Long Ashton and Failand Voice July 2023

Epic – a threat to our green belt?

THE PLANNED development by US-based company Epic on land southwest of the Long Ashton Park & Ride has raised a number of fears and concerns for Long Ashton residents, particularly the loss of green belt land and the potential opening up the door for future developments.

As councillor Stuart McQuillan said to us, “This is a highly significant development proposal that could change the character of the village if completed due to its unique location.” (The land in question is a triangle with the main A370 on the west side, the mainline Bristol-Taunton railway on the south side and includes land on either side of the South Bristol Link Road on the northeast side, with Ashton Vale’s industrial estate in the far east corner.)

We spoke to Epic both at the recent public consultation in the village on 12 June and subsequently to clarify its plans for the proposed development.

In brief, Epic proposes to “secure planning permission to build offices for its UK and Europe operations, including a canteen and meeting facilities.

Epic projects to employ 400-500 people in the near term [and] around 2,000 onsite employees in the long-term”, said an Epic spokesperson.

Of the proposed land acquisition, Epic said it would be building on just under 10% with the remainder being “a mix of landscaped and naturalised green space which will be open to the public”.

In response to fears about losing green belt and thus setting a precedent for future developments, the spokesperson said: “Epic’s plans are for low-rise (two-three storeys), sustainable, and low-density buildings, specifically for the purposes of its business. Green belt development schemes are required to demonstrate very special

Site plan of Epic’s proposed development

Epic proposed development cont...

circumstances; proposals stand and fall on their own merits. Epic’s proposed development is no different. Epic’s very special circumstances are predicated on the projected economic value provided, including the quality and number of jobs. Therefore, Epic is not creating a planning precedent for future schemes, particularly for other uses (eg, manufacturing, housing, warehousing, shipping and logistics).”

Councillor Stuart McQuillan commented: “The land concerned is classed as green belt and was not included in the North Somerset draft local plan due to its value in terms of the purposes of green belt (resisting urban sprawl, preventing urban areas merging, safeguarding the countryside, maintaining the character of rural villages).

“Epic therefore needs to demonstrate that the benefits of their proposal outweigh any harm to the green belt to gain planning consent via the ‘very special circumstances’ provision in planning policy.

“I am yet to be convinced this can be done but I also recognise that many details of the application have yet to be submitted or scrutinised.”

We asked Epic to clarify how the land could be future-proofed from additional development. The spokesperson said Epic has made several commitments to protect the land for the future, namely:

• Epic is not proposing to remove the land it is looking to buy from the green belt.

• Epic has agreed to gift to the Long Ashton Cricket Club the land that they currently lease.

• Epic’s full planning application will be for a low-density office scheme (~10% of the total site) for the long-term.

• Epic has agreed to put restrictions on building buildings on the ~30 acres closest to Long Ashton to maintain a green wedge between Long Ashton and South Bristol. This will protect this green space for the future.

Our understanding of the latter point, from the discussions we had at the public consultation, is

that this land would be placed in control of the Parish Council.

We asked Epic about the specific concerns that had been raised at its meeting with the Parish Council last year and how it had responded. Said the Epic spokesperson: “…regarding maintaining a green wedge between South Bristol and Long Ashton, Epic shifted the buildings to the south of the site to continue to protect the green space adjacent to Long Ashton.

“Questions were also raised around current and future road congestion. We’ve been conducting a traffic study for the past year to ensure we fully understand the scope of the traffic issues. We are in conversations with North Somerset Council with making localised improvements to the highway network and the Colliters Way roundabout. We are also producing a sustainable travel plan to support employees commuting to work via foot, cycle and public transport.”

Regarding flooding concerns, “[We] updated our plans to account for those concerns. We are designing a sustainable drainage strategy to mitigate any further issues around surface water management and flooding so that rainwater is managed onsite and does not add to downstream flooding,” said the spokesperson.

Following the recent public consultation, we asked if there were additional underlying concerns that Epic would be addressing in its plans. Said the spokesperson: “Many of the key concerns they raised are those that we’ve been busy incorporating into our plans: addressing traffic concerns,

managing flood risk, keeping public access to the land, and retaining a significant green space between the village of Long Ashton and the City of Bristol.”

With fears and rumours of houses also being built, we wanted Epic to set the record straight – we asked: ‘Just to confirm – there will be no houses built here, now or in the future?’

“Correct: Epic has never proposed to build houses and never will. Epic is a healthcare software company. Epic plans to build its own office buildings for the purpose of its business,” said the Epic spokesperson.

And re the rumoured train station – we asked if this was a likely future development. “Epic explored early in its planning process the possibility of a train station long-term. Epic is not currently pursuing a train station,” said the Epic spokesperson.

Should this planning application be approved, we asked Epic to outline any benefits this would bring to the community. The spokesperson told us that the development will:

• Provide jobs to boost the local economy long-term

• See significant investment in local infrastructure including improvements to the Colliters Way/A370 roundabout, improvements to the local cycle network including Festival Way, and new and improved public rights of way in and around the site

• Secure the future of the Long Ashton Cricket Club by gifting the land to the club

• Help protect the setting of Long

Ashton by putting restrictions on building buildings on the ~30 acres closest to Long Ashton to maintain a green wedge between South Bristol and Long Ashton. This will protect the green space for the future.

Said councillor Ashley Cartman: “Although I welcome new jobs and opportunities, my priority is to maintain the green space around the village and to prevent the sprawl of Bristol. Our identity as a village is important and we need to preserve it.”

In terms of next steps, said Cartman: “The proposals from Epic represent a significant development on the edge of Long Ashton and as a community we need to have a close look at what they are proposing before we decide how to respond.

“I plan to meet with Epic to discuss their proposals and will look very closely at any planning application they submit to North Somerset Council. In the meantime, I would like to know how residents view the proposals and would welcome any correspondence on the matter.”

Likewise, councillor Stuart McQuillan commented: “I will keep a close watch on this development as your councillor, and I encourage all residents to engage with both Epic and the forthcoming planning process as this proposal matures.”

The parish council declined to comment until after its full council meeting on 24th July. Planning is likely to be submitted this September.

Please send us your comments on this story to: editor@longashtonand failandvoice.co.uk

CGI of one of the proposed buildings on the Epic development

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Tragedy shows importance of tackling knife crime

I HOPE everyone has been enjoying time outside in the sunshine and stayed safe whilst doing so during our recent spell of glorious weather.

Earlier this month, I put questions relating to knife crime and increased summer demand for police support to Chief Constable Sarah Crew at the latest Performance and Accountability Board (PAB), which livestreams every month on Facebook.

I know that the police get exceptionally busy in the summer, but local people still rightfully expect a high level of service.

During PAB I asked the Chief Constable how she will ensure that officers respond in a timely way and improve on what they did last year.

I also asked for an update on the week of awareness tackling knife crime – and how officers work with Violence Reduction Units to prevent knife crime.

This was particularly important following the tragic death of 16-year-

old Mikey Roynon, from South Gloucestershire, at an incident in Bath on June 10.

