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southbristolvoice January 2016 No. 8
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LETTERS P17 | PLANNING APPLICATIONS P29 | POLICE NEWS P23
Road closed for months more as arena plans are unveiled CATTLE Market Road – the road which will be the main access to the arena and was due to reopen last month – will stay closed until the summer, possibly August. The news came after planning applications were filed for the arena showing several changes to the original proposals: • Council to consult on residents’ parking • Consideration for possible private car parks near arena • Arena to host outdoor concerts • Extra Park & Ride and shuttle trains on peak nights • New cycle path and walkway Motorists will be unhappy that Cattle Market Road, which shut in July 2014 to allow the arena bridge to be built, will not now reopen for several months. The extra time is needed to make a new cycleway and was announced, apparently little noticed, in March. The closure is unavoidable, the council said. Arena special: P10-15
Squawking the walk
Machete raid on Wells Rd Co-op
Page 3
Windmill Hill’s one-way plan Page 4 Make South Bristol an enterprise zone
Page 6
Green Capital: The verdict Pages 8-9
Youngsters battle body image Page 19 History: The first night of the Blitz
Pages 30-32
What’s on & arts A rainforest parrot took to the streets courtesy of arty children at Victoria Park Primary school. It was all part of the Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade: the sixth event on December 12 was the biggest yet.
Pages 37-39
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Paul Breeden Editor and publisher
07811 766072 | paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
Editorial team: Beccy Golding and Giles Crosse
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Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is January 21st
Intro
THE planning applications for the arena are now out. No doubt there will be plenty of opinions – if you want to get yours aired in the Voice, get in touch via the email above. Among the highlights, there is the promise of consultation over residents parking; the prospect of outdoor concerts on the arena terrace; promises to boost rail and bus services as much as possible to reduce traffic; and a new foot and cycle path from Three Lamps to the arena. Is this a
plan that will not only be an asset for Bristol but a good neighbour for South Bristol? Whatever your views, study the plans and get your comments in to the council quickly – the consultation closes on January 11. We’ve an intriguing suggestion on page 6 that the success of the Temple Meads enterprise zone – which includes Arena Island – should be extended to South Bristol. With the growth promised by Metrobus, the South Bristol Link road and new firms moving in all the time, this seems an idea worth examining.
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January, 2016
News
Friends of library less than happy at new restricted opening hours MARKSBURY Road library will open only three days a week from April under proposals put forward by Bristol city council. The option preferred by the Friends of the library, which would have seen it open five days a week, though for shorter hours, was rejected by the council. From April 4, the library will now open Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-5pm, and on a weekend day – presumably Saturday – from 11am-5pm. The council has not said how staffing will be affected but it is consulting staff. Sarah Murch, secretary of the Friends of Marksbury Road library, said: “The Friends were very pleased that the decision was made to keep the library open, following the strong support voiced by the community.” But she added: “Because the hours would be markedly
different from the current opening hours – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning – we would question whether it would adequately satisfy the needs of library users, schools and other groups.” The Friends have not been shown the results of public consultation about opening hours, she said. The council told South Bristol Voice that it is “looking to work with volunteers” to extend the use of library buildings. However, Sarah Murch said the Friends “are library users first and foremost” and are not likely to be called on to act as volunteer librarians. The council said Bedminster library will get new furniture in the New Year, while Marksbury Road and Wick Road will get broadband upgrades. All libraries will get new public computers.
How do I get in touch with ... My MP? Karin Smyth MP By email: karin.smyth.mp@ parliament.uk By post: Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA By phone: 0117 953 3575 In person: Surgeries on Friday January 8 and 22 at Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road BS4 1WH, 9.15-10.45am. Appointments on 0117 953 3575. My councillor? Gary Hopkins Lib Dem, Knowle (Lib Dem leader) By email: gary.hopkins@bristol. gov.uk By phone: 0117 985 1491 or 07977 512159 USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Household waste, road maintenance Recycling and waste collections, maintenance of roads and pavements, street lighting, graffiti and fly-tipping, street litter. email: customer.services@bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2100 Pest control and dog wardens Report anti-social behaviour, noise and other pollution, risks to public health and safety (such as food risks), issues with pests or dogs 0117 922 2500
Christopher Davies Lib Dem, Knowle By post: Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY By email: christopher.davies@ bristol.gov.uk Deborah Joffe Green, Windmill Hill By post: Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY By email: deborah-mila.joffe@ bristol.gov.uk By phone: 07469 413308 Sam Mongon Labour, Windmill Hill By email: sam.mongon@bristol. gov.uk By phone: 07884 736112
Council tax
0117 922 2900
Housing benefit
0117 922 2300
Adult care & social services 0117 922 2900 Police www.avonandsomerset.police.uk General enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire
www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999
EDITOR’S NOTE: South Bristol Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. Feedback is welcomed: call editor Paul Breeden on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk. All stories and pictures are copyright of South Bristol Voice and may not be reproduced without permission in this or any other plane of the multiverse. South Bristol Voice Ltd | 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX | Company no. 09522608 | VAT no. 211 0801 76
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News Machete raid on Co-op Police in major manhunt but give few details AN ARMED raid on the Co-op store in Wells Road. Totterdown, left staff terrified but physically unharmed after they were threatened with a machete and a gun. Police have released few details but the Voice understands that the robbers – all hooded to obscure their faces from CCTV – escaped with many thousands of pounds. The incident began at 10.55pm on Tuesday December 15 as staff were closing the convenience store. It is thought the attackers threatened someone outside the store in sight of the staff inside, forcing them to open the doors. The trio then demanded money from the safe and ran outside. However, police were already in the vicinity after a call earlier in the evening from a Totterdown resident in the area behind the store in Wells Road, disturbed by what they believed to be intruders in their garden. Police are believed to have seen the raiders escape down
Cycle routes to be unveiled PLANS for upgraded cycle routes through South Bristol will be unveiled for consultation next year. The £2.3 million Filwood Quietway will connect Filwood Broadway to Redcliffe Hill, passing through Wedmore Vale and crossing St John’s Lane to pass through Victoria Park. It may cross the New Cut via a new footbridge proposed for opposite Whitehouse Lane. Also earmarked for improvements to the tune of £600,000 is the Malago Greenway from Hengove and Hartcliffe through Malago Road to the city centre.
Generation axed Terrifying: The armed raid on the Totterdown Co-op netted a big haul School Road. One account is that officers were not allowed to confront them as the officers were unarmed. However, police would not confirm details to the Voice. The robbers are all described as black men. They may have escaped down the hill towards Bath Road. Police told the Voice: “From the initial reports it looks like
two weapons might have been used by the three suspects. Our investigation continues and this has included a large amount of house to house enquiries and CCTV enquiries. “At this stage, we would be unable to go into specifics regarding any vehicles which might have been used.” Any witnesses are asked to ring 101.
Calendar to help the park blossom
The 2016 Victoria Park calendar, on sale from VPAG for just £5
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ONE OF Bristol’s best known and most picturesque parks has its own calendar. It has been created by David Smith, a Windmill Hill resident and keen photographer. The proceeds will benefit Victoria Park Action Group, which works to keep the park looking good. VPAG is also raising funds to kickstart an ambitious £1 million-plus project to restore the park lodge as a community building with new toilets. The calendar costs £5 plus £1 post and packing from: • www.treasuremind.org
A PLANNING application to build rows of diesel generators in St Philips to act as emergency back-up to the National Grid has been withdrawn. London firm Plutus had applied for permission for 48 generators off Philip Street, as well as a similar application in Lockleaze. Both were withdrawn last month after a wave of opposition. A third application for a gas-powered generator plant in St Werburghs was overwhelming voted down by councillors on December 9.
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PLANS to prevent rat-running by commuters through Windmill Hill’s narrow streets have been unveiled – though not all residents are happy. Traffic officers have responded to unrest from residents at the amount of through traffic by coming up with two ideas to deter drivers from passing through Windmill Hill from either north or south. From the south, they suggest banning drivers turning right from St John’s Lane into Paultow Road. This would be enforced by a traffic island, which would have a gap to allow cyclists to pass. To deter drivers coming from the north under the railway bridge at Bedminster station, the plans suggest making several streets one-way. Eldon Terrace, Quantock Road and Dunkerry Road would all be passable only northbound. It is also proposed to make Kensal Avenue one way, eastbound only. A council survey found that residents were concerned about
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January, 2016
Is one-way a dead end for Windmill Hill? Proposals to block right turn and make streets one-way don’t seem to find support
drivers speeding through Windmill Hill, many of them taking a short cut to avoid queues on St John’s Lane, a meeting of Windmill Hill neighbourhood forum was told on December 8. Officials have distributed 1,500 leaflets to residents explaining the proposals. So far responses have largely been negative, but that is normal for an idea such as this, said Matthew Ball, a senior highways officer for Bristol city council. Rev David Moss, the vicar at
St Michael & All Angels church in Windmill Hill, said he was worried that the changes would affect groups serving children and the elderly. “I’m very concerned that this would make it impossible to find volunteer drivers [for the elderly], which is almost impossible as it is,” he said. He believes the difficulty of one-way restrictions on narrow roads will deter many older volunteers. The church also runs the largest afterschool play scheme in Bristol, serving many working parents in the Marksbury Road area who would find it much more difficult to fetch their children, he said. “The people who use the playscheme are the most vulnerable people in the area, often single parents on tax credits who are just beginning to work. This is the only playscheme they can access,” he said. He asked for the one-way to be restricted to peak hours. Council highways officer Nick Pate said restricted hours could be looked at – but such rules are often ignored by drivers. The change could also prove dangerous for children at
Party time: Residents in Eldon Terrace, Windmill Hill, celebrate the installation of their bike hangar. It’s hoped to reduce car use by making it easy to store bicycles securely Victoria Park primary school, because it could send more traffic past the school entrance on Atlas Road, said a school governor. Mr Pates said he understood this was a big concern. The issue of traffic on Windmill Hill has been debated for several years. In 2014 it was proposed to close Cotswold Road to through traffic. But this was badly received by residents. The area has a high level of car ownership and much of the traffic is from residents, the council has pointed out. Cllr Sam Mongon said he wanted changes made, but without affecting other streets, particularly around Victoria Park school. “I’d also like to see more imaginative proposals for controlling speeding if one-way roads are put in place, such as widening some pavements or community flowerbeds,” he said. Comments on the scheme can be emailed to highways.traffic@ bristol.gov.uk
Winners of Voice competitions WE HAD lots of entries to our competitions in the December isssue of the Voice. The winner of two tickets to see Barry Cryer and Ronnie Golden at the Slapstick
Festivale was Geoffrey Pegden of Lower Knowle. The winners of a Christmas meal at Banco Lounge were Peter and Jacqui Brasted of Bedminster.
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January, 2016
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News
A TOTTERDOWN family are left wondering whether to school their daughter at home next year after she missed out on places at all three of her local schools. Mum Miriam Walters says she would rather teach daughter Florence, 4, at home, than make the trek to Connaught primary in Melvin Square, Knowle, after trying out the walk there with all three of her children. The Walters were offered Connaught – their eighth nearest school – after losing out on places at Victoria Park, St Mary Redcliffe and Hillcrest primaries in Totterdown. Luckily Florence, because of her age, can carry on at preschool classes at Sydenham Road Under Fives group – but next year the family may be facing the same problem again. The South Bristol Voice decided to tackle the walk from the Walters’ Totterdown home to Melvin Square with Miriam and her two younger children to see how much of an ordeal it was. With young Oscar, who’s almost three, and Edith, just one, we made the 1.4 mile journey along St John’s Lane and Wedmore Vale to Melvin Square. With a marked reluctance by Oscar to go for a walk at all, we got off to a slow start. Strapping Oscar in a pushchair and Edith in a sling meant that after 10 minutes we had got no further than the end of Oxford Street. At 30 minutes into the journey, we had reached the entrance to Northern Slopes, halfway up Wedmore Vale. Ten minutes later, we were crossing Melvin Square after steady progress up the hill – though Miriam was feeling the effort of carrying one child and pushing another. She’s not sure how she would have coped if Florence had been with us as well (she was at pre-school for the morning). “If I had Florence as well and she didn’t want to walk up the hill, and she wanted to get on the buggy too, I’m not sure I could
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Family may school Florence at home rather than face trek
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Wasted hours: With three small children in tow, mum Miriam Walters believes she could spend three hours a day getting from home to school and back
They offered us our 8th nearest school have pushed them all,” she said. A number 50 bus could take the family part of the way, from St John’s Lane to the Broad Walk roundabout, but Miriam’s not sure it would be reliable enough to save any time, and it would cost £60 a month for her alone. Miriam’s journey to Connaught would absorb a large part of her day – up to three hours a day to go there and back twice. She doesn’t drive, so that’s not an option. The South Bristol Voice asked the council what could be done to help parents like Miriam and her partner Martin. We asked if the council would have provided more spaces at the new Marksbury Road school – which opened one class in September – if it had control over its owner, the Oasis academy chain. The council said it has substantially increased the number of primary school places across the city, by about 10,000 places. But birth rates have been falling for two years and the demand for reception places is expected to peak during 2016-17. It said 96 per cent of children are offered a place at a preference school. However, it said,
Residents’ vision for the Green WHAM, the group campaigning on planning issues in Windmill Hill and Malago, will present a vision for the development planned for Bedminster Green.
