South Bristol Voice Bedminster May 2018 by South Bristol Voice

southbristolvoice May 2018 No. 31

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WE WON’T LET ASDA DERAIL PLANS TO BOOST SHOPPING CENTRES

At risk: Winter Lantern Parade THE DECISION by supermarket giant Asda not to back the BID scheme to support Bedminster’s shopping areas has put a host of community projects – such as the Winter Lantern Parade – at risk. But instead of getting dragged into a campaign of criticism of

Asda, representatives of Bedminster businesses have vowed to fight back and use the row to draw attention to the brighter future they feel is within grasp for the town centre. Asda has been attacked from all sides for its decision – which it has still not admitted to – to vote against the BID or Business Improvement District, which has spent £500,000 in the last five years on Bedminster’s shopping centres. Though 70 per cent of the area’s traders voted for the BID, Asda, as by far the largest trader in BS3, had the casting vote. Asda apparently decided it couldn’t afford to pay an extra 0.4 per cent on its business rates Continued on page 3

Metrobus off the rails with no date for a South Bristol start • Both South Bristol routes on hold • Guided buses don’t fit the rails – yet • One route has fallen off the map

THERE’S good news and bad news for those waiting for the arrival of Metrobus, the £230 million rapid bus service, in South Bristol …. and then there’s some more bad news. The good news is that the M1 route, from Hengrove through Bedminster to the city centre and on to Cribbs Causeway, will be run by Bedminster-based Bristol Community Transport. It will use

clean-running, zero-carbon buses fuelled by biogas. But the M1 may not start running until the end of the year. And the M2, supposed to be the first route to open, from Long Ashton to the city centre, is now on hold because the buses don’t fit the special guided busway. It was due to open at Easter. On the M1, the biogas buses Continued on page 4

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2 Paul Breeden Editor & publisher 07811 766072 paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk Ruth Drury Sales executive 07590 527664 sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Editorial team: Beccy Golding, Alex Morss, Martin Powell & The Wicked Witch. Deliveries: Greg Champion

Intro

WHAT’S WRONG WITH METROBUS? THIS publication has always tried to be positive about Metrobus. The rapid-transit bus service has always had its critics and it is easy to snipe at. The cost has jumped by £30 million to £230m, and the eventual launch of the first route in May will be three years later than originally predicted. Metrobus is even unpopular with politicians. Former mayor George Ferguson pledged to scrap it before he was elected in 2012. Today’s mayor, Marvin Rees, is not Metrobus’s biggest fan either. Yet we all agree Bristol needs something to improve

You can find South Bristol Voice on Facebook and Twitter facebook.com/ southbristolvoice Twitter: @sbristolvoice Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is May 16th public transport. Metrobus at least promises big cuts in journey times between the north and south of the city. Crucially, it promises to connect the deprived southern fringe at Hartcliffe and Hengrove with the centre. This is why people get upset when information about crucial changes to the plans – like the long delay to the South Bristol Link route – have to be dragged out of Metrobus. Now we learn that the buses don’t fit the guided busway on the Long Ashton route. Even MP Karin Smyth finds it hard to find out who has taken these decisions and why. Please, Metrobus, let’s not give ammunition to the cynics. Just come clean when plans change, and trust the public to understand. STORY: pages 4-5

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: A surgery will be held on Friday May 11 and 25. Call 0117 953 3575 for an appointment. My councillor? By post: (all councillors) Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Waste, roads 0117 922 2100 Pest control and dog wardens 0117 922 2500 Housing benefit 0117 922 2300 Social services 0117 922 2900 Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999

Celia Phipps Labour, Bedminster By phone: 07469 413312 By email: Cllr.celia.phipps@bristol.gov.uk Mark Bradshaw Labour, Bedminster. By email: Cllr.mark. bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk By phone: 0117 353 3160 Stephen Clarke Green, Southville By email: Cllr.stephen.clarke@ bristol.gov.uk Charlie Bolton Green, Southville By phone: 07884 736111 By email: Cllr.charlie.bolton@bristol.gov.uk Fire Inquiries 0117 926 2061 Emergency 999 Action Greater Bedminster Forum for the public, councillors and community groups. Next meeting None scheduled. • facebook.com/Action Greater Bedminster

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. We strive to conform to the NUJ Code of Conduct for journalists: • nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-code 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 (unless otherwise stated) 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

That’s music to my ears!

May 2018

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n NEWS ASDA ATTACKED SOME have called for Bedminster shoppers to boycott Asda following its veto for the BID team (Letters, page 19). Stephen Clarke, Green councillor for Southville, was among those angry at the US-owned supermarket giant. “Asda’s decision could have huge impact on community life including the excellent Bedminster

Lantern Parade,” he said. “Without the small amount of grant that the BID gave to it, this may not now be able to go ahead. Asda say that they ‘have a proud history of supporting the local communities we serve’. Well, not in this case; the local community now ask them to admit their mistake, change their mind and support Bedminster.” George Grace, BID manager, said Asda was asked repeatedly to

BEDMINSTER TOWN CENTRE

warn its fellow retailers if it intended to vote against the BID. But it has refused to comment on its vote, either before or since. Asda told the Voice it supports several community projects in BS3, allowing shoppers to vote on who gets funds. But it did not respond to questions about the BID, or to a Voice suggestion that it should give extra support to the Lantern Parade or other local causes.

‘Housing developments bring us an opportunity for new life on East Street’ Continued from page 1 to improve the local community – even though this is a whopping 80 per cent discount on what smaller firms pay for the BID. The BID is run by Bedminster Town Team, whose manager is George Grace. He believes it has done much to lift the fortunes of retailers, with street works, arts and a Christmas shopping celebration each year featuring elves, Santa and competitions. Now much of that is at risk. “We should be funding Christmas marketing and reindeer for East Street, and the Lantern Parade, but all those things are in danger, because of Asda,” said Mr Grace. Hopes are high that the Lantern Parade can be saved (see panel), but the elves and reindeer will be thinner on the ground – “it will be a very skimpy Christmas,” said Mr Grace. The Town Team is not going away, however. Organisers believe that as an overwhelming majority of traders voted for the BID, another ballot could be held

excluding Asda, which would allow the team to restart. Bedminster businesses will be consulted on their views over the summer, with the aim of holding an independently-run vote in the early autumn, said Mr Grace. He is convinced that with so many new residents expected in central Bedminster in the next few years, there is a real opportunity to bring new life to East Street. North Street has become much more vibrant recently, especially the more neglected Bedminster end, said Mr Grace. “Given that about 1,500 apartments with about 3,000 new residents could be built within five minutes’ walk of East Street in the next five years, the BID team is really keen to make sure that the new developments ensure that a vibrant and exciting community can emerge, for the current residents as well as the new ones,” he said. Mr Grace is excited that a new cinema is among plans by

developer Firmstone for St Catherine’s Place at the end of East Street. This will make the area more active in the evenings and encourage more businesses to open, he believes. • Street art festival Upfest is another Bedminster institution whose BID grant is under threat; it’s appealling for funds. Page 9 bedminster.org.uk

THE WINTER Lantern Parade, which fills North Street each December with a magical procession of schools, community groups and marching bands, could be saved, in spite of Asda. The Lantern Parade normally receives £4,500 from the BID team – a quarter of its budget, which is used to pay for artists, materials, insurance, and licences. It’s also lost a grant this year from Bristol city council – leaving it more than £5,000 short. Funds have to be in place by July, or the planning for the event cannot go ahead. But Malcolm Brammar, chair of the parade committee, said members want to keep the event going – because they know it’s so well loved by the people of BS3. Sponsors and community groups will be asked to show their support for the parade over the summer, while organisers also seek new sources of grants. It’s hoped the BID team may also contribute some of its reserves. bwlp.org.uk

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LANTERN PARADE

Unlike a normal High Street agency, Charlotte Hingston Travel Counsellors likes to make things a little more personal. Whether that be a family fun holiday in Spain, cruising the Caribbean sea or experiencing the bustling cities of South East Asia, your trip should be about you. We’re an independently owned and operated business right here in the heart of South Bristol and with 15 years experience in the travel industry we can plan your holiday from start to finish. What’s more we bring the agency to you! We offer face to face visits to plan your next adventure. That way we can take the time to make sure your trip is exactly as you want it.

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

n NEWS

May 2018

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WHAT’S GONE WRONG WITH THE GUIDED BUSWAY? THE LATEST peice of unwanted bad news for Metrobus is that the only piece of guided busway to the entire 50km network doesn’t work. On the first part of the M2 Ashton Vale-city centre route, buses use a segregated route from the Park & Ride car park, over Winterstoke Road on a new bridge,

under the A370 flyover and across the river on the refurbished Ashton Avenue swing bridge. Special guide wheels on the bus – see picture– are meant to engage with metal rails along the route, allowing the bus to travel faster with less driver input. The route was apparently complete apart from “snagging” in February, when Metrobus still led the public to believe the M2 would be the first route to open, at around

Out of line: the bus guide wheels Easter. Now it’s emerged the guide rails are not within the tolerances

METROBUS needed for safe running and will need significant adjustment. Metrobus still calls the process “snagging” but cannot say when it will be ready. Once the rails are fixed, the route will have to be tested with buses, fire engines, road sweepers and every other kind of vehicle which might use it. Having been caught out before by announcing dates which have not been met, Metrobus is not predicting when M2 will open.

Suddenly, South Bristol’s Metrobuses M1 Hengrove-Cribbs Causeway, due in summer – may start by end of year M2 Long Ashton-city centre, due by Easter – has no date M3 city centre-Emersons Green – opens May 29 Continued from page 1 aren’t yet built and the gasfuelling equipment isn’t installed at BCT’s Parson Street base. Now it’s emerged that the M3 route, from the city centre to Emerson’s Green, will be the first to launch, on May 29 – a firm commitment that will cause much anger if it is missed. Travel will be free until June 9. The further bad news is that the South Bristol Link road has dropped off the Metrobus map. It means planned stops at Imperial Park, Hareclive Road, Queen’s Road and Highridge Common will not be served – probably for years. Bristol South MP Karin Smyth is angry that there is no date for when the route will be reinstated. “While I welcome the launch of some Metrobus routes, I’m extremely concerned that the Ashton to Hengrove link seems to have fallen by the wayside,” she said. “I contacted Metrobus following their announcement, but as yet have received no meaningful response.” She’s also seeking answers on why the decision was not even announced until it was noticed that the Link had been removed from the route map. It means the most deprived areas of South Bristol won’t benefit from the rapid transport link, which is aimed to slash journey times from the south of

CLEAN BUSES FOR BEDMINSTER BRISTOL Community Transport will create 70 jobs at its Parson Street depot in Bedminster, to run the M1 Metrobus from Hengrove Park to Cribbs Causeway. It will be its biggest contract in Bristol so far, but neighbours in Bedminster won’t see any more traffic movements than when BCT ran one of the Park & Ride services three years ago, said Dai Powell, chief executive of its parent social enterprise company HCT. It’s hoped to begin the route the city to the centre and the northern fringe. “I think they have made a major mistake in disappearing it from the map,” she said. “Local residents have lived with significant disruption and inconvenience while the road that the Metrobus is to use was built. But it would seem that once again, people in this part of South Bristol have been pushed down the pecking order when it comes to community investment,” said Ms Smyth. Metrobus said the South Bristol Link is already “doing its job” by drawing traffic away from other routes and helping to cut delays. But it did not explain why the removal of the Metrobus Link Road route was not announced. The Bristol Post discovered that the Hengrove-Long Ashton route is not seen as profitable by private operators. The route will only open after new homes are built nearby – the 2,000-odd planned for Hengrove Park, 82 at Imperial Park and 150 at Filwood Green. These are many years away from completion. Karin Smyth is demanding that the West of England

by the end of the year: “We are desperate to start,” said Mr Powell. He said the deal had been 12 months in the making. Because HCT is a relatively small operator, it doesn’t have spare buses to start straight away, so it decided to order 21 zero-emission biogas buses at a cost of £7 million. Gas made from food waste will be piped into the gas grid on behalf of BCT, and it will draw the gas it needs from an ordinary gas main. There won’t be huge gas tanks at the Bedminster depot. Profits will be reinvested in community transport in Bristol. Combined Authority, or Weca, which oversees regional transport, should look at giving support so that the Link route can open before the homes make it commercially viable. She implied that it was the bus operators who had sought changes to the routes: “This is part of the learning we will take away: we should have earlier

n NEWS

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WHY DOES THE 24 STOP SHORT EVERY TIME THERE’S A MATCH ON? THIS bus issue is, of course, nothing to do with Metrobus – but it’s vexing bus users in Ashton Vale nonetheless. First Bus, which operates the 24 route from Southmead to the city centre to Ashton Vale, is halting the route at Sainsbury’s on Winterstoke Road on days when there is a

NOW YOU DON’T ... The 2018 map, released without announcing the gap in the routes

operator involvement,” she said. Cllr Stephen Clarke, a Green member for Southville and chair of scrutiny for Weca, last month complained that Metrobus was keeping even him in the dark. “I think it is very disappointing that planned South Bristol transport links seem to be receding ever further into the distance; we do so often seem to be at the end of

the queue for infrastructure and investment,” he said on April 13. The M2 and M3 routes will be run by First West of England. (First has subcontracted the M1 to Bristol Community Transport.) It appears First pressed Metrobus to open the M3 first, rather than the M2 from Long Ashton. Metrobus has denied that

of the patients who could use it, leading some of them to trek to the BRI or Southmead when they could find treatment much closer to home. Ms Smyth is worried that the hospital is being underused. “The hospital is a fantastic resource – home to some brilliant and caring staff and the equipment and beds needed to deliver high quality healthcare for local people. “But I want to see it made even better use of, and become a truly integral part of health care provision in South Bristol,” she

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

match at Ashton Gate stadium. This is because sports fans persist in parking anywhere they can on Ashton Vale’s residential roads – often leaving no room for a bus to get through. First says it is “deeply concerned” at the situation and points out the if a bus can’t get through, then emergency vehicles such as fire engines can’t either. With Bristol City in the Championship league, crowds at

the expanded stadium have been strong all season. But the gates have not exceeded 25,000 for three consecutive games, which would have triggered the club to fund a match day parking scheme such as residents’ parking permits. Bedminster Labour Cllr Celia Phipps promised to pursue a solution. She said: “There has been discussion but there seems to be a lack of action. I know that there are complex reasons behind any

METROBUS decisions, but now that Bristol Rugby has been promoted – well done, by the way – we need to push for decisions. “Cllr Mark Bradshaw and I are going to meet with Mhairi Threlfall, the cabinet transport lead. The route is disrupted on a regular basis and I am made aware weekly that inconsiderate parking is causing the problems. We have passed this on to the parking enforcement team.”

delayed by months

NOW YOU SEE IT ... The 2015 Metrobus map with the South Bristol Link route

We need Metrobus to ONE REASON why it’s so important to have the Metrobus running as planned through South Bristol is to support vital services such as South Bristol Community Hospital. The hospital in Hengrove was one of the major destinations for Metrobus – along with the South Bristol Skills Academy next door. In her column for the Voice (on page 46) Karin Smyth writes about how the hospital has good facilities and is rated as providing an excellent service by those who use it. Yet it is still unknown to some

May 2018

delays to the M2 Long Ashton route are because the Ashton Avenue bridge is too low to allow buses to pass. Another rumour suggests that there are problems with the ‘skew bridge’ bus flyover at Winterstoke Road. Metrobus says there is “snagging” to be done on the route. But the continued delays are unexplained. The M2 was long set to be the first route to open, with dates suggested last autumn, then for the New Year, then Easter. Now there is no date for its opening. Last month the Voice revealed that there was only one of the complex iPoints in existence, on test at Long Ashton Park & Ride. Another 77 are needed to dispense tickets and allow route planning at each stop. It’s not clear if they have been ordered yet – but they will have to be ready for the May 29 launch date. Fares will be £1.50 for one zone and £2.50 for multi-zones. The buses will be cash-free, like buses in London.

New and shiny: Press and TV cameras at the Metrobus launch on April 9

serve our fantastic hospital and support the NHS South Bristol hospital: meant to be on the route served by Metrobus

writes in her Voice column. She does not believe that it is under threat – but she says it could play a bigger role in taking the

pressure off other parts of the health service. With pressure on beds at the BRI, she believes University

Hospital Bristol NHS trust, which runs both hospitals, could make better use of the South Bristol site. There are also ongoing issues at Weston hospital which mean that patients from Somerset are using hospitals in Bristol. “I’m saying that, if there are problems in Weston, and they are bringing people up to Bristol, which they are, then more use needs to be made of South Bristol hospital,” she said. If Metrobus was running from Long Ashton to the hospital, as originally planned, it would make it easy for patients from Somerset to park at the Park & Ride and get

quickly to the hospital, she said. Among the facilities at South Bristol hospital is a rehabilitation unit with a ward for inpatients, many of them recovering from strokes. Its outpatient services include a Rapid Assessment Clinic for older people, and an urgent care centre for minor injuries, managed by Bristol Community Health. It also offers day surgery and clinics to diagnose a number of illnesses including cancer. There is a community dental treatment unit, and neurophysiotherapy for outpatients.