Two teenage boys, one from Dorset and another from Wiltshire, have since been charged with murder and possessing an offensive weapon.

At the PAB we also discussed the amazing work of police volunteers, as well as rape and sexual assaults in hospitals.

If you would like to listen in to the conversation, you can view our Facebook live video that was recorded and has been posted to the OPCC Facebook page.

I would like to take some time to highlight the 159 service, launched by Stop Scams UK. If you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details, I urge you to stop, hang up and call 159.

This is a short-code phone service that connects people safely to their bank’s fraud prevention service.

This free phone service should be

used when either you or someone you know may have provided an unknown person with your bank card or banking information over the phone, to report fraud potentially taking place.

I would like to mention the work of Crimestoppers and the South West: No Place for Drugs campaign.

Currently, Crimestoppers is appealing to the public to speak up and report cases of property being used as a grow house or farm to cultivate cannabis.

Organised crime gangs are renting properties in both urban and rural parts of the country and setting up cannabis farms. This illegal activity often brings serious violence, victims of modern slavery, and increased risks of building fires and explosions.

If you are a landlord, I implore you to become aware of the signs of cannabis cultivation: barricaded windows and doors, unsafe electricity wiring, and mould and water damage

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

from hydroponics and irrigation systems.

I urge you to learn the signs of cannabis cultivation, which can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk. org.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued contribution to keeping our communities safe and wish you all a safe and happy week.

n LOCAL HISTORY

The Mad Major – The life and times of Christopher Draper

I FIRST MET my nextdoor neighbour Chris Draper back in March 2000, a neatly attired, polite and gentle soul and former Met Office employee. He told me plainly and without any scent of pity that he had suffered mental health issues for some years. In our infrequent chats he often spoke about his flamboyant uncle who had been a double agent WWI flying ace and had once betrayed Hitler. I have to confess in amongst his long and sometimes rambling monologues, I did take this to be somewhat far-fetched and dismissed his claims as perhaps a figment of his imagination.

On the sad death of my neighbour Chris in 2022, relatives came to clear his belongings and there was a diary of an expedition to Arctic Canada in 1974 with his old school Clifton College. A few emails exchanged with the college and the diary found a welcome new home in the college archives. This was the catalyst to spark my interest and a search on Google to see if there were any further details of Chris’s life.

The first search result revealed no other than Christopher Draper, squadron commander and uncle of my late neighbour. Amongst his many and varied careers, he was a WWI flying ace, double agent, actor and, thanks to his penchant for flying under low bridges, owner of the soubriquet ‘The Mad Major’. Further rummaging the depths of Google’s search engine and low and behold the Mad Major had written his own biography appropriately entitled ‘The Mad Major’.

I acquired a copy and found myself astonished and gripped by the story of this man’s life. If you could imagine Biggles and Harry Flashman’s lives being no more than mundane in comparison, then you are beginning to have some idea of the life of Major Draper.

We also recruit :

Having written to his local MP in 1913 to ask for £210 to learn to fly at flying school and being successful in his request, he then embarked on a remarkable rise through the ranks. At this time, aviation was very much in its infancy and anyone not in possession of the requisite amount of ‘ticker’ would need to seek alternative employment. Planes’ engines were known to just cut out on a whim and it wasn’t uncommon for tails, wings or other essential parts of the primitive craft to just fall off, leaving the pilot in a pickle.

Pages of the book are littered with references to his “incorrigible” behaviour and frequent run-ins with authority. In fact, he seems to have engaged with the enemy in the skies just as often as he did with authority on the ground.

In 1918 one morning while flying towards the frontlines, Draper accidentally flew under a bridge while in full view of a large body of troops. The troops cheered so heartily that Draper repeated the stunt wherever possible. This earned him his nickname ‘the Mad Major’.

For his service in the war he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in April 1918 and the French Croix de Guerre in August 1919.

In between the wars there was a career as a second-hand car salesman; he then earned his crust as chief test pilot; and he narrowly escaped shuffling off to a higher celestial plane when his BAT Bantam crashed in 1920.

By 1930 he was both out of work and penniless and, somewhat aggrieved by his own and other veterans’ plights, he decided to raise his public profile by borrowing a Puss Moth and staging an aerial publicity stunt. The flight was captured on film and gained the Mad Major the desired degree of fame. This led to new employment as a stunt pilot in films and then, with his dashing good looks,

led him into acting, appearing in several films as George Mannering.

In 1932, Draper was invited to participate in the Aces of the Air Tour of Germany. This led to his first meeting with Adolf Hitler. Finding himself a little short once more, he then agreed to give a lecture tour in London for three guineas a time promoting the views of Nazi Germany to a largely mixed reception. This led to his recruitment as a spy by the Germans only for Draper to contact MI6 and the start of his work as a double agent, with MI6 feeding him false information to pass to the Nazis.

WWII came and the now 47-year-old Draper once again enlisted and further distinguished services in the RAF in various corners of the world were to follow. In 1953 he was further upset about the treatment of his ex-war colleagues and he once again staged his protest by flying under London bridges. “I did it for the publicity,” Draper told the press, “For 14 months I have been out of a job, and I’m broke. I wanted to prove that I am still fit, useful and worth employing... They tell me I can be jailed, possibly for six months. ... It was my last-ever flight – I meant it as a spectacular swansong.”

He did continue to fly for another 11 years. On his occasional visits to the West Country and Long Ashton, he cut a dashing figure in his convertible sports car. He remained a bachelor; he said he had one great romance that went wrong in 1914 and since then he was wedded to the skies.

By David Milne, member of the Long Ashton History Society

David has his own history Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/273646417637953

Tel: 07732 488816

Lost dog advice

WITH SO MANY posts on our local Facebook groups about dogs lost – and found – we asked Lost Dog Recovery UK if they could share advice on what to do. Here is what they advise:

LET YOUR DOG RETURN

Your dog will try to return to where it ran from or back to home. Walk quietly, scenting the route back. Strangers calling out/ searching will confuse scents and is not helpful.

REPORT YOUR DOG MISSING

Register on DogLost.co.uk, call the dog warden and vets, check microchip details and report as lost.

PUT UP POSTERS

This is vital for sightings and to stop people trying to grab your dog. Include ‘Don’t chase’, clear photos, and two phone numbers – don’t rely on social media.

Cover high footfall areas and roads, too – you need to reach everyone, not just dog walkers.

SIGHTINGS

Take all details of EVERY sighting – the time, exact location, direction and behaviour. If the sighting is current, get there ALONE, leave food and walk quietly; if historic and the dog has been running, poster the area. DON’T allow lots of people to go – just a bonded human and a bonded dog.

IF YOU SEE YOUR DOG

Let them come to you in their own time – this could take hours! Do not pressure them. Sit down, stay still, calm and quiet. Throw treats. WAIT. Do not call them, do not approach them and do not grab them.

If unsure, contact a lost dog team for advice.

ESCAPE FROM HOME/ GARDEN?

If your dog has escaped from your home or garden, leave your door or gate open all night. Put the dog’s bed outside and put food outside and trail to the pavement.

