South Bristol Voice March 2024

‘Young people carry knives as they feel unsafe’

Social media and news reports to blame for more kids carrying knives, says council boss.

IN A NEW REPORT, a Bristol City Council director has said that young people feel unsafe in certain areas “mainly because of negative online and media coverage”.

The report was written by

Fiona Tudge, director of children and families services, who will be quizzed by councillors on the people scrutiny commission later this month. The report also covers how cases of children being exploited appear to be rising in Bristol in recent years.

She said: “There are ongoing concerns of young people continuing to carry

weapons out of a misplaced sense of safety or protection. Anecdotally, young people are telling us they are carrying knives as they are feeling unsafe in certain areas and communities. This is mainly because of the negative online and media coverage, not necessarily first-hand experience.

Continued on page 5 >

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Next month’s deadline for editorial and advertising is noon on 7 March 2024.

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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: Call the above number for an appointment

My councillor?

Post: (all councillors) City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR.

Tessa Fitzjohn Green, Bedminster

By phone: 07584182801 By email: Cllr.Tessa.Fitzjohn@bristol.gov.uk

Mark Bradshaw Labour, Bedminster. By email: Cllr.mark. bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk

By phone: 0117 353 3160

Tony Dyer Green, Southville

By phone: 07584182862 By email:

USEFUL NUMBERS

Bristol City Council

www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000

Waste, roads 0117 922 2100

Pests, dog wardens 0117 922 2500

Council tax 0117 922 2900

Follow us on social media:

Cllr.Tony.Dyer@bristol.gov.uk

Christine Townsend Green, Southville By phone: 07584183843 By email: Cllr.Christine.Townsend@bristol. gov.uk

Christopher Davies Knowle

Community Party. Email: Cllr. Christopher.Davies@bristol.gov.uk

Phone: 07826917714

Gary Hopkins Knowle

Community Party. Email: Cllr.Gary.Hopkins@bristol.gov.uk

Phone: 07977 512159

Ed Plowden Green, Windmill Hill

Phone: 07584184577 By email: Cllr.Ed.Plowden@bristol.gov.uk

Lisa Stone Green, Windmill Hill

Phone: 07584186535

By email: Cllr.Lisa.Stone@bristol.gov.uk

Housing benefit 0117 922 2300

Social services 0117 922 2900

Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999

New council tax bands announced

Council tax bills for band D households in Bristol are set to rise by more than £115 from April

Annual charges for band D will increase from £2,345.24 to £2,460.42, while those for band B properties are going up by £89.52, from £1,824.08 to £1,913.60.

Bristol city councillors are expected to agree the 4.99% hike at budget full council on Tuesday 20 February, the maximum permitted by government without approval by a local referendum.

The bills include a £13 band D rise (4.88%) for Avon & Somerset Police – from £266.20 to £279.20 – despite an initial proposed £10 increase by police & crime commissioner Mark

At the time of writing, council tax bills look

Shelford, with chief constable Sarah Crew successfully arguing more resources were needed.

There will also be an uplift of £2.48 to £85.43 for Avon Fire & Rescue Service, although

this will be decided at a fire authority meeting on Monday 19 February, with members also given the option of freezing charges at £82.95.

Bristol City Council’s portion

of the fee, which comprises most of it, is 4.99% more than last year, with 2% set aside for social care.

Band A bills will rise by £76.71, from £1,563.49 to £1,640.20, while band B’s increase is £89.52 to £1,913.60.

Charges for band C households will go up by £102.31 to £2,186.96 and band E from £2,866.40 to £3,007.34, a rise of £140.94.

Band F residents will pay £3,553.80, £166.23 more than now; band G is up from £3,908.73 to £4,100.53; with people living in the highest band H forking out an extra £230.16, with bills for 2024/25 at £4,920.64.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

Bristol Young Heroes Awards: voting opens

Vote for your local inspiring young person in Bristol’s annual awards

It’s time to vote in Bristol’s biggest annual awards celebrating outstanding local young people. The Bristol Young Heroes Awards recognise and celebrate inspiring young heroes.

Now in its 11th year, the Bristol Young Heroes Awards have supported more than 300 muchdeserving local young people, showcasing those who have overcome difficult circumstances, made a difference to the lives of others or achieved something extraordinary.

Nominations are open until 14 March, and you can submit entries online at https:// communityofpurpose.com/ nominate/. They are open to anyone living in a BS postcode aged 11-19.

Being nominated brings a huge range of benefits: 80% of previous nominees have reported a significant boost to their selfconfidence and aspirations and said they were more likely to try something new as a result.

As well as the boost of being

announced as a finalist and attending the gala awards ceremony, all finalists also now benefit from the 12-month Purposeful Pathways programme, introduced two years ago as a pilot programme by the organisation behind the awards, Community of Purpose. Following the awards night, finalists embark on a year-long journey of increased resilience, confidence and opportunity where they learn about goal setting, values and purpose,

supported by guided personal mentors.

Over 30 young people have taken part in the Purposeful Pathways programme so far and further funding secured by Community of Purpose means that it will now be able to support even more young people.

Maddie, a previous Action Hero finalist, said: “It’s a really special award. You create friendships for life; you create connections; you have the opportunity to develop skills

that you might not have had the opportunity to do so.

“It will set you on a trajectory that you never would have imagined for yourself, and I know that this is definitely true for me.”

Amy Kington, CEO of Community of Purpose, said: “We work on a daily basis with so many amazing young people in Bristol, and for some of them life is really challenging through no fault of their own.

“Recognising their achievements, often in spite of adversity, is really important, and building on this to help them gain confidence, purpose and inspiration can make a massive difference to their future lives and careers.

“All over this city there are young people doing brilliant things. We say this every year, but if there is a young person you know, particularly someone who might not feel seen, who you think deserves to have a light shone on them, then please enter them for these awards.

“There are nine categories to choose from and it is completely free to enter.”

Last year’s Bristol Young Heroes winners

set to rise 4.99%

‘Young people carry knives as they feel unsafe’

Continued from page 1 >

“We hypothesise that this is being re-enforced by national reporting of youth violence. We also see many young people exposed to violence between peers, with videos of fights and similar on social media.

“These young people would not have been exposed to this previously, and social media appears to be exacerbating some children’s perceptions of being unsafe in communities.

“The service is also mindful that this increase has occurred in the context of austerity and cost-of-living challenge, and we recognise poverty to be a significant driver of a child’s vulnerability to extrafamilial harm, and pressure on preventative services with national and local reductions in universal and targeted youth provision.”

Across the country, more teenagers are being frequently exposed to violent videos on social media, according to a report last November from the Youth Endowment Fund, a charity backed by the Home Office.

This found that social media companies appear to be often suggesting children and young people watch videos of fights.

The report follows the very recent killings of Knowle West teenagers Max Dixon and Mason Rist on 27 January. At the time

of going to print, seven people had been charged: five people have been charged with two counts of murder (one adult and four juveniles) and two adults have been charged with two counts of assisting an offender.