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

May 2018

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May 2018

n NEWS

n NEWS Dog in need of heavy-duty rescue as rabbit chase goes awry

southbristolvoicein Bristol The Best UK Stand Up Comedy

Artists rush in as homeless charity mounts £20k appeal

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STUART

GOLDSMITH

Unharmed: The rescued terrier FIREFIGHTERS were forced to call in back-up when asked to free a trapped dog on April 15. The dog was stuck under a shipping container on the Vale Lane trading estate – apparently after chasing a rabbit down a hole. Unable to reach the dog, the Bedminster fire crew called in colleagues from Avonmouth with a heavy-duty crane – normally used for lifting crashed vehicles. It raised the container, allowing the crew to dig the dog out.

Quiz time for Bemmie fans THE Memories of Bedminster group meets on May 14, when the topic is Mercy Ships. Roger Lancaster talks about the Mercy Africa, a hospital ship which provided medical services to farflung communities. On May 21 members hold a quiz. Meetings are at 1.30pm at South Bristol Christian Centre, Churchlands Road, Bedminster.

LIKE I MEAN IT

Beautiful idea: Gael Reid contributed this picture of the HBH site in Malago Road to the art auction in May

And someone’s running 100km so charity can move to its new home BEDMINSTER’S home-grown charity which aims to “change the face of homelessness in Bristol” has got its appeal for £20,000 off to a flying start. A call to Bristol artists to donate works to a Help Bristol’s Homeless (HBH) auction, to be held in May, has brought in around 20 artworks already. Among the contributions is one from acclaimed street artist Inkie. And the charity’s row of shipping-container homes is the subject of a painting by Gail Reid. The charity is already well over a tenth of the way to its £20,000 target. The money will help fund a move from Malago

Wellknown graffiti artist Inkie gave this picture to the appeal

Road – which is set to become a Bedminster Green building site at some point – to a councilowned site in Spring Street, next to the railway line behind York Road. HBH has already built five self-contained homes out of shipping containers, each with its own sleeping accommodation, bathroom and kitchen facilities. It plans to build six more to make a mini-container village in

Spring Street. In addition a large 40ft container will be made into a restaurant, a 20ft container into a kitchen and a 10ft container into a laundry room. Also under way is the conversion of a double decker bus into a night shelter for up to 12 homeless people a night. Founder Jasper Thompson also leads outreach teams into the city centre, giving out food, clothing and advice to people they find on the streets. Meanwhile, Bristolians are finding lots of other ways to help the charity. Ruth Grindrod was so inspired when she met Jasper that she decided to run 100km in aid of HBH. She’s not doing it all at once but aims to log her distances on a running app and hopes to complete her feat by the end of July. You can support Ruth here: tinyurl.com/gofundmeRuthHBH helpbristolshomeless.co.uk

ASK A VET: Should I brush my pet’s teeth?

HE ANSWER, ideally, is Yes! Cats and dogs can suffer with dental disease in the same way that humans can. What’s more, poor dental hygiene can lead to similar health issues, such as heart and kidney disease. Particles, saliva and bacteria build up on the surface of the teeth, and plaque and tartar will accumulate. This will eventually lead to gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue.

UK T OUR

If gingivitis is allowed to go unchecked the plaque bacteria will start to penetrate below the gum line, leading to destruction of the bone and other tooth-supporting structures – a condition termed periodontitis. This is a far more serious condition and, if left untreated, results in tooth loosening and eventual tooth loss. Pets are very good at covering up toothache so keep an eye out for symptoms which include: loss

The acclaimed Stuart Goldsmith is back on the road. Come see how "a master of the form" (The Independent) "makes it look easy" (Chortle.co.uk). "Sparky goings-on and charm to spare." The Independent

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or call Ashton Veterinary Surgery on 0117 953 0707 for a free dental check. Let’s keep your pets smiling!

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BURNS

with MARIA SHEHATA Award-winning, opinionated Aussie comic Brendon Burns is definitely not afraid to speak his mind. As close to rock 'n' roll as stand-up comedy gets. "Jaw-dropping" Time Out, London

FRIDAY 25 MAY 8.30PM £12.50 RESC

DANE

with CHRIS BETTS

G. O. D. (Gold. Oil. Drugs.)

Stephen Grant possesses an energy and intellect which, when combined, make for dynamite comedy. His speed and dynamism create a magical energy which has audiences hanging on his every word. "Consummate comedian." Time Out

Fresh from hosting Live at the Apollo and another total sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Dane Baptiste brings his third smash hit show on national tour. "Observational comedy at its finest" The Independent

GRANT

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BAPTISTE

ANDREW

PLUS GUESTS

with LUKE HONNORATY

LYONS As seen on Live At The Apollo, terrifically charismatic Zoe Lyons takes a sideways view of the life and turns them into hilarious routines. "Enthusiastic, likeable, a razor-sharp talent..." The Scotsman

HED U MAR LED FRO CH 2 M

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ZOE

RYAN

High in demand headliner Andrew Ryan's quintessentially Irish storytelling abilities and cheeky, friendly demeanour makes him a natural observational stand up. "Well written, well paced, and delivers plenty of laughs” Daily Mirror

SAT 23 JUNE 8.45PM £11 ADV/ £13 OTD*/ £14 DOOR

PAUL

MARKUS

with ANDREA HUBERT & NAOMI COOPER

with ELEANOR TIERNAN

Canadian Paul Myrehaug is a sharp performer with a great stage presence and is an extremely fun comic to watch. "Dry, dark but with an irrepressible youthful charm." The Toronto Star

Markus Birdman is a veteran of the Edinburgh Fringe with many solo shows to his credit and headliner status at all the top clubs. "Delightfully comic. Controversial, personal and wickedly punchy." The List

MYREHAUG Dr Ciara Taylor MRCVS Ashton Veterinary Surgery

BRENDON

STEPHEN

SAT 16 JUNE 8.45PM £11 ADV/ £13 OTD*/ £14 DOOR of appetite, inability to eat, bad breath, broken teeth, lumps on the gums, facial swelling and rubbing their face or mouth. While there is much we can do to treat dental disease, as always, prevention is better than cure and your veterinary practice can advise you on dental hygiene for your pet. If you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health, or would like more information on caring for your pet’s teeth, contact your vet,

SAT 12 MAY 8.45PM £11 ADV/ £13 OTD*/ £14 DOOR

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southbristolvoice

n NEWS Looking after Ashton Vale

Existing & Proposed Views May 2018

May 2018

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n NEWS

ASHTON Vale Together, the community group for Ashton Vale, has a walkabout and litter pick on Thursday May 3. Volunteers will meet at the bench by the community garden on Ashton Drive at 10am, and will patrol Swiss Drive, Swiss Road, Sanders Close and Vale Foundry Lane. They will be picking up litter, looking for dog mess and noting any problems with the pavements and roads. The next meeting will be on Tuesday May 15 at Ashton Vale community centre, Risdale Road, in the side room from 7-8.30pm. All are welcome to attend and express any local concerns. Details by emailing ashtonvaletogether@gmail.com or calling 07840 680516. Facebook: Ashton Vale Together

Are InLinks a hi-tech boon to or a network of Google spy

THE COUNCIL should take a close look at new digital devices which could replace phone boxes on Bristol’s streets, before they start capturing citizens’ personal data, says a campaigner. A total of four BT phone kiosks are set to be removed from streets in Bedminster and Southville to be replaced by new InLink terminals. Planning permission is being sought for one InLink outside 256 North Street, the St Peter’s Hospice shop, and outside Asda in East Street. The new devices – among 25 planned for Bristol – are billed as hi-tech marvels which will provide free ultrafast wifi, free UK phone calls and touchscreens which people can use to browse maps, council services and more. The services are paid for by digital advertising screens on North Street (OS No 256/258) Site Address: either side of the unit. Adblock, the Bristol campaign FIRE crews from Bedminster against intrusive advertising, is fire station pulled a man from BRL-050-EP-V1 Reference: objecting to the Inlinks as a the New Cut of the River Avon in “thinly-veiled way to push more the early hours of April 14. Fire unwanted corporate advertising officers announced on the fire into our public spaces”. station’s Twitter account that But Southville resident Nicola the swift water team, who are Round, an Adblock organiser, specially trained in rescues from was shocked to discover that the hazardous banks of the New each Inlink also contains three Cut, were sent to deal with the cameras – and this is not stated incident. in the planning applications. A man was pulled from the The devices will be installed water near Bedminster Bridge by BT although the technology and handed to the care of an appears to be American. BT is ambulance crew. He was not partnering with two other firms thought to be critically injured. – Primesight, which manages the Twitter: @BedminsterFire

River rescueExisting by fire crews

our high streets, kiosks we will fear?

Caro Pepe and Age Age at work in King William Street during last year’s Upfest

WHAT IS AN INLINK?

Curse or boon? How an InLink terminal might look on North Street advertisements, and Intersection, which appears to be linked to Alphabet, the owner of Google. Some critics refer to InLinks as “Google spy kiosks” because of the lack of clarity about what data the devices could gather. BT has said that the cameras on the InLinks have not been activated and it would “liaise fully with the local community” before they were switched on. The Inlinks are also capable of running other sensors to measure environmental conditions and other factors which BT says could benefit to the community. Phone boxes are being removed because, with most of the population having mobile phones, they have not paid their way for many years. InLinks are a way of providing free digital services to everyone without cost to the taxpayer, BT says. Objections are already

beginning to roll in against the Bristol InLinks. Each one needs two planning applications – one for the unit and one for the 55in advertising screens. One objector to the North Street unit wrote: “The only reason I can see for them to be erected is as commercial advertising spots. Besides this, the units will capture people’s personal data when they use them, also the units are each fitted with cameras with no indication about when and how they will be used.” Six objections had been made to the North Street InLink when the Voice went to press, with no expressions of support. Nicola Round believes Bristol should debate whether it wants any InLinks at all – before dealing with individual planning applications for each site. “It feels as if the council doesn’t

Proposed

• Replaces a phone box but much smaller; • No shelter from the rain, and no handset; • Touchscreen access to maps, council services and more; • Ultrafast 1Gb wifi fast enough to download a movie in 60 seconds; • Charging point for mobiles; • Weather and vandal-proof; • 25 planned for Bristol including city centre, Clifton, Knowle, Easton; • Cameras fitted but not activated without public consultation. have a policy on digital advertising, or when this type of tech is acceptable,” she said. Southville’s Green councillors want the InLink plans debated rather than dealt with by planning officials. Cllr Charlie Bolton said: “At the very least, it will change the city street scene substantially.” Cllr Steve Clarke added: “I think that public advertising generally (including these units but also all digital advertising) should be considered in the context of the local plan. We should be able to debate how much advertising we have in our public spaces as none of us have consented to being exposed to it. “It is ironic that just as new data protection laws (called GDPR) are being brought in, we are potentially being subject to more of our personal data being collected by these units.” In London, tech blogger Adrian Short is among those who have raised concerns. BT and its Google-related partners “get to monitor almost every aspect of

WHAT THE MAKERS SAY

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230 North Street BS3 1JD 0117 963 5477 www.DavidPhillipsOpticians.co.uk To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

Community benefits: Apart from fee wifi and calls, Inlinks can help police and councils spread news about crime and road closures, etc. Motivation “We ... believe in greater connectivity and digital equality, allowing anyone to get online for free.” InLinks are accessible for people in whelchairs and with visual impairments. Cameras Cameras are switched off. “If in future we felt there was a great community benefit from use

Upfest appeals to fans

Multi-purpose: InLinks can be used for free phone calls in the UK, can tell you the weather, and give access to council services

UPFEST, Europe’s largest free street art festival, is asking for help to reach its £20,000 crowdfunding target by May 13. Upfest is growing each year – 400 artists from 70 countries are expected at the 10th anniversary festival in July. The funds will help pay for infrastructure to manage the tens of thousands of visitors, as well as artists’ materials. Upfest

usually receives a grant from the Bedminster BID team – which, as revealed on pages 1 and 3, is under threat this year. In return for supporting Upfest, street art fans can receive rewards ranging from sticker packs, Posca paint pens, totes and t-shirts to original artworks and even a custom-made Heinz baked bean chair. fundsurfer.com/Upfest2018

public urban life with scant regulatory oversight while building the whole system effectively for free. Then they sell this unique data back to the city or anyone else they choose to do business with,” he wrote. In Knowle, where an Inlink is proposed on Wells Road outside the Broadwalk shopping centre, Lib Dem Cllr Chris Davies is broadly in favour. “Most people have mobiles now to contact the emergency services. The digital screens may prove popular, and it is the way forward,” he said. • Planning application for North Street InLink (all the applications are similar): tinyurl.com/NorthStInLink inlinkuk.com adrianshort.org of the cameras, we would liaise fully with the local community.” User data: “Users of the InLinkUK BT free Wi-Fi are required to enter their email address. This is encrypted. We do not ask for any other information. We do not use users’ email addresses for marketing and we do not share or sell it to any third parties.” Google “InLinks are not a Google product. Sidewalk Labs, an Alphabet company, is a minority investor in Intersection.”

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BEDMINSTER GREEN

Developers inch closer to presenting a joined-up plan for Bedminster Green RESIDENTS living near Bedminster Green may learn more details of the proposals by five different developers to build up to 1,400 homes in the next few weeks. The Voice understands that planning applications for one or more of the five major plots around the Green could be made between the middle of May and the middle of June. There are also signs that the developers are working more closely together. Residents complain that they are being told about only one plot at a time and have no chance to gauge how the whole development will look. But the Voice has been told that a drawing, showing how the whole Green will look under the latest proposals, has been sent to

AFFORDABLE HOMES FROM ROLLO A NEW building has been proposed by Rollo Homes, adding to their nine-storey, 183-home proposal for the old Pring & St Hill factory site between Malago Road and the railway embankment. An outline planning application has been made for 32 flats – all for “affordable” rent – and a gas-fired energy centre, on the triangular plot at the Sheene Road end of the site. Six to eight storeys high, it presents a tier of jutting balconies at the pointed end of the triangle. the council. There is no sign when the public will be allowed to see the overall plan – and no indication that the companies will mount a joint consultation.

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The larger Rollo plan, for 183 flats, has been amended several times but does not appear to be close yet to being approved. The new block, of 32 affordable homes, replaces Rollo’s plan to make 20 of the flats in the main block affordable. It means the proportion of social housing in the entire scheme of 215 homes will be 14.9 per cent. This is well below the council’s target of 40 per cent, but developers can argue that this goal would be too costly. The energy centre proposed appears only to power the Rollo homes, not the rest of the Green.

Pointed: The triangular building

But the developers – Bristol firm Deeley Freed, Isle of Man-based Dandara, Bedminster’s Rollo Homes, Firmstone of Bath and Clifton-based Urbis – are now meeting regularly at a landowners’ forum, hosted by Bristol city council. A new air quality assessment is being conducted for the whole of the Green, so that each new building can be considered alongside all the others. The developers have also agreed to conduct joint studies on water and flood risks, and on overall transport impact. Meanwhile the council has also appointed a new project manager to oversee the Green with more vigour. It’s not clear how many of the estimated 1,400 homes across the Green will be affordable. Plot 5 – which includes the

green itself and Bedminster railway station – can be expected to have 30 per cent affordable homes, because the land is council-owned and the council will insist on it (even though the council’s own target is higher, at 40 per cent). This plot will now be built by Dandara, with Urbis as development manager. Dandara is also building Plot 4, near Little Paradise, and is expected to consult community groups soon. Its plan for a 22-storey tower is understood to have changed. Plans by Deeley Freed, which will develop Plot 3, the NCP car park, are not far advanced, but it’s understood the firm will consult local groups. It’s still not clear whether an energy centre will be built to supply heat and power to all the homes, or where it would be.

Do you know anyone who’d like to read but doesn’t get it delivered? Now they can subscribe, and get every issue delivered by post! It costs £30 per year for 12 issues to a UK address: to find out more, email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk • South Bristol Voice prints 19,550 copies each month in two editions: Totterdown, Knowle & Windmill Hill and Bedminster, Southville & Ashton. If you have a query about delivery, email the above address.