ESCAPED ON A WALK?

• Leave your car in the carpark

• Leave the boot/door open

• Sit quietly

Handy numbers

Bristol Dog Warden 0117 922 2500

Bristol Animal Rescue Centre 0117 977 6043

North Somerset dog warden 01275 888 802

Message Lost Dog Recovery UK South CIC via Facebook at bit.ly/3p08eO3

Many thanks to Lost Dog Recovery UK South CIC (bit.ly/3p08eO3) for sharing this vital advice

City council has written off £93m on the Bristol Beacon

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

THE city council poured £22.5m into Bristol Beacon last year –more than it spent on building new homes, expanding schools or low-carbon energy projects.

An opposition councillor said the decision was a “massive drain” on the authority’s finances, with every penny instantly written off and the concert venue continuing to be valued at zero in City Hall’s accounts because more is being spent than the building is worth.

Bristol City Council says the true value of the investment to the city’s economy will “ultimately dwarf” the financial costs of the works. The renovation has almost tripled from £48m to £132m after the state of the Victorian hall was found to be a “worst-case scenario”, with discoveries including hollow pillars holding up roofs, unknown Elizabethan well shafts and structurally unsound hidden arches that were just covered up.

The refurbishment costs had already soared to £107m before mayor Marvin Rees’s cabinet approved an additional £25m in January, just as it was announcing widespread cuts to services to

balance the authority’s annual budget. That took the council’s contribution to the revamp from an initial £10m to £84m.

The decision also included withdrawing all ongoing financial support to Bristol Music Trust (BMT) – the charity responsible for the venue’s day-to-day running –when it reopens on 30 November, as well as renegotiating the trust’s 30-year lease, which is currently on a peppercorn rent from the local authority with no break clause.

The review sparked alarm from Arts Council England (ACE) that it could impact BMT’s charitable objectives, and because BMT was founded by the city council in 2011 as a condition of the capital funding from ACE for the £20m foyer redevelopment, any changes to the break clause may impact the Arts Council’s funding.

According to the authority’s draft accounts, the £22.5m spent on Bristol Beacon by the council in 2022/23 means the amount ploughed into the project and written off now stands at £93m, with £4m committed to building contractors Willmott Dixon.

Police Sergeant awarded British Empire Medal

SERGEANT Aqil Farooq from Avon and Somerset Police has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to policing and communities in His Majesty The King’s first Birthday Honours list.

Said a spokesperson: “For 20 years PS Farooq has carried out invaluable work supporting and guiding the constabulary as the force seeks to build confidence in policing and ensure that its workforce reflects the diverse communities that it serves.

“Sergeant Aqil Farooq has also been a member, general secretary, deputy chair and was, most recently, chair of the Avon and Somerset Black Police Association (BPA –since renamed Reach) – and all alongside his day job as an operational police officer.

“Aqil’s work has helped

to deliver a 25% increase in the number of police officers and staff recruited from underrepresented communities since 2015.

“He also had a key role in setting up the very first faith Advisory Group in the UK, forging partnerships with mosques and other religious establishments across the Avon and Somerset policing area, empowering faith groups to tackle issues such as crime prevention, security and confidence in policing.

“Under his leadership, the BPA outreach team won the National Lord Ferrer’s Volunteer Team Award in 2021. These youngsters were recognised for their work in engaging with diverse communities to break down barriers and build trust and confidence, including

young people of the possible consequences of carrying a knife.

“PS Farooq also held a regional position for four years, supporting the Black Police Associations of seven forces with strategy around common themes such as recruitment and retention as well as good practice initiatives.

“Aqil also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for the personal commitments he made over a substantial part of his career, putting the organisation and his colleagues before himself.

“Although he has now stepped down from the BPA executive, he continues to provide a valuable additional contribution to policing by bringing his insight to many working groups to help improve areas of concern.”

delivering interactive workshops to raise awareness among

Sergeant Aquil Farooq awarded British Empire Medal

Double celebrations for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

NOAH’S ARK Zoo Farm wins gold for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism in the Visit England Awards for Excellence, as well as Work Experience Employer of the Year by Weston College.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm was presented with the gold award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Business at the ceremony on Platform 9¾ of Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London, seeing off tough competition from WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, and Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages & Lakeside Hub, Lancashire.

On its first gold award, Rhian Gunstone, brand and engagement manager, said: “It was a real honour to go to the Visit England Awards to receive the award on behalf of Noah’s Ark. We are extremely proud that this award recognises the work of

our Zoo to become as accessible and inclusive as possible. It is fantastic recognition of our team’s continued hard work and dedication. We will continue to follow our visitors’ feedback to improve the overall experience

“All mums should have a mummy MOT”

for every guest here at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.”

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm aims to create a place of joy, wonder, adventure, and refreshment that supports the wellbeing of its visitors, staff, and volunteers alike. Through education and outreach, the Zoo aims to inspire and motivate this generation and the next to consider sustainable lifestyles and care for our planet.

Providing meaningful work experience placements for those studying animal related courses through Weston College is part of this aim. The Zoo not only provides work experience placements for the College’s Animal Management course students but also has a Special Education Needs Work Experience programme providing the college with work experience for students with additional needs.

“It’s a privilege to witness the growth and passion from our work experience students. By offering hands-on opportunities and mentorship, we aim to ignite their love for conservation, instil essential skills, and nurture their potential as future zookeepers and conservationists,” said Eleanor Steeds, work experience coordinator at Noah’s Ark. Images courtesy of & distributed by Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm™

Chris and Eleanor

Up to half of all women experience weakness in their abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy which can cause instability or poor core strength leading to women developing pelvic pain or bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction. Worryingly many women just put up with it as par for the course, but the message is clear postnatal rehab works.

A Mummy MOT is a specialist postnatal examination for women following both vaginal and C-section deliveries. It will assess how your posture, pelvic floor and stomach muscles are recovering after childbirth. I am a proud Mummy MOT physiotherapist, and I am on a mission to help all you mums get on track with your health and fitness goals.

Go ahead and book your appointment at Bristol Physio today

Quote Mummy20 to receive 20% off your mummy MOT (valid until 30th July).

Larry and Rhian. Image courtesy of Visit Britain Daniela Luquini

Struggling to hear people speaking? You might need an ear health check...

NEIGHBOURS, friends and family always complaining: ‘’Why is this so loud?!’’ Do you always have to increase the volume or struggle to hear people speaking? Bedminster Pharmacy can help with our new Ear Wax Removal Service.

Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and germ-free. It usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears.

Estimates show that, in the UK, a significant amount of the population that requires help with ear wax removal has no access to NHS provision or has to wait 12 to 16 weeks. We know that a build-up of earwax in your ear can cause

problems like: earache; hearing loss; tinnitus (hearing sounds from inside your body); itchiness in or around the ear; vertigo (a spinning sensation); and ear infections.

These will usually improve once the excess earwax has been removed. Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax.

Other factors that can increase the risk of too much earwax include: producing naturally hard or dry earwax; having narrow or hairy ear canals (the tube between the opening of the ear and the eardrum); being elderly, as earwax becomes drier with age; and bony growths in the outer part

ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST with Ade Williams

of the ear canal.