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Their proposal, a result of ideas gathered from the residents, will be unveiled at a public meeting in January, on a date to be set. Search Facebook for WHaM.
cramped sites at Victoria Park, St Mary Redcliffe and Hillcrest means it cannot expand any of them. It said not enough children
applied to Marksbury Road to justify extra places, and the decision would have been the same if it was a councilcontrolled school.
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Put your name on a park tree THE CHANCE to sponsor a tree to be planted in one of South Bristol’s parks is being offered by the council. They can be marked with a plaque to mark the occasion of a wedding, an anniversary or a memorial. The council has chosen the sites and the types of trees and is offering two options: £295 will pay for a tree to be planted and watered for two years, while £175 covers only the planting, with the sponsors left to take care of it. Seven trees are available in Redcatch Park, Knowle, including apple, strawberry and ginkgo. There is one tree earmarked for Victoria Park, a Scots pine. For more details email TreeBristol@bristol.gov.uk or visit www.bristol.gov.uk/ museums-parks-sports-culture/ tree-bristol-sponsorship
It’s a mys-tree WHAT’S the story behind the large apple tree in Park Street, Totterdown? The volunteers who look after the community orchard there, Totterdown Sprouting, would love to know how it came to be planted. Even the variety is a mystery. Those with long memories can email any news to webeditor@tresa.org.uk
Ask the vet:
I
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January, 2016
‘Make South Bristol an enterprise zone’ Call from commercial property firm follows Chancellor’s pledge to back the TQEZ
A COMMERCIAL property specialist has urged the Government to extend Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone – TQEZ – into South Bristol. The chancellor, George Osborne, said in his autumn statement in November that the thriving Bristol enterprise zone should be expanded – but he did not say where. Neither is it clear how much would be invested in the zone, which aims to create 17,000 jobs over the next 25 years. It includes the site of the arena. Paul Williams, head of agency at Bruton Knowles, said the thriving creative hubs south of the river were ideally placed to benefit from an enterprise zone. He said: “Details are yet to be announced on where the expanded zone will go. Realistically, the adjacent industrial pocket between the main railway line to the north and the River Avon to the south would make a logical extension zone, but we feel South Bristol’s
The Eye: One of the striking buildings in Temple Quarter. Should the zone be extended? bustling creative hubs should also be given serious consideration. “We feel that pushing the boundary out into South Bristol could be just the boost this area needs in order to build on recent positive developments, such as
the opening of Filwood Green business park, the South Bristol Link Road and the forthcoming MetroBus system.” Temple Quarter has already attracted more than 2,000 jobs. Mr Williams said: “Temple Quarter was once something of a backwater but is now being seen as the trendy place to be. This is exactly what has been happening in South Bristol as new creative and media companies have transformed the fortunes of what were semi-derelict areas of the city. South Bristol has been the poor relation for too long.” He said a “golden triangle”, bounded by the Temple Studios, Paintworks and Bath Road Studios on one side, extending to the Bottle Yard film studios in Whitchurch and Filwood Green Business Park, could benefit from being in an enterprise zone. He believes the South Bristol Link, due to open in winter 2016 and joining Hengrove Park to the A370 at Long Ashton, will open up South Bristol for business. “Once the new link road is built Filwood Green business park will be far better served. Business people and commuters will have a faster and more direct route to the other side of Bristol – without having to run the gauntlet of the city centre.”
How can I recognise the signs of antifreeze poisoning?
T’S been a relatively mild winter so far in the West Country. However, to be prepared for when the temperatures do eventually plummet, we’d like to remind you of the potential dangers of antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze poisoning typically happens when the liquid drips from a car’s radiator, creating puddles on driveways and roads, or mixing with existing water around the car. Antifreeze contains a substance called ethylene glycol which is sweet to taste and very appealing to animals. Ingesting even very small amounts of antifreeze can make pets
critically ill. Poisoning in cats and dogs acts fast and should be treated urgently. Signs include: • 0-12 hours – depression, unsteadiness, lack of appetite, vomiting, increased drinking and urination. Signs are similar to drunkenness; • 12-24 hours – increased heart rate and respiratory rate; • 24-72 hours – the kidneys
may now begin to fail; symptoms include severe depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and eventually death. Antifreeze poisoning can be avoided by taking even a few precautions such as keeping antifreeze containers firmly closed and kept completely out of reach, and making sure all antifreeze containers are properly disposed of (still tightly closed). If you notice or suspect a spillage that could potentially contain antifreeze, clear it up immediately and check your car regularly for leaks. If you suspect that your pet
has antifreeze poisoning, call your vet immediately. Highcroft Veterinary Hospital has a vet on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so that any emergencies can be treated straight away. Call 01275 832 410 for more information or visit our website www.highcroftvet.co.uk. Jenny Hamilton-ible BVSc GPCertSAM MRCVS Highcroft Veterinary Hospital, Whitchurch
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A fresh start, a chance to look back, and the January sale
Unlike many people, I enjoy January. I like the freshness that the New Year forces upon our plans for business, for family, for life.
Investing in the future At Lynne Fernandes Optometrists, our team of 20 will be joining us for our six-monthly away day on January 13. We close all three practices for the day and decamp to Zazu’s Kitchen upstairs room. The Zazu’s team look after us wonderfully with breakfast, lunch and a supply of coffee and cakes. We invest in this opportunity to reinvigorate our teams. Everyone is encouraged to present to the group on an area of our business: from paperwork required for our Myopia Control clinic, through the administration of our sight test contract with the NHS (unsurprisingly bureaucratic), to the protocols we expect our optometrists to follow for an emergency appointment. I have the pleasure of talking about how the business is growing. Also, where we want to be; not just in sales but in leading the way in clinical eye care. One of the most useful sessions is one Lynne runs titled “If I was the boss I would…”
Here our teams post their ideas anonymously: they all get discussed. I used to think that a third of the ideas were good, a third were possible, a third were daft: I’ve come to realise that perhaps the directors were too daft to understand the daft ideas were some of the best! We’ve seen such development in our team over the years.
session on Myopia Control. She discussed what clinical signs she was looking for to obtain the best chances of success. It is much more than just being short sighted, but if you or your child’s prescription has worsened by -0.50 dioptres or more, please find out more. The clinics have proved so popular we’re now also offering them at our Wells Road practice.
When is a Sale a Sale? Everyone has a January Sale. We use ours to move stock that we’ve held too long, to clear brands we no longer wish to display, but we throw in some special deals just to stimulate interest. We have to be brutal, so sometimes brands that I’ve chosen and love, but just don’t work here, are cleared. This year there will be one range of designer frames, hugely popular in London and Manchester, that were my decision, but just haven’t worked. We need the space, so they have to go. The sale ends on Saturday January 30.
Here’s to a great 2016! We would like to thank our customers for their loyalty and custom throughout 2015. We enjoyed an amazing year working with local people, extending our fantastic ranges and further building the family business that we are so passionate about. We look forward to welcoming you all in 2016.
Myopia Control Corrina, our wonderful Gloucester Road optometrist, recently led a clinical training
Gerard Fernandes Lynne Fernandes Optometrists 182a Wells Road Knowle Bristol BS4 2AL
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January, 2016
News From pesticide policy to Paris: As Green Capital Year ends, George Ferguson says Bristol took centre stage at recent climate negotiations in Paris. Is Bristol truly a world leader? In Part 2 of our investigation, we examine the realities of Green Capital year at home JUST across the Channel, what commentators consider the world’s most important deal on climate change has just been struck. It will affect all South Bristol residents; driving the UK’s overall work on climate emissions and Bristol’s new aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, launched at the Paris conference. “We have been the main talking point,” mayor George Ferguson said. “That means we have been able to put pressure on national governments. It is cities such as Bristol, Paris and Copenhagen that are leading the way in tackling climate change. “Sometimes it’s difficult to see from within Bristol what we have achieved during our year as Green Capital. But from the outside there is a lot of interest,” he told Bristol Business News However, in Part One of South Bristol Voice’s investigation into Green Capital’s influence, we found 200 adults
Paris pledge: Mayor George Ferguson signs up Bristol as one of 400 cities vowing to cut greenhouse gas emissions and report on progress are still dying each year in Bristol as a result of poor air. The Bristol Green Party said this August that 0.1 per cent of Bristol’s domestic waste is reused, despite estimates that 40 per cent of discarded large kitchen appliances are still in working order. To the uninitiated, those statistics seem at odds with a city supposedly leading the world on climate change, sustainability and emissions mitigation. But sustainability is complex. Judging our city’s improvements is challenging to do. Are the council’s claims tenable? One example of the difficulties surrounds pesticide use. The
Three comfortable, quiet and attractive rooms (and waiting room) set out for psychotherapists, counsellors, clinical psychologists, mentors and coaches, hypnotherapists, nutritionists and CBTers. We’re in a landmark Georgian terrace next to St Mary Redcliffe church overlooking the water towards the city centre. Ten minutes from Temple Meads and with ample parking.
Contact Clive on 07947 023371 clive@theharboursidepractice.co.uk http:/theharboursidepractice.co.uk 3 Redcliffe Parade East, BS1 6SW
Pesticide Safe Bristol Alliance is calling on Bristol city council to adopt safer methods of weed control. Candidates for European Green Capital will be assessed on their efforts to minimise pesticide use from 2017. Sara Venn, from Incredible Edible Bristol, told South Bristol Voice the council has to date failed to reply fully to a Freedom of Information request on pesticides being used. Her suspicion is the council doesn’t actually know how much pesticide is sprayed across South Bristol’s parks and pavements. “We need transparency,” she said. “If the council is spraying we should be able to see where, and how much. This is nothing more than spraying good practice.” Ms Venn said Bristol should be leading on this. She speculated that historical contracts which do not stipulate detailed record-keeping might be to blame. “But as Green Capital we must be leading on all this, not struggling to find open data,” she argued. Either way, moving 40 acres of land off pesticide use takes three years, so change doesn’t happen overnight. Harriet Williams, of Pesticide Alliance member PlaySafe Bristol, said: “Our opinion survey shows that 55 per cent of
Bristolians aren’t even aware that pesticides may be used on school grounds.” Top level lack of clarity? There are further areas where Bristol’s realities appear mixed. The council has just revealed Bristol’s aim for carbon neutrality by 2050. The council says Bristol has so far reduced carbon emissions per person by 24 per cent since 2005 and the mayor has committed to future CO2 reductions of 40 per cent by 2020, 50 per cent by 2025, 60 per cent by 2035 and 80 per cent by 2050. But Gary Hopkins, the council’s Liberal Democrat leader, representing Knowle, told South Bristol Voice the mayor could be doing much more to help mitigate CO2. Bristol should be investing in the hydrogen economy, with hydrogen-poweed public transport, he said. A six-month experiment with a hydrogenpowered ferry boat ended in 2014. “We need to grab hold of public transport again with bus contracts and delivering the rail improvements that were planned. We would prioritise sorting out waste and importantly, would prioritise investment into the hydrogen economy,” said Cllr Hopkins. “We need more trumpeting of the jobs and opportunities that are attached to our environmental industries. “I think we will have to wait a little while to assess what positive or negative effects the year has had.” Are local efforts making the grade? Shaun Hennessy, chair of Victoria Park Action Group, is also a supporter of Bristol South Skyline Walk, a Green Capitalfunded route running through Arnos Vale and Victoria Park to the Northern Slopes and beyond. “The Bristol Green Capital year has been a great success for the parks of South Bristol,” he said. “It enabled us to establish a walk, taking in spectacular views of Bristol and linking fantastic green spaces.” Mr Hennessy said hundreds of walkers are discovering the less well-known parts of Bristol. “We are determined this walk will become a permanent legacy
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News what’s the Green Capital legacy? of the Bristol 2015 year.” Walking may not easily translate into figures on reducing carbon emissions. But if South Bristol’s residents are out walking, not using cars, the benefit is there, whether quantifiable or not. “Green Capital funding helped Knowle West Media Centre put on an event in Knowle West where local people shared recipes, food and experiences as part of the project ‘Who decides what’s in my fridge?’” said Rachel Clarke of Knowle West Media Centre. “The project is bringing together different people to find out how easy is it to access healthy and affordable food and explore different food habits and cultures. “We hope this will lead to a better understanding of food issues and that people are able to take informed action to bring about the change they want in their area.” It’s another example
Pilot boat: Bristol’s hydrogenpowered Hydrogenesis was tried for six months as a harbour ferry of local Green Capital work that is changing things. Long term action Media centre director Carolyn Hassan is proud to have played a role in making a success of award-winning environmental Filwood Green Business Park, billed as the most environmentally friendly commercial building in the West of England. The building now hosts KWMC: The Factory, a venture that started life as a pop-up furniture factory in a derelict youth centre. “We want this to be a resource for local people to learn skills in digital manufacturing, making things locally and using recycled materials. We hope this will contribute to much-needed new
Green workplace: Filwood Green business plark claims to be the West’s greenest commerical building, with energy use cut by 30 per cent, solar panels, low-water use, a green roof, electric car charging and more jobs and opportunities for people in the longer term,” she said. The truth is hard to find It seems that the benefits of Bristol’s Green Capital year depend on who you talk with. Politicians focus on top level announcements, linking themselves with aspirations. They try to gloss over Bristol’s failings. Local groups, meanwhile, can be more interested in generating local change that can slip under the radar of the council, and whose benefits don’t always throw up easy figures on carbon reduction. Yet this work can be further down the path to true sustainability. Future ambitions However, Professor Richard Pancost, director of Bristol University’s Cabot Institute and advisor to Bristol European Green Capital, is confident the year has been a success overall. “There are certain things we could have done better and groups we could have better engaged. However, a great deal has been achieved in terms of developing new educational programmes, creating a new foundation for our city’s energy policy and raising our global visibility,” he said. He believes some benefits are yet to come. Within a few years Bristol is forecast to produce 1GW of electricity from solar panels and since 2005, the city has cut energy use by 18 per cent. The council-owned Bristol Energy Company was set up this year with a remit to source low-carbon energy and supply residents at a reasonable cost.