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HIGH-RISE BRISTOL

Backlash against drive for tall buildings NOT ONE but two campaigns have been launched against highrise living in Bristol. The city’s Liberal Democrats have voiced serious concerns about the council’s new Urban Living proposals, which call for more skyscrapers in Bedminster as well as the city centre. Meanwhile Kingswood resident Matthew MontaguPollock has launched the Bristol Campaign Against High Rises to combat a drive to tall buildings which he says would make Bristol “an entirely different city” in 20 years time. Mr Montagu-Pollock has already addressed members of WHaM, the Windmill Hill community planning group, who are backing his campaign. He said mayor Marvin Rees is “aggressively pushing a high rise agenda. It is completely wrong to launch such a major plan, which will fundamentally change our beautiful city, without the mayor

Your vote could win lottery cash for City Farm SUPPORTERS of Windmill Hill City Farm are being urged to vote for Lottery funding to help it inspire local families to cook healthy, affordable food. The community-run farm in Philip Street, Bedminster, is one of five groups in the ITV West region in the running for a share of up to £150,000 of funding. The new project, called Farm Flavours, was aired on the ITV West news on April 15 – but there is still time to vote for it. Steve Sayers, chief executive at Windmill Hill City Farm, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and support for our work and, with your help, to secure further much-needed funding. “We urge local people to get behind us. If successful, our project will make a real difference to our local community by providing healthy, fun, cooking sessions for families.” Votes can be placed until April 30 at: thepeoplesprojects.org.uk

having mentioned it in his electoral campaign,” he said. “Unless we act now, the city will be studded with second-rate tall buildings. There will be no going back. The nightmare of the 1970s will be repeated. Already the mayor is rushing head-on in the direction of making the city like Leeds – ugly clusters of high-rises.” Meanwhile, a statement from the city’s Lib Dems says much the same: that tall buildings will harm the heritage of the city, and will not lead to an increase in rate of housing delivery. “There are almost no examples of ‘liked’ tall buildings built in Bristol in the last century. All the liked tall buildings are monuments of greater age,” said Cllr Arthur Negus. “The [new buildings’] shiny cladding panels will be dull within a decade, and they will be regarded contemptuously within 15 years, but their great height

FIrst wave: This 24-storey, 375-home block, given permission next to Castle Park sets a precedent for more to come, says campaigner Matthew MontaguPollock and impact will blight the city’s views for generations,” he said. Council estates with tower blocks are actually less dense than areas like Southville and Cotham where streets are no more than 4-5 storeys, he said; building tall means allowing plenty of open space nearby. “As a counterexample, Paris is one of the densest cities in the world, but has not had a

skyscraper built since 1973; almost all buildings are 6-8 storey high there,” said Cllr Negus, who represents Cotham. He believes the Bedminster Green proposals would include tall, thin buildings in order to avoid dominating their environs too much, but which could mean no extra units are delivered. sites.google.com/site/ bristolhighrisecampaign

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How will they charge keep-fit instructors to use our parks? Dog walkers set to be targeted too A FITNESS instructor and personal trainer is starting a campaign against what he sees as unfair charges about to be imposed on people like him who hold their classes in parks. Bristol city council wants to save £632,000 from its parks budget by April 2019 as part of plans to prune £2.9 million from parks costs by 2020. A small part of the savings – about £55,000 – are expected to be made by charging businesses who make use of the parks to make money – namely fitness instructors and dog walkers. Richard Finch, who lives in Southville and runs bootcamp exercise sessions in city centre parks at lunchtimes, say many questions have yet to be answered about how the scheme will work. He has been told by a council official that fitness instructors will be charged between 5-10 per cent of their fees to the public. He says the council have told him they have identified most or all of the fitness operators charging for services in parks – partly by looking for adverts, and partly by photographing the instructors in parks. “As far as I’m aware they are going to be introducing these charges in May,” he said.

DOG WALKERS RESPOND TO IMPENDING CHARGING REGIME ONE DOG walker contacted by the Voice said she could see the logic of charging anyone who makes a profit out of using a public park. “I would be willing in theory to pay a reasonable fee,” she said. “But I wonder how the council will be able to distinguish the professional dog walkers from people who happen to be walking a couple of dogs.” She also fears the responsible dog walkers – those who advertise, who have insurance, and who may also be licensed by the council for home dogboarding – will be easy for the

Richard Finch pictured holding an outdoor bootcamp which he says are for the public good, and cause no harm to parks This would be an ambitious timescale as the council hasn’t released the results of consultation on the proposals, and any changes would have to be discussed by the cabinet. Mr Finch feels that getting people to exercise outdoors should be encouraged, and the council should instead be trying to make money from people who spoil the parks. “They should be focused on people who take their dogs for a walk and leave their mess there, or people who leave litter, or those who cause vandalism or graffiti,” he said. The council has the authority to make charges under current bye-laws. But it has never done so before and the scheme appears fraught with challenges. Richard asks how the council can be sure it has identified all the instructors making use of

parks – and he says the same will apply to dog walkers. He has been told fitness firms will be invited to meet council officials to discuss the scheme before it starts. The council does not appear to be offering anything in return for the payments even though parks are littered with doog mess, broken glass and worse. “I have to do a risk assessment every time I hold a class outdoors,” Mr Finch said. “If we are going to pay, we would expect the area to be clean, and the grass to be cut.” He also thinks firms paying to use parks should get the benefit of being allowed to advertise on park notice boards. Mr Finch says he has support from other fitness instructors and running groups for his campaign against the charges. tinyurl.com/fitcharge

council to target. “There are some people doing it under the radar who won’t be visible to the authorities,” she said. “In any case, you don’t legally need any license or registration to walk other people’s dogs.” The Voice has seen a copy of a draft code of conduct for Bristol dog walkers, drawn up by the council in March. It would apparently be voluntary and would ask dog walkers to commit to having insurance and to clean up after dogs. Participating walkers would wear some form of identification and agree to minimise the effect of walking multiple dogs on other park users. The code makes no mention of any charges.

THE COUNCIL’S RESPONSE THE VOICE asked the council for a detailed response to the concerns over charging dog walkers and fitness instructors – including whether officers had been photographing classes. We also asked about the other proposals for savings. A council spokesperson said: “The option to charge businesses operating in parks, such as dog walkers and fitness trainers, was looked at and we have been carrying out research to determine what businesses may already be operating in our parks. Advertising in parks is another option being considered. “The council has considered

PARKS IN FOCUS

Other savings for parks – no new cafés yet THE CHARGES proposed for dog walkers and fitness instructors are only a tiny proportion of the £632,000 savings needed in parks by April 2019. The council wants to raise at least £120,000 a year by leasing out more cafés in parks. Yet the café in Victoria Park – which under its old tenant, Mrs Brown’s, would have reopened by Easter – is still shut. The council was unable to say when it would reopen. However, the Voice understands that tenders for Mrs Brown’s and five other park cafés will be offered at the end of April – meaning that the new operators could not open until mid-June at least. The lion’s share of new income – target £615,000 – is supposed to come from events in parks such as concerts, and fee-paying activities such as bouncy castles, adventure golf, car boot sales and even camping. Only larger parks such as the Downs and Ashton Court would be suitable for most of these ideas, but Victoria Park is on the list for possible public events. Shaun Hennessy, chair of Victoria Park Action Group, said VPAG would welcome more events there, as long as they didn’t cause too much disruption. Advertising in parks was supposed to bring in £50,000 a year but, after protests, large adverts have been ruled out. the response to the public consultation on the future of parks funding and recommendations are going to be put to the cabinet on May 1. “If the cabinet does decide to go ahead with charging businesses operating in parks, we would seek to establish a system for this as soon as possible. As part of our plans to increase income for parks, we will also be going through a fair and transparent procurement process to award concessions for some of our parks and green spaces. “An open day is due to be held in May as part of this process and we will be providing further detail on this shortly.” tinyurl.com/parksavings

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

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HEALTH

Help others by sharing stories of loss and illness A CHARITY which supports people affected by lifethreatening illness is asking South Bristolians to share their stories of how it has helped them cope with sickness and bereavement. Known as The Harbour, the charity has provided free professional counselling to thousands of people over the past 25 years. To mark its quarter century it is inviting former clients to come together in a free informal

workshop in central Bristol on Thursday May 10 to tell their stories and share their experiences. “There’s a triple aim to this day,” said Sam Thomas, the charity’s chief executive and a South Bristol resident. “We want feedback from our clients to help us be as effective in our work as possible. We want to give them an opportunity to further heal from loss. And we think that their stories will enable us to engage more effectively with the

wider world – promoting services, campaigning and fundraising.” One former Harbour client, Pat, from Knowle, will talk about using her writing skills to explore her experience of loss. “I don’t know how I would have coped with my husband’s illness and death without the support of The Harbour,” Pat said, “and I’m very keen to encourage other former clients to tell their stories.” The workshop will be led by acclaimed poet and writer Claire

Williamson, who is also an experienced leader of workshops for bereaved people. Costs of the workshop are being met by Macmillan Cancer Support, who work with The Harbour on a number of projects. They and Comic Relief, another funder of Harbour, hope to have representatives participating in the workshop. If you are a former Harbour client and would like to attend, call Colin on 0117 925 9348. the-harbour.org.uk

Time to talk about the menopause A NEW monthly event for women experiencing the menopause starts in May at Windmill Hill City Farm. The Sunday morning sessions will enable women to meet and share their experience of something that is often not spoken about, even though every woman will go through it. The sessions are being organised by Lauren Chiron, a health and business coach who specialises in menopause issues. She will be working with the farm to help them develop a menopause policy for staff. Knowle resident and Voice writer Beccy Golding set up a menopause support group on Facebook in April 2015, called Quixotic Women In Menopause. “The group was for women to ask questions, let off steam, and share what worked for them. Since then the subject of menopause finally seems to be taken seriously,” said Beccy. Beccy set up a South Bristol

Menopause Support Day held at the farm in December 2016, with talks from health professionals and others. “Then in November 2017 the local BBC approached me to make a film about menopause. Lauren, my friend Rachel, and I sat in the Knowle pub and talked about our experiences. “Now that little film seems to turns up on the BBC website any time menopause is mentioned, and has had many thousands of views. It’s only 60 seconds long and is a bit silly, but we’ve had amazing feedback, thanking us for talking about the subject. The Facebook group doubled in size overnight. We now have more than 400 members, internationally too!” The Menopause Café is at Windmill Hill City Farm from 10.30am-12noon on the first Sunday of the month, starting May 6, and the event is free. Watch the film: tinyurl. com/60secondmenopause

Let’s make our pavements safer DO YOU WANT to see the streets of BS3 made more walkable for buggy pushers, wheelchair users, and people with poor eye sight? Members of Bedminster Age Friendly Neighbourhood Project are walking the streets in the company of neighbourhood police in an effort to identify hazards that could be removed.

‘Hot, old and hyperactive’: the BBC clip of three Bristol friends talking about their menopause went viral

The walkabouts are taking place on Wednesday May 23 and Thursday June 21, both starting at 10.30am. The locations have yet to be decided but anyone from a community organisation, business group or a public body who would like to join in can email benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk.

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Arena decision set for another delay Mayor and cabinet still waiting for report into Filton and city options

Decision maker: Mayor Marvin Rees. But vital report is not ready

ARENA: THE OPTIONS

A DECISION on whether to site Bristol’s arena at Temple Meads or a privately-owned site in Filton may be delayed. Mayor Marvin Rees had said the choice would be made at a cabinet meeting on May 1. But a report from consultants KPMG weighing up the benefits of the two sites is still not ready. This led councillors on the overview and scrutiny management board meeting on April 12 to call for the decision to be delayed. They want to have time to consider the report before the mayor and cabinet debate the issue. A council by-election in Westbury-on-Trym on May 25 could also delay a decision.

Temple Meads Funded £123m: £53m grant, plus £70m+ from council and operator Capacity: 12,000 Pros: • At heart of revived Temple Quarter; • Next to public transport hub; • Shops and restaurants will benefit; • Jobs and investment for deprived areas of South Bristol; Cons: • Severe lack of space for parking; • Fears of road congestion and parking in residential streets; • Fears for road safety on narrow Bath Road pavement; • Cost will probably rise. Mr Rees told the meeting on April 12 he expected to receive the value for money report on the arena “in the next two weeks”. This could mean as late as April 26, however – which would not

Filton Funded by Malaysian firm YTL Capacity 16,000 Pros: • Bigger venue, bigger site with room for parking; • Close to M5 and M4; • Just inside Bristol – so council gets business rates. Cons: • £100m bill for road and rail work to Bristol and South Glos councils; • Little benefit for South Bristol; • No benefit to city centre shops, restaurants; benefits go to S Glos businesses, eg Cribbs Causeway; • Bristol council has no control over running of venue. leave much time to scrutinise the report. Under the mayoral system, power rests largely with Mr Rees, and in most cases he can ignore the views of councillors and even the overview board.

But he was given a clear signal of opposition to the Filton option in March, when a full council meeting voted decisively by 34 votes to 12 in favour of siting the arena in the city centre. Many Labour councillors, including the two members for Windmill Hill, Jon Wellington and Lucy Whittle, voted for the Green party motion for the Temple Meads option. Bristol South MP Karin Smyth is also vociferous in her demands to keep the arena in the city centre. Putting it in the Brabazon hangar in Filton will cost the deprived south of the city jobs and investment, she says.

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A FREE day of activities is on offer to people aged over 55 from the South Bristol area. The Macmillan Wellbeing Day is on Thursday May 17 at Hengrove Park leisure centre in Hengrove Promenade. It’s intended for those living with and beyond cancer, and their carers and supporters. Activities designed to get people of all abilities moving include seated Zumba, walking sports and more.

There will be talks on the benefits of physical activity and a market place with lots of stall holders. Everyone gets a free healthy lunch, refreshments and a goodie bag to take away. The event is free, but booking is essential. Call the Macmillan team at the LinkAge Network on 0117 353 3042. Transport can be provided, but is limited. • See advertisement on page 27

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Jail for survivalist who made bombs Dustman stockpiled homemade grenades and rations all over the family home THE BEDMINSTER man whose activities stockpiling homemade explosives caused his entire neighbourhood to be evacuated for several days has been jailed. Reeco Fernandez, 29, of Hastings Close, was sent to prison for three years and four months at Bristol Crown Court on March 23, just after the last edition of the Voice went to press. He admitted five counts of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose. The court was told that more than 100 improvised explosive devices were found in his home. But he was not a terrorist and did not have any plans to go on a crime spree, police concluded – he was a survivalist who was

A homemade grenade made by Reeco Fernandes, 29, in his bedroom stockpiling homemade grenades, pipe-bombs and arrows with explosive heads for self defence. He also had several armystyle rucksacks in the attic and dozens of ration packs stored throughout the house, which he shared with his parents. On September 8 last year Fernandez, who worked as dustman, accidentally set off one

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of the grenades. He ran from the house, badly injured, as firefighters rushed to contain the blaze in his bedroom. They quickly realised the house was filled with devices which posed an unknown danger, and police and army bomb experts were quickly called in. Scientists with expertise in explosives were also needed because devices were stashed throughout the house, and every one had to be made safe. Police evacuated everyone within 100m of the property – 40 households and about 80 people. They were not to return to their homes for three days and the move caused much anxiety. Assistant Chief Constable Caroline Peters, who led the operation, said last month: “Our key objective was to make sure we got the community back to normality, but every time we thought we might nearly be there, we would find something else,” she said. The cordon was reduced to

50m on September 9, and the Gospel Hall in Bedminster Road opened to residents. By September 11, ACC Peters said police were fairly confident terrorism was not involved and people were allowed home. Several had been given emergency accommodation by the council. But on September 15, two households were evacuated again after more explosives were uncovered. All told, the search of the family home took two weeks. The house contained containers holding large quantities of hydrogen peroxide and chemicals such as sulphuric acid – none of it safely stored. Fernandes spent 18 days in hospital with 30 per cent burns. Detectives found that he had been buying explosives and chemicals off the internet for several years. But he did not offer officers any explanation. Judge Mr Justice Dingemans praised the officers involved in the case saying they “needed to be commended on a wideranging and thorough investigation”. After the trial, ACC Peters praised neighbours who had been evacuated for their cooperation, though a few had refused to stay out of their homes. But the risk if the initial fire had got out of control would have been significant, she said. ACC Peters described the Fernandez family as “very close” and pleaded for understanding from the community now that the offender’s parents have moved back home.

n NEWS Big hitter in sports writing INTERNATIONAL hockey journalist Sarah Juggins shared her thoughts on what makes great sports writing when she met students at Bedminster Down School on April 12. Sarah wrote a book on the success of British players at the Rio Olympics, The History Makers: How Team GB Stormed to a First-Ever Gold in Women’s Hockey. Sarah has a long career

southbristolvoice covering the ups and downs of hockey across the world for magazines such as Planet Hockey and for the International Hockey Federation. She added: “One of the outcomes I hoped for was to get the message out that hockey is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone. “That is why I am so delighted to be able to speak to the students at Bedminster Down. If the book inspires just a few pupils to give hockey a go, then the trip will have been more than worth it.”