After the deaths of teenagers

Max Dixon and Mason Rist last month in Knowle West, council staff from the safer options hub worked with South Bristol’s senior youth workers to coordinate a response. This supported children in the local area, within hours of the stabbings, in schools and local community settings.

The report also details child criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation and substance misuse.

More information is available here: https://bit.ly/3uBphsL

By: Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

Police launch knife crime operation

Avon and Somerset Police will launch a new police operation to tackle knife crime

Chief Constable Sarah Crew told Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford’s regular performance and accountability board on 13 February that officers would be launching a “high-profile proactive” operation to tackle knife crime.

But she added that “unreasonable” use of stop and search powers was not the solution to the problem, and urged communities to share information about knives with the police and for people carrying knives to put them in surrender bins.

Opening the meeting, Mr Shelford said: “I want to start today by acknowledging the tragic events that happened in Bristol a couple of weeks ago. Sadly Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, were stabbed and killed.

“The grief being felt by the families of those boys and the impact it will have on their loved ones as well as the wider community is unimaginable. I want to send my sympathies and condolences to everyone who has been affected by this.”

CC Crew said: “As we go into spring and summer, you will see the force standing up a much more high-profile proactive operation, not unlike our Operation Hemlock that targeted anti-social behaviour on e-scooters

and bikes, to bring all our various skill sets in the organisation together to tackle this problem.

“And we will bring our partners in the community in early because this is not about short-term suppression, it is also about tackling the root causes as well in the medium to longer term. As I have said, I think this is as much a community and public health problem requiring of a community and public health solution as much as it is a criminal justice problem and solution.”

Asked by Mr Shelford about the police’s use of stop and search for knives, CC Crew said: “Stop and search, we know, is a really intrusive power. And, whilst we need to be very robust and confident in using it and I know that’s shared by communities too, we can’t use the scourge of knife crime — because that’s what it is — as a reason to use our powers where the information isn’t present and where our use of the power is likely to be unreasonable.

“So we will continue to use it but we would appeal — and I know we have to build the trust to do that […] — for communities to share with us. Because we will then use our powers in a targeted way to be able to get those knives off our street and make our young people in particular much safer.

“But stop and search is just one part, I think, of the story. It’s almost too late as it means there’s already a knife out there on our streets

in our communities, and I don’t think stop and search alone is going to solve this problem.”

CC Crew said that the police had been delivering talks to young people in school and in other groups to explain the dangers of carrying knives, developed workshops for children, worked on preventing sales of knives to under-18s in shops, worked with Bristol City Council to develop a short film called “Kitchen Drawer” about the journey of a knife, worked with youth services, carried out patrols, used data to target habitual knife carrying, and worked with the border force to stop knives purchased online from entering the country.

CC Crew added: “We are also obviously championing the surrender of knives to make our communities safer. We have got 17 knife surrender bins now across our area. Since 2016, that’s seen about 4,000 knives being handed in.”

She said: “The locations are published on our website, so I would urge people to look at those if they have knives and they want to get rid of them.”

She added that the police hoped to massively scale up the number of 24-hour catastrophic bleed kits, which have already been rolled out to 150 locations, with plans for them to be at 300 other locations by the end of the year.

By John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A floral tribute to Knowle West teenagers Max Dixon and Mason Rist who lost their lives to knife crime on 27 January

New sports ground for South Bristol gets green light

A new community sports ground has been approved for South Bristol, despite dozens of objections from neighbours who fear an increase in antisocial behaviour.

City councillors said the development was a “no-brainer” as they unanimously granted planning permission for the multi-use games area (MUGA) at Filwood Park playing fields in Knowle West, which will include football goals, basketball nets, a netball court and exercise equipment.

The proposals were changed after council officers raised concerns about the potential impact of noise, light pollution, crime and nuisance on nearby residents.

They include 8m-high floodlights which must be switched off after 8pm and gates that can be locked at night, while the complex – on land off Creswick Avenue which is currently long grass and shrub next to Filwood Park and Mendip Broadwalk football pitch – will be surrounded by a 4m mesh fence and covered by CCTV.

The facility will replace the Filwood Broadway MUGA which has fallen into disrepair, with the

site allocated for housing.

A total of 43 objections to the plans were received, with the nearest homes at least 30 metres away.

Bristol City Council development control committee chairman Cllr Richard Eddy (Conservative, Bishopsworth) told the meeting: “This seems to be a no-brainer.

“A MUGA to constructively use the energy and time of young people has got to be a great idea.

“The issue clearly is the impact on neighbours, and this is where we’ve sought to be responsible through consultation.

“We have to ensure the management plan accords to our commitments to residents.

“I’m pleased to hear about the CCTV but if we are going to invest here, we need to keep a running brief and not just axe funding in a year or two, but this does have my support.”

Ward councillor and committee member Cllr Chris Jackson (Labour, Filwood) said: “I’m pleased that there are going to be CCTV cameras because this is quite a bad area for antisocial behaviour.

“So although I’m not happy with the location, I will be voting to approve.”

Cllr Fabian Breckels (Labour, St George Troopers Hill) told the committee on Wednesday, 24 January: “If this is managed well, it will help reduce antisocial behaviour because it gives young people a legitimate place to let off steam which isn’t causing criminal damage or causing a nuisance of themselves, so this is something I will have to support.”

Cllr Andrew Varney (Lib Dem, Brislington West) said: “My main

concern was with the increased risk of antisocial behaviour and I was concerned that the facilities will be open 24/7.

“However, with the floodlighting restrictions, the good quality CCTV and the ability to lock the gates at night should antisocial behaviour become an issue, I feel placated.

“There has been some excellent community engagement, so hopefully the young people in the area will have a sense of ownership and will want to look after this new facility.”

Mayor Marvin Rees’s Labour Cabinet approved £300,000 towards the project in April 2022, with the money coming from a combination of the local authority and Filwood’s Levelling Up government funding.

A report to the committee said: “Officers acknowledge that there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of noise and disturbance arising from the proposed MUGA, nor is it possible to eliminate the risk of crime completely.

“The nature of the facility is such that noisy activities may arise.

“However, given the amendments made to the scheme, nature of development and restrictions placed on the facility (secured via condition), the local planning authority is satisfied that the proposal is policy compliant in that crime and disorder and fear of crime has been considered in the design stage of the development.

[Furthermore] the proposal is not considered harmful enough to the amenity of surrounding residential properties with regards to noise and disturbance to warrant refusal when weighed in the balance with the significant community, recreation and health benefits associated with the new MUGA facility.”

The plans were submitted by the council and recommended for approval by officers.

Filwood multi-use games area plan location

Filwood MUGA playing fields current site

n NEWS FROM BRISTOL SOUTH MP KARIN SMYTH

Breaking the cycle

In recent months, our community has felt the devastating impact of knife crime.

In the face of such tragedy, it has been uplifting to see how people have come together, in an outpouring of support for those affected and through renewed efforts to rid our streets of these crimes and criminals.

Last month, I raised the concerns of local residents in Parliament. Speaking in a debate brought by Labour, which called for tighter restrictions on buying and selling dangerous weapons, I reiterated the issues faced by communities in south Bristol.