Prof Pancost also has hopes for the Bristol Billion, a $1 billion (or £700m) ambition to upgrade 56,000 homes in Bristol to lift them out of fuel poverty and reduce health costs. He said: “These should move us rapidly towards carbon neutrality of our energy provision, especially if national policies begin to align with it. Achieving carbon neutrality with respect to our transport system will be much harder and everyone knows that. Will we all be driving electric cars, powered by a renewable-energy based electrical grid? Or will we all be cycling, walking and using a vastly expanded public transport system?” He also believes that Bristol made a substantial contribution to the historic claimate change agreement in Paris. “Bristol was pervasive, contributing to discussions about business and
investment, resilience, energy, smart technology and other areas, all with respect to the crucial role of cities. The role of cities in delivering the COP21 pledges and in raising ambition was highlighted again and again, up to their inclusion in the text of the Paris Agreement; Bristol cannot take credit for that but it certainly played a part.” It will be up to politicians both local and national to determine the true legacy of Green Capital 2015. Research by Andrew Gouldson from the University of Leeds suggests that investment in a sustainable future over the next decade could save Bristol up to £300m on its energy bills and create up to 10,000 jobs. Will that goal prove achievable? • A guide to the city’s work this year is called The Bristol Method. You can read it here: • www.bristol2015.co.uk/method
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Arena: Six page special
Parking and roads still the Totterdown meeting hears calls for RPS to be fully funded
PARKING and transport worries are still top of the list of residents’ concerns about the proposed Bristol arena. That much was clear at a consultation meeting held at Totterdown Baptist Church to discuss the newly-released planning applications for the £95 million arena. Bristol city council – which is both the developer of the project and the body which will decide whether to allow it to go ahead – has made some concessions to local concerns. It has promised to consult
residents on parking controls that will restrict arena-goers from parking in local streets. The new rules would be in place by time the arena opens in 2018. But officials are refusing to budge on paying the running costs of the scheme. Many residents, several councillors and the Bristol South MP, Karin Smyth, believe that as the parking restrictions have been made necessary by the arena, the council or the operator should pay for the permits. “The arena is a benefit for the whole of Bristol and it’s grossly unfair [that residents should have to pay for a parking scheme], said one man. Tom Cottrell, a Labour candidate for Knowle ward, said many people simply couldn’t afford to pay for parking permits. “There are households within the 20-minute walk of the arena [where parking controls will be
Step inside: An artist’s imagining of a concert considered] where another bill coming through the door will be catastrophic,” he said. “The money that you would otherwise have been spending on a car park should be going to the residents,” he added, to applause
and cries of “Hear, hear”. But planning rules do not allow for the cost of permits to be paid by a developer, said Andrew Beard, from the council’s planning consultants, CSJ. The council will pay to set up
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Arena: The residents speak
concern for residents Left, the latest plan for Arena Island. The mixed use development will be built once the arena is finished in 2018 – a date that seems to be slipping. A timetable will be announced when a main contractor is appointed, expected to be in March. parking controls, but not the cost of running them, he said. A £5m fund has been earmarked for transport infrastructure. Any parking controls would have to be active when the arena is open during the evenings. Current resident parking schemes may have their hours amended – such as the one in Bedminster East, which extends to York Road and Bath bridge. Residents within a 20-minute walk of Arena Island will be consulted on what form of controls they would like though no timescale is apparent. The Environmental Impact Assessment suggests that new Residents Parking Schemes could cover Totterdown, Upper Knowle, Windmill Hill and the Dings. It also suggests extensions to existing RPSs covering and Bedminster East, Easton, St Philips and Redcliffe.
What can be done to prevent road gridlock? THE IMPACT of the arena on the congested roads of Totterdown and Knowle was the other main concern voiced by residents. Chief among the issues is the worry that the Three Lamps junction and the roads leading to the city centre will become even more congested if traffic from Wells Road isn’t allowed to turn right into Bath Road. Anne Silber of Tresa, the Totterdown community group, told the meeting: “Because of the changes the city council is making to the road layout, we have no other route to get out of the Wells Road area, because there is no right turn at Three
Lamps, and we are forced to go into the city centre and come back again. You are channelling us into traffic that will be trying to get to the arena.” Drivers will have to turn at Cattle Market Road or at Redcliffe roundabout. In addition, the walking and cycling route from Three Lamps to the city “desperately needs improving,” she said – a point backed up by other residents. The council has revealed a plan to widen the foot and cycle route from Three Lamps by digging into the Bath Road embankment to create a wide path leading to a bridge crossing the railway into the arena site. Engineers are still working on plans to extend the cycle ramp down the steps onto the arena plaza so that cyclists can use it as a through route to the city. However, any changes to the Continued on page 12
EMPLOYMENT
PEOPLE in BS3 and BS4 are going to have to put up with a lot during the construction of the arena, from roadworks to construction traffic – shouldn’t they get something back in terms of jobs? Carolyn Magson, an Arnos Vale resident who is also Labour’s council candidate for Knowle, made a plea at the Totterdown meeting for apprenticeships and other employment to be made available for local people when the building work goes ahead. This would also help keep cars off the roads if workers don’t need to drive in from far away, she pointed out. Five contractors are bidding for the role of main contractor. They will be judged partly on the number of local jobs they promise, said Andrew Beard, from the council’s planning consultants, CSJ. However, giving jobs to local people will not be a condition of the planning permission, the meeting heard.
HOW TO COMMENT
THE PUBLIC consultation on the arena planning applications runs until January 11. • All the plans and documents can be seen at: www.bristoltemplequarter. com/arenaconsultation • Comments can be emailed to: development.management@ bristol.gov.uk • Or write to: Development Management, Brunel House, 2nd Floor, Bazaar Wing, Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AN ENVIRONMENTAL impact assessment concludes that increases in traffic will be “limited”, with most roads seeing less than a one per cent rise in vehicle numbers, and none near the 10 per cent level which is considered severe. It says the impacts in air quality will be “negligible” from extra traffic. It says the construction phase will deposit dust and particulates, but this can be reduced to insignificant levels by a management plan. The report asks whether the
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former diesel depot is the right site for an arena, and concludes that it is, being brownfield and close to transport links. Improvements to public transport, new and extended residents parking zones, and an event management plan “will ensure access is possible for all journeys,” it asserts. With measures to protect wildlife, control noise, restrict unnecessary light spill, and work to restore contaminated land, “there are no significant impacts” on the environment.
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Arena: Roads COMMUNITY BENEFITS
COMMUNITY projects could benefit from the arena. The Community Infrastructure Levy, or CIL, from the project is estimated at around £1.2 million. Most of this sum – usually 80 per cent – is allocated by the council and need not be spent in the area around the arena. However, 15 per cent, or about £180,000, could be available to be spent in the communities near Arena Island. This would be allocated by neighbourhood partnerships – the local arm of the council. It would likely be split between the partnership covering Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill, and others covering Brislington, St Philips and Lawrence Hill. An additional £5m has been earmarked to be spent on transport infrastucture.
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Continued from page 11 Three Lamps junction look some way off. “There isn’t really a strong case to make significant changes to Three Lamps on the back of the arena,” said Andrew Davies, senior transport planner. The council believes that only seven per cent of traffic going to the arena will come through Three Lamps, so it does not merit an immediate change. Mr Davies said the junction can be looked at in the New Year as part of the spatial framework for the Temple Meads enterprise zone – the long-term plan to provide 17,000 jobs in a creative and media hub surrounding the station and arena. But Mr Davies warned the restricted site of Three Lamps, with a steep slope to the river on one side, gave little room for manoeuvre. “It’s very difficult, there’s no easy fix at Three Lamps,” he said. Anne Silber said she doubted the council’s claim that so little arena traffic would pass Three Lamps. The arena will be popular with people in Somerset and
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Narrow way: St Luke’s Road is a vital route for Totterdown but is limited by the width of the railway bridge
Dorset, she predicted, and they would drive down Wells Road. Other residents criticised the absence from the arena transport plan of any action on St Luke’s Road – a traffic blackspot. One resident of St Luke’s Crescent, which backs on to St Luke’s Road, said: “This road is dangerous for cyclists and not great for drivers, and you are not going to do anything about it.” Arena traffic “is going to affect St Luke’s Road,” he said, “why is that money [the £5m fund for infrastructure] not going to help?” Mr Davies said attempts in
2014 to find a plan for St Luke’s Road had not found a solution that suited all the users – cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. The road is constrained by the narrow railway bridge. Mr Beard of consultancy CSJ said no developer could be held responsible for mending existing problems. “It’s not for the arena to solve every problem that’s not been solved in the last five years,” he said. Extra traffic brought to the road by the arena is not expected to be significant, he said.
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Arena: Parking, homes, outdoor events BRISTOL city council has promised to look at the possibility of private car parks contributing to the transport plan if the arena is built next to Temple Meads. In last month’s South Bristol Voice, Cllr Gary Hopkins called for unused spaces at Avon Meads retail park to be considered. Other sites have been suggested at the fruit market off Albert Road, Gardiner Haskins, and in Mead Street, behind Fowlers motorcycle showroom. Cllr Deborah Joffe has also asked how the council would manage traffic if businesses think it a good idea to provide private parking in those areas. The council told the Voice: “We already work cooperatively with the providers of private parking spaces and will continue to do so. However, by definition, those spaces are not within the council’s control. Avon Meads car park was considered as part of the existing parking supply that could be used by arena visitors but discounted as it is designated for customers only. “The Transport Assessment shows that, with the proposed mitigation measures such as Park & Ride in place, there is sufficient parking availability for arena visitors in the identified car parks,” said the council. The Transport Assessment filed with the planning application says the extra shuttle trains and Park & Ride (see panel) will fill the gap in parking provision that could occur on the 20 events a year when the arena is at its 12,000 capacity. However, residents and councillors have voiced doubts that drivers will fill every space in the city centre, and some may choose to cruise the streets looking for easy parking. The council is also talking to Network Rail about future plans for Temple Meads. It is expected that redevelopment of the station will require extra parking – already earmarked by Network Rail but with no location named and no numbers envisaged. “For some events and for some users, the parking needs could dovetail. It depends on when visitors to the arena arrive and the timing of the event,” said a spokeswoman. Drop-off places The council has also answered calls from those worried that it will be hard to drop off arena-
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Open air: New view of the arena plaza shows outdoor concerts. It’s not clear how many would take place
Drop-offs, water jets, solar panels and car parks: some of the issues goers by car – for example, parents who want to deposit teenagers as near to the site as possible. The Transport Assessment mentions areas in Albert Road, Avon Street and possibly on part of the former PO depot site on Cattle Market Road. “These need to be considered more carefully, along with any other areas that might be appropriate,” said a spokeswoman. Outdoor events It has been revealed that the open-air event space in front of the arena can be used for performances, outdoor cinema, festivals and markets. “Water jets will provide an area for play when events are not taking place and green terraces will create an informal seating area for picnicking or recreation,” said a council statement. However, it’s not clear how big or how frequent these outdoor events will be. “The number and size of outdoor events has not been agreed at this stage. The current proposal is for the arena operator to have a licence from the council for the use of the plaza area for outdoor performances,” said a spokeswoman. Costs and timetable The cost and the timetable for the project have slipped further.