Earwax can also block your ear if you frequently insert objects into your ear canal, such as cotton buds, ear plugs or hearing aids.

Our trained professionals at Bedminster Pharmacy have partnered with a world-leading health technology provider and specialist clinicians to use a cutting-edge device that examines your ears, takes high-definition images and videos, and performs a hearing check.

This allows diagnosis of conditions including infections which we can help treat in the pharmacy or referral to an appropriate medical professional. Professional removal treatment

is offered where your hearing is impacted by excessive or compacted wax.

Wax removal is done using microsuction, a painless procedure regarded as the safest and most effective way to remove earwax.

Top tip for good ear health –never use cotton buds or other objects in your ear, such as matches, hair grips, crochet hooks and knitting needles, or scratch with fingernails.

We are offering a £20 introductory price for our Ear Health Check. To book this or our professional ear wax removal appointment, just call Bedminster Pharmacy today on 0117 9853388

THE BRISTOL SOUTH SPACE PROGRAM

Stop, hang up and call 159

PCC Mark Shelford is urging anyone who receives a call or message from somebody claiming to be from a trusted organisation and who suggests money should be transferred to hang up and dial 159.

159 is a short-code phone service that connects people safely to their bank’s fraud prevention service.

The phone service should be used should you receive an unexpected or suspicious call about a financial matter. This will enable you to report financial scams as the fraud is potentially taking place.

Banks that currently implement 159 include Barclays, Co-operative, First Direct, HSBC, Lloyds (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland), Metro Bank, Nationwide Building Society, Natwest, Santander, Starling Bank and TSB.

When calling 159, you’ll be taken through an option menu in which each bank that has signed up to the service is read.

Customers are then able to use their telephone keypad to be put through to their bank, so they can speak to their bank about their concerns and protect their money.

When to call 159

• Someone contacts you claiming to be from your bank, even if they do not seem suspicious

• You are contacted by someone claiming to be an authority figure –such as the police – and told to transfer money, even if the request seems genuine

• You receive a call about a financial matter and it appears suspicious

PCC Mark Shelford said: “159 is a safe route to contacting your bank if you have suspicions and concerns about your account.

“To be totally safe, dial 159 on another phone or after a period of time to ensure that sophisticated scammers are not staying on the line and imitating a dialling tone so you think you’re calling your bank.

“No one from 159 will ever call you and only a fraudster will object to you calling 159.”

Take five to stop fraud advice

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In an emergency, call 999.

For more advice on how to stay secure online, please visit cyberaware.gov.uk

n NEWS FROM THE COUNCILLORS

SO WHAT have I been up to this month?

I attended the first North Somerset council meeting of the new cycle, and questioned the executive on how the applications to build allotments near Leigh Woods were progressing, as I know this is of huge concern to residents there. It was confirmed that planning officers had determined that the use of shipping containers required planning permission, and that the change of use was being examined carefully.

Stuart McQuillan (he/him) Green Party

I have organised another meeting with Durnford Quarry and discussed and agreed further mitigating actions with GRS Stone Ltd. The minutes of this meeting will shortly be available on local parish websites. GRS Stone will also be sending a representative to meetings of parish councils going forward, so residents can ask questions regarding quarry operations directly.

I have also met with officers and my colleagues to discuss the impact of the A370 bus lane on Long Ashton, in response to concerns raised. It was agreed that data on the traffic impact in the village will be published and a full review of the impact undertaken.

Finally, I am also looking carefully at the proposal by EPIC to build a national HQ on land near Long Ashton and I encourage residents to do the same. It’s a proposal of some significance, and it’s important that the voice of Long Ashton residents is heard.

T: 07866 512 391

E: stuart.mcquillan@n-somerset.gov.uk

n ADVERTORIAL

“ WE ARE a thriving, one-form entry school, educating children from 3 to 11 years, in the heart of Long Ashton. We are fortunate to have beautiful outside space, light, purpose-built classrooms and a warm, welcoming community. ‘Let your light shine’ (Matthew 5:16) is our vision for everyone and central to all we do. Our ethos is based on developing children who value and care for themselves and others and are able to develop strengths across all areas of the school curriculum. We are a fully inclusive school and wish for the time our pupils spend with us to be both highly rewarding, successful and enjoyable,” Victoria Reyes, headteacher.

Northleaze welcomes visits and would love you to meet some of the pupils and see us in action! Open days for Reception 2024 families are being held on the following days (and can also be found on our website  www.northleaze.n-somerset.sch.uk/open-days-20232024/):

Let your light shine!

THE FIRST full meeting of North Somerset Council happened at the end of last month and was the first opportunity for all 50 councillors to gather and formally discuss issues of concern to their residents. There are lots of matters I could have raised but this time I spoke on two issues.

Firstly, I am aware that many residents are concerned about the impact of the new Long Ashton bypass bus lane, and I asked that a review be undertaken of its implementation. I’m pleased to say that this was agreed. Over the coming few months, data will be collected and discussions held to learn lessons and, if appropriate, identify changes. In principle, I remain supportive of giving buses priority over cars, but any change needs to have broad public support and be value for money.

Councillor Ashley Cartman Liberal Democrats

Secondly, I spoke about the changes to Clevedon Seafront. I know from the election campaign that this was of concern to many people. Although I am not in favour of putting it back to how it was, I am supportive of identifying and implementing changes. I’m pleased that the new leader of North Somerset Council acknowledged that mistakes had been made and apologised for them. Work is now underway to engage with residents and later this year I expect to see some significant proposals come forward.

I always welcome hearing from residents, so if there is anything you would like to discuss, please get in touch.

T: 07904 188 187

E: ashley.cartman@n-somerset.gov.uk

Tuesday 26th September – 9.15-10.00am

Wednesday 18th October – 1.30-2.15pm

Thursday 16th November – 9.15-10.00am

Friday 1st December – 1.30-2.15pm

There are currently a few remaining places in our September 2023 Reception intake and a couple of spaces in other classes throughout the school. Please email school@northleazeprimary.org.uk if you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit.

Councillor

Calling all Nursery Staff!

Arts Week sparks imagination at Northleaze

ARTS WEEK 2023 at Northleaze was an amazing collection of creativity, imagination, collaboration, inspiration and fun at the end of May. Children enjoyed the opportunity to try many different forms of art and design each day through the week.

One of the highlights was a workshop with an animator from Bristol-based Aardman Animation Studios, who led the children in a step-by-step model-making session. Over 200 Shauns, Gromits and Morphs were carefully constructed and proudly made their way home!

Children were also inspired physically through dance, drama and boxing workshops. Artists such as Friedensreich Hundertwasser (an Austrian visual artist) and Paul Signac (a French pointillist painter) were studied by classes and some beautiful pieces created which are on display throughout the school.

Sid in Year 3 said, “I liked all

of Arts Week but my favourite was making Morph and the boxing. It was lots of fun.”

