE and the Ks ran out deserved 2-0 victors in dreadful conditions. Credit must go to the home side’s ground staff for getting the pitch playable, although they probably regretted their efforts come 4.45pm. The Ks settled the better of the two sides, with the galeforce wind at their backs. In only the second minute, Ryan Ashwood's pace took him through on the keeper, who made an excellent save and got an accidental kick in the head from the rebound for his troubles. The Ks had the bulk of the possession and the home side were restricted to a couple of off-target shots. On the halfhour mark, Luke Lipinski reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and coolly slotted it home to give Keynsham the lead. Five minutes later, an Almondsbury midfielder received a straight red card for an off the ball challenge on Thomas BannermanWilliams. Keynsham adapted their play into the blustery wind in the second half and made their one-man advantage count, often stretching the home side. Keeper Matt Dunk had little to do until the last 20 minutes, but he then excelled himself with four great point-blank saves as Almondsbury threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser. However, the Ks made the game safe in the 90th minute. Luke Lipinski was fouled 30 yards out and his quick thinking caught the home defence asleep, as he flicked the ball through for Pat Davison, who took it round the keeper and just managed to keep his feet to knock the ball into an empty net. The next game saw highflying Shepton Mallet leave the AJN Stadium with all three points after a convincing 4-1 victory. Conditions were atrocious, with the gale-force wind blowing rain into the stand housing the 48 hardy souls who braved the elements.

Keynsham Town FC News from the Crown Field

Sam Roberts fires in a free kick at Wincanton Keynsham, who were missing top scorer Ryan Ashwood with a hamstring injury, started well with both Liam Robson and Luke Lipinski going close within the first five minutes. Sam Roberts then fizzed a free kick across the box ten minutes later, which was well-gathered by the Shepton custodian. It was Shepton who had the first clearcut chance of the game, though, after a sliced clearance inside the Keynsham six-yard box fell to their centre-forward, but his first time shot blazed over, with the goal gaping in front of him. The game changed on 24 minutes, though, when Shepton scored the game’s first goal. A corner was whipped in from the right and the Ks’ centre-half Ben Stiff misread the wind and headed the ball into his own goal. Ten minutes later the away side struck again after a stray pass in midfield led to a through ball being expertly converted past the stranded Matt Dunk in the Keynsham goal. However the Ks battled hard and their efforts were rewarded five minutes before the break. Chris Lewis, returning to the starting line-up in place of Ashwood, got the faintest of touches in the six-yard box to another excellent Sam Roberts free kick, diverting it away from the keeper and into the back of the net to restore some hope at half-time. There was even time for Roberts to see another free kick from long range catch the

wind, only for Shepton’s keeper to turn it round for a corner on 45 minutes. The second half was dominated by Shepton, though, and they restored their two-goal lead on 56 minutes. A low ball from the right caused havoc in the Ks’ defence and the ball was deflected in for another own goal. Roberts came close again when another free kick brought a fine save by the visiting keeper in the 63rd minute. However Shepton still had the better of the chances and hit the woodwork on 75 minutes, only for the ball to bounce across goal and away. Then on 88 minutes, the game was finally made safe when Matt Dunk was beaten by a fine finish from a long through ball. The weather then gave Keynsham an enforced break for two and a half weeks before Wincanton Town welcomed them on February 22. The sides produced an entertaining match which most agreed neither side deserved to lose. Once again the sterling efforts of the home team’s ground staff enabled the match to go ahead. Keynsham started very slowly and were behind within the first five minutes. The Ks’ defence were at sixes and sevens and failed to clear a long throw, with the ball being forced home after a goalmouth scramble. However, the away side settled down and less than ten minutes later drew level. Wincanton failed to clear a corner and youngster Liam “Norm” Robson stabbed the ball home for his first senior goal. The second-half saw Keynsham, with the strengthening wind behind them, get on top. Thomas Bannerman-Williams and Luke Lipinski were running midfield, with Pat Davison and Ryan Ashwood looking threatening up front. On 55 minutes, some great work down the right flank by Ashwood set up a golden chance for Robson to double his tally, but his free header went narrowly wide. Ashwood himself shot