In September, the arena was expected to cost £93 million – up from £91m – and to open in early 2018 – a slippage from late 2017. Now it’s emerged that the budget has increased further to £95m, and the opening is stated to be “in 2018”. Two applications Two planning applications have been made: a full application for the arena and its access routes, and an outline application for the rest of Arena Island to be developed with 19,000 sqm of offices, shops and restaurants, and homes. Affordable homes Originally around 300 homes were envisaged. Now there are likely to be about 80 on the site, with the remaining 220 as part of the redeveloped sorting office site, or nearby. The application states that 30 per cent of the homes will be “affordable”. Of these 70 per cent would be for social rent – set at 55 per cent of the open market rent – and 30 per cent for shared ownership. Councillors on the planning committee are expected to consider the applications in February. If approved, work on the arena itself would start next year and finish in 2018. The second phase of homes
CHANGES TO THE PLANS INCLUDE:
• A new widened cycle path and walkway from Three Lamps Junction on the A4 via a new bridge over the railway line to link with the arena terrace; • Park & Ride services for events of over 9,000 capacity (instead of 10,000, proposed in the consultation); • Additional shuttle trains to run between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway station for the largest 12,000 capacity events to reduce the number of cars driving into the city; • Cycle parking increased from 200 to just over 250 spaces • Temporary road closures of Cattle Market Road and Albert Road between Stanhope Street and Feeder Road for large events on weekday and weekend evenings to ease pedestrian and cycle access. and commercial buildings would start in 2018 and take about three years. George Ferguson, mayor of Bristol, said: “We have listened carefully, resulting in a number of changes being made to the Continued on page 14
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January, 2016
Arena: Artist appointed Continued from page 13 plans. This includes further consideration of traffic and parking management and an improvement of pedestrian and cycle access from Three Lamps to the arena site, something that local residents were particularly keen to achieve.” Cllr Joffe welcomed the new footpath and cycleway, saying she had repeatedly lobbied the mayor and the developers to bring it about. A greener arena The council says the public consultation found strong support for the arena from over 86 per cent of respondents. And 85 per cent of respondents support a sustainable arena. Solar panels have been added to the roof of the arena, and hi-tech Tesla batteries may be used to store the power for when it is needed. The arena operator will work to encourage visitors to use public transport, and coordinate travel plans with the police, the council and other bodies.
Jonas Dahlberg: Designed this rotating mirror, which records and replays its Stockholm surroundings
Expect some eyecatching artworks
THE COUNCIL has appointed Swedish installation artist Jonas Dahlberg as lead artist to work on public art for the arena. No plans have been revealed – but expect an eyecatching addition to the glowing, stainless
steel skin of the building. The budget for art is £600,000 with £350,000 for the lead artist programme. About £250,000 will be spent on other projects including community work to engage local people.
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Arena: The Mona Lisa effect
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Architects working on reducing light emissions
THE curved facade of the arena will reflect light at onlookers from whichever direction they see it – a kind of Mona Lisa effect, it has been claimed. The famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci features a woman whose eyes seem to follow the viewer wherever they are standing. But designers are worried the arena will be too distracting and now it is to be toned down so it does not emit or reflect so much light, city council official Sven Howkins told the Totterdown consultation meeting. Architects are still working on the details of the perforated, stainless steel outer skin of the building and the shape of the holes and fins on it which will
Taking the shine off: Architects have changed the outer skin of the arena from glass to stainless steel direct the light. One resident at the meeting said he feared the building – which will rise 21m above the level of Bath Road – will be “bland and anonymous”. The building will seem to shimmer from every angle, said Mr Howkins. The number of “skins” or
layers of the building has been cut to save money, meaning the details of the stainless steel outer layer are even more important. It is expected samples of the material will be ready for planners to inspect on site. The design has changed from the proposals released earlier
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this year. The upper part of the building was going to be glass, with a masonry plinth beneath. Now the base will be concrete with a stainless steel skin above. Aluminium was considered but rejected because it would corrode in the presence of brake dust from the trains at Temple Meads.
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Great to see the new shops
S
I’M sure I’m not the only one who is very happy to see previously empty shops on Wells Road being brought back in to use. First we had Craftisan a few weeks ago, then Copper & Corduroy opened up near the beginning of December. This follows Floriogaphy and the secondhand furniture shop, which are next to Copper & Corduroy, and which also opened earlier this year I think. Good luck to to them all, I say. It just makes the remaining eyesores even more disappointing. What is happening with the old Totterdown Centre, from the old Chinese takeway down to the corner of Firfield Street, which used to be a greengrocers until a few years ago? Surely these properties could be rented out in the current climate? Does anyone know what’s happening? SR, Totterdown • Editor’s Note: This is a subject the Voice is intending to investigate. If any readers know of plans for any of these empty properties, please get in touch.
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Reclaiming Totterdown The Voice last month revealed UWE architecture students’ proposals on how Totterdown streets could be calmed by temporary installations. Here are some of the reactions which appeared on Facebook: TONIGHT is a perfect example of why we need this project – I was very nearly run over by a car turning off Bath Road who was not indicating (nothing new there) and cutting up through Stanley Hill. This car was then followed by 15 cars one after another, all cutting through. It is ridiculous and not safe for adults or children. On walking down my road I have now seen three cars
Wellbeing funds are on offer to improve our neighbourhoods ACTIVITIES by community groups in Knowle, Totterdown and Windmill Hill which could benefit from a cash injection are invited to apply for funds. Community fun days, neighbourhood tea dances, food growing initiatives, and activities for young and older people have all been supported by the council-backed Wellbeing Fund. The fund is administered by Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill neighbourhood partnership. Currently there is a total of £5,500 available in Windmill Hill and Totterdown, and £1,000 in
Knowle. The maximum application is £1,000 in Windmill Hill. The closing date for applications is Friday February 19, 2016. For more information about the Neighbourhood Partnership Plan, and guidance documents, please visit www. bristol.gov.uk/peoplecommunities/neighbourhoodpartnerships/neighbourhoodpartnership-wellbeing-grants For more information contact neighbourhood partnership coordinator Andrew McLean on 07467 335714.
Safety plan for danger roundabout PROPOSALS to improve safety for pedestrians at the roundabout at Redcatch Road and St John’s Lane are likely to be made reality next summer. The council is considering feedback on its plans to build out
some of the pavements around the roundabout to slow traffic and improve visibility. The changes are long awaited. A child was knocked down on the roundabout in the autumn, though he was not seriously hurt.
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• If we had workable ideas then perhaps future funding could be found (large developments often have to provide S106 / CIL funding for community uses). I believe some of the aims of students was to present suggestions that are lower cost (hence the reclaimed pallets) but achieve a similar function. SH, Tresa
Have you got strong views about what’s happening in South Bristol? Email paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk, post to Letters, South Bristol Voice, 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX or call us on 07811 766072. Please keep letters short. We may edit your letter. drive up Summer Hill which is No Entry! Between 5-6pm there are just hundreds of cars cutting through far too fast: this is no exaggeration and the traffic count by Playing Out folk supports that. MB • Thanks for putting on the installation, it was great fun and lovely to get an idea of the vision for the project. Congratulations on your professionalism and good luck with it. AJ • Perhaps George will pay for the ‘home zones’ they have in Southville, which are cobbled streets, herringbone paving just put in, and beautiful huge planters? Or maybe not? SS
Littered by the waste removers
I KNOW our bin men do a hard job very capably most of the time but there’s no need for them to leave a mess behind them. The handy clip-on labels they were distributing that tell you when and how to recycle over Christmas ended up all over our street. Oh, the irony. Oh, and I think an alien with a dog is visiting Perretts Park. I think one of them has landed and has realised that earthlings collect dog poop in a bag. Trouble is he hasn’t yet seen anyone put the bag in a bin, so he leaves his behind a tree each day. PS, Knowle
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Features Don’t let social media twist your idea of reality, say youngsters
W
HEN children as young as 10 start to worry about their body shape, you know something is wrong. So when a group of school students, mostly from South Bristol, were challenged to find a social action project where they could make a difference, they didn’t have to think for long. Honor Stedman, 17, from Knowle, got in touch with the South Bristol Voice to tell us about the action she is taking with seven other students in a bid to change younger children’s minds – particularly about what they see on social media. Like the rest of the group, she is concerned that children are confronted with endless pictures of size zero models, blonde hair and tanned faces. The students think the age children look at social media is getting younger all the time. “Everyone knows it can be a bad thing but I don’t think everyone has the confidence to act,” Honor said. So with her fellow students – mostly from St Mary Redcliffe school – she has drawn up an action plan. The students are preparing a presentation they want to show to younger pupils aged between 11 and 15 at Bristol schools. They will be encouraged to question the body images they see, not only on social media but in magazines, newspapers and TV. But it won’t be a lecture: the younger pupils will be urged to think quickly, answering questions while passing a ball so they can learn from each other. Hannah, 17, who attends St Mary Redcliffe and lives in Easton, wants to make the presentation at her church youth group for children aged five to 15. “Some of the younger children
Media savvy: Hannah, Niamh, Honor, Georgia and Amari want to help younger pupils deal with social media
Children forced to think about their body image have mobile phones, which I would not have had when I was five. It’s quite shocking, I think,” she said. The students first got together on a National Citizen Service scheme for schools run by the environmental social action group Groundwork. They were challenged to come up with a social action plan and carry it out themselves, meeting out of school in their own time. They believe that if children are urged to think about what they see and do in social media, they can help change it. They are also conducting a survey to gauge attitudes to the media and body image. “We want to improve awareness and warn people to be careful whose opinions they trust,” said Georgia, 17. “We want to change it through Facebook pages that have a
positive body image, and use social media positively,” said Honor. It is images of young women that attract the most attention – like the Australian 19-year-old Essena O’Neill who last autumn quit social media site Instagram, where she had 800,000 followers of her supposedly carefree lifestyle as a beach-going, fashion-loving teenager. Essena revealed that most of the pictures she posted were carefully posed. She was paid hundreds of pounds to wear one dress and she quit, saying “There is nothing real about this.” It’s a move the Bristol teenagers have followed closely, and they hope children will learn to look behind the glossy image of their heroes and heroines. “I think lots of people have been influenced by her because they think their lives revolve around social media, but it’s not everything,” said Honor. Squeaky-clean pop idols such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus have chosen to adopt a bad image as young adults – but they still have millions of pre-teen fans who follow their every move.
It’s not just girls who are affected, either. The Bristol group has two boys. Amari, 17, who attends SGS college in Filton and lives in Horfield, said: “There have been increasing numbers of cases in the last five years of boys as young as 10 saying they feel pressured to look a certain way. “They may feel they are too skinny, or they have to be a leader, or they have to be strong.” Ultimately the youngsters are concerned about the health effects having a bad body image can have on a child. It can lead to mental health problems, anorexia, or muscular dysmorphia, where boys believe they are not muscular enough. For now the group are preparing their presentation and getting permission to use it in schools. But soon they hope to be asking young pupils to challenge their assumptions about the media they consume – and perhaps change their behaviour. • Survey: http://freeonlinesurvey. com/s/JU1Z61LH • Email: blurredrealityncs@ gmail.com • Twitter: @blurredreality_ • Facebook: Blurred Reality NCS
Friends meet on the riverbank
Police stop motorbike youngsters
THE Friends of the Avon New Cut are a group of volunteers who work to improve the appearance of the tidal Avon and benefit wildlife. They will be litter picking on the Cut on Saturday January 9, on the
A NUMBER of young people have been stopped riding motorcycles in Dunkerry Road, Windmill Hill, where there have been complaints of anti-social behaviour and speeding, Sgt David Deakin told a meeting of
south bank along Coronation Road. Meet at Gaol Ferry Bridge at 10am. Sessions last around two hours and are followed by complementary hot drink and cake. • www.franc.org.uk
Windmill Hill neighbourhood forum on December 9. A community speed watch campaign has also helped reduce complaints. Youngsters are given a notice warning them that their bike can be confiscated.