While cracking down on criminals and the supply of weapons is crucial to stemming knife crime, people in our area know that this must go hand in hand with greater opportunities for young people.

To break the cycle that leads

to children and teenagers being drawn into crime, we need to help them thrive.

Fantastic local organisations have been doing great work to give young people the opportunity to develop, providing important safe spaces and recreational activities. Organisations such as Youth Moves and Bristol City Football Club’s Robins Foundation, alongside many others, have offered vital support.

Since becoming MP for Bristol South, I have run an annual jobs and apprenticeships fair in collaboration with the council and City of Bristol College, to try to improve career and education outcomes locally.

By bringing good-quality training and job opportunities closer to home in south Bristol, the fair aims to support local students into a secure career.

Unfortunately, those doing good work locally often feel held back in their mission. Across south Bristol, residents have seen resources in the area taken away, funding for youth services cut, and basic public services fail.

Families need greater support. The loss of Sure Start centres has been keenly felt across south Bristol, depriving new parents of important help in giving children the best start to life possible.

Similarly, mental health services are struggling to meet demand. Young people are turning up to A&E in mental health crisis, with nowhere else to turn.

Labour would tackle this if in government. By providing free breakfast clubs at every primary school, and placing mental health hubs in every community as well as mental health support in schools, Labour will seek to

end the decline in youth services. But residents in south Bristol deserve to see changes now. To allow young people locally to thrive, we must redouble our efforts to bring resources back into these communities, and I will continue to call on the government to reverse the cuts to vital services in south Bristol.

Housing Forums for Bristol council tenants – get involved!

Afternoon:

Wednesday 13 March, 1–3pm

Evening:

Wednesday 20 March, 6–8pm

Your opinions help us make decisions!

If you’re a council tenant, you can have your say on how the housing service is run and make suggestions about improvements. For Spring 2024, we are hosting online meetings focussing on issues we know matter most to tenants.

● Come along and hear from Bristol Waste and find out everything you need to know about your rubbish and recycling, including top tips on how to reduce your waste and make the most out of Recycling and Reuse Centres. All rubbish questions welcome!

● You will also be able to find out about how we are working with residents with additional care

and support needs to help them maintain their tenancies, and the ongoing work we are doing around fire safety in high rise blocks.

● Places must be booked, you can do this online at: www.bristol.gov.uk/LocalHousingForums

● If you are not online but would like to take part, there is also a free dial-in option which you can join using your phone. For more information about how you can access the meetings contact Tenant Participation 0117 352 1444 or email  tpu@bristol.gov.uk

Allotment changes could be ditched

Could ‘petty new rules’ be dropped?

Bristol’s deputy mayor has dropped a huge hint that some of the “petty” new rules proposed for allotment holders will be ditched.

But Cllr Craig Cheney (Labour, Hillfields) said controversial planned increases to fees for plots were likely to still go ahead because they were needed to improve the service.

Public consultation was due to close on Wednesday (January 31) into the city council’s new allotment rents and tenancy policy, which includes a raft of additional charges and changes to what is allowed on the land.

Plotholders would be forced to remove fences, hedges, most trees and large play equipment, as well as replace glass in greenhouses with twin-walled plastic and drain water from deeper ponds.

New fees include £25 for keeping bees, chickens or rabbits

and £15 for a shed, greenhouse, cold frame, fruit cage, pond and to register a co-worker, while the annual cost of having an allotment would double for many. A petition opposing the plans has now topped 6,000 signatures, with tenants saying they will be forced off the land.

Bristol City Council, which manages 4,000 plots, with another 1,500 run on its behalf by five associations, has said it needs

to increase rents, which were last reviewed in 2018, and that there are 8,000 people on the waiting list, so more space needs to be freed up.

The issue came to a head at a council budget scrutiny meeting on Tuesday, January 30.

Cllr Gary Hopkins (Knowle Community Party, Knowle) said: “Clearly people are not going to be happy when they’ve got a significant increase in

n ADVERTORIAL Bristol

the charges, but what is more concerning and what people are contacting me about is what they regard as petty regulations which are going to cause problems.

“How are you actually going to effectively check on this stuff when the allotments team can’t check on this now. So how are they going to check if somebody has a few bees or a chicken or whatever?

“The cost of billing them for these minor things and then trying to enforce and collect it seems to be completely unrealistic.”

Cllr Cheney replied: “The consultation exercise is underway.

“Will we introduce many of the things in the consultation? I suspect not.

“I’ll be kind, the document that was issued was perhaps not something that we would have approved of.

“The income lines are different

hearing support

The Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing is here to support deaf and hard of hearing people in Bristol. Our vision is of a city where everyone can participate in all aspects of life in the city, whatever their level of hearing. Most of our staff and trustees are deaf or hard of hearing themselves, so we understand the impact on living with deafness and hearing loss.

We run an Equipment Service which can provide advice and equipment to assist with listening and reacting to sounds around you in your home. Some of our equipment is free if you live within the Bristol City Council District. This service is funded by Bristol City Council.

We host various accessible events across the city. Our weekly coffee mornings have become a staple for many deaf and hard of hearing people, helping to reduce isolation. These sessions are open to everyone whether you are a deaf sign language user, hard of hearing person or a hearing person learning to sign. We also run monthly coffee afternoons on a Wednesday in the BS3 Community specifically for hard of hearing people.

We also run various information sessions, which are fully accessible with British Sign Language interpreters and live captions provided. For more information, please contact the office, or look on our facebook page or website for further details.

CfD supports a huge range of community groups, some of which we helped to establish. These are specifically for, and run by, deaf and hard of hearing people. They range from sports to Arts and Crafts, so there’s something for everyone. CfD is always open to new ideas for community groups/activities, so if you have any suggestions do get in touch and we’ll be happy to assist.

CfD has a bi-monthly newsletter that we send out with updates and information about the organisation and the equipment service. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter please contact the office.

If you feel you would benefit from any support or advice from our organisation, please do not hesitate to get in touch via: 0117 9398653 | office@cfd.org.uk | www.cfd.org.uk |

www.facebook.com/CfDHoH

Bristol City Hall at College Green (Image: Bristol Live)

to what you called petty bureaucracy.

“In terms of income, for a long time people would not have experienced an ideal allotments service.

“In order to deliver a better service overall, you need to increase fees, so an inevitable outcome of improving services is to increase fees.”

Cllr John Goulandris

(Conservative, Stoke Bishop) said: “A lot of allotment holders say they are going to cancel their allotments.

“I don’t know how true that is and whether they’re really going to do that.

“How confident are we that the income from allotments line [in the budget] is robust and we’re not going to suddenly find ourselves with a shortfall?”

Interim executive director of growth & regeneration John Smith replied: “We’ve brought forward some changes around how allotments are run but also around the financing.

“Demand for allotments remains very high so we’re reasonably confident but we obviously need to get through the

current process and there will be a paper that comes forward in March [to cabinet].”

Cllr Heather Mack (Green, Lockleaze) said site reps were resigning in protest.