Get ready for a whole weekend of art attack THE SOUTHBANK Art Trail is almost with us – more than 100 artists will be showing off their skills on May 12 and 13. It’s the weekend when dozens of people throw open their homes to display an astonishing variety of artistic talent, including painting, 3D work, drawing, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, printmaking and more. It’s free to attend – a guide to all the homes is available online and at venues around Bedminster, Southville and Ashton. As usual, there will be lots of music, street food and children’s

Writing career: Sarah Juggins shares her tips with Bedminster students Live art demos are part of the appeal at the 16th Southbank Art Trail in May PHOTOS: Laura Crouchley

events as well as live art-making. There are many bigger venues where performances take place, including BS3 Community (formerly know as the Southville Centre) and the churches of St Aldhelm’s, St Francis and St Paul’s. North Street pubs staging events include the Hen and Chicken, the Steam Crane and the Spotted Cow. Other venues include Margot May tea rooms, El Rincon, the Old Bookshop and the Thali café. If you’d like to lend a hand organising, email contactus@ southbristolarts.co.uk. southbankbristolarts.co.uk

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We need to make up our minds if we should park on pavements BATH council has just introduced an interesting experiment. They’ve taken a particular street and marked it up for pavement parking. I think that the loss of part of the pavement is a pity, but the up-side is that it introduces certainty into the situation. The centre of the roadway is left clear for ambulances and fire engines. On the pavement there is a white line beyond which no vehicle should park. This particular pavement is fairly wide, so this leaves enough room for wheelchairs and double buggies. The message is clear and enforcement straightforward. Contrast this with the free-for-all in Bedminster. On many streets you have some cars on the pavement and some not. Often this means that neither fire engines nor wheelchairs can get by. It only takes one vehicle to block passage. Isn’t it about time that Bristol city council tried to bring some order to this chaos instead of just hoping that the problem will go away? Ben Barker, Bedminster

Can anyone tell me what to do with my diesel? IT WAS interesting to see in South Bristol Voice last month that Bristol looks likely to get a Clean Air Zone, and that it could include parts of South Bristol. As it happens, I live just outside the green line on the

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fall, and the cleaner alternatives will be even more unaffordable. If a charging zone comes in, I’ll be even more out of pocket. Can anyone tell me what happens to people who have diesels who live inside the zone? Do they have to pay every time they drive away? There’s a lot more we need to know before this Clean Air Zone plan is decided. AG, Windmill Hill

Exhausted: Cars mean pollution council’s map for its ‘medium’ zone. But these plans can change, What if I find I am inside the border? What will I do then with my diesel car? I admit I have a vehicle that is contributing more than it should to the poor air quality that is affecting all of us. It is shocking to read that in the streets around me, almost nine per cent of deaths are due to air pollution. The thing is, I didn’t know my car was a killer when I bought it. In fact, it’s not many years since we were being encouraged by politicians to buy diesel, because they use less fuel and so, by some measurements, they contribute less to climate change. We now know that diesels chuck out more in the way of tiny particles which get into our lungs and cause untold damage, particuarly in young children. I get all that. I don’t want to damage the environment or make other people ill. I use my car as little as possible (though more than I would if we had a decent bus service.) But for various reasons I can’t do wthout a car entirely. I can’t afford to change it for a post-2016 model that is more environmentally-friendly. Soon everyone will want to sell their pre-2016 diesels, and buy petrol or electric or hybrid cars. So the price of diesels will

Shame on Asda for jeopardising the community

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People don’t choose a life of addiction I WANTED to write to congratulate South Bristol Voice on the article about Operation Baseline (On patrol: How the police tackle drug dealers on the streets of South Bristol, Voice, April 2018). It’s so refreshing to read an article about the real victims of drugs. I think users and dealers are the product of their circumstances and their environment. So often they have suffered abuse or neglect, or have made mistakes that they cannot escape from. It’s easy for the press and politicians to call for tough actions against drugs – as if the perpetrators have chosen a life of drug addiction. It’s great to know that the police in Bristol have a sensitive policy. I really hope we can see more informed articles from the Voice in the future. We don’t need scaremongering, we need solutions. Dan Taylor, Bedminster

THE NEWS that Asda has used its dominant position to kill off the vote for the Bedminster Business Improvement District (BID) shows their arrogant disregard for the local community of South Bristol. Despite there being a large majority of support (nearly 70 per cent) for the BID from traders in East, North and West streets, due to Asda’s size, its ‘no’ vote means that the second requirement for a successful vote – a majority of the rateable area – can not be met. The words Asda use on their own website to indicate how they ‘value’ and ‘support’ local communities ring very hollow and seem to be little more than meaningless marketing spin when their actions are completely contrary to supporting the local community. In one action, Asda has seriously jeopardised local INTERESTING idea in the events including Upfest and the last Voice for Bristol to have a Bedminster Winter Lantern network of cable cars. I can’t Parade – both supported by really see it working, but it does significant funding from the BID. sound more practical than an Shame on Asda. underground system presently As someone who has shopped priced at £4.6 billion, and sure to in Asda, as well as in our smaller cost much more. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE local retailers, I for one will be Can I suggest another idea INTERIOR & EXTERIOR avoiding Asda. I will instead be that is literally PAINTING hot air? spending my money in local Ballooning. After all, we make FENCING • PATIOS • LANDSCAPING shops who put their money more of them in Bedminster than • GUTTERING • FASCIAS in the world. where their mouth is byLOG STORESanywhere A Smith, Totterdown ELECTRICS • DOORS • PLUMBING supporting the Bedminster BID. I

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n FEATURES

BRING ON THE BEES

Plant the best garden blooms to attract

May 2018

southbristolvoice

n FEATURES

BRING ON THE BEES

bees, butterflies and other animals

Any tiny Bristol eco-garden can beat the fancy flower shows. Here, the Voice’s in-house naturalist Alex Morss tells you how …

E ARE about to be bombarded with the famous Chelsea Flower Show in May, along with a season of TV plant programmes and flamboyant, award-winning show gardens. Meanwhile, back in reality, most of us in South Bristol have a tiny yard, or just a windowsill and a buddleia growing out of the wall. And perhaps an overgrown allotment. So here is a message to Bristol’s wildlife gardeners: chill with the mess. Wildlife loves it. Take pride in the small things that you do in your modest space, because nature wasn’t meant to be packaged. Reject the temptation to aspire to any gaudy, heavily-marketed aesthetic that looks like a plant equivalent of Crufts, and instead embrace nature and function. For this, you just need quality, not quantity, not neatness, and that means planting with ecology in mind. A small, scruffy garden is often a useful one, giving wonderful surprises with all its

Attractive to wildlife: Corn marigolds make a show microhabitats for a wide range of wildlife, rather than just being for you. Wildlife planting will mean it supports part of our ecosystem and twinkles with the colour of butterflies and bees, while being a carnival of happy songbirds, waddling hedgehogs, dancing bats and dazzling dragonflies.

PLANT WITH A PURPOSE

e recently looked at the high value of tiny ponds, hedges for bats and birds, and welcoming hedgehogs, now this month it’s time to plant with a purpose. For easy, low-effort sunny corners, choose drought-tolerant species that hardly ever need watering but are adored by pollinators, such as those adapted to dry sand, gravel,

Red and hairy: A red-tailed bumblebee on a poppy

limestone, Mediterranean or coastal habitats. Among these, the best nectar and pollen food providers include garden catmint, wallflower, rosemary, lavender, sea holly, viper’s bugloss, Salvia species such as sage and clary, thyme, alliums, wild basil, marjoram, fennel or wild carrot. If you’re on dense clay or have no space, you may wish to try pots, raised beds or a window box. In Bristol, these particular plants will attract a range of Britain’s 25 bumblebee species, such as the brilliantly-named

FIND OUT MORE

Ideas on wildlife gardens from the RHS: rhs.org.uk/advice/ profile?PID=551

hairy-footed bumblebee, along with the garden bumblebee, buff-tailed, white-tailed and red-tailed bumblebees. The super-rich nectar will probably lure in at least a dozen or more of our native city butterfly and moth species too. Whatever your aspect and soil, aim to include a range of flower colours and designs. Longtongued bees will favour flower tubes, while the short-tongued bees will struggle with those and appreciate shallow shapes. White, blue and yellow flowers are particularly popular for

insects. Many butterflies, moths and non-specialist insects are drawn to a big landing platform, as is found in the versatile daisy family, with offerings such as spectacular sunflowers – great for bees and also finches – stunning knapweeds, ox-eye daisy, corn chamomile and globe thistle. The nectar and pollen-rich pea family is fantastic too, especially lupin, wisteria, sainfoin, trefoils, vetches and clovers, all adored by pollinators. Some other good general pollinator plants are phacelia, mint, borage, aquilegia and the

RSPB advice on planning a wildlife garden: rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/ advice/gardening-for-wildlife/ plants-for-wildlife

Can you trust the label on whether nursery-grown plants are good for pollinators? Advice here, along with useful plant lists: rhs.org.uk/science/

Discover nearby places

View from a hill: Stunning views waiting to be seen on the Skyline Walk

YOU CAN discover more of the natural attractions of our area during Bristol Walk Fest – the largest urban walking event in the UK – in May. Arnos Vale cemetery hosts several events, including a Boundaries Tour on Saturday May 12. This guided walk explores the wider reaches of the 45-acre woodland, with stories from the graves along the way. A Spring Flowers Tour takes place at Arnos Vale on Saturday May 26, led by ecologist Mary Wood. Seasonal plants and

A mint moth feeding on catmint in a garden

native wildlife will be sought on the cemetery’s varied habitats, from grassland to woodland, on managed land and wild spaces. If you fancy a wander by the river, the Friends of Avon New Cut, or Franc, offer a walk called Discovering Plants in Wild Places. It’s on May 12 and is led by botanist Dr Clive Lovatt from Bristol Naturalists’ Society. He will reveal a surprising variety of plant life on the banks of the River Avon and the New Cut. Franc also hosts a walk exploring the manmade

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

A tree bumblebee on meadow crane’s bill

English crane’s-bills such as the gorgeous blue Geranium pratense. There is a specialist native wildflower nursery up at Feed Bristol near Stoke Park, with profits going to Avon Wildlife Trust to support its nature reserves. Some garden centres also stock a few natives. If you’d like to see butterflies, make sure you welcome them with the right food plants for their caterpillars - they are in fact fussy and need very specific leaves to munch, unlike in the children’s story books! A few conservation-biodiversity/ wildlife/perfect-for-pollinators The Wildlife Trusts also offer lots of good advice and ideas: tinyurl.com/y7tpa2yp

native grasses left to grow long are essential for many species such as skippers, meadow brown, ringlet, speckled wood, gatekeeper and wall butterflies. A nettle patch will attract egglaying red admiral, comma, peacock and small tortoiseshell. You might even spot a giant woolly bear wriggling on the nettles – these are the funky hairy caterpillars of the garden tiger moth. Holly and ivy will bring you holly blues. To see many a child’s favourite, the elephant hawk-moth, plant some fuchsia – or just leave any willowherb ‘weeds’ and look out for awesome giant caterpillars. Try to plant a feast for all seasons. Climbers, shrubs or a small tree will offer nesting space, shelter and a larder to insects, birds and bats. Aim for

that you never suspected environment of the Cumberland and the Northern Slopes. Other Basin on Tuesday May 22. routes include the historic If you have never seen the Ashton Gatehouse, Bristol Street best views in South Bristol, join Art, Bristol’s Burning! – The 1831 the Bristol South Riots, and Whitchurch Skyline Walk on May 5. Village. Times and This walk has its own locations are on the website: bssw.org.uk website, or you can find and stickers on out more by emailing lampposts (inset) to info@bristolwalkfest. BS W show you the way. co.uk S Dozens of other Most walks are walks throughout May suitable for all ages traverse areas such as the Avon – the event is supported by Gorge, Hengrove nature reserve, Active Aging Bristol and Link Age. the River Malago, Dundry Hill, bristolwalkfest.com

Six-spot burnet on wild marjoram PHOTOS: Alex Morss berry plants and nutritious seeds for birds, such as rowan, crab, firethorn, hawthorn, sloe, honeysuckle, hazel, holly, field maple, buckthorn, ivy, spindle or barberry. These species provide lunch to several hundred species of caterpillars and flies, and other beneficial insects, including many pollinators. You may spot windfall apples and plums being gorged by peacock and red admiral in autumn too. If you include night-scented plants such as honeysuckle, stock, tobacco plant or evening primrose you will attract moths. And next time you spend an evening in the garden, look out for bats skydiving over your climbers, gleaning off the insects. How many manicured show gardens can make claims that compare with that?

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May 2018

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n NEWS

NEWS

Secret gardens throw open their gates to visitors WHAT does Bedminster make you think of? Long terraces of redbrick houses, and old factory buildings? This summer you can discover a hidden side of Bedminster when local gardeners open their ‘secret’ gardens. Over the weekend of Saturday

and Sunday June 2 and 3, more than 30 gardens will be open to visitors. This year, the Bedminster’s Secret Gardens guide and map is available free from the Southville Centre, Riverside Garden Centre and other local venues, or you

can download it from the website below. When you visit your first garden you’ll be asked to make a suggested minimum donation of £2 per person – you’ll then get a sticker to show you’ve donated. Children are welcome to visit for

free but must be supervised by an adult. All the proceeds raised from this year’s event will go to supporting projects that help reduce loneliness and isolation among local older people. bloomingbedminster.org.uk

Dad rides to Paris to say thanks for saving daughter A SOUTH BRISTOL dad is saying thank you to hospital staff who saved his daughter’s life by cycling from Bristol to Paris. Chris Dean, from Southville, will be cycling 430km to the French capital, leaving Ashton Court on May 4. The ride is organised by Above & Beyond, the charity for Bristol’s nine city centre hospitals, and the money raised will go towards a new 3D ultrasound scanner for St Michael’s Hospital. Chris’ daughter Imogen, who is just six months old, was saved by staff at the hospital before she was even born. Chris said: “Imogen’s condition was spotted because her heart was very enlarged when we went for a routine 20 week scan. We saw a heart specialist that day, who referred us to the foetal medicine team right away. “The wait to learn what was wrong with Imogen was

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Relieved: Cath, Chris and Imogen agonising, but once we did, everything seemed to happen very quickly. “The doctors quickly diagnosed foetal anaemia, and performed a blood transfusion by inserting a needle through my wife Cath’s stomach and into a tiny vein in Imogen’s tummy, guided by images on the ultrasound scanner.” Fetal anaemia is an inadequate number or quality of red blood cells in the unborn baby. It can lead to foetal heart failure. Chris said: “Meeting Imogen for the first time was a wonderful experience. She’s growing up to be a very happy little girl, and we’ll always be incredibly grateful to the wonderful team at St Michael’s.” tinyurl.com/heroChris

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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk 13/03/2018 16:56

May 2018

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THE BATH FORUM Southgate I Bath I BA1 1UG The Bath Forum is close to the Southgate shopping centre, near Avon Street Car Park and both the Railway and Bus Station.

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May 2018

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n NEWS

Help us make bags to take to our friends in Africa WE’RE getting used to ditching disposable carrier bags in Britain – but pupils from Ashton Park School are joining an anti-waste campaign further afield. Since 2003, Ashton Park School have organised an annual expedition to build classrooms and provide educational materials and training in Kenya and Tanzania. Hearing that plastic bags are now banned in Kenya, Ashton Park textiles students decided to make cloth tote bags to take and

Lords back MP’s trailer campaign

hand out to Kenyan fellow pupils. “The children were delighted with these bags as they have many uses for them, including using them as school bags or for storing clothes in,” said the school. “In 2017 the expedition took just 40 bags with them but in 2018, we aim to make even more of a difference to children’s lives by taking many more than this.” Ashton Park wants the community to join in by making or donating a cloth bag. They must be at the school by June 22.

Bags of use: Pupils in Kenya with bags made at Ashton Park School

MAKE A BAG FOR AFRICA The bag must be: • Well made and strong; • Suitable for a child, ideally unisex; • No bigger than 50cm x 40cm; • Made from old sheets, duvet covers or clothing; • Or buy a bag from Hobbycraft for 50p to decorate; • Mark a game on it, or the alphabet, or numbers.

AS THE Voice went to press, peers voted in the House of Lords to toughen rules on trailer safety, backing a campaign by Bristol South MP Karin Smyth. Ms Smyth has been asking for more checks on light trailers – which don’t need an MOT – since Bedminster three-year old Freddie Hussey was killed by a runaway trailer in Parson Street in 2014. On April 17, the House of Lords voted by 215 to 212 to back a Labour amendment which tells the Government to collect data on trailer accidents. It also urges ministers to look again at registration and testing of trailers under 3.5 tonnes. Tony Davies, the driver whose trailer killed Freddie, admitted causing death by careless driving. He was given 200 hours of community service and a six-month driving ban.

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Singing in the After noon

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BRISTOL gac EVERY Monday 2-4pm at Trinity-Henleaze URC but Moving from June 4th to Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church from 1-3pm; also it’s FROME gac EVERY Monday 2-4pm at Holy Trinity Church in Frome; EVERY Tuesday it’s the WELLS gac from 2-4pm at the Seager Hall in Union Street; EVERY Wednesday YATE & CHIPPING SODBURY gac 2-4pm at St Mary’s Church, Yate; also EVERY Wednesday KEYNSHAM gac from 2-4pm at Keynsham Methodist Church; EVERY Thursday BATH gac from 2-4pm at Bath Central URC in Argyle Street; also EVERY Thursday afternoon THORNBURY gac from 2-4pm until May 24th and then 1-3pm from June 7th at Thornbury URC – And EVERY Friday 2-4pm at St Andrew’s Church, that’s our DEVIZES good afternoon choir in Wiltshire.