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Centre pages ... Wildlife, winter photo competition, Know
Knowle West is a mass of contradictions: It has some of the worst deprivation in the South West, but it is also full of green spaces, wildlife and smallhol
Knowle West as you may not have seen it before WILD PARK
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PHOTOGRAPHS now on exhibition at Knowle West Media Centre reveal the many faces of Knowle West – and show it is so much more than a council estate. Photographer Nicolas White was given the brief to take the pictures for an exhibition called The Five Thousand Island Forest after winning the South West
Graduate Photography Prize in 2014. “I’m based on Dartmoor and so my photography is generally centred on areas of wilderness and the ways in which we interact with our natural spaces. “To be given a commission covering an estate on the fringes of a fairly large city was a huge shift for me, and placed me
firmly ou Know thousand construc 100 stree people. Nicho Knowle W
News from the Wildlife Group of Victoria Park Action Group
QUIRRELS, whirls of starlings, loose flocks of pied wagtails – Victoria Park has it all in wintertime. Now the Victoria Park Action Group has achieved the outlines of a management agreement for the park. A broad division of labour is in the process of emerging. The council will save money on its mowing contract, cutting the steeper slopes only once a year instead of a dozen, thus recreating the Somerset meadows that existed here before the park, and enabling the return of buttercups and the meadow brown butterfly. The council is still responsible for the mechanised mowing and the bulk removal of the heavy leaf-fall beside the
plane tree avenue leading up to Fraser Street. The wildlife group of VPAG assists the park-keeper by keeping more boisterous ‘weeds’ like bramble, nettle, dock and thistle under control during the summer, litter-picking the long grass and managing the Victorian Secret Garden. Two wildflower patches have been a flamboyant late summer success, blooming with a colourful mix of native pollinator-friendly wildflowers right through into November, albeit after a late sowing and drought. These were thanks to a huge effort by community groups with digging and sowing annual seeds. A total of 150 children from St
Mary Redcliffe primary and Victoria Park primary helped by growing native plants at school and planting them out as part of Bristol’s Get Bristol Buzzing project, and learning why pollinators need our help in city parks. Three other beds have been sown this autumn, with perennial seeds donated by Avon Wildlife Trust, to give a longer term flower display from 2016 onwards. School children helped again, as part of their forest school. VPAG will be carriying out coppicing of the small woodland areas again this winter to open up the currently bleak ground flora. Volunteers are welcome to sign up via the VPAG website. • www.vpag.org.uk Autumn colours
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wle West in pictures
ldings. Right, Steve Griffiths in his beekeeping gear at Springfield Road allotments
Can you do better than this? Bare treees in Perretts Park
ut of my comfort zone,” he said. wle West was nicknamed “the five d island forest” by the builders who cted the estate in the 1930s. It has ets, 5,000 homes and 12,000
Winter contest
olas White’s images explore how West sits within the urban
landscape, its improvised architectural additions, and quietly radical residents. With dramatic switches of scale, from municipal panoramas to intimate domestic interiors, each offers a vantage point from which to see the city anew. The exhibition is open 9am-6pm until January 29. • www.kwmc.org.uk
Ant Beever, fond of depicting discarded metal objects in different ways, was one of many artists reporting a brisk trade over the weekend
OUR summer photography competition was a real success, with scores of you sending in pictures taken of the Balloon Fiesta – so we’ve decided to repeat the contest. This time we’d like to see pictures that sum up the theme Winter. The subject could be people, it could be the weather, it could be wildlife or the landscape – use your imagination. The pictures must have been taken in South Bristol – though we’ll accept photos of the harbourside at a stretch.
As before, Greenwoods estate agents of 149a Wells Road, Totterdown, have kindly agreed to sponsor the competition. The first prize will be £25, the second prize £10 and the third prize £5. At least one prize will go to a picture taken by someone under 14. RULES 1. Original entries must be submitted by January 19. 2. Send hi-res images (1MB ideal) to paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk 3. The Editor’s decision is final.
grace Victoria Park. Volunteers have reached a deal with the council on works
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George Ferguson
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HE PAST year has been a particularly significant one for Bristol. 2015 started with our city becoming European Green Capital – the first UK city to receive the honour – and ended with us playing a key role in climate-change negotiations in Paris. Upon our return I was delighted to announce that I had reached an agreement with all of the political leaders in Bristol, yes, politics was put to one side as Bristol took a lead by making a commitment to accelerate the city’s already ambitious target of pursuing carbon neutrality by 2050. When I was elected in 2012 I made it clear that tackling Bristol’s transport problem would be a top priority. We have made great strides. I am realistic and these things do not happen overnight. In the last few months, significant progress has been made on the MetroBus and work on extending the bus network is well under way. Last year more than 70,000 people were using buses in Bristol, with a 25 per cent increase in bus use over 18 months. As a result fares are decreasing and public transport is becoming more affordable. As many of you will know, we also extended the 20mph zones across the city this year. I know that some drivers would prefer it if they could drive slightly faster in certain areas but this policy saves lives. That is the reason for it. It is safer for children and, along
The Mayor’s view Each month Bristol mayor George Ferguson shares his take on South Bristol life with Residents Parking Zones, encourages people to use alternative forms of transport that help clean our air. In 2020 we will have a transformed transport system across the whole city that works for future generations. Our economy is continuing to grow and we are bucking the trend. The average person in full-time work in Bristol is now £1,700 better off than they were six years ago, a
January, 2016
better performance than all comparative UK cities. More people are employed and we have seen over 30 per cent of young people coming off jobseekers allowance. I am also proud that our European Green Capital legacy includes the creation of thousands more jobs over the next few years. However, not everyone in Bristol shares equally in this success. With substantial cuts from Westminster applied to our council and billions cut from welfare this job has not always been easy. However, I am not someone to sit around and complain. Instead, I have taken action. We have protected the most vulnerable by safeguarding the council tax reduction scheme for those least able to afford it for three years, and we have introduced the living wage for all council staff and encouraged business to follow. In addition, I have defended those most affected by the bedroom tax. I wish all South Bristol Voice readers a very happy Christmas and a successful 2016 – Bristol’s Year of Learning, of which more next time. We are getting things done, and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved so far as a city. Let’s work together to ensure we keep the momentum going!
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Bristol Dogs & Cats Home New home for Anne and hundreds more
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T HAS been a busy but fantastic year for RSPCA Bristol and District Branch: we rehomed 190 dogs, 277 cats, 49 rabbits, 32 ferrets, 14 reptiles, 25 birds, and 39 small animals. Every animal who leaves our doors to go to their new “forever home” inspires us to continue our vital work, as without us, these animals’ lives may not be so fortunate and happy. One animal who walked out of our doors to her new home in December, after staying with us for nearly a year, was our ‘Ambassadog’ Anne, who you may remember became a bit of a star after completing the Shaun in the City Trail. She even had an interview on ITV! It was amazing to know that she would be settled in her new home ready for Christmas; there weren’t many
Dogs, cats, birds and reptiles are just some of those we’ve helped
dry eyes that day. This year, we will have hundreds more animals in need of our love and commitment, to offer them a second chance at a happy life, free from pain and neglect. If you think you could offer one of our gorgeous animals the happy home they deserve, please pop down to Bristol Dogs and Cats Home, or visit our website www.rspca-bristol.org. uk. If you would like to know
Police update
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APPY New Year! My hope is that everyone in Totterdown and Windmill Hill had a safe and peaceful Christmas. I and my teams look forward to working with you during 2016, to make our communities as safe, strong and open as they can be. Many of you will have received cool new gadgets such as tablets, phones and computer consoles for Christmas. Make sure you keep any packaging or boxes out of sight until bin day, as leaving them on display can be an advert to thieves that your house is worth burgling. It’s also a good idea to log any new stuff you’ve got on Immobilise, the property marking database. That way if anything is stolen, we have a better chance of returning it to you. We do have a problem in Bristol at the moment of burglars targeting Asian households as they believe there is high value gold and jewellery to steal. As well as making sure your jewellery is stored securely in a suitable safe, it’s a good idea to keep an inventory of your items,
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Home at last: Anne is off with her new family after nearly a year at the RSPCA kennels more about the rehoming procedure, please call us on 0117 977 6043 and speak to a member of staff who will be happy to help. If your new year’s resolution is to support charities and get involved in your local community, please visit our
website to see the volunteering opportunities available; including Dog Walking, Sewing, and Fundraising to name just a few. You can download an application form online, or pick one up from the Dogs Home. We would love to have you join us.
With Sgt David Deakin, Broadbury Road police station
Jail for woman who preyed on the vulnerable by taking pictures of them and writing a detailed description. Also, keep your eyes and ears open. We know that one of the methods burglars use is to canvass the area in advance, offering services such as driveway maintenance or gardening, or even pretending to deliver a pizza which they’ve got the wrong address for. If a suspicious person knocks at your door that you are not expecting, please report it to us, as we know this is a way criminals choose which houses to steal from. We need your help to stop them.
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WOMAN who befriended and then stole from a vulnerable man with mental health problems in Totterdown, has been jailed for two years. The 46-year-old woman from
Gold standard: Burglars apparently think Asian homes have more gold Knowle was convicted at Bristol Crown Court last month of three counts of theft. She was also convicted of possessing Class A drugs and as she was already serving a suspended sentence, the judge upped her jail term. No doubt there are vulnerable people living near you, and whether they be elderly or suffering from mental health problems, they do need the
community to look out for them. If you suspect someone may be at risk of being taken advantage of in this way, please report it to us so we can put a stop to it. To find out when the next neighbourhood forums are taking place in your area, as well as our local policing priorities, type your postcode into the ‘Your Area’ section of our website www. avonandsomerset.police.uk.
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January, 2016
How we help a child to read
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T Victoria Park primary school we think learning to read is the first step to success at school and beyond. We hold meetings for all parents of children in Reception and Year 1 and try to offer as much support as possible. Here are some of our top tips: • It is really important for children who are learning to read, to read at home not just at school. We suggest little and often, a few minutes each day (5-10 minutes) is much better than a longer session at the weekend. • It is really important that children feel they are successful at reading books, which can be hard when they are first learning to read. In Reading Recovery we always start the lesson with a familiar book which they have read a number of times before. This sets them up for a successful lesson and reminds them they
In the first of a new series we look behind the scenes at school
are good readers right from the start. At Victoria Park primary we suggest that children have two reading books in their book bags – one they can read really well and a new one, and they should always start their reading at home with a familiar book. Another important aspect of the Reading Recovery lesson is the book introduction. This can be done by parents on any new book, too. It is basically looking through the book and talking about the pictures with your
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Finding the words: One-to-one help with reading at Victoria Park school child, pointing out any tricky words and the names of any characters before they try to read the book themselves. Your child will then have an idea of what is going to happen, they will know the picture could help them, and they already know some of the words that could be tricky. They will also be able to
predict what the words might be and therefore should have a much more successful read. I hope these top tips will help you to support your child in becoming a confident and enthusiastic reader! Helen Donaldson Reading recovery teacher at Victoria Park primary school
Ofsted praise for ‘outstanding’ pre-school with top scores THE childcare at Sydenham Road Under Fives (SRUFs) has been rated outstanding by Ofsted, with maximum scores in all four out of four categories. The pre-school group, which is run by a voluntary committee and is based in Totterdown Baptist Church, Wells Road, is delighted with the findings. A previous inspection resulted in Ofsted telling SRUFs that the pre-schoool required improvement. This time, however, the inspector found nothing to criticise – with only a comment that staff should allow children time to finish their play before offering an alternative activity. “Staff make activities and learning opportunities relevant and exciting. Teaching is of a consistently high standard. As a result, children make exceptional progress and are thoroughly engaged and motivated,” said the inspector’s report. “Children are confident and independent. Their behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate this through the positive relationships they have with staff
and the way in which they relate to each other,” Ofsted continued. “Children thoroughly enjoy learning outside, especially as staff make it fun and challenging,” added the inspector. Teacher Maria Hulme said: “Sydenham Road Under Fives is delighted that our preschool has been classed as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. “Although Ofsted’s view is important, it has been particularly gratifying to learn that many of our parents – past and present – feel that the latest report simply confirms what they (and their children) already knew. “We’ve received lots of lovely messages, and thank everyone who’s been in touch.” The pre-school is introducing weekly Forest School days in 2016, as well as continuing to provide a welcome for toddlers and their grown-ups three times a week at a toddler group, and developing a business plan for SRUFs. • www. sydenhamroadunderfives.org
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The very best in retirement living
Why not come along to our next open day on Thursday 21 January? Call 0117 949 4004 for details.
The St Monica Trust holds regular open days at our unique Monica Wills House retirement community where you will be escorted on a guided tour by one of our residents. Offering all the advantages of independent living, but with a strong feeling of community spirit, these well-appointed 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are situated in the heart of Bedminster and provide social activities when you want them, and access to care and support when you need it.
Located just off West Street, Monica Wills House has a fully licensed restaurant, gym/ pool, a roof terrace with panoramic view of the Bristol skyline and a host of other facilities. Why not come along and find out more? To book your place, or to join our re-sales mailing list, call 0117 949 4004.