She asked: “If we don’t have site reps or those onboard for our allotments strategy, how do we maintain allotments without then having to increase the number of staff, which will then cost more money?”

Cabinet member for transport Cllr Don Alexander (Labour, Avonmouth & Lawrence Weston),

who is an allotments site rep, said: “One of the challenges of being a site rep is you feel a bit like a judge going down to mediate between various parties who are concerned about who’s taken a bit of extra path or who’s doing something they shouldn’t.

“The really important thing is that you have a clear set of rules and you have the officers to back you up on those rules.

“It’s not that we don’t occasionally bend the rules a little bit but we do need officers to back us up when somebody has

really gone and done something that’s affecting the safety of other people or affecting the ability of other plot-holders to grow stuff because, at the end of the day, allotments are about food production.

“We’ve been short of site reps for a long time before any changes were proposed in the rules, and one of the reasons is that they’re not backed up in trying to sort out the very human problems that occur on allotments.”

Cabinet member for public health and communities Cllr Ellie King (Labour, Hillfields) said: “Site reps are volunteer posts and we try to entice people in by giving them significant discounts or free plots in some cases, but it will continue to be a challenge.

“One of the important points to raise is that it is a very open and live consultation, so nothing is set in stone yet and we are still continuing to work on it with people and listen.”

She said the proposed new rules “did not come out of nowhere” but were in response to requests from site reps.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

Deputy mayor Cllr Craig Cheney at Bristol City Council budget scrutiny on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 (Image Bristol City Council/YouTube)

n NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS

The collective message from the large majority of residents in Knowle is “Let’s just get on with it”. The call has got even stronger since they learned that despite the approval of planning officers, the planning committee and central government, the Broadwalk/ Redcatch quarter development has been blocked by a legal challenge to the council process by a nearby resident.

Compromise with the developers was rejected as offers were not in writing in advance. It is claimed that the objection is because of the number of flats but this same objector unsuccessfully objected to the previous plan that had half as many flats. It is quite possible that the delay will be lengthy as a court may decide to look at this challenge to the council because it is novel.

Meanwhile, Knowle residents have to put up with a three-quarter-empty shopping centre and surrounding businesses see footfall dropping.

It is not uncommon for near neighbours to a major development scheme to object but what is appalling is that both the Greens and the Lib Dems are backing this challenge which is about process and not the merits of the scheme.

The unlikely victory for the objector would be a court telling the council it must retake the decision and then Green/Lib Dems would be faced with either reapproving the scheme against their promise or rejecting the permission and facing a £1m bill as the developers appeal to government inspectors. (It has already been endorsed by government and fits all the necessary plans of both potential parties of government and the allparty Bristol local plan.)

As for Labour, their dithering and about-turns have encouraged the legal challenge. We have had no part in this planning process other than repeatedly saying that Knowle residents want and need the regeneration. We know that flat numbers will finish up lower than the outline plans have approved as we move from government decreed room sizes to commercial market requirement. And our discussions with the developers give us confidence that they are prepared to adjust within the bounds of financial reality and what their customers want. But how much of that goodwill would be destroyed by another year or two of heavy losses on the existing building is open to question.

Residents will be aware that Bristol’s Labour administration has recently announced large hikes in the costs of permits within the Residents Parking Schemes (RPS) areas across the city. We are disappointed that the mayor has left this to the final weeks of his term of office and has failed to consult with residents.

We feel this is a mistake. Consultation would allow for better understanding of the changes needed to make the RPS areas work better to achieve the outcomes for which they were intended – reducing commuter parking and stopping cars driving into residential areas and adding to air pollution – and could be linked into the forthcoming consultation on a Liveable Neighbourhood for our area.

As Green Councillors we would have used this opportunity to fully consult residents about the variety of issues the RPS have thrown up

since their introduction, rather than hiking charges in what appears to be a blatant attempt to raise cash as opposed to using road space differently to improve our residential streets.

Residents living south of North Street outside the existing RPS may well remember receiving Labour leaflets during the last local elections committing (with the declared support of the Mayor) to expanding the RPS to include their streets.

This commitment was immediately abandoned once the votes were counted.

As we approach the pre-election period, we are currently seeing a spate of announcements by the Labour administration followed by U-turns when they prove unpopular. We cannot help wondering if the RPS permit rises will be another such example.

As this Labour administration crawls its way to the finish line, we were astonished to recently read that a judge ruled that Bristol City Council cannot sue itself over its own democratically taken decision.

This particular mess was about park access in North Bristol, but it could have easily been about Broadwalk, where planning permission has been granted above the wishes of the local community and the council’s own Planning Committee.

The mayoral system is entering its twilight years. Jubilee Pool has been deliberately starved of funding several times in the last year, allotmenteers have been up in arms about proposed rule changes (now abandoned – see story on p13), and two Labour mayors are arguing with one another about whether to spend

another £800,000 on another study about underground systems – whilst blaming each other for the failure to support much-needed bus services.

On top of this, one Labour Mayor is flying around the world spinning his own brand whilst the other is using his full-time job as a way back to Parliament. Although anyone has got to be better than Rees-Mogg…

We love Bristol and are very proud to represent the ward of Windmill Hill and seek re-election as Bristol moves into the new committee system. With Green Party councillors set to have much more influence, this system will be more transparent and participatory, working for a better future for our city.

We hope that you will support us and the Bristol Green Party at the Council elections in May.

New Bus serving Ashton Vale

It was great to hear the news that a new bus service is due to start operating from April. Transpora has announced a new 23 service connecting Ashton Vale to the centre. We await the timetable details which will be published here: https://transporabus.co.uk/ bristol-services

There have been many discussions about this bus link for local people. I have been in contact with bus operators and spoke to the West of England mayor (WECA is the public transport authority).

Council Budget 2024/25

The annual council budget meeting is due to be held on 20 February. This includes proposals for spending on key services, specific projects, and Council Tax. Each political group usually proposes amendments to add or remove support from specific budget items to be voted on by all councillors. Duckmoor Rd pedestrian crossing – moving in the right direction! I continue to press for this zebra crossing to be installed outside Luckwell School. The preconsultation stage is underway and hopefully the public stage will be held soon. This is a legal requirement as traffic orders are required to implement the crossing.

With the funding allocated and clear public and councillor backing for the crossing, I really hope that it will go ahead.

South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood I have been involved in various briefings with officers and fellow councillors to scope this project. A stakeholder event was recently held, and the expectation is that a wider exercise to engage residents will start after May. As Bedminster Councillor, I have stressed the importance of tackling parking pressures (matchday and commuter); access for emergency vehicles; on street space for EV charging and bike storage; junction visibility; and disabled parking. Details about the project, which is at a very early stage, can be found here: www. bristol.gov.uk/residents/peopleand-communities/liveableneighbourhoods/south-bristolliveable-neighbourhood

And finally… This is possibly my final column before the May election. It has been a privilege to serve Bedminster as your councillor since 2006 and I hope that my efforts have helped in making Bedminster a better and safer place to live. Thanks to South Bristol Voice for providing the space for these updates.