wide when through on goal and several more half-chances went begging. However as the game drew to a conclusion, it was the home side who looked the more threatening, with Ks’ keeper Matt Dunk pulling off a great save in injury time. The last chance of the game saw a header by the Wincanton centre-half sail agonisingly wide of the upright, so the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw. This crucial away point moved Keynsham 11 points above the relegation zone, with the foot of the Division One table looking like this: Warminster Town Played 30 Points 27 Keynsham Town Played 31 Points 27 Oldland Abbotonians Played 27 Points 16 Portishead Town Played 29 Points 11 Keynsham’s Reserves only managed to get on the pitch twice during February, drawing 2-2 at home to Banwell and beating Middlezoy Rovers 2-0. They remain 10th in the league table with 27 points from 24 games. The “A” team managed a solitary game, which they won 4-2, and are in 11th place in the Bristol & Suburban League Division Two, having taken 10 points from their nine games so far. The Under-18s similarly only played one game and are eighth in the Somerset FA Floodlit League North, with 10 points from nine games. March sees a very busy month for the football club. After a visit from league leaders Bradford Town and an away game at Devizes Town early in the month, there is a visit to basement team Portishead Town on Saturday, March 8. Oldland Abbotonians are the visitors for a local derby (and vital relegation battle) on Saturday, March 15. The Ks then visit Wells City on Saturday, March 22, before rounding off the month with a home game against Warminster Town on Saturday, March 29. The club will also be hosting a race night on Saturday, March 29, after the Warminster home game. The evening starts at 7.30pm and tickets (£5 per person or £10 for a family of four) can be obtained from Julian French on 07814 609853.

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Sport Magnificent win amid a sparse month for action A very, very sparse report this month, writes our correspondent, as Keynsham Rugby Club, despite running four senior sides, have managed to play just three games and all of those were away from home. The first team had a truly magnificent win at Matson (Gloucester), scraping home narrow victors against the league leaders by 11 points to 8. A superb team/squad effort was rewarded with a try from Ben Newman and 6 points from the boot of Paul Edson. The seconds notched up only their second league win of the season 61-7 against Bristol Barbarians and the thirds rattled up a great win over Walcott seconds 31-7. With 16 games played of the scheduled 26 for the season the first team lie fifth with two games in hand over Barton Hill who are five points ahead in fourth. Having played 17 from 26 the seconds are just one place from the bottom with a long gap to make up if they are to avoid relegation from Somerset Premier. The thirds and fourths are safely positioned mid-table in Somerset divisions 2 and 3 respectively, also with games in hand. The build-up of fixtures is becoming a worry for the club as is the lack of income due to the ground being unused. In an attempt to rectify the latter the committee are urging players to sign up new members for the

Photo: Richard Angell

Keynsham’s Prop Forward Phil Harvey wonders which way Paul Edson is going next! Dennis Cockbaine Club, which is a lottery-type fundraiser. Costing £50 per year (payable in instalments if necessary) it offers members a chance every month to win either £50 or £100 and a there is a 13th Big Draw for a minimum if £1,000. Fifty per

cent of the income goes to prize money, so it’s good value. Anyone interested in supporting their local community rugby club should contact the club on 07814703934 or the Club President John Hibbitt on 01179 863470 or Pete Gibson on 07811 679824.

Mark’s family car takes fourth in driving challenge Keynsham motorsport driver Mark Griffiths competed in his second NavScatter in the roads around Nailsea at the end of January with his navigator, Mike Dinnis, writes our correspondent. As the weather was poor, Mark didn’t feel it appropriate to use a 1970s open-topped sports car, so he left the MG in the garage and entered with the family diesel estate, complete with child seats. Mark said it was “proof you don’t need a classic or sports car to take part motorsport”. He added: “The better headlights and wipers provided by a modern car were very welcome