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southbristolvoice www.southbristolvoice.co.uk Reports from your councillors – Knowle O T 26
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January, 2016
How to get in touch with your councillors – page 2
UR surveys on the arena have shown support of 80 per cent plus, but also great concern that measures are Gary taken to reduce Hopkins, local harm. There Lib-Dem, have been minor Knowle changes as a result of the feedback from local people. Those like the slightly increased use of park and ride are welcome, but there is a refusal on some of the biggest issues to bite the bullet. For example, there is reference to pavement widening from Three Lamps but this is not at the part that most are concerned about, where bikes and cars are squeezed together very near to speedy traffic. The “backdoor” ramp to the island is, though, welcome. There is a reference to changing the hours of operation of RPZs; this is absolutely needed as more people were concerned about the evening than daytime, and the
Saturday operation could lead to real problems. The most misleading statement, though, relates to the cost of setting up a residents parking zone being met by the arena. That is absolutely right. However, the mayor has stated that residents will still have to pay the full cost of permits, as elsewhere. Given that those charges include a large profit margin for the council, that seems to be the strangest interpretation of mitigation I have ever seen. Any scheme for Knowle and Totterdown needs to be consulted on properly and the reduced charges and running costs vetted by local councillors and open to public scrutiny, to ensure residents are not heavily exploited. The mayor refuses to compromise on local concerns but the independent planning committee should be helpful. Please ensure you put your views. Opening is two years away but this could be your last chance to prevent an asset becoming a local problem.
BUSY BEE Day Nursery 268 Wells Road, Knowle
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WO issues that seem small have taken up a lot of time and chasing around to start making progress. Chris Between Gary and Davies, myself we have had Lib-Dem, more complaints Knowle about the churning up of the wide grass verges on Broadwalk than any other issue. Anger has increased because many have seen the effort put into bulb planting. We have a lovely wide boulevard with magnificent trees and very wide grass verges. It is quite rightly a conservation area. Shocking, then, that a minority think it is fine to drive vehicles over the grass to make it look like a ploughed field. Some have the cheek to park there knowing that the police do not have the resources to prevent them. Sometimes even the public pavement part is blocked, and that should trigger police action. Even worse is that the council,
despite numerous requests from me, has failed to progress the necessary bylaws. Various officers passed the buck but we now at last have a clear statement from the senior officer in charge that the laws will be put in place to protect us from anti-social parking. Not before time! Tailbacks are becoming even worse on Talbot Road and now regularly stretch back across Wells Road in the morning. The poor design of Talbot Road itself is of course a major factor, as is any slight obstruction on Bath Road, but until we divert more traffic away from the area there will always be a problem and potential gridlock. A right turn from Wells Road to Bath Road at Three Lamps is essential, and as well as making life easier for many residents near Totterdown, will ease Talbot Road and reduce the congestion at the Fowlers roundabout where traffic now has to make a U-turn. We keep pressing, and everyone seems to see the sense but the mayor.
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www.southbristolvoice.co.uk southbristolvoice Reports from your councillors – Windmill Hill O
January, 2016
E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
NE of the great things about being a councillor for Windmill Hill is the community activism. As you’ll Sam have seen from Mongon, recent editions of Labour, South Bristol Voice, Windmill a number of Hill developments have been proposed for the area. Groups like Tresa and Windmill Hill & Malago (Wham) planning group are making sure the voice of residents is heard by developers and council officers. I’m really pleased that they’re playing a constructive role in developing community plans for their areas rather than just protesting against applications. One of the main issues residents raise with me is the need for more affordable homes. At the full council meeting in December councillors from all parties signed up to the city’s new housing strategy, which commits the council to increasing
the amount of affordable housing in the city. However, in the last 10 years only around 16 per cent of homes built in Bristol have been affordable compared to the current policy requiring 30 per cent in new schemes. This has not been enough of a political priority at a national or local level. By extending the right to buy to housing associations the Conservative government will prevent successful developments like Torpoint Road, where 71 affordable new homes have been built by Knightstone Housing Association. Our architect mayor has managed to build just four of the 1,000 affordable homes he promised by next year. Affordable housing has to be our number one priority for developments. With 15,000 people on the housing waiting list, we need to build a minimum 940 affordable homes a year. This will mean more high density buildings on brownfield sites. My priority is to ensure that these are truly affordable and meet the needs of local communities.
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HIS month has again been dominated by concerns about developments, including the Deborah arena and Joffe, Bedminster, as well Green, as the proposals for Windmill traffic measures Hill around Cotswold Road. I attended both the local meetings which discussed these. As mentioned before, I am very pleased with the commitment from the council to improve pedestrian and cycle access from Three Lamps through to Temple Quarter. I am still concerned about traffic management for major arena events and am pressing for more answers on this point. The proposals for managing through-traffic in the Cotswold Road area have proved unpopular so far. The challenge for highway engineers is that a large proportion of local traffic is residents moving about in their
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cars or people accessing local services such as childcare. It might be that traffic calming measures are more appropriate. Of course the bigger picture is that we need much improved public transport. Related to this is the need for safe routes which allow children to walk and cycle to school. Two local head teachers requested a meeting with council officers and I attended too. The lack of lighting outside St Mary Redcliffe primary and the challenges crossing St John’s Lane and St Luke’s Road were highlighted. I will keep lobbying on these. A few residents have voiced concern about the changes in short break services for disabled children. It is difficult for the council to provide good levels of service when the Conservative government is demanding they do more but does not provide resources. There quickly comes a point when doing more for less is no longer possible and disabled children are some of the first to suffer as a result.
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News
Answers to life’s puzzles
DO YOU have puzzling questions about life? Totterdown Baptist Church is inviting anyone curious about the big issues of life, death and God to join a short course. Called Puzzling Questions, it begins on Tuesday January 12 at 7.30pm and runs for six weeks. Questions covered include: Who am I? What is God like? What happens after death? How can I be happy? Why is there suffering in the world? If you are interested in finding out more, contact Rev Laurie Burn on 0117 941 8326 or email laurieburn@tbc.org.uk • www.tbc.org.uk
Spike Island A RESIDENTS parking scheme is to start in Spike Island on January 4. It is the final RPS scheduled in the city – unless consultation leads to a scheme around the Bristol arena.
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January, 2016
Hockey and tea – the ideal combination BRISTOL’S only south-ofthe-river hockey club is on the lookout for players, and would love to welcome newcomers and more experienced hockey ladies. The Knowle (formerly known as Knowle Ladies Hockey Club) started life in around 1919, when they played matches on land between Redcatch Road and Broadwalk known as The Meadow or The Paddock. In 1922 they moved up in the world when Knowle Cricket Club agreed to share the cricket pitch during the cricket off-season. This remained their home until the 1990s when members decided to move to an all-weather facility. The teams now play on the astroturf pitch at Merchants’ Academy in Molesworth drive, Withywood. Two league teams play on Saturdays from
Knowle ladies: Close to promotion, and famed for quality of their teas September to March. The First team is riding high at the top of Brunel 2 in pursuit of promotion, and the Seconds are working their way up Wessex 3. The club is looking to expand to three teams for the next season in
order to cater for increasing numbers. But if cake is your thing rather than sport, the club prides itself on the quality of its home-made post-match teas. • www.knowlehockey.co.uk
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Planning applications Bristol Arena, Former Diesel Depot, Bath Road Brislington BS4 3DT Construction of 12,000 capacity indoor arena (Use Class D2) on the south part of the site, creation of public plaza in front of arena and landscaping of the site; Permanent disabled parking (45 spaces) and cycle parking facilities (252 spaces), temporary surface level parking for operational staff and VIPs (200 spaces) for a period of 5 years; Pedestrian and vehicular access via bridge from Cattle Market Road (under construction) and provision of new pedestrian access and steps from Bath Road. Existing vehicular access from Bath Road to be retained as a restricted access. Pending consideration
Former Diesel Depot, Bath Road, Brislington BS4 3DT Outline application (All Matters Reserved) for up to 19,000sqm of mixed use development on Arena Island comprising retail (Use Classes A1, A2, A3, A4); offices (Use Class B1); leisure (Use Class D2); residential dwellings, including affordable housing (Use Class C3); hotel (Use Class C1) and student accommodation (Sui generis). Provision of associated hard and soft landscaping, including linkages to the plaza and HCA Bridge. Pending consideration 5 Newry Walk BS4 1LU Application to approved details in relation to conditions 2 (Further Details) 3 (SUDS) 10 (Landscaping) and 11 (Reporting of unexpected Contamination) of permission 15/02944/F Construction of a new dwelling with access, screening, parking, landscaping and associated works. Pending consideration 100 Redcatch Road BS4 2HQ Submission to satisfy condition 1 (Noise Management Plan) of planning permission granted on appeal reference APP/Z0116/ A14/2227376 which consented the change of use to holiday accommodation. Pending consideration 117 Ravenhill Road BS3 5BT Proposed single storey rear extension. Pending consideration 19 Minehead Road BS4 1BL Proposed single and part double
storey rear extension. Pending consideration 239 Redcatch Road BS4 2HQ Application for a Lawful Development Certificate: Proposed single storey rear extension. Pending consideration 68 Kensal Road BS3 4QT Proposed single storey side/rear extension. Pending consideration 26 Brecknock Road BS4 2DD Lawful Development Certificate for proposed loft conversion including addition of rear dormer roof extension. Granted 87 St Luke’s Crescent BS3 4SA Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed rear dormer extension to facilitate new bedroom. Granted 29 Green Street BS3 4UA Alterations to house, including new steps to garden, installation of roof lights, replacement windows and doors, re-building front bay window, re-render external walls and external wall insulation. Granted subject to conditions 366A St Johns Lane BS3 5BA Application for removal or variation of a condition following grant of planning permission (No.15/02847/F Condition No. 14). Revised plans & elevations, omitting the new dressing room at the rear of the property and reducing the number of rooflights to the front. Granted subject to conditions 19 Monmouth Street BS3 4SJ First floor, rear infill extension. Granted subject to conditions 97 Somerset Road BS4 2HX Provision of external stairs, entrance and windows to basement level. Granted subject to conditions 35 Weymouth Road BS3 5HH Proposed single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions 100 Marksbury Road BS3 5JZ Proposed two storey side & single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions
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203 St Johns Lane BS3 5AL Proposed single storey side & rear extension to create new 2 bedroom dwelling. Granted subject to conditions 28 Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Broad Walk BS4 2QU Proposed installation of exterior roller shutters. Granted subject to conditions 317 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2QB Variation of planning permission 11/02260/R for roof extension to 317 Wells Road and conversion of upper floors to two flats; erection of three storey building on area of demolished 1 Redcatch Road to contain A2 office use on ground floor and four flats above. Changes are to elevation design and deletion of vehicular access from Redcatch Road. Granted subject to conditions 278 Wells Road, Knowle BS4 2PU Extension and conversion of existing outbuilding. Pending consideration
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31 Oxford Street, Totterdown BS3 4RJ Change of use from A1 shop use to Class A3 restaurant/cafe. Granted subject to conditions 71 Connaught Road BS4 1LH Proposed erection of two 2 bedroom dwellings and all associated infrastructure works. Granted subject to conditions 16 and 16A Hill Crest BS4 2UN Retention of rear raised decking and landscaping (amandments to consent granted under. app. no. 13/01714/F). Pending consideration 72 Novers Park Road BS4 1RJ Conversion of existing detached garage into a habitable accommodation. Pending consideration • The status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at planning online.bristol.gov.uk
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The old soldier who made the Simon Bennett, a Voice reader who lives in Knowle, has discovered the story of his great uncle’s tragic end in an air raid on South Bristol in 1940. It was a sad end – but it has its lighter side.
W
HILE carrying out some family history research, I came across an interesting and rather unfortunate story about my great uncle, Arthur Woodworth, who died during the Bristol bombing in 1940. Firstly, however, I would like to give you some background information on Arthur so you can get a picture of what he had done in his life before 1940. Arthur Woodworth was born in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, on November 16, 1884. He moved to Hotwells, Bristol with his family before the turn of the century when his father William got a job
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As the bombs rained down on Bedminster, Arthur made a fateful decision as a steam crane driver at Bristol docks. Unfortunately, at 14 years of age, Arthur and his father William got into some trouble stealing bicycles. The crime was
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reported in the Bristol Mercury. Arthur was convicted on May 2, 1899 and sentenced at the Petty Sessional Court at the Bridewell to four years and six months as an inmate of the Kingswood Reformatory school. The school was for boys convicted of criminal practices and given sentences of three years or more. William Woodworth got two months hard labour at Horfield prison for his involvement. On entry to the reformatory school, Arthur was described as living at 6 Little Caroline Row in Hotwells. His education was recorded as “poor” and his character “indifferent”. He was described as 5ft 2in tall with brown hair, of medium build and with a fair complexion. The superintendent of the Reformatory in 1902 was a Mr B Andreys, an ex-army officer, and this may have been why following his release, Arthur joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers as a private. He was stationed with the Royal Scots in India from 1905. In the 1911 census Arthur was shown as a musician in the 1st Battalion stationed at Roberts Heights, Pretoria, in the Transvaal, South Africa. As a full time soldier (No 8583) he returned to Europe in March 1914 and in August he joined the war that they said
Rediscovered: The resting place of Arthur Woodworth, now restored by his great nephew would be over by Christmas. He was one of some 120,000 regular troops who were in the British Expeditionary Force. The Fusiliers were one of the first British formations to move to France. Arthur was present at many of the First War’s setpiece events including the battle of Le Chateau; the first battle of the Marne; the first battle of Aisne; as well as the second Battle of Ypres, which saw the first use of a new German weapon on the western front – poisonous gas.