Gary Hopkins and Chris Davies

Knowle Community Party councillors for Knowle

n ADVERTORIAL

GET BAKING

BRITISH PIE WEEK 4-10 March 2024

Who doesn’t love a pie? So the annual British Pie Week running from Monday 4 to Sunday 10 March gives us the perfect excuse to indulge… Why not treat yourself to Little Kitchen’s delicious Chicken & Leek Pie recipe, served with delicious buttered greens – and do send in photos of your creations to news@southbristolvoice.co.uk.

Chicken & Leek Pie @ Little Kitchen

A mouth-watering recipe provided by Totterdown-based Little Kitchen in celebration of British Pie Week

Prep 30 mins Cook 20 mins Serves 2

INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp oil, 250g chicken breast (diced), 1 small trimmed leek (finely sliced), 1 small carrot (diced). White Sauce: 20g butter, 20g plain flour, 300ml milk, warmed, 1/4 chicken stock cube, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, salt & pepper. Pie Crust: 160g puff pastry (or 1/3 of a 500g pack), 1 egg yolk

METHOD: COOK THE CHICKEN & VEG: Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, add the chicken and allow to brown slightly, then transfer to the oven

dish. Add the leeks and carrot to the same pan and cook on a medium heat until softened. Transfer the veg to the oven dish, and mix into the chicken.

COOKERY WORKSHOPS

MAKE THE WHITE SAUCE:

Heat the butter in the same saucepan over a medium heat and when melted add the flour; stir to form roux. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add the milk continuing to stir. When half the milk is incorporated, add the rest of the milk and put back onto heat. Bring to the boil (you need to do this to thicken the sauce), reduce the heat and allow to simmer for a few minutes. Add the stock, mustard and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Buttered Greens

FINISH THE PIE:

Pre-heat the oven to 220c/fan 200c/gas 7. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the oven dish. Roll out the puff pastry and cut to size, and place over the filling, cut a few holes in the surface and seal around the edge. Brush the pastry with the whisked egg yolk. Place into pre heated 220 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.

Essential Skills @ Little Kitchen

Prep 5 mins Cook 5 mins Serves 2

INGREDIENTS: 20g butter, 100g kale/cabbage (washed), salt & pepper. Swap the kale for any seasonal greens such as spring greens, spinach and chard. Also works great with green beans and broccoli. Add some finely chopped garlic or some chilli flakes for added flavour.

METHOD

PREP THE GREENS: Finely slice the greens. Heat the butter in a wide frying pan, and add the greens stirring to coat in the butter.

COOK THE GREENS: Put a lid

on the pan and turn the heat to low, stirring occasionally. When tender, season to taste. Serve straightaway.

Recipes extracts from Essential Skills by Little Kitchen www.little-kitchen.co.uk

Youth violence: 50% increase in social services referrals

Questions on rising youth violence in Bristol delayed due to recent deaths of children

QUESTIONS facing council bosses on rising youth violence in Bristol have been delayed due to the recent deaths of several children. These included how Bristol City Council is receiving an increasing number of social services referrals for teenagers getting involved in criminal gangs.

Fiona Tudge, director of children and families services, was due to face questions on rising youth violence by councillors on the people scrutiny committee on Monday, February 19. But she was unavailable, due to being busy responding to the tragic events last week.

Her report to the committee had blamed social media and news reports for more teenagers carrying knives. A minute’s silence was held at the start of the meeting, which later heard confidential updates about recent

Cases of serious youth violence rose from 94 to 141 cases

incidents, only after the press and public were asked to leave.

Hannah Woodhouse, executive director of children and education, said: “We don’t have a service director present today, because she is in two separate live incidents. The information in the report is very relevant, both to the knife crime situation and the [alleged] Sea Mills murders. We want to look at it in reflection to both incidents, and bring it back into the public a bit further on.

“The reason why we wanted to do it [update councillors] a bit quietly is because of the ongoing investigations and considering all the families involved, who may or may not be aware of the information that we have. And therefore we need to make sure that we share that appropriately.”

Last year, more Bristol children were falling victim to criminal exploitation and sexual exploitation, according to council figures. The number of referrals to social services where the primary reason was serious youth violence shot up by 50%, from 94 in 2022 to 141 last year. Smaller increases were also seen for substance misuse and peer sexual abuse.

Green Councillor Christine Townsend, chair of the people scrutiny committee, added: “Had the weekend’s events not happened, we would have covered it and the officer would have been here. There’ll be an update to that paper from what’s happened this weekend.”

By Alex Seabrook Local Democracy Reporter

Looking for the next Unsung Education Heroes

2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards: time to nominate your Unsung Heroes

Do you know an administrator, lunch supervisor, teacher or anyone employed at your local school who goes the extra mile? Time is running out for parents, guardians and students to nominate their unsung hero from their school community in the 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards – entries close on 1 March.

UK parents, guardians and students can nominate an unsung hero from their school community who consistently goes above and beyond to enrich the lives of young people and the community in the UK’s most prestigious education awards – The Pearson National Teaching Awards.

This is an award for anyone who works in education – teachers and school leaders who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to fostering students’ learning, and the support staff who also play invaluable roles behind the scenes. It could be the school office manager who greets every child by name, the caretaker who high-fives students in the hallway, or the

Loft Boarding &

lunch supervisor who encourages outstanding manners at meal times – these unsung heroes enhance education communities every day and this is an opportunity to let them know they are appreciated.

Last year’s winner was lunchtime supervisor Manjit Nahal from Bridgetown School in

Stratford-upon-Avon who was acknowledged for her steadfast commitment to the children at the school and the wider community. Since 2014, Manjit has been a cornerstone in the school community. From decorating classrooms for special events such as birthdays or holidays, to organising the ‘Top Table’ to create a fine dining experience to celebrate the students’ achievements, Manjit’s generosity has shown to have no bounds.

If this sounds like someone you know at your local school, then now is the time to make sure they are recognised for their commitment and hard work.

Mary Palmer, chief executive officer at The Teaching Awards Trust, said: “These awards shine a much-needed spotlight on the great work that takes place in schools and colleges across the UK. The wonderful teachers and all staff in education deserve huge recognition and praise for everything they do to educate and support children. The Unsung Hero award gives the opportunity to highlight their exceptional commitment and dedication.”

Nominate your Unsung Hero at https://bit.ly/3HPtNab by 1 March.

PNTA 2023 Unsung Hero Manjit Nahal

n

Rising sports stars urged to apply for Olympians talent scheme

Up-and-coming athletes in Bristol are being given the chance to take their careers to the next level – in an Olympic and Paralympic year – with Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme.

The programme offers access to state-of-the-art training facilities and mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians, enabling aspiring athletes to unlock their full potential.

Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has provided more than 5,000 athletes with free access to Everyone Active’s 230+ leisure centres nationwide, helping them press forward in their journey to sporting stardom. These include Bristol South Swimming Pool, Easton Leisure Centre, Henbury Leisure Centre, Horfield Leisure Centre and St Paul’s Community Sports Academy.