Miss Withinshaw, Year 6 teacher, organised the whole event and said: “We always love Arts Week, as it’s a chance for everyone to immerse themselves in so many different forms of creativity and I’m so proud of everything produced. We have some very talented pupils!”

Northleaze PSA (Parent Staff Association) covered the cost of every workshop and external artists through the week. Miss Withinshaw added: “We really are so fortunate to have such supportive families and a brilliantly organised PSA. The children loved Arts Week.”

Free tea parties for the over-75s

RE-ENGAGE, which is dedicated to fighting loneliness and isolation among those aged 75 and over, has recently re-started its free monthly tea parties in the South Bristol and Long Ashton area and is looking for older people to join in.

Volunteers drive guests to and from the venues where hosts provide, tea, cake and sandwiches. The social gatherings also enable the older people to make new friendships.

Meryl Davies, CEO of Re-engage, which started in 1965, said: “Loneliness can have a terrible impact on both mental and physical health. At Re-engage, our volunteers help thousands of socially isolated older people to feel less lonely.”

If you know of someone who would benefit from enjoying a tea party, or if you would like to volunteer, please visit our website at: reengage.org.uk

Volunteer Sara Cox helping at a Re-engage tea party

Stay safe in water

THE ENVIRONMENT Agency is reminding people not to take unnecessary risks while trying to cool off in the warm weather and to always make sure family and friends stay safe in and around the water.

The National Water Safety Forum’s latest Water Incident Data shows there were 226 accidental drowning deaths in the UK in 20221 .

It is warning against people looking to cool off in the river. Waterways can contain hazards, particularly in and around structures such as bridges, locks and weirs. Unexpectedly cold waters or strong currents can also catch bathers off guard. Weirs can be particularly dangerous locations with strong circular currents that can pull you under the water and make it hard to escape.

Rivers are great places to have fun, get close to nature and spend time with friends and family, but vigilance can save lives and water-related accidents can be

avoided by knowing how to stay safe.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “… many of our rivers are still bitterly cold. Sudden exposure to these temperatures can cause cold water shock which can immobilise and kill.

“The summer is always a busy time on the water, and we expect rivers to be a focal point for a lot of people’s leisure time.

“Over the last few years, we have worked hard along with many other partners, to share the safety message to children and parents, stressing that people stay away from the edge; children must be accompanied by an adult; water can be colder than it looks; and that swimming should be confined to recognised swimming areas, pools and lidos.

“While youngsters and even adults can sometimes be seen to be jumping into the water, there can be hidden dangers that could cause them to get into difficulties. We are urging parents to supervise

their children closely in and around water and make sure they do not go into the water alone.

“Our message is to come and enjoy the river and all that is going on around it, but please follow safety advice and always take heed of all signage and warnings signalling dangers and hazards – they are there to keep you safe.”

KEY SAFETY POINTS:

If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.

● Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.

● If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at the coast, ask for the coastguard; if you are inland, ask for the fire service.

● If you’re heading off to the beach, it is also worth checking the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website for up-to-date information on water quality before heading off to the beach: bit.ly/3X1zmJ8

1 https://nationalwatersafety.org.uk/ waid/annual-reports-and-data

TOP WATER SAFETY TIPS

● Don’t jump or dive in as the depth may vary and there can be unseen hazards.

● Don’t go in near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices. These and some other water features are often linked with strong currents.

● Inland waters can be very cold no matter how warm the weather. Those going into cold water can get cramp and experience breathing difficulties very quickly.

Most importantly, parents and guardians can help keep children in their care safe by:

● Teaching them to swim

● Warning them not to go into water alone, or unsupervised

● Ensuring they know where the children are and what they are doing

● Supervising them closely when near any open water

Remember drowning can occur very quickly even in shallow water and the key to keeping safe is to take all necessary precautions to avoid getting into difficulty in the first place.

Picture This with Nick Church

DRAWING WITH LIGHT

Photography is all about light. It literally means ‘drawing with light’, and that’s how to get the best photos.

The nicest photos are not those taken necessarily with the best camera, or lenses, but rather those where the subject is in the best light, and this is one of the first things we cover in my beginner photography workshop called ‘Photographer Unleashed!’.

Here’s an example from a recent wedding – this selection of cheese is colourful, has lovely contrast and texture, and looks like you want to dive right in with some crackers! But it’s actually the light that does all that in the photo, and so coming into this room, I didn’t see the cheese, I saw the rays of sunshine coming in first and thought, “Oh, man! That light is beautiful… what can I put in it?”

n NEWS

Share Bristol calls for help

DO YOU have a carpet cleaner or pressure washer you don’t really use? Share Bristol could use your help if so!

The volunteer team behind Share Bristol has put out a plea for donations of its most popular loaned things. Its carpet cleaners have been loaned out 26 times in the first six months of the year. Pressure washers are also proving popular at the moment, with 19 loans in the last few months.

Only in looking around the room did I see the cheese selection on a trolley, ready for the evening guests to enjoy. So I moved it into the light, took the shot, moved it back (in case it all melted) and went about my business.

Like I always say, the best camera is the one you have on you at the time. In this case, it happened to be a £5K camera and lens, but I could have got a very similar shot with my iPhone.

You can see this attention to light in all my photos, working it in various ways. Here are a few more from the same wedding:

Anna Perry, a volunteer director at Share Bristol, said: “Share Bristol really needs the kind of things that people use just a few times a year. We know that people have them sitting in their garages and under the stairs, so we are hoping that people will be willing to have a bit of a summer

declutter and clear-out and donate their unwanted things to Share Bristol. The best bit is that you can always borrow them back if you become a member of the library!”

If you have something you are willing to donate, please email hello@sharebristol.org.uk with the details.

If you’re interested in learning more about photography, do get in touch as I have a range of courses for beginners, improvers and full-on enthusiasts or professionals. Contact me at nick@nickchurchphotography.co.uk

The Library of Things is looking for carpet cleaners and pressure washers

Going plastic free

Find out how to get started

We’re all aware of the impact that plastic pollution is having on our environment, but between work, family, friends and admin, it can be difficult to find the time to make a change.

A great starting point is to do an audit of your plastic waste. This will help you understand where most of your plastic is coming from, and which switches will have the biggest impact.

There are two ways to do this: one is to spend a few minutes looking through your recycling before you put it out to be collected; alternatively, you could spend a week making a note each time you put a plastic item in recycling or general waste.

The first method is quicker, but the second will give you a more holistic picture and include non-recyclable plastic such as film lids.

If you notice there are several plastic houmous pots in your recycling, maybe you could try making your own using tinned or dried chickpeas. If most of your plastic comes from take-away or ready-meal trays, could you reserve one evening to batch cook a few meals that will last all week?

You might find that a lot of your plastic comes from laundry liquid or cleaning products. Items like these are great to start refilling. Any bottle with a lid can be saved and taken to your local refill shop.

At Zero Green, we ask you to weigh your container first, and write the weight on – this is so you aren’t charged for the weight of your container. Then you simply fill your bottle and bring it to the till.

To keep things simple, you might want to bring in just one bottle the first time. It will get easier each time and, before you know it, you will be a refill champion!