For full information see our website - www.goodafternoonchoir.org or call Nikki on 01761 472468 To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

May 2018

southbristolvoice

n PLANNING APPLICATIONS 4 Stella Grove BS3 2LT Detached garage. Granted subject to conditions 3 Clanage Road BS3 2JX Demolition of single storey lean-to and single storey garage. Erection of single storey side extension. Granted subject to conditions 12 Tregarth Road BS3 2QS Single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear of the house by 3.4m, of maximum height 3.6m with eaves 2.66m high. Granted 12 Ashville Road BS3 2AP Single storey rear extension, rear dormer roof extension and insertion of roof lights. Granted 7 Carrington Road BS3 2AQ Rear roof dormer roof extension, juliette balcony and roof lights to front. Granted 3 Dampier Road BS3 2AT Part double storey, part single storey, side, front, and rear extension. Granted subject to conditions 94 Winterstoke Road BS3 2PG Dropped kerb and blockpaved hardstanding for vehicular access. Granted subject to conditions 2 Boot Lane BS3 4HX Construction of two flats on top of residential building. Pending consideration

54 Swiss Road BS3 2RT Detached two-bedroom house with parking, refuse store and cycle racks on land to rear of 54 Swiss Road. Pending consideration Land adj to 101 Philip Street, Bedminster BS3 4DR Three 1-bed flats and communal areas. Granted subject to conditions 11-15 Winterstoke Road BS3 2NN Demolition of three flats and erection of six 2-bedroom flats, secure cycle parking and refuse-recycling store. Pending consideration

extension and erect a single storey rear and side extension. Extend and re-model garage and erect new timber fence. Granted subject to conditions Glenthorpe, Parklands Road BS3 2JW Demolition of rear conservatory and erection of single storey extension, external stores to front and extension at first floor over garage. Granted subject to conditions

54 Brighton Crescent BS3 3PR Detached two storey dwelling. Pending consideration

135 Chessel Street BS3 3DG Demolition of lean-to extension. Erection of single storey rear/ infill extension. First floor extension (including dormer window), loft conversion with rear dormer window, roof extension, rooflights and removal of chimney. Granted subject to conditions

226 North Street, Bedminster BS3 1JD Change of use from bakery retail premises (use class A1/A3) to nursery (use class D1). Pending consideration

7A Dean Street, Southville BS3 1BB Conversion of top floor into a flat. Re-configure access to all upper floor flats from external metal staircase to new internal stairs. Withdrawn

Workshop, Back Road BS3 1SU Details for conditions 2 (Construction management plan), 3 (Contamination) and 4 (Remediation scheme) of planning permission 17/03083/F: Conversion of factory to two 2-bedroom houses. Pending consideration

88 Winterstoke Road BS3 2NY Two storey extension to form living and bedroom accommodation. Pending consideration

32 Ashville Road BS3 2AP Demolish single storey rear

42 Lime Road BS3 1LT Single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear of the house by 5.37m, of maximum height 3.5m with eaves 2.4m high. Pending consideration

POLICE REPORT

COMMERCIAL property on Bedminster Parade which had been derelict for a number of years was broken into and used by Class A drug users as a place to inject. Once we were made aware, we began working with Bristol city council to get the owner of the property to make the building secure. PC Nigel Ingram said: “The inside of the building was a serious health hazard with uncapped hypodermic needles strewn throughout. It’s great to see this building now secure and reports of anti-social behaviour from this location have stopped”. Over in Ashton we received intelligence suggesting that there may be a cannabis factory. We

Bedminster, Southville, Ashton

visited at the end of March and discovered a significant number of cannabis plants growing in part of a residential address. The plants were seized along with other drug-related paraphernalia. PC Paul Singfield said: “This is a good example of police taking positive action on intelligence

27 Dean Lane BS3 1DB Details in relation to condition 2 (Construction management plan) of planning permission 16/05607/F: One and a half storey dwelling in rear garden. Pending consideration Land adjacent to 18 Victoria Place BS3 3BP Removal or variation of condition 10 (Restriction of parking level) attached to planning permission 14/00826/F. Pending consideration 23 Foxcote Road BS3 2DA Side return extension including replacement of existing single story extension. Pending consideration 58-60 Avonleigh Road BS3 3JA Change of use of upper ground and lower ground floors from hot food takeaway (Use class A5) to residential. Creation of dormer extension to roof to allow conversion into two 1-bedroom apartments and one 2-bedroom apartment. Granted subject to conditions

southbristolvoice

n BRIEFLY

VegfestUK arrives in South Bristol

Singles socialise

VEGFEST Bristol explodes into Ashton Gate on May 26 and 27. The stadium will be full from morning till night with everything connected with vegan and vegetarian food – and a few

WIN VEGFEST TICKETS WE HAVE a pair of VIP tickets to Vegfest Bristol to give away to a Voice reader who can send us the answer to our question by May 14: Who is the headline act on the Dance Stage at Vegfest Bristol 2018? The tickets are worth £54 and include a goodie bag, priority entry and access to the hospitality area. Email answers to paul@ southbristolvoice.co.uk or post to 18 Lilymead Avenue, BS4 2BX. Usual Voice rules: no employees or families of the Voice or any of the event companies, over 18s only, and you must live in Bristol BS3 or BS4.

of the surprising people who eat it. To rubbish the notion that you need meat to reach the height of fitness, there will be appearances from strongman Patrik Baboumian, the world’s strongest man in 2013, and triathlete Kate Strong, a former triathlon world champion in triathlon and Guinness world record holder for cycling non-stop for 24 hours. Now in its 15th year, Vegfest Bristol is the brainchild of Bristolian Tim Barford, a vegan since 1984. He’s expanded the idea to London Olympia and Brighton, and he also runs the Vegfest Express vegan website. Vegfest Bristol has had a makeover since its previous guise on the harbourside. Running from 11am-11pm on Saturday and from 11am- 9pm on Sunday, Vegfest has 220 stalls. The Lansdown restaurant, which can hold up to 1,000 people, will host to a variety of talks. Outdoor catering stalls will line Marina

FEW weeks ago, we helped to close down a communal utility cupboard on York Road. This cupboard was being used by squatters and as a place to take drugs. We also found a canister which contained a gasrelated high there. The closure of this place has contributed to a reduction in drug-related antisocial behaviour in the area and

n THE FAMILY Cycling Centre in Hengrove runs sessions for unconfident adult cyclists on Tuesdays in May at 6.30pm. It’s £5 per session: check the Family Cycling Centre Facebook page for details or email cyclingcentre@ bristol.gov.uk. n THERE is a May Fair at Bedminster Methodist Church in British Road on Saturday May 12 from 11am-2pm. Stalls include plants, perfumes, bric a brac, books, bits & bobs, and there’s a raffle and refreshments.

Thursday 17th May 2018 10:30am - 14:45pm Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, BS14 0DE The FREE Wellbeing Day will offer people aged 55+ living with and beyond cancer, their carers and supporters, the opportunity to try a variety of fun activities including Tai Chi, Seated Zumba Gold and Walking Sports. The day will also include stall holders, speakers, complimentary therapies, refreshments and a healthy lunch.

improved the quality of life for the community.

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Dolman Way along the Lansdown Stand recreating a matchday “fan village” with DJs and acoustic acts alongside around 30 traders and 10 street food caterers. Comedians, live acts, magicians and other entertainment will all contribute to the carnival feel. Headline acts include Judge Jules on the Dance Stage, Don Letts on the Ujima Live Acts stage and King Cassidy in the Blues Lounge. bristol.vegfest.co.uk

AFTER the success of the first over-55s Singles Social event, another one is taking place on Tuesday May 15. Organised by St Monica Trust, it’s from 7-9pm, and the emphasis is on mixing together and meeting new people. Booking is essential as the last event was over-subscribed. Entry is £5; there’s a buffet & free tea and coffee. Call 0117 305 2365.

Step into summer with the Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement Project.

• The status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at planningonline.bristol.gov.uk

ECENTLY we opened our new Hub at Asda, which gives us a local base to support the community. We said in the last issue that we would let you know when we will be there to assist you with any advice, concerns or with reporting any incidents. We will be open every Tuesday 8.30-10.30am, and every Thursday from 4-6pm. Please do check our website for any updates. If you’re unable to make it to the Hub you can still contact us in the usual way by calling 101 or via our website. Until next month, stay safe! PCSO Charlotte Tait

n COMPETITION

With PCSO Charlotte Tait Broadbury Road police station received. I would encourage anyone who sees any suspicious activity to contact us”. If you see anything that you believe to be of a criminal nature then please contact us via the force website avonandsomerset. police/contact-us or contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

Boarded up: The derelict property

57 St Dunstan’s Road BS3 5NZ Three 2-storey new dwellings, associated works and creation of a new entrance for access to side of site. Withdrawn

May 2018

Step into summer... South Bristol Macmillan Wellbeing Day for Over 55s

Booking is essential so please call 0117 353 3042. Kindly supported by Hengrove Park Leisure Centre. LinkAge Network is the working name of LinkAge West of England Ltd. Charity No. 1143816 in England and Wales. Company No. 07403291.

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

May 2018

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MODERN MEWS LIVING. BS3

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May 2018

n THE MAYOR

MARVIN REES Mayor of Bristol

Have your say on the future for the city centre’s public spaces HIS month saw the introduction of the Government’s Soft Drink Industry Levy, meaning producers of sugary drinks will now pay a levy. Many companies have already begun to reduce the sugar content in their products which may help consumers to make healthier choices. It is good that we are starting to see serious national action on this issue. In Bristol we have already been working hard to make sure people know what is in their food and drinks. Through our Sugar Smart campaign, which we launched last year in partnership with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation, we have been working with partners from around the city to raise awareness about how much sugar is in our food and drinks. The levy will help to get the programme’s message

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across, that too much sugar is proven to be bad for your health. I’d like to thank all the organisations who’ve been helping us to spread the message for their support as we continue to promote health and wellbeing. I was pleased that Cllr Helen Holland, my cabinet lead for adult social care, brought a report to our cabinet meeting on our Better Lives approach to social care. The paper set out how we’re tackling the well-documented national crisis in social care at a local level in Bristol. This comprehensive programme, not just papering over the cracks, is systematically transforming the way care is delivered in Bristol. Historically, Bristol

relied on the use of residential care much more than comparative cities. This is a very expensive approach, so strengthening the community offer (known as social prescribing) and stabilising the home care market, including raising the hourly rate we pay, means reductions in admissions to residential homes are beginning to pay off. We have also launched a consultation on proposals to improve Bristol city centre. This City Centre Framework consultation is asking for views on how people access and move around the city centre, the size and shape of new development and how the public spaces could be enhanced. Bristol’s city centre has changed dramatically over the years so to ensure it continues to be successful we need to be proactively shaping its development. Easing congestion and connecting the city are two main focuses, alongside supporting retail and creating inclusive and safe spaces. There are many demands which need to be balanced to meet the needs of everybody living, working and visiting there. Therefore it is important many people have a say in the framework. The consultation runs until May 14, with a survey available on our website. Hard copies are available in libraries and the Citizen Service Point at 100 Temple Street. bristol.citizenspace.com/growthregeneration/city-centre-framework/

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May 2018

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ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST There’s no need to suffer when summer arrives

NEEZING, runny noses, itchy eyes? For one in four South Bristol residents, this is life as the warmer seasonal weather arrives. Is there any help with these symptoms that wear you down daily, making life unbearable, stopping the enjoyment of the great outdoors? Our community pharmacy can help by recommending the best treatment option, compatible with any other medical conditions, pregnancy or prescribed regular medications. The options available include natural remedies and non-

medicinal products along with more familiar antihistamine products. It is also possible to prevent hay fever by taking some precautions: • Showering and changing clothes after being outdoors; • Staying indoors, and avoiding grassy areas when the pollen count is high. Shut windows and doors; • Vacuum regularly; • Whenever possible, keep pets out of the house this time of year; • Use an air purifier to extract pollen particles; • Wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when outdoors. Don’t let anything stop you making the most of the summer this year, from hayfever remedies to mobility aids; we have it all covered.

n PICTURES

o you always ask people to repeat themselves, have the television or radio volume higher than other people need it or have difficulty hearing the doorbell or phone ringing? Hearing loss affects two out of five people over the age of 50 (and up to 70 per cent of those over the age of 70). Action On Hearing Loss recommends that people get their hearing tested regularly, especially over the age of 50. Research shows correcting hearing loss can reduce the risk of dementia and its impact. Local audiologist Tiffiny Wollacott will be offering free hearing health check appointments and impartial advice on Thursday May 31 at Bedminster Pharmacy. She will also look inside the ear canal to check the condition and to rule out wax as a problem. Call us on 0117 985 3388 to book a place.

Down on the Farm News from Windmill Hill City Farm with Beccy Golding

Can’t miss us: The NHS message

inally, have you seen this image of our pharmacist, Ade, on the back of a Bristol bus yet? The NHS pharmacy Stay Well message is now really on the road. • This article by Ade Williams of Bedminster Pharmacy aims to show how all pharmacies can help people with a variety of health conditions and ease pressure on GPs and the rest of the NHS.

• windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

Well I declare

’M MAKING a declaration of interest this month. I am a trustee at Windmill Hill City Farm. This is why I am so delighted to write this monthly column and share with people in South Bristol the amazing events and services the farm provides for the community. Being on the board of trustees is a voluntary role. The Charity Commission says: “Trustees are the people in charge of a charity. They play a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about the charity’s work.”

Bumps

I’ve been bumping into city farms all my life. As a child I attended a

youth group at the Methodist Chapel on Philip Street. Afterwards we’d play on the derelict ground outside. Years later I realised this area became the farm. In my 20s I had a student placement at St Werburghs City Farm, and then regularly brought my son to Windmill Hill when he was little – Sunday mornings at the adventure playground or the farm café were life-savers, and

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We want your wildlife pictures! WE ALWAYS love receiving your photos here at South Bristol Voice – here are a few readers have been kind enough to send in this month. It’s also time to ask you to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife around BS3. We’re supporting the My Wild Bedminster campaign once again to draw attention to the lack of wildlife habitat in the area – which makes it all the more important that we take notice of the creatures and plants around us. Once again we’re offering a £10 prize each month throughout the summer for the best wildlife picture contributed by a reader. We also want to hear your stories of wildlife encountered in Bedminster, Southville and Ashton. Email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk or post to 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX.

GET YOUR CAMERAS READY!

Thanks to Roger Turner for this reflection of the John Lennon mural in North Street after rain

Pioneering: Windmill Hill City Farm is the oldest in the country outside London many noisy birthday parties were spent in the rumpus room. Later I was youth development worker for the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, based at The Greenhouse – the wooden, grass-roofed building on Hereford Street. I visited city farms all over the country. A few years after that I had a temporary job as receptionist at Windmill Hill – which is Britain’s oldest city farm outside the capital. I’ve been on the board of trustees since 2015. I wanted to do something that could have a positive impact on my community – this seemed a perfect way to do it, and to support an organisation and a social movement that I’ve valued for years.

Commitment issues

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May 2018

Trustees need to commit to attending a six-weekly meeting, currently on a Monday night, from 7.30-9pm. The chief executive presents a report with updates from all the different

projects across the farm – this takes an hour or two to read beforehand. Trustees comment, question and make decisions on how the charity will move forward – questioning is a key part of the role, understanding what is happening and why. There are sub-groups for areas such as personnel, finance and health and safety. And there’s always an invitation to volunteer on the bar or barbecue at the farm’s big public events. The board would particularly welcome new trustees who have knowledge or expertise in law, finance or business, or who can help us bring more diversity to the charity. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer trustee, contact Steve Sayers, chief executive, to start with, with a view to observing an initial board meeting. Official elections are at the AGM in the autumn. Email info@windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

n YOUR COUNCILLORS

May 2018

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HE council consultation on the Local Plan finished in mid-April. It remains to be seen what notice Charlie will be taken of it. Bolton The longer you Green are involved in Southville politics, the more you realise that it is easy to come up with nice words, but most of them never really get implemented. The reason is – of course – that the ruling administration, of whichever hue, has its priorities, right or wrong. So with this plan the focus is overwhelmingly on development – building as much stuff as possible. Bedminster Green is the obvious example, but the development of Western Harbour – should it ever go ahead – will also have a significant local impact. There are two points to say about this. The obvious first one is, while most people will agree

Southville

to the need for more homes, this may well not extend to having a cluster of tower blocks around the local shopping centre. (And, I have to say, I have increasing doubts about the heights proposed in Bedminster Green.) But the second point is that the plan includes a number of other worthy causes and clauses. To name two of these, one concerns substantially increasing the CO2 reduction commitment, and the other is about making a contribution to a clean air fund. But if all the available money in a development is sucked up in housing generally and affordable housing specifically, then it is entirely possible neither of these will actually come to fruition. I believe there is a requirement in the current local plan to provide additional allotments under certain circumstances – but I’m not aware it has ever actually been implemented. So the real question then is – what do we sacrifice at the altar of more housing? How far are we prepared to go?

How to contact your councillor: p2

KNOW that politicians write a lot about consultations but they are a genuine opportunity to Stephen have your voice Clarke heard. You might Green be surprised how Southville much they are listened to by those making decisions. The consultation on the City Centre Framework is at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/City CentreFramework until May 14. You may have heard that the city centre could undergo major changes in an attempt to stop the flow of shoppers to Cribbs Causeway and other out-of-town shopping centres. A very large development has been given planning permission between the Podium and Debenhams and back as far as Cabot Circus. I am a great supporter of local shopping and, while I would love people to shop in North Street or East Street, I would also prefer them to shop in Broadmead,

where a much higher percentage of people walk, cycle and catch the bus, than drive a car to Cribbs. The council is aiming to have a vibrant city centre and one of the ways they hope to do this is by tackling traffic congestion. They have some interesting ideas in the document; for example, what they call an “all ages and abilities” cycle network to attract the non-Lycra brigade to try cycling. Meanwhile our re-named local neighbourhood partnership, Action Greater Bedminster, is working hard to understand what residents want to see their area look like. If you are a local community -based organisation they would love to hear from you with your vision. As I write, there is still no sign of a Metrobus on the Ashton to Temple Meads route. As a Green, I am a big fan of public transport and really want this new option for residents to be open as soon as possible. What is the delay? No one seems to be explaining it. Not good enough.