Sporting Champions Awards 2023

Across the centres in 2023, more than 15 local athletes were supported through the Sporting Champions scheme in various disciplines, including athletics, taekwondo and wheelchair rugby.

The legendary Colin Jackson, Olympic 110m hurdles silver medallist and former world record holder, is this year’s scheme ambassador. He will be working alongside a line-up of elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes – Lauren Steadman, Lutalo Muhammad, Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova, Kadeena Cox, Richard Kilty and Maisie Summers-Newton –in group mentoring sessions throughout the year. These sporting heroes will share their wisdom and expertise, guiding up-and-coming athletes every step of the way.

Colin said: “I’m passionate about nurturing young talent and the Sporting Champions scheme goes above and beyond in this mission. With the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in Paris this summer, the programme takes on even greater significance in 2024. Seeing these future champions flourish fuels my excitement for what’s to come.”

Over the past eight years, the Sporting Champions scheme has poured more than £2m into young athletes, as part of its commitment to grassroots sporting excellence.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 30 Sporting Champions competed, taking home five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Cameron Bate, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are delighted to support up-and-coming athletes from Bristol on their journey to success. As the active communities and leisure services partner of Bristol City Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community. The Sporting Champions scheme has supported thousands of athletes over the years and we are proud to be continuing this again in 2024. We hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success and are excited to see what this Olympic year will bring.”

Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: “It’s great to see the Sporting Champions scheme return for another year. Its elite mentoring and free access to leisure facilities will help our future athletes reach their full potential. Our administration’s commitment to invest £8m across leisure facilities will ensure that these sites continue to provide for the elite sportspeople of tomorrow, alongside everyone looking to stay healthy and enjoy some exercise.”

Applications are now open until 11 March 2024 via the Everyone Active Sporting Champions website: easportingchampions.com

ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST

Bedminster Pharmacy now offers NHS-funded treatments for a variety of conditions

Our team recently played a prominent role on TV explaining the new national Pharmacy First Scheme, built on a successful local pilot, enabling accessible local NHS care.

The Pharmacy First scheme offered in Bedminster Pharmacy enables all members of our community, in fact, anyone in Bristol, to visit us as a first port of call for NHS care for various conditions. Video consultations are also available. Our service is broader than the national one and includes:

Sinusitis for children and adults 12 years and over. Sore throat for children and adults 5 years and over.

Earache (acute otitis media and externa) for children and adults one year and over.

Infected insect bite for children and adults 1 year and over.

Impetigo for children and adults 1 year and over.

Shingles for adults 18 years and over. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women 16 to 64 years.

Infected eye treatment for children aged over 30 days to 2 years

As ever, we will continue offering prescriptions,

OTC treatments and childhood, COVID, seasonal and travel vaccinations to the community.

Free NHS treatment?

This is an NHS-funded service, so any supply will be like receiving NHS prescription items. After consultations with a pharmacist, people with symptoms suggestive of these conditions will be provided with advice, where clinically appropriate, supplied a prescription-only treatment, including antibiotics or other medicines. The consultation notes will be added to your NHS record.

If the pharmacy team cannot help with the condition, the patient will be referred to the appropriate healthcare access point such as a GP surgery or A&E. We will also help to support evidence-based self-care because many conditions can be managed without needing urgent NHS care.

Not about antibiotics: this is making the Best NHS Clinical Care Accessible Bedminster Pharmacy will not be dishing out antibiotics ‘willy-nilly’. The pharmacist will assess your needs and provide you with evidence-based care using the same NHS guidelines and tools employed by all clinicians.

Will this help local GP access?

The NHS hopes this scheme will make getting the help people need easier and quicker while freeing up 10 million GP appointments for more complicated needs. GP surgeries will also be referring people directly to our service.

We have long campaigned for this, and we already had prescribing clinicians who could only provide private care, so this is a most welcome development for the health of communities around the country but is just a first step in the right direction – the Welsh Pharmacy First scheme covers 26 conditions!

It’s great news that people across Bristol can access more NHS care from us. For details, call 0117 9853388 or visit www.pharmacyfirstbristol.com

Stunning art exhibition celebrates Bristol’s ancient trees

Finding Sylva, an enchanting new art exhibition celebrating ancient local trees, is on now at Bristol Folk House, showcasing the talent of local artists Suzanne Elson and Sally Imbert.

Running until 28 March, Finding Sylva unveils many of the impressive trees hidden just a stone’s throw from the city centre, some of them several hundred years’ old.

“While our world changes almost daily, these living monuments have stood in the same place for centuries, surveying the land,” said Suzanne Elson, one of the artists behind the exhibition. “It’s pretty amazing to imagine what they might have seen or heard during their lifetime. I’m sure every tree has a great story to tell.”

The exhibition will appeal to art- and treelovers alike, highlighting the macro and micro treasures of our irreplaceable ancient trees, all of which visitors can then go out and see for themselves. In fact, each of Suzanne’s intricate graphite portraits is accompanied by maps, directions and information.

“Ancient trees and woodlands are a deeply rich part of our historic cultural landscape in Britain, having been worked and managed since prehistoric times. They are our richest and most complex terrestrial habitat,” Suzanne said.

“We are so lucky in Bristol to have such rare ancient woodland and wood pasture to explore. I want to highlight these local treasures and help the people of Bristol build a relationship with them for the future. Noticing trees can give us a rich glimpse into a past way of life, and invites enchantment and wonder into our everyday walks.”

Local artists

Suzanne, who lives in South Bristol, draws from nature rather than photographs. Honouring some of her favourite local trees, her drawings take many hours to complete – often taking months from start to completion. This gives her time to get to know the tree, seeing it in all kinds of light and through the seasons. She captures in detail the twists and turns that are the tree’s slow and intimate response to its environmental experiences.

Sally Imbert, also in South Bristol, paints with a focus on pattern and depth of colour to draw the eye into lyrical details of tiny things. Found twigs with a frond of lichen, curling cow parsley and a wind-blown spring nest, touched with delicacy. These windblown woodland finds reflect her magpie-like nature, love of collections and looking closely. Her botanical ink prints evoke a sense of the miraculous in nature, through being made from gathered materials and the sense of capturing a moment in time. You can visit Finding Sylva from now til 28 March 2024 at Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JG.

Suzanne Elson

Suzanne Elson, ‘Oak, Ashton Court Estate’, 2015

Sally Imbert, ‘Lichen Wand’

Sally Imbert, ‘Spring Nest

Suzanne Elson, ‘Sweet chestnut, Leigh Woods’, 2018

Bristol man cycles 1,835km in a year on a unicycle

A Bristol man has completed 40 individual 40km rides on a unicycle to raise vital funds for Parkinson’s UK and FoodCycle.

Luke, 40, from Windmill Hill, was inspired to raise money for Parkinson’s UK because his older brother, Neil, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018 at only 44 years old. Luke is also raising money for FoodCycle to support people who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Luke decided to take on this ‘40 on One Wheel’ challenge to mark his 40th birthday that he celebrated in February 2023 and he completed his last 40km ride on Saturday 27 January.