Bristol’s first taste of THE RAID in which Arthur Woodworth died in 1940 was the first major Nazi air raid on Bristol city centre. It was to prove both an example of how terrifying and deadly air attacks could be – and also a lesson for the attackers in how much punishment a city could soak up. The Luftwaffe dispatched 148 aircraft to Bruder, its code name for Bristol. It might have been more, but fog was feared over the German airfields in northern France, and the planes were ordered to return at midnight. Of those aircraft, 135 are believed to have dropped bombs – 156 tonnes of high explosive, 4.75 tonnes of oil bombs, or
Flammenbombe, and 12,500 incendiaries, according to John Penny’s book Bristol During World War Two. The target was the docks and the aim was of “eliminating Bristol as an importing port supplying much of the Midlands and South of England”. The Luftwaffe used several methods of radio direction finding, some of which could be jammed by the British. On the afternoon of November 24 the RAF did suspect that Luftwaffe X-beams were centred on Bristol. Unfortunately, Bristol was easily found by following the Bristol Channel and then tracking down the Avon; in any
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wrong call as the Blitz began
He was also present at the battle of the Ancre in the freezing winter 1916-17; the third battle of Ypres and the battle of Lys. On Armistice Day he was at Romaries, according to his army records. How he managed to keep alive and even sane I don’t know! In 1919 his battalion had to renew one of the regiment’s former duties in Ireland – but this was during the Irish civil war. He landed in Dublin on May 13, 1919 and the battalion was stationed in Tullamore barracks, Tullamore until 1921 when the British and Irish Governments would agree on the future political structure of Ireland. Some time after this Arthur left the army. Many soldiers were left destitute after the war and our family has stories of him and some ex-army colleagues busking on Castle Street to make a living. At the start of the Second World War in 1939 it is no surprise that Arthur would want to do his bit for king and country again. He joined the Auxiliary Fire Service as a firewatcher. German heavy bombers could carry a thousand incendiary bombs and according to the Home Office a single bomber could start up to 150 fires over a three-mile area. Arthur was to spot fires over the Bedminster
area and pass on information to the fire service. One cold evening in 1940, November 24, while off duty, Arthur ventured to the Cricketers Arms on the corner of Greenway Bush Lane and Greenbank Road, Southville, for a few beers with his mates. I can only imagine it would have been a busy evening and the pub was full. The main topic of conversation was probably the recent bombing in Bristol and I’m sure some old First World War stories were told as well. It was late in the evening when the dreaded air raid siren disturbed the pub and people started evacuating for the local air raid shelter or pub basement. Arthur got up from his seat needing to go to the toilet. Could he hold on during the raid or should he use the pub’s facilities? He decided to use the pub toilet. It was the wrong decision. A German bomb destroyed the pub and the only fatality there was poor Arthur. What an unfortunate call of nature. Arthur died aged 56 and is buried at Arnos Vale cemetery. Recently, with the help of Arnos Vale and some extensive undergrowth clearing, I located and restored his resting place. Simon Bennett Langham Road, Knowle
Arthur Woodworth, right, in the uniform of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, with his younger brother Alfred, grandfather to Voice reader Simon
city bombing has Luftwaffe claiming victory DO YOU HAVE A BLITZ STORY? Do you rememember the bombing of Bristol? Do you have family mementoes of the Blitz? In 2016, the 75th anniversary of the worst raids in Bristol, the Voice will look back at the Blitz and its aftermath. If you’d like to contribute, email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk event the bombers reached their target. Bedminster was one of the first targets. The gasholder in Marksbury Road took a hit and
exploded at about 7.15pm. The explosion was spectacular and German pilots thought they had hit the larger gasworks at St
Philips. As a result of this false impression the Luftwaffe claimed it had destroyed Bristol as a distributing centre and major railway junction. This conclusion was wrong, but the cost to Bristol was heavy: 200 people, including Arthur Woolworth, were killed, and 689 injured. Here started the destruction of the historic city centre which has been mourned ever since with the central shipping area burning all night. The AFS or Auxiliary Fire Service – of which Arthur was a member, though off duty during the raid – worked well. Within 30 minutes of the air rad warning, nearly 900 personnel
were on duty. Seven were killed that night. The fire service was overwhelmed with 194 reports of fires but contingency plans were in place and at 7.38pm reinforcements were requested. Eighty one appliances were sent from seven counties as far away as Kent, as well as London, and 20,000 feet of fire hose was brought in. At 11.10pm bombs damaged the water mains and firemen had to pump their water from the harbour, the River Frome and elsewhere. The fires were all under control by dawn, but 26 were still being damped down 36 Continued on page 32
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January, 2016
Knowle church and Bedminster gasworks are early casualties Continued from page 31 hours later. The devastation was widespread. On the south side of the river, Bedminster and Marksbury Road as well as Knowle were hit badly, and the Holy Nativity church in Wells Road was destroyed in the first hour of the attack. It was not to be rebuilt until 1958. Mildred Ford, now 85, gave her recollection of that night to BBC Bristol. In 1940 she was 10 staying with her aunt and uncle in Totterdown. ”I spent that evening in a big cupboard under the stairs,” she said. “It’s very strange because a part of you was frightened and the other part very inquisitive. You really wanted to get out and see what was happening. “I suppose there was a lull in the bombing and I went out. I could twist my uncle round my little finger and I took his tin helmet and stood out in the garden.” She saw the flames from Holy Nativity burning down on Wells Road. The sensation was a “strange feeling – excitement but frightening at the same time”. “It wasn’t until we went to see what happened that it really struck home,” she said. Among those who died that night was a fire watcher, as well as 19 men, three women and two messengers from among the air raid wardens, plus two ambulance drivers. There were 86 calls about people buried in bombed buildings, and 137 were rescued
– though some rescues took many hours and were conducted while bombs still fell. The rescue teams found 107 bodies and gave first aid to the 187 severe casualties and to 703 less seriously injured, but lost two ambulance drivers in the process. The Luftwaffe, misled partly by the violence of the fire at Marksbury Road, claimed they had knocked Bristol out of the war as a productive centre. The claim may sound exaggerated now, but in the 1930s and 40s, there were real fears that intense bombing could cause enormous casualties and bring cities to their knees. Both sides expected devastating casualties. So the toll from Bristol’s first heavy raid was bad but not nearly as high as had been expected. Partly this was due to the day being a Sunday and the city centre being relatively empty. But the wreckage, especially in the centre, was intense. The scale of the disruption to ordinary life can be judged by the fact that over the next 12 days voluntary workers served more than 70,000 meals to people who were homeless or had lost the facilities to cook for themselves. Judgement of Bristol’s defences was mixed. Anti-aircraft guns fired more than 3,000 rounds but hit nothing – nor did RAF night fighters, though a Hurricane tried to engage a Heinkel 111 caught in a searchlight over the city. And
Devastated: The remains of Holy Nativity, Knowle, hit in the first hour woefully, the Starfish decoy sites which were designed to draw bombers away from the city with realistic illuminations, were not even turned on because the expert needed could not be found. The barrage balloons which surrounded the city centre at locations including Perretts Park and Victoria Park were successful in keeping the bombers higher than the Luftwaffe wanted. But
the balloons themselves became a target – 15 were destroyed and one member of a balloon crew was killed. There were plenty of lessons for the military and for Bristolians as the city awoke from its first Blitz raid. Some improvements would be made. But the death toll – and the damage – were both to get far worse. To be continued ...
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January, 2016
Karin Smyth We need to decide what happens after the bombing
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RITING this in mid-December, it feels distant now, but we all know how politics has recently been dominated by our response to the threat from ISIL/Daesh extremists. In the end I voted against extending UK airstrikes into Syria. This was the culmination of many days carefully weighing up the cases for and against; listening to different views of constituents; background reading; talking to colleagues and attending briefings. Ultimately I remained unconvinced about the Government’s case for what happens after the bombing. Nonetheless the vote was carried. Action began swiftly, then the media coverage evaporated quickly. But make no mistake, this issue hasn’t gone away, and won’t any time soon. Reflecting on chilling events in Paris
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The MP’s view Each month Bristol South Labour MP Karin Smyth gives her perspective reminds us of the threat we all face. And the situation for millions of women, men and children living in Syria, and millions more who have fled the country, is truly desperate. That’s why the day after the vote I began pushing the Government on a number of key issues, and I asked the prime minister to ensure ministers make regular reports back to Parliament on all developments. The first of
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these was delivered on December 16. I have asked the prime minister to focus on the impact of UK military action and to ensure that this forms part of a multi-faceted strategy: the use of ‘soft’ power – through the Vienna process, for example – alongside the ‘hard’ power approved by Parliament last month. The prime minister has a huge moral responsibility to see this through: not to bomb and effectively try to walk away from Syria’s major future challenges. I’ll continue to press the Government to ensure there is a long-term plan and that the effect of military action, alongside proper negotiation efforts, is being productive, and that the Government also continues to work in other ways to combat the ongoing terrorist threat. The UK must also use all means available: political and diplomatic as well as military, to help improve the situation for those living in Syria. So I have also urged the prime minister to rethink the Government’s current approach to refugees fleeing the conflict, which I believe is inadequate. Finally, we of course support our military personnel as they undertake their task, but it is vital that the Government ensures necessary support is available to them – and to their families – as a result of this action. As ever, please let me know your views. • Email: karin.smyth.mp@parliament.uk
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January, 2016
The Bristol Milkwoman who took a stand against slavery
Forgotten luminaries from the city’s literary history are celebrated in a book by author from Windmill Hill
F
OR citizens of Bristol, spotting the city as backdrop on many a TV programme is a popular sport. From Holby City to Only Fools and Horses, countless shows have been filmed here. What then of its equal inspiration to writers across the ages? Many readers will have some idea of Bristol’s many appearances in novels and poetry, and as muse for Coleridge and Southey, even Dickens. But there’s much that is not so well known, and now Windmill Hill author Marie Mulvey-Roberts has filled in the gaps with her comprehensive account of the city and the authors it inspired. Literary Bristol: Writers and the City includes chapters by several experts on Gothic Bristol, the Romantic poets Southey and Coleridge, and lesser known movements such as the Bristol New Wave which fuelled the radical drama of the late 1950s. How many remember now that Harold Pinter’s first play, The Room, was premiered at Bristol University? Revulsion at the city’s role in the slave trade was a common theme for the poets of the 18th and 19th centuries. The patronisingly-named “Bristol Milkwoman” Ann Yearsley was popular at the end of the 18th century for several poems which evoked her work on the pastures which intruded into the city. Yearsley was so well known that her poems were taken to be a voice for Bristol, so 1788’s A Poem on the Inhumanity of the Slave Trade shows the moral anguish that slavery was causing the city: “BRISTOL, thine heart hath throbb’d to glory. – Slaves, E’en Christian slaves, have shook their chains, and gazed
Bedminster epic: Robert Southey
Ann Yearsley: Bristol poet and protester against slavery With wonder and amazement on thee…” She took a stance too on the infamous Bristol Bridge riots of 1793, where witnesses spoke of innocent bystanders killed or crippled by the deliberate low firing of the militia. In later life she lamented Bristol’s failure to recognise its poetic wealth, including Thomas Chatterton, acclaimed as a genius only after his early death in London. Literary Bristol is full of such tales, fascinating to literary enthusiasts. Sadly there is little action south of the river – almost
all the authors gravitate to the city centre and Clifton. But there is one gem for Bedminster fans: it turns out the great Romantic poet Robert Southey was born there, and he planned to write a poem about what was then a village. Announcing his intentions for the poem, he reminisced about Bedminster: “The bowers, the porch, the yews by the laundry, the yard horse-chestnuts, the mortality, as my grandmother called it; the changes now, colloquially told; and then to catch the sound of Ashton-bells, and speak of the