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n YOUR COUNCILLORS

Bedminster

Local Plan review HE BRISTOL Local Plan review has been out to consultation and it is generating discussions about how we would like the city to look. The Bristol plan will need to fit within the West of England Joint Spatial Plan and the national planning policy frameworks, so we do not have complete decision-making autonomy. Locally, the biggest development plans are in the Bedminster Green area, and although this is not technically within our Bedminster ward, we are included in the discussions with the developers and councillor colleagues from both Southville and Windmill Hill wards. The Local Plan includes a document called Urban Living, containing an ambition to increase the number of new and affordable homes in welldesigned, connected and accessible neighbourhoods. We acknowledge that high-rise

Mark Bradshaw Labour Bedminster

Celia Phipps Labour Bedminster

buildings are not universally popular but, in the main, Bristol as a city is built to a medium density. The need for new homes is a priority for the city and with ground space and brown field sites limited, some high rise development will have to be considered. The need for family homes means that two and three bedroom homes must be included in the design plans, and the outside space for play and recreation built into the planning and development commitments. We are pleased that the Alderman Moore’s site in Ashton Vale was approved and will work with the planning and highways

How to contact your councillor: p2

officers on the important details of the development, including a request for the plans for the informal play area and road safety measures. There are key areas, such as the Cumberland basin, where the space is potentially underutilised. This area includes a major truck route into the city, buildings of architectural interest and includes landscaping in Ashton meadows which is of merit. Mark is a member of the stakeholder discussion group for this area, proposals for which are at a very early stage, in fact too early to have any formal detail at this point. All planning applications need to go through a formal consultation process so that comments can be made. Public health Public health priorities are incorporated in the wider One City Plan and this is important, as design for good health and wellbeing is needed at each stage, and we know that having a good place to live is vital. Mental Health Awareness week

is from May 14-19 and this will include a range of events in the city to support this, including the launch of Thrive Bristol. We will be working with employers and partners across the city to improve the mental health support offered in Bristol’s workplaces. The city will also host a new Time to Change Hub, set up to change how we all think and act about mental health. How to get in touch We are available to assist constituents in Bedminster and always happy to hear your suggestions about how we can make our community better. We regularly join coffee mornings and sessions at Gaywood House, off North Street, and we are back at our drop-in surgery – no appointment needed– in Mezzaluna on West Street on the first Saturday of every month between 10.30-11.30am. Or you can contact us via Facebook @MarkandCeliaforBedminster. Other details on how to contact us are, as ever, on page 2.

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May 2018

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OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

The people who ensured places to play as South Bristol was covered by homes

VICTORIA PARK: TENNIS, BOWLS AND MORE

Sport is used by some as a way to have fun and relax – for others it’s more serious, a chance to compete at the highest level. Our local open spaces span both, from community tennis and bowls players to a cricket club that’s welcomed some of the world’s top players

OR MOST of their life the tennis courts, in a splendid position in the centre of Victoria Park, with marvellous views of Bristol, were subservient to the neighbouring bowls club. The park is owned by the council, and parts of it are leased out to sports clubs, with some clubs sub-letting to players of other sports. At Victoria Park, the local bowls club had the lease for the bowling green and the two tennis courts next door. This wasn’t an uncommon arrangement – at Knowle, for example, the extensive sports grounds off Broad Walk are rented by the council to Knowle Cricket Club. The cricket club itself founded the local bowls club, and though the clubs are run separately now, the cricketers still sub-let part of their land to the bowlers and the tennis club. Victoria Park was truly a “people’s park” – the result of years of campaigning by the working people of South Bristol, who were seeing the open spaces of the area covered by row after row of houses. Pylle Hill in

Totterdown and the central area of Bedminster were covered in terraces in the last decades of the 19th century, and Windmill Hill too. The housing spread along St Luke’s Road and St John’s Lane, leaving a large open space between St John’s Lane and the river. It may be that the land here was too boggy and not so easy to build on. Its ownership was split between the aristocratic Smyth family of Ashton Court and other landowners. There was a problem with proving the ownership of the land, relating to the will of Sir John Smythe, who had died in 1857 and who had been accused of being a neglectful land owner. The Smythe fortune was vast and built on the huge coal deposits which they exploited from their mines in Bedminster and Ashton. Yet in 1844 the ancient parish church of St John the Baptist in Bedminster was decaying, its roof falling down, the pews broken and lacking even a font. There was not even a resident priest. With such a basic need

SPRING is here, and it’s time to think about outdoor recreation. To mark the new season, we’ve decided to devote our history feature this month to some of our South Bristol sports clubs – some of which have been on the same site for more than 100 years. We’ve chosen three to represent them all – but we are well aware that there are a host of clubs and sporting facilities with a story to tell, and we’ll get to some of them in future issues. How many people know, for example, that there was once a racecourse at Knowle? Not only that, but a speedway track too? Or that several of our parks had their own open-air swimming pools? For now, though, we trace the story of Knowle Cricket Club, Greville Smyth Bowls Club, and Victoria Park Tennis Club.

Bowls at Victoria Park, 1920s PHOTO: Vaughan Collection, Bristol city archives

Fit for purpose: Celebrating the £50,000 grant to replace Victoria Park tennis courts in 2012. Former Bristol South MP Dawn Primarolo is on the left, with club secretary Belinda Sully second from the right ignored, it was hardly likely that Sir John was going to be generous enough to provide South Bristolians (many of whom worked for him) with a park. The campaigning continued, though, directed mainly at the city corporation. In 1871 a group of 17 working men published The Cry of the Poor, printed in several newspapers and calling for a park to serve the families of South Bristol. The genteel park at Brandon Hill, or the Durdham Downs, were too far for working people to trek after work; the Cry of the Poor said they “might almost as well be in China. What we want is a place near at hand, where we can feel the grass under our feet, or sit with our wives on a

summer’s eve and watch our children play.” In 1875 the Western Daily Press joined the fray, declaring that land for public recreation should be seen as just as much a necessity as roads. Still, the council did not agree to buy the land beneath Windmill Hill until 1887, and the park did not open until 1891.

ports became a feature of the new park almost from the beginning. As these were working people’s recreations they did not attract much publicity, unlike the much grander Knowle Cricket Club, as we shall see. But it’s clear that there were grass tennis courts Continued overleaf

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May 2018

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n HISTORY Continued from page 35 marked out almost from the beginning. In 1898 the Victoria Park private school at 31 Nutgrove Avenue, the grandest road overlooking the park, was given permission for its children to play tennis on the asphalted playground in the afternoons, but they were forbidden exclusive use. In 1899 residents of Nutgrove Avenue asked to fence off an area of grass to make their own tennis court. They were refused. These requests indicate that tennis was already popular in the park, and certainly by 1905 there were 18 grass tennis courts, as well as bowling greens and quoits pitches. The fencing-off of areas for sports clubs whose members paid a fee required a change in the law which did not come util 1907. Bristol was slow on the uptake here (see the section on Greville Smyth bowls) but by 1910 there were bowling greens and tennis courts at Eastville, St George, Greville Smyth, Victoria and Canford parks. The Western

Daily Press of July 22, 1910, noted: “The sport of bowls has proved very popular in the Bristol parks, and there’s no doubt that when the facilities for lawn tennis are better known the courts will also be, if they are not already, in equal demand.” Grass courts, of course, are of use mainly in the summer, and the heavy clay soil of South Bristol must have made them unplayable for much of the year. It’s surprising, then, that there was little fanfare at the arrival of the first hard courts – it was announced with a single paragraph in the Western Daily Press on August 4, 1923. “Tennis players will be pleased to hear that four “en-tout-cas” hard tennis courts have been laid out in Bristol public parks — two in Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Gate, and two in Victoria Park, Bedminster. These courts are ready for immediate use,” the paper said. It’s not clear if these were on the site of the present courts. It is thought that by the 1930s, building tennis courts was one of

GREVILLE SMYTH COMMUNITY BOWLS CLUB 110 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 16 June from 2-5pm All welcome - non members, members, or a member of another club. Music from the Marching Community Scout Band, The Ravens, who will be playing some old time favourites. Refreshments available and soft and alcoholic drinks from our licensed bar. You might like to come in Edwardian attire. Please put this date in your diary. For more information please contact grevillesmythbowls@hotmail.com gscbc.org.uk Thank you for your ongoing support

OUR SPORTING HERITAGE Green but not grass: The new playing surface allows play all year round

the jobs found by the council for the unemployed, and it was then that the top of the park was levelled off to make a football pitch and extra tennis courts. Over the years the fortunes of tennis in Victoria Park fluctuated. There was the odd mention in the press but it was generally a dry report giving the scores for an inter-club match. In June 1910 the club played Heath House of Eastville, for example. “Misses Green and Burchill (Victoria Park) lost to Mrs Brown and Miss Hart (2-6 and 3-6) and Miss Lovell (Victoria Park) lost to Mrs Tayler and Miss Smith (2-6 and 4-6)” is a typical entry, so lacking in detail that it can be of interest only to the participants. Victoria Park did not have a good day, losing nine of the 12 doubles matches, though they won five out of eight single sets. The current custodians of the Victoria Park courts know little of their history until the 1980s, when the courts were in frequent use, provided players could get hold of Tom, the ageing caretaker for the bowls club, who lived in Somerset Terrace. After Tom’s death access to the courts became more difficult – the only gate was through the bowls club, so getting in as a casual player was difficult. With less attention, the courts began to deteriorate: “The state of the courts was becoming unbearable, it was a gravel pit,” said Belinda Sully, club secretary since 2006. After badgering the council and the bowls club, the tennis players succeeded in raising money for a new gate to the courts from the outside, by the football pitch, meaning people didn’t need to get in though the bowling club. Cheap membership

of £20 a year persuaded more players to sign up, but neither the bowls club nor the council had the money to repair the court. Finally in 2012 Sport England agreed a £50,000 grant for a new playing surface – cause for much celebration but also for a brief panic when the players realised they would need to negotiate their own lease for the courts from the bowling club. With the help of solicitors and then-Windmill Hill councillor Mark Bailey, the lease was signed and former MP Dawn Primarily attended the opening of the flat-as-a-pancake green playing surface. Now the club has entered a new phase of life as a popular community tennis club. Adult members pay £35 a year, children less, and they have access whenever they want, all year round. Courts can be booked in advance and coaching is available. Children from Victoria Park primary school enjoy trooping up to the courts on two afternoons a week. “The tennis club works well and we know people know that it’s part of the community,” said Belinda. It’s not a hyper-competitive club, but there is an annual tournament – known as Windmilldon – to be held this year in early September. The fees are kept low so that as many people as possible can enjoy it. Even so, most of the money is put aside for the day when the courts need major repairs again – meaning that future generations can look forward to playing tennis in Victoria Park. Victoria Park Tennis Club Somerset Terrace, Bristol BS3 4LL vptc.org.uk

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May 2018

n HISTORY

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OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

GREVILLE SMYTH BOWLS

HE FIRST bowling club in Greville Smyth park in Ashton was founded in 1908. It was part of the general movement to encourage healthy outdoor activities for city folk, begun in the mid-Victorian era, and was one of several greens founded in the city that year. The reason was a change in the law which allowed the city corporation to enclose parts of public parks for the playing of games for a fee. Bowls, being socially a rather lowlier pastime than cricket, attracted much less press coverage. Reports of the Greville Smyth Bowling club which can be found in the archives are generally brief items recording the scores of important matches, or occasionally the death of a prominent club member. But the approval of new bowling greens at four Bristol parks, debated by the council in February 1908, was thought worthy of attention in the Western Daily Press. The paper reported that the cost of the green at Victoria Park would be £246 (£24,400 today, after allowing for inflation) and slightly more in Greville Smyth Park, at £250. Greens were also approved for a similar cost in Eastville Park and St George Park, though the city engineer “is of the opinion that St Andrew’s Park is not suitable for the laying out of a green on account of want of space and the difficulty of the levels”. (This was to be a matter of dispute for the people of St Andrew’s, who eventually got their bowling green in 1924.) Councillors were told that the work of laying out bowling greens “would be a suitable work for the unemployed”, and the council’s distress committee, which provided support for the jobless, would help with the cost. Bristol, it seemed, was behind the times, for other large cities already had their bowling greens. But this delay allowed the city to learn from others’ experience, namely that a charge of 2d (two old pennies, or one new penny – worth 40p today) would pay for the upkeep of the greens. That was to prove a forlorn hope, in some years at least. In 1922 the council was told that at Greville Smyth and Eastville Park “the cost of the games was well in advance of the sum contributed by players in fees”. No figures

A fine day out: Bowling on Greville Smyth green in about 1920s. Postcard from FRoGs, origin unknown were given for these parks, but at Victoria Park the council was subsidising bowlers by £246 a year (£12,800 today). The Western Daily Press occasionally reported that the club’s annual meeting attracted “a good attendance,” as for example in 1931, when it was held at the Rising Sun hotel, referred to as the club’s headquarters. A wooden hut was erected by the council for the players in 1908, to be replaced by a grander pavilion and football changing rooms in the 1930s. Beyond these brief mentions, though, little is known by the current custodians of the bowling club about their predecessors. The club’s symbol was a griffon, and some of their old flags remain in the pavilion. The current Greville Smyth Community Bowls club is symbolic of a revival of the game for a new century after it suffered a slow decline towards the end of the 20th century. Bowls had come to be seen by younger people as a stuffy, slow-moving game played by pensioners in old-fashioned, severe uniforms of blazers and caps. Like many clubs, the Greville Smyth club and a companion club, the Bristol South Bowls Club, faded away completely and in 2010 the green and pavilion were abandoned. It took a new generation of players to revive the game, and they decided to do away with the compulsory dress code and the endless series of league games. Instead, the modern Greville Smyth bowling club welcomes all

comers, even those who lack suitable flat shoes – players can even play barefoot in the Australian style. “We certainly don’t stand on ceremony,” Rosie Tomlinson, the club secretary, told the Voice. The new club members recognised that bowls is a game which can be played by anyone, young or old, but many people won’t want to buy a uniform before they have found out if they enjoy it. The club also finds new ways to attract members – it shows films, there’s a bar and café, and those wanting a faster game can play ping pong. Grants from the National Lottery and from council spin-off funds from developers have paid to restore part of the old pavilion, as well as training coaches in the game and buying kit for children to play. The next goal is to apply for more developer money – now known as CIL – to restore parts of the pavilion which are still derelict. On June 16 there will be a special celebration to mark the green’s 110th anniversary. In association with the Friends of Greville Smyth Park, there will be music from the marching community scout band, The Ravens, who will be playing some old time favourites. There will be refreshments in the form of sandwiches, cream teas, sponge cakes, and soft and alcoholic drinks from the bar. “Given that we will be celebrating an event which originated in the Edwardian era, we invite you, if you would like,

to come in Edwardian attire. But we’ll be happy to see you whatever you wear!” say the organisers. Any readers who know more about the early history of the Greville Smyth club are welcome to contact the club: grevillesmythbowls@hotmail.com Greville Smyth Community Bowls Club Greville Smyth Park, Ashton BS31RU gsbcorg.uk

KNOWLE CRICKET CLUB (plus football, golf, tennis, bowling and horse racing)

E’VE featured two clubs where bowls and tennis are played mainly for pleasure and as a community activity – and there’s no shame in that. But our final club, Knowle Cricket Club, has, throughout all its 176-year history, been one of the most prominent sporting clubs in the city. Unlike our other two clubs, there is no difficulty in finding the Knowle club in the newspaper archives. And it doesn’t neglect its community activities – today, the work it’s most proud of is the free youth coaching for youngsters of every background which is held throughout the summer. Knowle Cricket Club was founded in 1852, when Knowle was a small village in Somerset, not even part of the city of Bristol. It’s thought the first members were employees of the newly-opened Bristol and Exeter Railway. From the beginning their arch local rivals were Continued overleaf

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n HISTORY Continued from page 37 Bedminster Cricket Club – founded in 1847 and also still in existence, at Clanage Road, Bower Ashton. The Knowle club started its life on the current ground off Broadwalk, but for uncertain reasons they wandered for a few years, playing at Pylle Hill (Totterdown), at Brislington and at Firfield Field – part of the old grounds of the Firfield House estate off Wells Road, near today’s Belluton Road. Many residents will be unaware that in 1873 Knowle had a racecourse, opened on land to the west of today’s cricket ground, in what we now know as Knowle Park. It lasted until 1880 but closed after heavy losses (and despite the presence of the Prince of Wales at the first meeting). Eventually, in 1905, the Knowle Golf Club took over the land, before moving to their present course in Brislington in 1925. Through all this the cricket club prospered, as Knowle grew from a village to a large suburb. It absorbed the Arnos Vale cricket club in 1861 and Totterdown CC in 1894. Showing the new suburb’s enthusiasm for all forms of sport, athletics was practised too, with an end-of-season sports day held in September 1866, with the Brislington Band playing. A football section was formed in 1893. The soccer team was

hived off the next year, when a tennis section replaced it. This was no longer a mere village team. The annual dinner was a grand affair, always reported in the press, with much reference to sportsmanship. And the standard of play must have been high: a match with the Somerset county side was held in 1901. Another sport, bowling, started in 1903. Games were played on the cricket pitch at first, but a bowling green was authorised in 1908. (The bowling section was not to become a separate club until 1948.) During World War I, no fewer than 70 club members served in the armed forces and seven lost their lives. The club was seen as a major public institution and wanted to be seen to do its duty. It would not be “seemly to study their own pleasure by attempting high class cricket and bowls during the continuance of the war, and they have come to the conclusion that, as a club, they could best serve their country by devoting their ground and personal services to the entertainment of soldiers,” the club said in March 1916. It was to put on entertainment for more than 3,000 wounded servicemen. In April 1916, these efforts included an auction of fruit – several hundred oranges and four pineapples – which sold for £12 (worth £750 today), though

n HISTORY

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OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

THE AUSSIES ARRIVE – THEY FIND THE WORLD’S BEST PUB, AND IT’S IN KNOWLE

Almost a Knowle player: Shane Warne arrived in South Bristol aged 19, but Knowle chose his friend Ricky Gough instead – not knowing the stellar career Warne was to have. But Gough, Shaun Graf and other Australians gained a good grounding in cricket at the South Bristol club Steve Windaybank: Knowle CC president since 1997, with a photo of Norman Hardy, one of the club’s great players, still remembered today the purchasers decided to donate the fruit to one of the many war hospitals around the city. In 1920 Bristol corporation bought the pitch and the land around it for housing, and Broad Walk cut through the ground. In 1924 the club erected a new pavilion in memory of Norman

Ian Ian Botham: Botham: Hitting six after six well outside the Knowle ground

A policeman wanted to stop the carnage as balls smashed cars, roofs and windows – but he decided the crowd wouldn’t like it

bedroom window in Crossways Road. A later delivery broke the glass in a wool shop on Broadwalk. Botham was the victor, though – aside from claiming 402 runs to Richards’ 374, he shattered a car’s windscreen and dented the bodywork of another, according to the Western Daily Press report by George Halladay. Even roof tiles were smashed as the balls continued to fly out of the

ground. A police inspector told a club official that the match would have to be stopped as it was getting too dangerous. “OK, you go ahead and stop it,” came the response. “With something like 2,000 spectators drunk with sheer excitement, he thought better of the idea. He would have been lynched if he had managed to halt the proceedings,” said the club’s 150th anniversary publication.