in the dark and often flooded lanes of North Somerset.” Their preparation over the winter months paid off when they placed fourth at the end of the event. Mike’s resting his maps until autumn, while Mark entered his MG in the inaugural AutoSolo at Mendips Raceway organised by Bristol Motor Club on March 2. It’s a new venue for the club, who brought AutoSolo to this country, which is now the country’s fastest growing motorsport discipline. The club specialises in organising affordable motorsport for ordinary people where

most events can be entered in your everyday road car, as well as having a good social scene. Find out more at www.bristolmc.org. uk or follow the club at twitter. com/BristolMC or facebook. com/BristolMotorClub. On March 22, the club hosts the first round of the British Sprint Championship at Castle Combe Circuit. Formula 1 engines power the fastest cars at speeds of 180mph and there is no charge to spectators for entry. A free lunch is offered to marshals who wish to get closer to the action and no experience is necessary.

Improvements for Mencap team The fourth tournament of the South West Disability League season after a two-month break from the competition due to Christmas holidays saw Keynsham Mencap Football Club once again only playing three teams. We arrived in Street to see an ambulance in the car park and Foxes Academy soon to depart after one of their players collapsed during their warm-up. We learnt later that he had made a full recovery. So no Foxes but FC16 10 had turned up to play having been no-shows throughout the season. They looked “tidy” during their warm-up. The other two teams Keynsham Mencap faced on the day last month were Park Knowle and Able to Achieve. The Keynsham team played well, winning two matches and finishing in a draw in the other, and there was more improvement. The results were as follows: Keynsham Mencap 3 Able to Achieve 1 Jordan Phillips: Shots not on target 1 Phil Blouet: Goals 2, shots on target 1 Mike Bawdon: Goals 1, shots on target 1 Richard Yendle: Shots not on target 1 Keynsham Mencap 1 FC16 10 1 Jordan Phillips: Goals 1, Shots on target 1 Phil Blouet: Shots not on target 3 Jethro Payne: Shots not on target 1 Richard Yendle: Shots not on target 1 Keynsham Mencap 3 Park Knowle 2 Jordan Phillips: Goals 2, shots not on target 1 Mike Bawdon: Goals 1 The Keynsham Mencap FC players were: Barry Hollyman, Dean Cole, Ivan Stephens, Jethro Payne, Jordan Phillips, Phil Blouet, Mike Bawdon, Richard Yendle, Steve Owens.

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Shaping up with ACT Personal Trainer Adam Well, I’m going to start off my first health and fitness article in the Voice by talking about the weather... that’s right, the weather! As I’m sure you’re aware we had one of the worst winters on record this year due to the jet stream being stuck in an uncompromising position. Well, according to the scientists out there it also means that we’re shaping up to have one of the hottest and driest summers on record, too. Thank you, Mother Nature. This also means that there has probably never been a better year to get fit, get in shape and sculpt that bikini/Speedo body I know you’re all dreaming of. Hot weather could be upon us in as little as eight weeks so there is no time like the present to start your journey towards the perfect beach body. Most of my clients have

issues with fitting exercise into their busy lives with work and family commitments. So all I’m suggesting here is partaking in a minimum of three 30-minute high-intensity circuit training (HICT) sessions per week. There are 168 hours in one week and I’m quietly confident you can spare 1.5 of those hours for exercise.

What is HICT I hear you ask? Well, it’s the best way to blast fat and sculpt your whole body in a very short amount of time and you can do it in the comfort of your own home with no equipment! After a fiveminute warm-up and stretch routine I recommend performing two different four-exercise circuits and doing three reps of each circuit, combining high intensity, dynamic compound exercises that target lower body, upper body and core. Performing these sort of exercises at high intensity means that you will not only burn calories during the workout but you will actually keep burning calories up to 48 hours after the session has finished as you kick your body’s metabolism and natural growth hormones into hyperdrive. So the first circuit might go

something like 10 x burpees, 10 x squats, 10 x press-ups, and 20 abdominal crunches. Then rest for 60-90 seconds depending on current fitness and repeat another two times. The second one might include 20 star jumps, 16 alternating lunges, 10 tricep dips and 30 seconds of plank. I believe it’s important to experiment with different exercises that you will personally enjoy doing and see some results from so if you’re feeling bereft of ideas or motivation then feel free to email or text me and I will get back to you with some ideas that I think will help. Good luck! Adam ACT Personal Trainer 07795832136 adam@actpersonaltraining. com