Luke has completed rides in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales. Each ride took approximately six hours and Luke completed most of them by himself, but was occasionally joined by friends and family.

Melissa Rankin, regional fundraiser at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Luke

for taking on another incredible challenge for Parkinson’s UK.

“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough.

“We hope that this incredible fundraising challenge inspires

you to get involved with Parkinson’s UK. There are lots of ways for you support us from volunteering at an event, to campaigning for better services. Without the generosity of people like you, our work would not be possible.”

To support Luke’s fundraising, visit www.collectionpot.com/ pot/fourtyononewheel/

n NEWS FROM BS3 COMMUNITY – THE CHARITY THAT RUNS THE SOUTHVILLE CENTRE AND THE CHESSEL CENTRE

Community Meal and Seed Swap

Join us on Saturday 2 March for a shared springtime community meal and seed swap, in the beautiful setting of the Bedminster Quaker House. We will be bringing food to share, as well as enjoying baked treats provided by a local community café.

Bedminster Down Community Farm will be there sharing green-fingered knowhow and will be asking people to bring along any seeds they no longer need, to swap as part of this event. Any funds raised from this will be going directly into community projects in the Bedminster area.

This FREE event will run between 12 and 2pm at Bedminster Quaker Meeting House, Wedmore Vale, which is a fully accessible space. Please bring along ready-to-eat food to share, and seeds to swap if you have any.

For further details please contact Leanne Purton at leanne.purton@bs3community.org.uk or 0117 9231039.

The Bristol Local Plan

Bedminster is designated as a Town Centre in the new Bristol Local Plan, but what does that mean? The plan emphasises inclusivity, affordable housing, climate change, the benefits of heritage, and health inequality. It heralds a ‘sustainable, green and prosperous future’, modern workplaces and digital approaches, protected open spaces, development of student housing while protecting existing communities, and a ‘15 minutes city’. How will all of that translate into action? And how will the Local Plan interact with the proposed South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood?

Find out at the first of Action Greater Bedminster’s new programme of Community Conversations. Southville Councillor Tony Dyer will give an overview of the Plan on 14 March at Windmill Hill City Farm Café, 7-8.30pm. https://actiongreater bedminster.org.uk

BS3 Ways to Wellbeing Event

Join us between 1pm and 3pm on Monday 25 March for a Ways to Wellbeing event at the Southville Centre on Beauley Road. We will have a range of activities to find out about and take part in, including a singalong with the Golden Oldies Choir and a chance to try your hand at Kurling.

Organisations coming along on the day include BOPF (Bristol Older People’s Forum), Centre for the Deaf, Big Lemon Community Bus, Vita Health and Everyone Active. There will be refreshments provided, as well as social prescribers on hand to provide information about local activities and services to get involved with.

This is a FREE event and will be held in our lovely Southville Centre, which is a fully accessible space.

If you would like more information or help accessing this event, please email leanne. purton@bs3community.org.uk or call 0117 9231039.

Luke and his brother Neil who was diagnosed with Parkinsons at 44

A journey to wellness

IMAGINE THIS: you accidentally step on a dog’s tail, and it barks. It’s a simple cause and effect, right? But there’s a deeper lesson here that perfectly illustrates a principle at the heart of chiropractic care: just like the dog’s bark is a reaction to the pain in its tail, the discomfort or pain you feel in one part of your body might actually originate from an entirely different area.

It’s a concept we at Kasa hold dear as we guide you on a journey to not just relief, but fixing the underlying problem.

At Kasa, we’re not just about quieting the ‘barks’ of discomfort you experience: whether it’s a nagging pain in your leg or a persistent headache, we understand that these are merely signals, cries for help from your body, indicating issues that might lie elsewhere.

Our team of chiropractic and massage experts are passionate about tracking down these signals to their origins –because that’s where true healing begins.

Through comprehensive consultations and the support of state-of-the-art technology, including in-house digital x-ray machines, we don’t just look at the ‘bark’; we delve deeper, seeking out the ‘tail’ – the root cause of your discomfort. Our holistic, head-to-toe approach combines the science of chiropractic care with the art of massage therapy, ensuring that every aspect of your

wellbeing is addressed.

But at Kasa, it’s not just about the healing: it’s about empowering you with the knowledge and tools to lead a vibrant, active life, free from the shadows of pain. Our treatments are gentle yet effective, focusing not just on relief but on prevention and maintenance.

So, if your body has been ‘barking,’ it might be time to find out why. Let us at Kasa help you uncover the root cause of your discomfort and guide you towards a life of health, happiness, and harmony. Your journey to wellness starts here. Don’t let your body’s messages go unanswered. Let’s discover the source together and turn those barks into purrs of contentment.

Welcome to Kasa – where your healing begins.

Charles Herbert

Chiropractor | Director | Kasa Chiro

0117 370 2680

www.kasachiro.com

runs to help other domestic abuse survivors

n ADVERTORIAL Lace up your walking boots for The Rugby March

support groups and a 24-hour helpline offering advice.

A WOMAN who survived domestic abuse is taking on the London Marathon to raise money and awareness of the charity which has supported her.

Amy runs to domestic abuse

Local charity St Peter’s Hospice has teamed up with the Bristol Bears for a charity walk and rugby game that makes a difference to patients and families when they need it most.

While Amy never needed to stay in the charity's accommodation, its helpline provided invaluable support when she needed to talk to someone outside her family and friends.

She said: "I never realised when I was in that situation that there was so much help out there – during those critical moments, having someone to reassure you is so important."

A student paramedic studying at Gloucestershire University, Amy also works for supported living provider Aspire in Downend, Staple Hill and Fishponds.

was a chance to both tick off a challenge from her 'bucket list' and "turn something that was negative into something positive".

Amy said: "I would like to repay my gratitude to Refuge for the much-needed help and support they gave me.

The Rugby March takes place on Sunday 21 April, starting with a scenic six-mile sponsored walk through Bristol including Leigh Woods and Clifton, leading to a thrilling Bristol Bears v Newcastle Falcons live match at Ashton Gate stadium.

"And if just one woman recognises the warning signs of domestic violence and finds the courage to get in touch with Refuge, then that is potentially one life saved."

Amy Yapp is sharing her story to help charity Refuge – and to encourage other women in abusive relationships to seek help.

Amy, a former Downend School pupil who grew up in the area and now lives in Fishponds, found herself in a relationship where she was subjected to physical, psychological and emotional abuse over four years.

She was beaten, isolated from her family and friends and lost control of her finances.

support helpline

While to stay accommodation, provided when someone friends.

She when there – during having is so

A new accessible three-mile route is available for this year, enabling more families and people all ages to join in the fun.

She has run in a number of distance races but has never taken on a marathon before, and when she discovered that Refuge had places for fundraisers

Amy aims to raise £2,000 for Refuge at the marathon, which takes place in October.

To support Amy's appeal visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/amyyapp98.

St Peter’s Hospice fundraising events manager Molly O’Donoghue said: “The Rugby March is such a fun event which can be enjoyed by everyone. We have teams of all sizes taking part, with some walking and cheering on the Bristol Bears in memory of a loved one. It’s a really special day with an amazing atmosphere and we’d love for you to join us.”