SMASH AND GRAB: LOOK OUT, IT’S BOTHAM THE BIGGEST hit in Knowle CC’s first hundred years was when Somerset player Guy Earle knocked a ball which landed at the entrance to the Gaiety cinema, which then stood at the corner of Crossways Road and Wells Road. That was until a charity match in 1982 which pitched Ian Botham against Viv Richards, two of the greatest players in the world, and ended in wholesale destruction which the police were powerless to stop. Cars, roofs and windows all round the ground were smashed by the big-hitting batsmen. “The bowlers were well-known players from clubs throughout Bristol and were greatly respected, except by the two protagonists,” wrote former president Alan Rice. Richards pushed the first ball he was bowled quietly back. The second shot went through a

OUR SPORTING HERITAGE

May 2018

Hardy, a member who had died during a football match. A prize named after him is still awarded to young players. It was not so receptive to broadening the membership to women, however. “An application from Knowle Ladies CC to play on the ground one evening a week was not entertained,” the club’s history reports stiffly The annual dinners, often at the Grand Hotel, continued. Sometimes the Western Daily Press would report the speeches, such as in 1937, when exGloucestershire player WSA Brown, proposing the toast, asked whether modern forms of transport were dulling the winning spirit of young sportsmen. “Some of these young men today must have a car or a motor-cycle to get to their game. That is not the way to get the best out of any game,” he said. The club captain, MD King, responded that his team always played to win. The Second World War – aside from its calamities for Bristol and its residents – almost ruined the Knowle pitch. The ground was requisitioned for the Home Guard, and telegraph poles were brought in to be erected to prevent enemy planes from landing. “Fortunately the

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idea was not proceeded with,” the club recorded. With the club under military control, it wasn’t possible to entertain the troops as had been done in WWI, but a few matches were held with the Home Guard, and, despite several bombs falling on the grounds and pavilions, the club was preserved. With repairs after the war, and the tennis courts and wicket restored to health, “the whole ground looks better than ever and ready for another century,” the club’s centenary book recorded. Knowle Cricket Club then went on to record another half century – and is still going strong. Some of the more exciting incidents of the past 70 years are in the panels on this page. Steve Windaybank, club president since 1997, is proud of the club’s long history – he showed the Voice memorabilia including a letter from Victorian cricketing legend WG Grace and trophies from 170 years of playing at the highest levels of non-professional cricket. (Steve himself is lauded in the club’s history as “one of the very best batsmen that Bristol has ever seen”, but he was too modest to tell us that.) But it’s as a community facility that he wants the club to be seen. “We are a community club, offering cricket for the wider community,” he said, adding that the Broadwalk grounds are also a

valuable green area which people can come and relax in while they enjoy a game. As well as three adult teams, the club runs a Nomad team for seniors, a Sunday team, and no fewer than seven youth teams from Under 9s up. Coaching is offered to all young players, with qualified coaches, every Friday evening, with backing from Sport England and Somerset and Gloucestershire county cricket boards. “We gets kids from both sides of Knowle,” said Steve, referring to the contrasting housing to be found near the ground – the Victorian terraces around Wells Road on one side and the housing estates of Knowle Park and Knowle West on the other. “We welcome people from all backgrounds here, from everywhere.” Knowle Cricket Club Broad Walk, Knowle BS4 2QN, 0117 977 5255 knowle.play-cricket.com

MARK of Knowle Cricket Club’s status is the number of Australian internationals who have played for the club. A link with Melbourne club St Kilda sent young Aussie hopefuls to Bristol with a hope of getting a leg up into the county game. The first was Shaun Graf, later capped 11 times for his country in the 1980s, who formed part of one of Knowle’s best-ever teams in 1979. (In a match against arch rival Bedminster, Knowle scored 213 for four wickets; Bedminster managed 76 for five wickets). Embarrassingly, cricketing superstar Shane Warne was turned down – but of course when he was 19, no one knew he would become the first Australian to take 400 test wickets. Knowle Cricket Club president Steve Windaybank told the Voice: “Graffy [Shaun Graf ] said to me, ‘I

have two fellows who want to come over’.” Warne arrived in Knowle, fresh from Heathrow, with fellow Australian Ricky Gough. Knowle picked Gough – and Warne went to near-neighbour Imperial CC. However, Warne made strong links with Knowle, at one stage lodging with Gough in the pavilion, and later at the George pub on Wells Road with landlord Mike Gerrish, also a former Knowle player. Warne played in friendlies for Knowle, once taking nine wickets for 60 runs (the score card is preserved in the pavilion). “Mike Gerrish looked after Warne fantastically well,” said Steve. It seems Warne hasn’t forgotten his mentor. Mike Gerrish is now in a nursing home, and Warne still visits him when he’s in the UK. And asked once by a journalist, “Which is the best pub in the world?’” he answered promptly: “The George at Knowle.”

Sources: Victoria Park: The People’s Park by Barb Drummond, booklet, 2008 barbdrummondbooks.weebly. com British Newspaper Archive britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk Knowle Cricket Club Centenary by Stanley Sutton, 1952 Knowle Cricket Club 1852-19522002: Standing On The Shoulders of Giants (both published by the club)

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May 2018

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n WHAT’S ON Until May 12 n A View From The Bridge Tobacco Factory theatre, North COME AND CHECK OUT OUR ESSENTIALS PLUS Street. The gripping tragedy of OUR NEW PRODUCTS Eddie Carbone, a hardworking Handmade liquid soap, soy wax wraps, face wipes, deodornts, shaving man soap, who lives for his family but pads, produce bags, cupboard staples finds hidden emotional currents ... You can bring your own containers and buy in bulk from us! inside him that threaten to sweep www.zerogreenbristol.co.uk him away when he tries to protect the niece he has raised as if she is his own daughter. This revival of the play by Arthur Miller, one of the 20th century’s greatest dramatists, is staged by the Tobacco Factory’s new in-house professional acting company. It also features members of the Get On Stage community company, taking on small roles in the play

after completing a 10-week acting course. Tickets from £12 (limited availablilty). • BSL interpreted performance Thursday April 26, 7.30pm. • Director’s Lab Friday April 27, 10.30am–4.30pm. Join Tobacco Factory artistic director Mike Tweddle on the set for a day of exploring the text and its many theatrical possibilities. • Post-show talk Wednesday May 2: a free discussion after the show. • Inside A View From the Bridge Saturday May 5, 10am–1pm. Discussions, lectures, workshops and Q&A sessions with experts in the field and the director of the production, Mike Tweddle.

Hidden currents: Rehearsing A View From The Bridge PHOTO: Mark Dawson

Wednesday April 25 n Sensi x Deep Discs The Loco Klub, Temple Meads. Film, art and music with installations, sculpture and lighting arrangements made for this unique underground space. DJs from Deep Discs. 10pm-3am. locobristol.com/shows Thursday April 26 n Simon Munnery: Renegade Plumber Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio. A new hour of stand-up and miscellany from British Comedy Award nominee, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Chortle Award winner, Simon Munnery. Tales of plumbing woes, an attempt at under-tent heating, jokes, songs, poems and the ridicule of capitalism. £13.50, 7.45pm. thecomedybox.co.uk Friday April 27 n Angie Belcher’s Comedy Depot Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road. Dave Thompson was inside the Tinky Winky costume in TV’s Teletubbies. And then he got weirder. He’s written for famous names including Stewart Lee and Bruce Forsyth. Now he leads a line-up which includes Katie Pritchard, Jon Udry, Costas Lukaris, Ems Coombes and Charlie George. £6, 7.30pm. zionbristol.co.uk Sunday April 29 n Dr Phil Hammond: Happy Birthday, NHS? Comedy Box at the Tobacco Factory. A decade of austerity has brought the NHS to its knees. Do we just keep doing what we’re doing, or is it time for a radical rethink? “Come celebrate the NHS and laugh all your worries away. Or vice versa.” Phil Hammond,

an NHS doctor for 31 years, is also a broadcaster, comic and journalist, writing the medical column for Private Eye since 1992. £15.50, 8pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Tuesday May 1 n Why Marx Was Right SouthBank Centre, Dean Lane, Southville. Why do a handful of people own as much as half the world’s population? People sleep on the streets next to sumptuous buildings left empty. A talk by Lindsey German on the continuing appeal of Marxist thought. 7-9pm, ticket price not stated. southbankclub.webs.com/events Wednesday May 2 n Memories Café Zion, Bishopsworth Road. A relaxed meet-up for carers, people living with dementia and those feeling lonely or isolated – free for all, cafe open all day. Every first Wednesday of the month. Email info@zionbristol.co.uk if you want to find out about

volunteering here. Free. zionbristol.co.uk Wednesday May 2 & 3 n John Robins: The Darkness of Robins Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio. The angst-ridden winner of the 2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award 2017 adds dates to his national tour. Sold out, but check for returns. thecomedybox.co.uk n Quiz Night Tobacco Factory bar, North Street. Warm up your brain muscles and test your senses with the Factory’s weekly quiz night, held in The Snug. 8-10.30pm, £1 per person, maximum six to a team. Also on May 9, 16 and 30. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on Friday May 4 n Ian Prowse & Amsterdam The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Prowse revives Pele’s acclaimed 1993 album Sport Of Kings on its 25th anniversary. 7.30pm, £9. thethunderbolt.net

1 20

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Funny place UPSTAIRS at the Hen & Chicken pub in North Street, Southville – best known as the home of the Comedy Box – has been revamped to attract more music fans as well as comedy-seekers. Now known as the Hen & Chicken Studio, the top-floor space is now air conditioned and has a refurbished function room, toilets and stairwell. It also has a new control area with digital sound desk and stage lighting. The intention is to increase the number of music events but also

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to stage more comedy, the pub’s co-owner James Townend said. Comedy Box events continue as normal every Saturday and on many other dates in April and May. Renowned jazz promoter Ian Storror, known for Jazz at the Albert, will also continue with his Jazzata events on Sundays at the new studio. Upcoming acts include the Ed Jones Quartet on May 27 but others may be added. Further events will be promoted as the new venue is bedded in, James told the Voice. jazzata.com thecomedybox.co.uk henandchicken.com

Friday May 4-7 n Open Studios Spike Island, Cumberland Road. The many artists and creatives who work at Spike Island throw open their doors. Family-friendly activities, tours, events and pop-up street food stalls. Volunteers needed – see website. May 4 6-9pm, May 5-7 11am-5pm. spikeisland.org.uk/events Saturday May 5 n Victorian Arcadia: A Saturday Morning Lecture on the Victorian Garden Cemetery Arnos Vale cemetery, Bath Road. Moving places of grief from the churchyards in the heart of cities to the outlying garden cemeteries transformed the way Victorians dealt with places of mourning. Presented by Romany Reagan, a finalyear PhD candidate at Royal Holloway, University of London. 10.30am-12 noon, £5. arnosvale.co.uk n Jez Lowe Saltcellar Folk Club, Totterdown Baptist church, entrance off Cemetery Road. “A welcome return of the popular singer songwriter. An evening of humour, anecdotes and insights.” £5, or £3 for those willing to sing. saltcellarfolk.org.uk Sunday May 6 n Teacher Day Arnos Vale cemetery, Bath Road. Invitation from the cemetery’s Learning Service to all local teachers and their families to sample activities available for school groups. Science Hunt kits can be used to explore wildlife while guided walk trails and new maths resources are also on offer. Learning staff are on Continued overleaf

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Church makes the ideal venue for these languid players REVIEW: Rock n Roll Angels, St Michael & All Angels Church, Windmill Hill TONIGHT the vaulted ceiling of St Michael’s Church really did ring with the sound of angels. Local band Rock ’n’ Roll Angels chose the setting for the launch of their debut album Peaceful, fittingly in the place where they actually recorded it. Which makes complete sense. The acoustics of a church are invariably perfect for music, and the band have produced a lovely collection of superbly languid mini-masterpieces, which they managed to convey well here. Supported by the soulful voice of Michaela Fedeczko who joined them on backing vocals, the afar. Can it be as wonderful as the stories they’ve been told? Two teenage cousins discover what the future holds in their mysterious motherland. This new show explores cultural identity across generations. 7pm, £3. acta-bristol.com Friday May 11 n An Age of Elegance Knowle and Totterdown Local History Society, Redcatch community centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle. A talk by Gina Merrett Smith on the House of Worth, subtitled Edwardian Fashions

The important thing is, we just live here REVIEW But Where Are You Really From? Acta theatre, part of React refugee theatre festival EMBERS of Citizens Theatre Glasgow ceated this show, which celebrates the rich and diverse life stories of asylum seekers and refugees living in Glasgow. A simple set – four chairs, four performers. The actors are all from different countries, with different

Random label: We’re all migrants accents. We hear moving glimpses of their former lives, cut through with moments to make you laugh. A funny game show piece,

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n WHAT’S ON

n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 41 hand between 10.30am-2pm. History tour from 2-3pm. Free, but booking required. For details email learning@arnosvale.org.uk arnosvale.co.uk n Sunday Market Tobacco Factory, North Street. 10am2.30pm. Community market, with around 40 food and craft stalls. Most produce is prepared, harvested, cooked, baked, designed and made in the area. Ethical, eco-friendly, fair trade, organic and local products. Meet the producers and ask questions. Kids activities 11.30am-2pm. Also on May 13, 20 and 27. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on n Tom Allen: Absolutely Comedy Box at the Tobacco Factory. The “sharply dressed, well-spoken, disparagingly camp son of working class Bromley”, Tom Allen sold out his debut solo tour which included Southville’s Hen & Chicken. Extra date but may already have sold out. £14.50, 8pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Tuesday May 8 n Mary Gauthier The Tunnels. Temple Meads. Drawing on themes of abandonment, alcoholism, homelessness and capital punishment, An Evening With Mary Gauthier sounds like no fun at all. But she adds warmth and humour, even on her latest songs co-written with US services veterans on their return from conflict. 7.30pm, £17. thetunnelsbristol.net Tuesday May 8 & 9 n Motherland Acta theatre, Gladstone Street, Bedminster. Parents from Hannah More primary school in St Philips reflect on Somalia, seen from

May 2018

Spiritual setting: The Rock ’n’Roll Angels pictured during the recording of their album at St Michael’s church, Windmill Hill four-piece were augmented by several local musicians playing some of the parts played by guest musicians on the album. Guitarist Shaun McCrindle and and Perfumes. 7.30pm, £1.50 members, £3 non-members. knowleandtotterdownhistory. org.uk n Stop Stop: Charity night The Tunnels, Temple Meads. Hard rockers Stop Stop front this fundraiser for cystic fibrosis, backed by Bristol’s Lewis Creaven Band and opening act Pistol Twister. 7.30pm, £7. thetunnelsbristol.net Friday May 11 & 25 n Arnos Vale After Hours Tour Arnos Vale cemetery, Bath Road. Find out about Victorian complete with gold-sequinned jacket, sees participants randomly allocated labels of refugee, asylum seeker and migrant. Once processed in Croydon, the four find themselves on a bus, not knowing where they will end up. It’s Glasgow, and the skit on learning English as a foreign language, taught by Glaswegians, is great – they have the accent down pat. The light and dark of this show works well to get you thinking about the nature of the system, and the question, posed at the end – how long is it until you are no longer considered a refugee, an asylum seeker, a migrant – you just live here? Beccy Golding

pianist Jonathan Westrup are the vocalist and songwriters, both with their own strong distinctive styles and both conveying a clever sense of melancholy and wistfulness through some beautiful balladry and clever, catchy, rhythmic moods. A country soulfulness inhabits many of the numbers, a plaintive playfulness, others. John Grant comes to mind on some, while the spirit of Steely Dan even comes to mind in Morning Sun. Drummer Jamie Hill and double bassist James Anderson are the economically expressive rhythm section, and the textures of the music are built up to powerful effect on the title track, a song about the First World War, with even the church organ being brought in for full dramatic effect (thank you Lucy Samson). The gig and the album end with the insistent guitar hook and sumptuous stroll of 4 O’clock in the Morning. Their next gig is at the church of St Michaels Without, Bath. Where angels dare… The night raised nearly £500 for Bristol Mind. © Elfyn Griffith funeral traditions, learn about burial practices and hear stories from beyond the grave. You’ll travel along paths overhung with creeping branches, descend into the mortuary crypt and listen out for things that go bump in the night. 7.30-9pm, £10. Bring a torch. arnosvale.co.uk Saturday May 12 & 13 n SouthBank Arts Trail Scores of venues showing off artworks of all kinds and live performances across Bedminster, Ashton and Southville. Meet artists, sample homemade food and drink, and buy affordable art. Painting, 3D work, drawing, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, printmaking and more. southbankbristolarts.co.uk Saturday May 12 n Boundaries Tour Arnos Vale cemetery. Explore the 45 acres of woodland at the cemetery from the original 1830s boundaries to the expanded areas of burial ground in the 1860s and 1890s. The route includes steep slopes and steps. Part of Bristol Walk Fest; free, but must be booked. 11am-12.30pm. arnosvale.co.uk n Discovering Riverside Plants The Friends of Avon New Cut, or Franc, host a walk