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Sport  Saltford Ladies beat Kingsdown 4-1 away in the first round of the National Mail on Sunday Golf Club Classic competition. Sharon Watts, Lucy Sellick, Ella Nash, Jenny O'Connell and Jane Russett made up the Saltford side which played in gale force wind, rain, hail and snow.

Fry’s Tennis firsts get season back on track After a poor run of results, Fry I were keen to get their Winter League season back on track in Division 2A, writes our correspondent. Their only match was a winnable fixture at home to Cleeve Hill. Ann Mora and Debby Williamson started things off for the hosts in the Ladies’ Doubles. Both ladies have been in excellent form this year and were rarely troubled in a comfortable 6-1 6-4 win. Mark Long and Julian Hellyer didn’t fare so well in the Men’s Doubles. Despite a strong start, Fry’s were unable to take their chances in the first set and faded badly in the second, eventually losing 7-5 6-2. With the fixture level at one a

piece, the Mixed Doubles became crucial to win. Mark and Debby combined well in the first Mixed Doubles match to ease to a 6-3 6-3 win. In the second mixed match, Julian and Ann battled to a hard-fought 7-5 0-6 6-2 win, Julian deserving particular credit for playing through the match with an injury. That result meant Fry’s recorded an impressive 8 points to 2 win which has got their season back on track. In Division 4B, Fry II have had a tough month with a couple of losses to some very good teams. First up was an away trip to Saltford I. Julian Hellyer and Tony Dicker acquitted themselves well in the Men’s Doubles but couldn’t do enough to get the win losing 6-3 7-5.

In the Ladies’ Doubles, Sally Difazio and Jo Taylor were made to work hard and had to use all their experience to record a 6-3 7-5 win. The Mixed Doubles matches were close, but Fry’s were edged out of both, with Julian and Sally losing 6-4 6-4 and Tony and Jo losing 6-4 7-5. That meant a disappointing 8 points to 2 loss for Fry’s. Things didn’t get any easier for Fry’s with a trip to the always tough Bath. Julian Hellyer, Paul Israel, Ann Smith and Jo Taylor all performed well but Fry’s were outmatched and were beaten 10 points to 0. Overall it’s been a mixed month for Fry’s but both teams will look forward to finishing the season strongly next month.

All welcome to give bowls a try Frys Bowls Club are looking for new members of all ages and abilities. Here they tell readers more about the club: We are a friendly club open to male and female members. It doesn’t matter if you have been playing for years or have never played before, you are welcome. We play our home matches in the grounds of the old Cadbury’s factory in Keynsham. We have league and friendly matches, as well as club competitons from mid-April to September. If you are a leader of a youth/ social group, Frys Bowls Club is inviting your group to come and try bowls as part of your summer activities, free of charge. All equipment is provided. To book a date for your group, or if you are interested in becoming a member or finding out more, please contact our Secretary, Christopher Day, on 01225 872959 or email cwandjlday@ btinternet.com. You can also visit our website, www.frysbowlsclub.webs.com, or come down to the club and give bowls a try on Tuesday nights from April 15. Training and equipment can be provided. You can also follow Frys Bowls Club on Twitter @FrysBowls.

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Club ready to roll, despite the rain While the recent weather is hardly ideal for playing bowls, the winter maintenance team at Keynsham Bowls Club are hard at work making preparations for the new season, which starts at the beginning of April. The picture above shows Bob Harris and John Beaven replacing one of the slabs around the

green, while Roy Wilton is giving a coat of varnish to the canopy outside the pavilion. The work is being supervised by Bill Byrne and Derek Hurst. The new men’s captain David Hockney says members are really looking forward to the 2014 season after a very successful year in 2013.

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March, 2014

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