family burying-place. The best kitchen, the black boarded parlour, the great picture-bible. What a treat!” What a tragedy it was never written. There’s little else from South Bristol, but the chapter on Gothic stories in the city recaps the recent BBC horror series Being Human, filmed in Windsor Terrace, Totterdown, in Victoria Park and surroundings, including the spooky General Hospital. Marie Mulvey-Roberts, an associate professor in literature at UWE, has edited a fine volume – perhaps a bit involved for the casual reader but of interest to more than academics. • Literary Bristol: Writers and the City. Edited by Marie MulveyRoberts, Redcliffe Press, £15.00 • www.redcliffepress.co.uk
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January, 2016
Entertainment
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Villainy of very original variety at the panto
REVIEW: Tropical Storm Totterdown Community Players, at Totterdown Baptist Church HERE are plenty of pantos in Bristol but there aren’t too many community groups who are talented and confident enough to put on their own original show. Totterdown has one such group, and Tropical Storm is their fourth in a series which has raised thousands for charity. Their efforts are helped greatly by having such a wonderful villain in Mang the Merciless, played with gusto by David Lane. He’s so evil that he doesn’t even tidy his room when his mum tells him. But he is stuck for a bit of wickedness until he hits upon the idea of casting a drought upon Totterdown. This, he thinks, will enrage us: “Half of you have only got allotments so
T
Storming: Some of the cast of Tropical Storm, the Community Players you can look interesting on BS4 Connect,” he sneers. He’s a villain the audience have no hesitation in booing, and he is assisted by three weird sisters, Wallace, Will and Wendy (Cat Piggot, Will Piggot and Ruth Whiter) – as they say, they’re not sisters, but they are weird. Switch to Totterdown’s royal court, sweltering in an unexpected heatwave, hotly debated by bossy teachers Mrs Perkins and Mrs Popkins – ably played by Sam Piggot and Sian Wilcox. The King (Eddie Smith) is at a
loss and, like the Queen (Liz Jordan), he’s not listening when young Prince Paco tries to tell them he’s figured out the reason for the weird weather. But it’s not long before the prince is proving himself the hero – as played by Noah Whiter with a confidence beyond his years. Cue intrepid explorer Idaho Smith (Jonathan Rayers) and his bag-carrier Indiana Jones (Stephen Williams). It wouldn’t be a panto without some special effects, and the Prince and Idaho are chased through the jungle by
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an enormous boulder which rolls through the hall, before doing battle with some deadly snakes. They soon track Mang to his lair where the fiend forces the prince to a fight they must both undertake while riding a dinosaur – only it’s a tickle joust, which has the audience in stitches. Soon Mang is overcome and the rains start to drench BS4 – cue for one of several clever songs, It’s Raining, Mang – adapted from It’s Raining Men. It all made a great evening with plenty of audience participation. Clever touches included Bob, a character from previous pantos who tried to get into this one, and the Court Entertainers played by Laurie and Karen Burn. Laurie started alarmingly to disrobe in the tropical heat, but, of course, decorum was preserved. There are too many princesses and others to name but the Players can be proud of a great, original show – particularly director Elaine Spencer and author Sandy Kolla. PB
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What’s on Saturday January 2 Singaround Saltcellar Folk Club, 7.30pm. Open to all comers – singers and musicians. Held in the basement (or salt cellar) of Totterdown Baptist Church, Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2AX. All are welcome. Admission £5 on the door. • www.saltcellarfolk.org.uk Tuesday January 5 New Year Party Knowle Townswomen’s Guild, 2-4pm, Redcatch Community Centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle. • www.facebook.com/ knowletownswomensguild Wednesday January 6 Painting and drawing for all, Windmill Hill City Farm, 10am-12.30pm. “This art course explores a variety of approaches to drawing and painting, helping you to develop your own personal artistic expression.” Run by the WEA. 10 sessions, cost £120 (free for those on a means-tested benefit), plus materials fee payable by all. • www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Thursday January 7 Table tennis St Martins Church Hall, 42 St Martins Road, Knowle BS4 2NH. Every other Thursday, 2.45pm-4.15pm; £2; bats and balls provided, and tea; also January 21. All abilities welcome. Tel: Chris 0117 971 3280. Silver and copper jewellery making Windmill Hill City Farm. Beginners classes 10am12.30pm, improvers 1-3.30pm. “Learn about the basic skills involved in making silver and copper jewellery and produce wearable pieces of your own design. Techniques include: soldering, sawing, basic forming, texturing and finishing.” Run by the WEA. 10 sessions, cost £120 (free for those on a means tested benefit), plus materials fee payable by all. • www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Friday January 8 Yoga for everyone Windmill Hill City Farm, 1.15-2.45pm. “This safe and effective yoga class will include easy movement, stretching and breathing. Suitable for everyone, including complete beginners. Students are encouraged to come along and experience how yoga can help relax and improve a sense of wellbeing.” Course of 10 sessions, cost: £75 (free for those on a means-tested benefit). Run by the WEA. • www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
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Fancy learning a new skill for the new year? Masterclasses for young people at the Tobacco Factory start with Take It On: Acting on January 18 from 4.30pm to 6pm. Future sessions will look at costume design and ensemble singing. For 10-13 year-olds, cost £3. Stained glass workshop for beginners, Windmill Hill City Farm, 1-3.15pm. “A course for beginners and students with only a little previous experience, to learn how to cut glass and assemble a stained glass or copper foil panel.” 10 sessions, cost: £110 (free for those on a means-tested benefit) plus materials fee payable by all. Run by the WEA. • www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Saturday January 9 Wassail in the Community Orchard, bottom of Park Street, Totterdown, 2pm. Join members of Tresa – Totterdown Residents Environmental and Social Action – to toast the apple trees with cider. Bring pots, pans and drums to scare away the evil spirits and wake up the trees. • www.tresa.org.uk Paul Tonkinson plus guests The Comedy Box, upstairs at the
Hen & Chicken, North Street, Southville. “High-energy comic Paul Tonkinson is effortlessly likeable, and deft at drawing the viewer into his charming anecdotes.” 8.45pm, £12. • thecomedybox.co.uk The Spitfires, Underground Frets, Jubilee Park and DJ Kev Regz, The Thunderbolt, Bath Road. 7.30-11.45pm. Watford-based Spitfires have released three acclaimed singles (Spark to Start, Tell Me and I’m Holdin’ On) and have supported The Specials and Paul Weller. £7 on the door, £6 in advance. • www.thethunderbolt.net Thursday January 14 Young Theatre Makers Tobacco Factory Theatre, 6-7.45pm for 10 weeks. “Our fantastic youth theatre for 14-19 year olds returns. Work with theatre professionals, develop your performance skills and gain
January, 2016
an insight into how theatre works through exclusive opportunities to see live theatre and meet those behind it.” Cost is £50 per term (Need help with this fee? Email bryony@tobaccofactorytheatres. com) • www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Friday January 15 Ain’t Misbehavin’ Swing Night at the Southbank Centre, Dean Lane, Southville, from 8pm-late. Billed as a friendly place to practice, in the longest running home of social dancing in Bristol. • swingdancebristol.com Saturday January 16 Vintage Kilo Sale Paintworks, Bath Road. The UK’s largest vintage clothing wholesaler brings five tonnes of vintage, including accessories and jewellery. “Pick what you like, weigh it and pay £15 per kilo.” • www.paintworksbristol.co.uk Angela Barnes plus guests, The Comedy Box, upstairs at the Hen & Chicken, North Street, Southville. “Angela Barnes and her witty world view have been catapulted onto numerous radio and television shows. She mixes warm autobiographical material with plenty of strong jokes.” 8.45pm, £12. • www.thecomedybox.co.uk Tuesday January 19 Parkinson’s UK coffee morning. The Bristol and District branch of Parkinson’s UK begins a monthly coffee morning at the Grant Bradley Gallery, Bedminster Parade, at 11am. “Come and join us, we are a friendly and supportive bunch, exchanging tactics, information and social banter!” Queries to Elaine, 0117 966 7621 Keeping an illustrated journal 10am-12noon, Windmill Hill City Farm. “Do you want to draw and keep an illustrated journal but don’t know where to begin? This course will show you how to get started keeping an illustrated record of your daily life even if your drawing is somewhat rusty.” Seven sessions, cost: £70 (free for those on a means-tested benefit). Run by the WEA. • www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Wednesday January 20 Public meeting of Tresa, Totterdown Residents Environmental and Social Action. 7.30pm, Star & Dove, St Luke’s Road, Totterdown. • www.tresa.org.uk
To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Paul on 07811 766072 or Emma or Hollie on 0117 908 2121.
January, 2016
E: paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
What’s on
Eavis joins the lineup for a second night of 15m stories
John Parish with band, The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, 7.30-11.30pm. Also on January 21, as a warm-up before Aalborg’s Northern Winter Beat festival in Denmark. Parish is a composer, solo artist, producer and collaborator, known for his work with PJ Harvey and Eels. Admission £10 on the door, £9 in advance. • www.thethunderbolt.net Mmm Hmm “Verity Standen’s mesmeric piece of a cappella song theatre returns to Tobacco Factory Theatres. Mmm Hmmm is a playful, poignant musical journey shaped by three exceptional female voices jumping between sound worlds and lyrical styles. Using intricate vocal techniques and
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AFTER a sellout debut last autumn, storytelling event 5x15 returns to the Tobacco Factory Theatre on Sunday January 17. The speakers each get 15 minutes to talk about a passion. Michael Eavis, the founder of Glastonbury, will give a rare take on the world’s most famous music festival. Psychiatrist David Nutt rich harmony, Mmm Hmmm holds a magnifying glass up to snapshots of everyday life. One moment a fragile apology, the next a perilous trip to the First Great Western buffet car; Verity Standen’s original a cappella songs evoke the awkward, heartrending and hilarious moments that characterise what it means to be human.” Until January 23. £13 and £9. • www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Sunday January 24 Yoga for the seasons: winter 11am-1pm. “This workshop will specialise in positions and techniques to help keep you warm, healthy and happy! For adults and children over 8 accompanied by an adult.” Cost: £8 child (8-16 yrs), £12 adult • www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk Tuesday January 26 A Girl is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride, adapted for the stage by Annie Ryan, Tobacco Factory. The multi-award-winning sell-out hit of the 2014 Dublin Theatre Festival and the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe follows the inner narrative of a girl, from the womb to age 20, with vivid intensity and originality. With Aoife Duffin, winner of the Stage Acting
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talks about the impact of psychedelics on the brain. Jay Griffiths will talk about A Love Letter from a Stray Moon, her fictional account of the painter Frida Kahlo. Photographer Matilda Temperley’s subject is the people of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia and Jess Thom, who co-founded Touretteshero, will talk about Tourettes syndrome.
Award, Edinburgh Festival 2015. Contains violent and sexually explicit material and strong language. £13 and £9, 8pm, matinee Saturday 2.30pm. • www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Wednesday January 27 Performance skills and confidence building: session exclusively for home educating families. Parents are welcome but attendance is not necessary. Brewery Theatre, for ages 7-11 years. Tickets £8.50, 10-11.45am. • www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Friday January 29 Showcase 2016 Creative arts students from St Brendan’s Sixth Form College exhibit the highlights from their A-level coursework at Paintworks, Bath Road. Free entry. Painting, print-making, film, mixed media, digital design, virtual modelling, knitting, free machining, textiles for interiors, fine art textiles alongside black and white, colour and experimental photography. Also opportunity to take part in a variety of workshops. Details from Nicky Mills on 0117 903 8867 or email nmi@stbrn.ac.uk Until Sunday January 31. Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-1pm. • www.paintworksbristol.co.uk
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5x15: Jay Griffiths, Matilda Temperley, Michael Eavis, Jess Thom and David Nutt
Quiz night at Windmill Hill Community Centre, Vivian Street. Held on the last Friday of every month from 8.30pm. £2.50 per entry including a half-time curry. “Come along and enjoy a fantastic evening and meet new people!“ Memberships available on the night. • www.whca.org.uk
Sunday January 31 We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at David O’Doherty New tour by the Irish comedian who describes himself as the least famous person ever to have hosted an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Presented by the Comedy Box at the Tobacco Factory. • www.thecomedybox.co.uk
Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
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T: 07811 766072
www.southbristolvoice.co.uk
January, 2016
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Opposite Temple Meads Station, | Bristol | BS1 6PL Opening Times: Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm | Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm FreeToparking at rear | Tel: 0117 934or9200 www.branchesofbristol.co.uk advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Paul on|07811 766072 or Emma or Hollie on 0117 908 2121. * Early Bird Offer guarantees an extra 5% off selected ranges when you buy in store. Only applies to new orders paid for in full on the day of purchase. Not available online. Offer ends 5.30pm January 4th 2016