To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664

‘I love playing the Comedy Box ... Steve was one of the first to really take a chance on me’ Like I Mean It, Stuart Goldsmith Comedy Box, May 11

OTTERDOWN comedian Stuart Goldsmith performs at the Hen & Chicken Studio on North Street on Friday May 11. He’s now getting accustomed to parenthood and his latest show, Like I Mean It, explores everyday desperation and the secret of lasting contentment. It was awarded Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 and was in the top 20 bestreviewed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe last August. “For me it’s all about Edinburgh – 2018 will be my 25th year and I’m doing a 250 seater at 2.50pm. My first trip there, age 16, as a theatre student marvelling at the street-performers and comedians, blew my head off. It broadened my horizons and I’ve performed at around one of Bristol’s newest City Nature Reserves, guided by botanist Dr Clive Lovatt from Bristol Naturalists’ Society, to seek out plant life flourishing in wild stretches of the banks of the River Avon and the New Cut. Meet at 2.30pm, Create Centre car park, Smeaton Road. Part of Bristol Walk Fest. £2; to book call 07411 980124 or email chris. hanmer@blueyonder.co.uk. franc.org.uk n Reflex II Music Night with Craig Windmill Hill community centre, Vivian Street. Second Saturday each month, 8pm-late. wcha.org.uk/whats-on

Laughter and pride for drama first-timers REVIEW Lost Sheep, Acta Theatre, part of React refugee theatre festival HIS was a preview show as part of Acta’s React festival, in partnership with Ashley Housing. (React stands for Refugee Engagement And integration through Community Theatre.) The show enacts the Sudanese saying – don’t dig a hole for your

every one since.” How is it playing to your home crowd? “I have to watch what I say a little bit lest I identify individuals. There’s a story about accidentally dropping my son in the changing rooms of a swimming pool during a lesson that we attend locally. I’ve changed the names and the identity of the group but if there’s anyone there from that club they’ll spot it in a heartbeat! “I love playing the Comedy Box. Steve [Lount] the promoter was one of the first to really take a chance on me and I’ve performed there several times a year. I’m always astonished by how many people he can ram into that room, as a result you get a huge crowd in a very intimate-feeling space.” Tips for new local acts? “It’s George Rigden’s debut year at the Edinburgh fringe and I think he’s going to have an amazing year.

Goldsmith: Some local detail may be disguised to protect the innocent He’s cleverly held off going for a year or two while his life fell apart and now he has something meaningful to say, and he’s very funny in saying it. And Bristolian Mat Ewins finally got some recognition at last year’s festival.” Stuart is also known for his podcast The Comedian’s Comedian.

This year he has interviewed big names like Russell Brand, Stewart Lee, Arabella Weir and James Acaster. So far he’s done 242 of his in-depth interviews exploring funny people’s creative processes. With 55,000 weekly listeners, it’s had more than 8.5 million downloads. Beccy Golding

Sunday May 13 n Anthotyping with Sophie Sherwood Tobacco Factory bar, North Street. Anthotyping is the process of using plant pigments to make photographic images. Learn how to extract pigments from flower petals to paint onto paper, take home and use to make your own images. No experience required. Sessions at 12 noon and 2pm, £3 per person. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on Tuesday May 15 n The Deep Dark Woods The Tunnels, Temple Meads. Surreal murder ballads and spooky love songs from the Southern Gothic

group, who have been compared to The Band. 7.30pm, £14. thetunnelsbristol.net Friday May 18 n Wreckless Eric The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. After 37 years on the road, Wreckless (real name Eric Goulden) is still blasting out original tunes on his new album amERICa. “One of the greatest songwriters ever to come out of Great Britain”, said BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley. 7.30pm, £12. thethunderbolt.net Saturday May 19 n Happymess Slime Workshop Craftisan Shop, 186

Wells Road, Knowle. Learn how to make slime with play experts from Happymess. For ages 5+, 11.30am-12.30pm, £8 each, booking necessary. Children must be supervised. Learn how to make foamy slime and take a kit home to make more. Facebook: Craftisan Shop n Lene Lovich Band The Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown. Post-punk “queen of quirk” Lene Lovich had a bunch of hits including Lucky Number until she fell out with her record company in 1982, unwilling to alter her style to suit MTV. Now Continued overleaf

neighbour to fall into – you may just fall into it yourself! The cast of five men have varying levels of English. Ali, the farmer, holds the show together, he’s articulate and makes the audience laugh with his outrage at the sheep eating his vegetables. His lazy neighbour has very little English and is very nervous, but has the biggest smile. Though it’s his neighbour’s laziness that cause his troubles, it’s Ali who gets his comeuppance when he takes matters into his own hands. A third softly-spoken neighbour helps smooth things out between them.

Meanwhile, a card-playing rumour-monger lets his jealousy of his new rich neighbour get the better of him, while the cheeky village chief presides. It’s a touching moment at the end, when the village men come together in peace and harmony, order restored. And my heart swelled with pride for the bravery of the cast, standing on stage telling this story in a language they hardly knew. Hats off to the production team for working with them to create this lovely family-friendly performance. Beccy Golding

Lost Sheep: Ending in harmony Continued overleaf

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

May 2018

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BRISTOL CITY ROUND-UP

Sponsored by CLEVERLEY BUILDERS – supporting City and the best in building

Grisly endings for a mistress and a teenage killer on this fascinating tour

With so many opinions at this tense time, here’s our guide to the many City factions

REVIEW Murder, mayhem and mystery tour, Arnos Vale cemetery T’S THE first time this brand new tour has been run, and it certainly is not for the faint-hearted. Alan Bambury, our tour guide, is a convivial host, with bow tie and clipboard, relaying stories that he and his wife (who works in the cemetery shop) have researched together. The title makes it all sound like a bit of fun but actually some of these stories are gruelling – domestic violence, abuse, families ripped apart, let alone the public hangings – but it’s all true and a real part of Bristol’s history. One example, Elizabeth Jefferies, was found dead on her bed, drenched in blood, with more pooled blood on the floor, having had her head caved in by a large stone once used as a door prop. Her servant, seventeen-year-old Sarah Thomas, was found hiding in a cupboard under the stairs, along

with a stash of sovereigns, a gold watch, and a collection of silver spoons, including five silver tablespoons concealed in her stockings. At her trial Sarah showed no emotion but when she was sentenced to be hung she became hysterical and collapsed. A petition for leniency in view of her age was sent to the Home Secretary, but turned down, and on Friday April 20, 1849, Sarah was dragged, screaming and pleading for her life, to the top of the gate house of Bristol’s New Gaol, where, even though she was pinioned hand and foot, she had to be held over the trap until the bolt was pulled. According to the newspapers, William Calcraft, the

hangman, was visibly shaken. And this is just one of the tales Alan has uncovered about people who are interred at Arnos Vale. We spent 90 minutes weaving through the cemetery, up and down hills, and along some paths I’d not trodden before, visiting the graves of victims and perpetrators and some who just happened to have a baddie in the family. It’s fascinatingly gruesome and an insight into some of the cultural norms of not so long ago. It’s always a pleasure to roam around Arnos Vale and signs of spring are starting to show, offering some light into this tour of shady dealings and the dark side of humanity. Beccy Golding

(Franc) host their second event for Bristol Walk Fest. Starting at 6.30pm at the Cottage Inn, Baltic Wharf, explore the history of the Underfall Yard, Cumberland Basin and some of the New Cut, with guide Ed Hall. Cost £2; book a place by calling 07411 980124 or email chris.hanmer@ blueyonder.co.uk. franc.org.uk Tuesday May 22 & 23 n A Brave Face Tobacco Factory theatre. “Dear mum, things are a bit tough right now. But don’t worry – I’m OK. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.” But when soldier Ryan does return from duty in Afghanistan, he finds that he hasn’t left the stresses of combat behind. Vamos Theatre present a wordless piece using mask and mime in their award-winning style. For hearing and deaf audiences. £12, 8pm. Free postshow discussion on May 22. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Thursday May 24 n Lice: Double EP Launch

Loco Klub, Temple Meads. Satirical art-punk band Lice releases It All Worked Out Great Vol 1 & 2, “drawing sounds and aesthetics from an abrasive clutch of early-eighties post-punk groups, particularly The Fall, The Pop Group and The Birthday Party, together with elements of noise-rock and warped country & western”. locobristol.com/shows Thursday May 24 & 25 n Daliso Chaponda: What The African Said Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken. Comedian Daliso Chaponda shot to fame last year on Britain’s Got Talent, but he’s also a playwright and fiction writer, journalist and former newsreader. £15.50, 8pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com Saturday May 26 n Stand Up For The Weekend with Zoe Lyons & Co Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio. Effervescent Zoe (you’ve seen her on Mock the Week, among other places) picks on life’s absurdities as she

headlines the weekend line-up. £11, 7.45pm. thecomedybox.co.uk Sunday May 27 n Barrow & Bradley Tobacco Factory bar, North Street. Irish jigs and more, on fiddle and guitar. Traditional folk music with an improvisational approach. 8-10pm, free. tobaccofactory.com/whats-on Monday May 28 & 29 n Points of Departure Tobacco Factory Theatre. New work from emerging theatre companies at the Performing Arts department at University Centre Weston. From playfully irreverent clowning and absurdist comedy to explorations of current political events. Tickets £10/£8, 7.30pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

southbristolvoice

n THE CITY PAGE

n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 43 she’s touring with a new band, playing her ’79-82 hits and recent material. £14, 7.30pm thethunderbolt.net n Doreen Doreen Fiddlers Club, Willway Street, Bedminster. Bristol’s good-time band return to their favourite haunt. £12 advance, 8pm. fiddlers.co.uk Sunday May 20 n May Fair Arnos Vale cemetery. There’s free entry all day to this event showcasing craft and produce suppliers from the South West region. Sample jams and sauces from Fishpondsbased Ginger Beards Preserves, wildlife gifts and prints from Little Paisley Designs, tropical prints from Do It Later Illustration, and handmade baby bibs from Olive and Bell. Plus many more. 10am-4pm. arnosvale.co.uk n Milk Poetry Tobacco Factory theatre. The regular poetry night returns with award-winning playwright and poet Maria Ferguson, described as “funny, moving and accessible” by Saboteur Awards, and spoken word educator Joelle Taylor, whose poetry Benjamin Zephaniah described as “fearless”. More tba. £8, 7.30pm. tobaccofactorytheatres.com n The Big R Big Band SouthBank Centre, Dean Lane, Southville. Returning to Southbank for the first time since 2013, Big R will play two sets of classic swing music from the 1930s and 40s. 6pm, £10. southbankclub.webs.com/events Wednesday May 23 n Porcelain vase making workshop Craftisan Shop, 186 Wells Road, Knowle. Learn how to make a porcelain vase or two with Poppy Ceramics. Two-hour session at 7pm costs £32 and includes prosecco and nibbles. Vases will be fired in a kiln and ready two weeks later. Facebook: Craftisan Shop Saturday May 26 n Wildlife and Plants Tour Arnos Vale cemetery. For Bristol Walking Festival, this tour with ecologist Mary Wood takes in all the spring flowers that can be found in South Bristol’s 45-acre wooded hillside. 11am-12.30pm; sold out, but check for returns. arnosvale.co.uk Tuesday May 22 n Cumberland Basin Walk The Friends of Avon New Cut

May 2018

Ghoulish details: Alan leads the Arnos Vale tour PHOTO: Beccy Golding

REGULAR EVENTS You can have your event highlighted like this from just £5 per month. To find out more email Ruth Drury at sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk

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Some fans think promotion is in the bag. Others think we threw our chances away months ago. Some blame the new luminous boots, says MARTIN POWELL

T MUST be so much easier supporting Bristol Rugby than Bristol City. Having secured promotion to the Premier League, rugby fans were able to have a celebratory beer (in sight of the pitch) while singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot for their final game at Ashton Gate. Meanwhile Bristol City fans, unable to take their beer to their seats because of a law passed in the days of Thatcherism, gather on the concourse mumbling about momentum. They are talking about the momentum that will propel a team into the play-offs and the Premier League – nothing to do with Jeremy Corbyn or political factions. The momentum seemed to be with Millwall, but with just a few

MARTIN’S SHORTS n City’s Josh Brownhill has revealed that when he was 11 years old he wrote a poem about his hero – Wayne Rooney! Oh, how we would all like to read it. n Well done, Bobby Reid, Bristol City’s stand-out player (so far) this year, in being named in the EFL Championship Team of the Year. Let’s hope he can also finish as the division’s top scorer.

games left City need to find some of their own – the type shown in a great 3-1 win over Birmingham in the season’s last floodlit game. The fans are divided into more factions than the political parties at the moment and here is your Voice guide, so you can see which group you belong to. The Happy Clappers Delighted to still be in with a chance of going up, they are celebrating a season where City beat Man United, bagged a string of Premier League scalps in the cup and made real progress up the league. Their anthem: Bounce Around The Ground. The Loyalists Armed with a slide rule and a copy of Middlesbrough’s fixture list, they can show you exactly how City are going to make the play-offs and have already bought their season ticket for next year – a bargain for the Premier League. Anthem: City Til I Die. Les Miserables Point out that wins since the turn of the year have been rare; say performances have been even worse, and would rather City had been kicked out of the cup early as it was a distraction. Anthem: Come On You Reds, sung plaintively. Conspiracy Theorists Heard from a bloke in the pub that we have to pay £2 million a week for Ryan Kent to play in the reserves; Everton have already agreed a

Tough call: Some think Lee Johnson has his strategy wrong. Others think he’s in league with his dad Gary, the Cheltenham boss PHOTO: BCFC deal on any player who’s just had a good game, and Lee Johnson is in cahoots with his dad to ensure Cheltenham will be the top team in the region. Anthem: We Always Believe (pretty much anything). The Pensioners Convinced that if John Shaw can return in goal instead of Frankie Fielding everything will improve. It wasn’t like this in their day and if players could stop wearing luminous boots we might just get somewhere. Anthem Red, Red Robin by Al Jolson (Google him). FIFA 2019 Players They will tell you Lee Johnson doesn’t have a clue. They won the league by Christmas on a computer by

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buying an obscure player from Denmark and changing the formation. Why Johnson hasn’t done the same they can’t fathom. Anthem: Johnson Out. The Neutrals Still wearing their half and half City/Man Utd scarf, they have a picture of themselves with Scrumpy on their mobile phone and Hordur Magnusson is their favourite player. You may have to explain the play-off system again to them. Anthem: Magnusson City Love You More Than You Can Know. The debates will continue until either Bristol City have amassed enough points to be in the play-offs – or they don’t!

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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk

n YOUR MP

KARIN SMYTH Labour MP for Bristol South

To keep our local hospital, we must make sure it’s well-used

AST month, I wrote about the Local Plan review, following some reports in the South Bristol Voice. The review mentioned investment into Bristol South – including the South Bristol Skills Academy (in which the apprenticeship fair took place in March) and, across the road from that, South Bristol Community Hospital. Opened in 2012 in Hengrove, South Bristol Community Hospital filled the gap left by the closure of Bristol General Hospital. It followed decades of campaigning for a hospital south of the river. Run by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, the £45m hospital offers a range of services, from physiotherapy to stroke rehabilitation, dental care and treatment for minor illnesses. The hospital is a fantastic resource –

home to some brilliant and caring staff and the equipment and beds needed to deliver high quality healthcare for local people. But I want to see it made even better use of by the people of South Bristol. In 2014, the Care Quality Commission found that the hospital’s operating theatres were underused, sitting vacant up to three quarters of the time, while outpatient sessions were only just over half-used. When I first became MP for Bristol South, I carried out a survey which asked hundreds of residents about their views on their hospital. It was clear that many people didn’t

n LOCAL SERVICES

AERIALS

know what services they could access close to home and were still trekking across the city to hospitals in the north. The same survey revealed that nine out of 10 people who had used South Bristol Community Hospital had enjoyed the experience – with some lovely praise for the hospital and its staff. Improved transport links are also essential to the long-term success of the hospital. The new Metrobus service is critical to bring patients, students and staff to and from the hospital, while also servicing other facilities nearby. The first wave of Metrobus routes don’t do this, and risk badly isolating Hengrove Park. I’ll be pushing for Metrobus to sort this out – and quickly. Before I became an MP, I worked as a manager in the NHS, which gave me a good insight into how things work. Last summer I raised concerns about the merger of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire’s clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). I was concerned that this would affect funding and lessen the focus on improving South Bristol Community Hospital – a concern which remains now that the merger is completed. I will continue to shine a spotlight on South Bristol Community Hospital, and I urge health professionals and residents to learn what is on offer on their doorstep to make the most of this much-needed resource.

May 2018

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May 2018

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