Partners Rob and Anwen took over at Zero Green in July 2022. Zero Green’s mission is to help minimise the plastic that is polluting our beautiful planet, by stocking a range of bulk-buy and plastic-free groceries, cleaning, hygiene and wellbeing products.

n PARISH COUNCIL

Long Ashton Parish Council update

By chairman, Cllr Dan Smith

Welcome to your new parish council. With a new council we have some enthusiastic new faces and a shiny new chairman.

I’d like to say a big thanks to all of the outgoing councillors for their hard work, the results of which will be seen for years to come. Some results won’t have even been noticed yet as projects trundle along into the hands of the new team.

A special mention should go to Cathy Fagg, who expertly chaired the council until stepping down in May, and to Sheila Hardingham who brought so much energy and expertise to the council for 24 years.

It also feels appropriate to thank the councillors who have come back for more, and acknowledge that those who have left us are still in the background helping us onto our feet.

We had an ‘exciting’ start this time around with only 8 of the 21 seats occupied on the opening of the first general meeting. Happily, reinforcements arrived and we quickly doubled that number. I’m pleased with the range of views and expertise on the council, which will hopefully make for lively and constructive meetings.

It became apparent when I was asking people if they would be interested in becoming a councillor that most people simply don’t have the time. For those of you who would like to help, or have any suggestions or gripes, you can still pitch in. Just talk to us. It can be as simple as sending an email, joining a working group, saying a few words at the beginning of a council meeting, or even collaring me in the street (I won’t volunteer other councillors for that bit). You never know, you might find that you develop an interest in parish council work!

We continue with all the projects and concerns from the previous council and hope you will be pleased with the results. The Parish Council office is in the Jubilee Pavilion of the Community Centre complex, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, BS41 9DP and is open to the public Tuesday and Thursday 10am–2pm (by appointment at other times).

Call us on 01275 393551

Email us at: office@ longashtonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Visit us at: www. longashtonparishcouncil.gov.uk or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ LongAshtonParishCouncil

Rob and Anwen, co-directors of Zero Green on North Street

Wraxall rector Rev Andrews, Long Ashton RBL standard bearer Kelvin Taylor, and cornet player Mable Mundy at the Cenotaph after the Remembrance Service held on Sunday 11 June at the 1940s-style Dig For Victory Show held on the North Somerset Showground.

n INTERVIEW WITH EMMA LAKER

Meet the blogger behind the newly-crowned Turkish Film Festival best film winner!

LOCAL RESIDENT Emma Laker, aka the ‘egg lady’, talks to us about how when living in Turkey she and her family ended up being filmed for a documentary, which has just won best film at Frankfurt’s International Turkish Film Festival.

How did you end up living abroad?

It was my Turkish husband’s idea to pick up sticks and move back to his homeland; it took a lot of persuasion for me to agree! It felt massively daunting, what with a different language and culture, but deep down I had this person yearning for freedom, away from the rat race, and I believe it was this that made me take the leap into the unknown.

What inspired you to live in the sticks?

My husband came to the UK in 2001 aged just 19, after spending his childhood on his family’s farm in Turkey; it was always his dream to return to his roots.

So, after 10 years of living in Bedminster, one day we packed all our belongings and took a three-day car journey across Europe, and into Turkey. We stayed for six years living pretty much out in the wild.

Being a multicultural family, I think it was only right that our children gained handson experience of their Turkish roots. They knew all about life in the UK, they all spoke English, but what about their Turkish culture? What food do Turkish people eat? What is the countryside like? How do Turkish people speak?

It would be selfish of me if I didn’t allow them to know about their own history. It is so important to know where we come from. I believe this knowledge creates the building blocks of the personalities we become.

My parents gave me so much freedom as a child, the type of freedom that teaches you life skills that no classroom can teach. I wanted the same for my children, and where else better to do than on a farm out in the sticks, away from computer games, away from bad temptations – just pure freedom and an open fire or two?

What was daily life like on the farm? Despite it sounding idyllic, times were extremely tough: it was an ‘if you work you eat; if not, you’ll go hungry’ type of existence.

In spring we would take a two-day walk up to higher grounds where it’s cooler and the animals could feast galore. We set up camp and stayed for around for six months of the year. Mornings were always an early start, around 5.30am – sheep get hungry and impatient fairly quickly, so their breakfast before ours was always first priority. Cooking was always done outside on an open fire; even a cup of tea was made on it, too.

It’s gets extremely hot in southeast Turkey

(Gaziantep), so searching for a way to keep cool was often a daily thing. Luckily there was a little fresh water spring/stream that the children used for paddling; diving in after milking the sheep was so refreshing.

We used sheep’s milk to make cheese or natural yoghurt and that’s how we made a living, along with harvesting our crops of olives, cherries and pistachio nuts.

Winter times were even tougher – the weather drops to -20 and snow can be meters deep. Then, we’d move back down the mountain and into a shack that I’d call home, and the sheep went into a make-shift barn. There was no central heating or doubleglazing; in fact, there wasn’t a bathroom window, just a smashed frame of one covered in cobwebs. Twice a day I’d fill a coal bucket with wood that we’d collected in the autumn to heat up one room; the remaining rooms contained icicles and a half-collapsed ceiling!

How did the documentary come about?

I realised my life wasn’t the norm – not many people bring baby lambs home into the warm to join us for breakfast or share a house with gigantic camel spiders! My life contained wellies, muck, bonfires, no electricity or running water and straw-filled hair.

But I also realised our children were having the time of their lives. They could recognise what illness a sheep had, and deliver a difficult birth unassisted by an adult; our son learned to drive a tractor at age 12.

They didn’t learn to add up at mainstream school; they learnt through selling our produce, along with the local lingo. They felt what humanity is by growing up with Syrian refugees and planting trees together. They had their vision widened on the world and this gave them the passion to do something about it. Something extraordinary was happening, and I had to keep a record of it, and that’s how my blog ‘So it begins… Turkey,

the good, the baklava, the willage’ began.

The point of keeping a blog was to create a memory book of our time. I wasn’t sure if people would follow; that was irrelevant: it was a place to jot down stuff when I felt homesick, when one of the children built a fence, when I fancied real English Cheddar cheese or if a new lamb was born – like a family photo album but online.

It just so happened that a Turkish film producer stumbled across my blog and felt she could make a documentary on us. I resisted at first as I didn’t feel confident about it. After being egged on by followers and my sister-in-law, who has now sadly passed away, I agreed to begin the process of a film that would take over two years to create.

The film was submitted, along with 1400 other applicants, and we were one of only seven films that were shortlisted! That in itself is an achievement for me, and winning doesn’t matter. What matters is that a little piece of our children’s upbringing caught the eye of someone who realised, ‘She’s doing alright’, and that means the world to me.

The film has visited film festivals all over Europe, including Turkey, Serbia and Germany. We hope to bring it home to the UK film festivals, too.

Once it has finished its rounds, it will be ready for the public to view on TV.

Why are you known as the ‘egg lady’? Fast forward to my life in Long Ashton – I arrived on UK soil with £50 in my pocket and seven growing children. I found an elderly gentlemen who required a carer, and he introduced me to a farmer whose chickens lay the most delicious eggs. I took it upon myself to get the word out about these eggs, and ended up supplying half of Long Ashton with them! Plus it keeps me in my wellies and farm ties.

You can view the documentary trailer at https://fb.watch/l6N-eI2cs7/

Emma, left, and with family above moved to a remote farm in Turkey

Local peace of mind service

Death and dementia are upsetting issues to think about, yet you know you need to see a law firm to make sure your legal affairs are properly sorted to protect those you care about.

Our local legal experts in this area of law are Simpson Solicitors and they offer our readers:

● A friendly service when you phone to find out about booking a FREE meeting on 01275 857 122

● Feel welcome and wanted when you come to see us in our Nailsea office (opposite The Post Office in the Crown Glass Shopping Centre) or in Westbury on Trym High Street.

● Put you at ease as they guide you through your various options for making a Will to provide for those you most care about.

● An understanding service, whether your concerns are guardians for young children or protecting against care home fees.

● Use of plain English (not legal jargon).

● Help deciding the best options for you in the event you lose the ability to manage without support by setting up our Lasting Powers of Attorney.

● Take as long as you need when having your FREE review meeting.

● Home or Hospital Visit service if getting to the office is difficult - at no extra charge

● Clear fixed prices with no hidden costs if you decide to instruct them.

● Help you make changes – so everything works in the way that is right for you.

● See you to sign your Will and LPAs – to make sure everything is legally valid.

● Provide a complementary aftercare service that leaves you feeling cared for.

It all adds up to a service that leaves clients with peace of mind. They currently have a special offer of 20% off the price of LPAs for our readers.

To book your free review pop into our Nailsea office (opposite The Post Office in the Crown Glass Shopping Centre) or in Westbury on Trym High Street or call 01275 857 122

Gallagher Sharukka Rajkumar

Bristol Airport gains Real Living Wage accreditation

BRISTOL AIRPORT has just achieved Real Living Wage accreditation from the Real Living Wage Foundation, an independent organisation that champions fair pay for all.

Currently, more than 12,000 UK businesses voluntarily pay their colleagues the higher award and Bristol Airport has secured the Real Living Wage accreditation across the airport site.

In contrast to the Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, which are both set by the government, the Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate based on the actual cost of living. Annual rates are calculated by the Resolution Foundation based on a basket of everyday goods and overseen by the Living Wage Commission.

Bristol Airport and each of its business partners on site have committed to paying the Real Living Wage as a minimum, and not the lower rates calculated by the government.

Debbie Hartshorn, people director, Bristol Airport, said: “Bristol Airport is central to the economy of the South West currently supporting almost 4,000 direct jobs and around 23,000 jobs across the wider region. As we expand capacity from 10 million passengers per annum to 12 million passengers, we are projected to add a further 5,800 jobs. We have a responsibility to ensure that these roles are attractive to candidates and are fairly rewarded, and are delighted to have attained Real Living Wage accreditation ahead of the deadline we set for ourselves.”

n GARDENING Garden tips for July

Local gardener Ben Collison shares his tips for summer gardening

AS THE warm weather continues, the garden should be flourishing with vibrant colours and an abundance of life, making it a truly enchanting sight.

In the vegetable garden, it’s time to harvest an array of delicious crops, including beans, carrots, beetroot and early potatoes. To keep the harvest going, consider planting quick-growing crops such as salad leaves and radishes. These can be sown directly into the soil for a continuous supply of fresh greens throughout the summer.

Some of the important jobs in the garden in July are deadheading and pruning. Keep your flowering plants looking their best by regularly deadheading spent blooms – this practice encourages further flowering and tidies up your garden’s appearance. Additionally, now is a good time to prune any early flowering shrubs such as Ceanothus, Hebe and Weigela and it’s also time to prune stone fruit trees such as cherries and plums.

With the summer heat in full swing, it’s crucial to provide your plants with adequate hydration. Water deeply and thoroughly, particularly for container plants and newly established ones. Water in the early morning or late evening to minimise evaporation.

One way you can conserve water is to use rain water from a water butt or use your grey water from washing up. Equally, if you want to plant new plants, wait until there is naturally more water around in the autumn whilst the soil is still warm.

July is a time when many stunning flowers grace gardens. Take time to enjoy the vibrant blooms of plants such as roses, lavender, geraniums, rudbeckias, sweet peas and achilleas. Enjoy the riots of colour and scents in the garden. Happy gardening!

Ben Collison, garden designer, www.collisongardening.co.uk

Kindness & community spirit

By Liz Cornelius

SINCE APRIL 2023, when the playground was installed in Failand by the Wraxall and Failand Parish Council, we have seen many acts of kindness and community spirit on the grounds on the Failand Village Hall.

In April, a playhouse was donated and delivered by Failand residents for local children to enjoy.

In May, two benches were donated, one by Failand residents as part of the Jubilee celebrations and the other by the Failand Village Hall.

In June, two picnic benches were donated and assembled by Honey & Ginger, the local village shop.

All of these enhancements have made the village hall grounds even more accessible and enjoyable for the local community.

The Failand Village Hall has also installed a general rubbish bin, located at the playground entrance. We would be very grateful for the help of all those who visit to ensure that litter is disposed of appropriately in our new green bin. We would hate for wildlife to be harmed by plastic waste and our countryside environment to become littered.

Unfortunately, we have experienced a recent increase in litter. We would like to reverse this trend, with the support of the local community who use our wonderful Failand Village Hall.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Failand Village Hall soon.

phone: 07767 444 878

email: collisongardening@gmail.com or www.collisongardening.co.uk

Dave Lees, CEO, Bristol Airport centre holding the Real Living Wage certificate

Two picnic benches donated for Failand’s new playground

IMAGINE back pain as a raging house fire. Just like preventing fires with precautions such as fire alarms and closed gas hobs, we take steps to protect our backs. However, sometimes the unexpected occurs, and we find ourselves in need of immediate intervention. Just as the fire brigade puts out the flames averting a disaster, a fully blown disc may require a back operation. The operation deals with the acute problem, but it leaves behind a damaged ‘house’ in need of reconstruction.

That’s where chiropractors step in – as the carpenters of the back. They specialise in rebuilding what was damaged and restoring functionality.

Recently, I treated a patient who had undergone a disc shaving procedure to relieve leg pain. While the surgery successfully resolved the leg discomfort, she found herself still suffering from persistent lower back pain several months later. Additionally, the lingering discomfort prevented her from exercising, which further dampened her spirits.

Recognising the need for a comprehensive approach, she sought the assistance of Kasa Chiropractic. Through a

Restoring harmony

like these that highlight the importance of seeking holistic solutions rather than merely addressing the immediate emergency.

At Kasa Chiropractic, we understand that your wellbeing is not just about extinguishing the flames of pain; it’s about rebuilding and restoring the harmony within your body.

Our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you recover and thrive, providing you with the care you need to regain control of your life.

series of sessions, we focused not only on alleviating her pain but also on restoring her ability to move freely and enjoy life once again. By targeting the root cause of her discomfort, we were able to address the underlying issues in her spine and provide the necessary care for her rehabilitation.

Now, thanks to chiropractic treatment, she is pain-free and back to her active lifestyle. The rebuilt ‘house’ of her back stands strong and resilient. It is stories

Remember, when it comes to your health, after the firefighters have done their part, the skilled carpenters at Kasa Chiropractic are ready to rebuild your foundation.

Don’t let back pain hold you back any longer; take the first step towards a painfree future today.

Charles Herbert Kasa Chiro 0117 370 2680 www.kasachiro.com

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Outstanding collection sells at auction

CLEVEDON SALEROOMS enjoyed one of its most successful auctions in recent years with the sale of the contents of Barrow Court, Barrow Gurney on Thursday 1 June at the Kenn Road Auction Centre.

The outstanding single-owner collection had been amassed over a 30-year period by the late technology entrepreneur Iann Barron CBE.

Having purchased a substantial portion of the Jacobean mansion in the 1970s, he embarked on a major restoration of the historic interiors, creating a wonderland of period furniture and works of art, the majority purchased from established dealers in the Cotswolds during the 1980s.

Collections of such provenance and quality are always guaranteed to create a stir when they appear on the market and Clevedon Salerooms maximised the opportunity with a dedicated

printed catalogue and a coordinated publicity campaign in the regional and national press. This certainly proved effective, generating an unprecedented level of interest in the sale – with one keen bidder making the journey to the auction by helicopter – and strong and sustained bidding throughout the sale.

With some 98% sold and a total well above expectations, the Barrow Court sale was another resounding success for a saleroom going from strength to strength.

Attention now turns to the Autumn Specialist sale on 14 September which is already looking very promising with strong showings of jewellery, furniture, paintings, clocks, ceramics and modern design for which entries are invited.

The Barrow Court Sale - Highlights

Barrow Court, Barrow Gurney

n WHAT’S ON

Find out what’s happening this July in and around your neighbourhood

n 24 June

Feastival 16.00-21.00. Sports Field. Street food, local distilleries, cakes, bar and live music. longashtonvillagemarket@ hotmail.com

n 28 June

Horticultural Society Talk about hedgehogs 19.00-22.00. kateawilkinson@hotmail.com

JULY

n Until 16 July

Moss Habitat: A Schools

Exhibition, Arnolfini

Explore the enchanting world of Moss Habitat: A Schools

Exhibition by Artists Juneau

Projects in Gallery 5. Be amazed by the microscopic wonders and the fascinating creatures that inhabit it.

n Now until September 2023

Hide and Sheep Trail at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Adults: £22; under 15s £17.80; under 2s free. Noah’s Ark has teamed up with Aardman to stage a baa-rilliant new event for 2023! Get set for a farm-tastic experience this summer with an augmented reality trail starring Shaun the Sheep at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.

n 1 July

Long Ashton Village Market 9.00-13.00

longashtonvillagemarket.com

n 2 July

Bark in the Park 12-17:00 LA Community Centre Sports Field.

A fun-filled day with lots of dog competitions, stalls and food. Raising money for Holly Hedge. longashtonvillagemarket@ hotmail.com

n 3 & 17 July

Probus 10.30-12.00. david@addis.me.uk

n 4 & 18 July

Tea and Tech 9.30-11.00

Help with how to use phones and computers. info@la-together.org

n 5 July

W.I. 14.00-16.30

sallyjmsterland@gmail.com

n 9 July

Piratitude at The Angel Inn 5pm

Enjoy music from famous Bristol pirate band.

n 12 July

LA Horticultural Society

Visit to Middlecombe Nursery,

Congresbury. 6.45pm for 7.00pm start. Members £6; non-members £10, subject to availability. The owner will show you around and give a short talk on topical issues facing the plant supply industry and related issues. Refreshments (cake and tea) are included in the ticket price. Booking and payment is essential. Please contact Mary Lord on longashtonhortsoc@ gmail.com to book. Also contact Mary if you would like to become a member, which is only £5.

n 13 July

Wraxhall & Failand Parish Council meeting 7:30pm. Failand Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

n 19 July

Quiz Night, The Angel Inn 7.45pm. Test your brain power with The Angel’s regular monthly quiz. Teams of up to 6. Prize for winning team.

n 1 August

Long Ashton Horticultural Society Visit to Goldney Gardens, Hotwells. 6.00pm for 6.15pm start. You will be given a guided tour of the gardens, grotto and orchard by Alan Stealey, head of external estates, who has led the university’s cider project. Plus cider tasting. Booking and payment is essential. Please contact Mary Lord on longashtonhortsoc@gmail.com to book. Also contact Mary if you would like to become a member, which is only £5.

REGULAR EVENTS

Mondays

Youth Club 18.00- 20.30 kathy@epicyour@gmail.com

Failand Village Hall

The Failand Village Hall is a local community hub set in the North Somerset countryside. We are a large hall with licensed bar, commercial standard kitchen, stage and ample parking. A perfect venue for everything from wedding receptions to yoga classes, pop-up markets and children’s parties. For

more information, go to www.failandvillagehall.org.uk

n Wednesdays

Failand Arts & Crafts Group 2.00–4.30pm.

Bring your art, craft or hobby along and join the group at Failand Village Hall, Oxhouse Lane. £2.50 per visit; first one FREE plus £12 per year (pro rata) from Jan to Dec. Tea/ coffee and cake/biscuits included. Occasional demos, members’ skills sharing and chat always welcome. Please contact Fi Harris at feltbyfi@gmail.com for more info.

Cafe@Keedwell 10-12:00

Pop in to Keedwell Church, Long Ashton, for a coffee and a chat, meet new people or just enjoy a change of scene. Run by volunteers from the community and church. Open every Wednesday morning. Contact office@ allsaintsla.org.uk or tel 01275 393109 for more info. We look forward to seeing you.

Youth Club 16.00-18.30. kathy@epicyour@gmail.com

LAMBS

11.00-13.00. A group for mums with

babies to meet and chat. henna.crabb@n-somerset.go.uk

Thursdays Youth Club 18.00- 20.30. kathy@epicyour@gmail.com

Long Ashton Memory Café

This free to attend event runs every 4th Thursday monthly at the Jubilee Pavilion. Refreshments are provided. Email: lamemorycafe@gmail. com or tel: Liz Anderson 07967587411

Failand Whist Club

We are a small club that is looking for new players to join us each week. We meet at Failand Village Hall on Thursday evenings at 7pm. For more information, please contact Val on 01275 463263 OR Helen on 01275 392676 or 07837 379076.

Fridays

Warm Lounge 10:00-13:00. Long Ashton Community Centre. Pop in for a cuppa and a chat. info@la-together.org

Toddler Group 10.00-12.00. info@la-together.org

The FIEND

Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

NOTE After feedback from readers, we have made The Fiend SLIGHTLY easier!

For younger readers

It’s The Ashes this summer. Cricket has lots of unique words... how many can you find?