For more information about the work of Refuge visit the website www.refuge.org.uk.

Entry costs £30 for adults, which includes a T-shirt and your match ticket, or £20 for 18 months to 17 years.

Amy said: "When I look back, I do not recognise the person I had become at all. I was conditioned how to behave and even speak. Living by rules which I was not allowed to break.

"Compliments turned into insults, then eventually insults turned into physical abuse.

"You say 'oh, that will never happen to me' but after experiencing all that, it showed me how anyone can be affected."

since been convicted of assault for beating her.

A studying University, supported in Downend, Fishponds.

London Marathon it

For more information, see: www.rugbymarch.co.uk

The charity's free national domestic abuse 24-hour helpline is on 0808 2000 247.

Amy left her abuser, who has

A friend who had been through a similar experience told her about Refuge which, as well as providing emergency accommodation for women and children fleeing abuse, runs local

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Decluttering does wonders for mental health

PHYSICAL environments influence emotions, cognition, and behaviors.

Cluttered environments can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, depressing and stressful. They can cause friction between household members and create feelings of not being in control.

Clutter causes negativity. If your hallway has become a dumping ground, every time you come into your home it will feel negative rather than positive. If the clutter continues into the kitchen these negative feelings continue, and so on and so forth.

I have been running the declutter service for over 10 years and thankfully have seen many positive changes in recycling. It is a great resource, and if an item can be recycled it is far easier to let it go.

There is no harm in asking for help and people find that once they’ve tackled their clutter, they feel that a weight has been lifted, their mood improves and they enjoy a sense of freedom.

Reorganising and decluttering and your home is not about making a ‘show home’. It is about managing your belongings and making your home an inviting, pleasurable place to live in and somewhere to feel proud of.

Whether you have hoarding tendencies or are just fed up with general mess and clutter, help is at hand to get you motivated.

FM DeClutter Services provide a friendly tailor made service that works with you, at your pace, with empathy and understanding.

For further information, help, advice and solutions, call Fay Gregory at FM DeClutter Services Tel: 078 2107 8526 or 0117 955 0713 www.fmdeclutterservices.com

She distance taken when had in the

Amy Yapp taking part in a Bristol 10k

Can you swim 22 miles for Diabetes UK?

Diabetes UK is asking the people of Bristol to take part in a sponsored swimming challenge this spring, to raise vital funds for the charity

Swim22 runs between 22 March and 22 June and involves swimming a total of 22 miles –the same width as the English Channel. You can take on the challenge at your own pace, in your local pool or the open water, alone or with family, friends, or colleagues, accumulating the miles across the course of the 12 weeks.

All funds raised will go towards Diabetes UK’s work, funding life-saving research and helping people living with diabetes to get the care and support they need.

Phaedra Perry, head of Diabetes UK – South West and South Central, said: “Whether you haven’t swum in a while or you’re a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice along the way.

“By taking on Swim22, you’ll not only be swimming towards a healthier you, but the money you raise will help fund our vital work, including the development of life-changing treatments and supporting people to live well with diabetes.

“So, please, sign up to Swim22 and make a splash for Diabetes UK.”

To register for Swim22, visit swim22.diabetes.org.uk There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

0300

n LOCAL CAMPAIGNS

Bedminster Green awareness event

WHaM (Windmill Hill and Malago community) and Bristol Tree Forum hosted an event back in January on Bedminster Green in a bid to protect the trees and the green as an open space.

The aim of the event was to draw attention to the threats posed to the green by the council and developers. Food and mulled apple juice was served and Alan Stilton provided the entertainment. Twenty-eight bags of litter were removed from the green. There are applications affecting the green, namely:

1. The council wants to open up the River Malago across the green as part of flood prevention measures. No one on Windmill Hill was consulted about this or the effects it would have. The problem with this is that it will seriously reduce the biodiversity of the green as well over 25 trees will need to be removed. These include some rare Lombardy poplars that have survived against the odds and have become a landmark in the area.

2. The council also want to dig up the green to put a district

heating pipe underneath. This means mean more trees would need to be removed. WHaM argues that the pipe could easily be laid around the green.

3. Developer Dandara has put in an application to build an 11-storey building where the wooden federation is currently situated. If this happens, the green will be overshadowed and will only get a maximum two hours’ sun a day.

All three applications will reduce the size, number of trees

and hence the biodiversity of the green – despite the council calling a biodiversity crisis. Furthermore, WHaM argues that all three applications should be considered together and not separately as they are currently being treated.

The green is a much-loved open space for people on their way into the city, especially at this time of year with all the crocuses out. Families with young children linger to take photos of these.

A petition to protect the green has already attracted nearly 900

signatures. Bedminster Green will soon become one of the most densely populated parts of the city, which will make existing green spaces even more important. There is overwhelming evidence to support the view that green city spaces are vital to our mental health. A Friends of Bedminster Green group has been set up and will campaign to protect and improve the green over the coming months. It has also set up a petition here: https://bit.ly/4bMRoGj

Double win for Redcatch Community Garden at annual awards

Redcatch Community Garden recognised in Your Park Bristol & Bath awards

In Your Park Bristol & Bath’s second ever awards ceremony this February, Redcatch Community Garden, in Knowle, Bristol, won the Community Impact Award –receiving 301 votes out of nearly 1,000.

All shortlisted groups from the Community Impact Awards* also took part in the Community Choice Award, an award where the project with the most votes from their community wins £200 towards their work.

Redcatch Community Garden, winners of The Community Impact Award and Community Connectors Award, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win two awards. Huge thank you to the individuals and panel who voted for us. We are thankful and

grateful for this recognition and motivated to continue all we do for our community.”

The winners of all the awards received vouchers for garden centres and certificates of thanks.

Judy Gowenlock, awards manager, said: ‘The awards are about celebrating all that volunteers do, across our cities, for their parks and green spaces. Many residents of all ages and backgrounds give up their free time to make our parks and

Redcatch Community Garden in Knowle picks up two awards

green spaces more welcoming places to be, places which benefit our health and places which support nature. It has been inspiring and heartwarming to read the nominations for all the individuals and groups and I would like to say a big thank you to them for all that they do. We finally wanted to say a huge thanks to Hargreaves Lansdown for sponsoring the awards.”

Your Park Bristol & Bath works closely with the two

local authorities, Bristol City Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council, who are responsible for the upkeep of the 2,000+ hectares of local parks and green spaces, but the charity operates completely independently.

If you would like to volunteer and make a difference in your community, get in touch with Your Park at: www.yourpark. org.uk/get-involved

* The Community Impact Awards fall into three categories: Community Connecters, celebrating projects that have brought people together from all sections of the community; Happy and Healthy, celebrating projects that have improved local people’s health and wellbeing; and Nature Lovers, celebrating projects that have transformed their park for nature.

The Theatre and Entertainment Luvver

As we emerge into the spring months, and new buds open, it seems the ideal time to look at the future of theatre. What are the new trends; how is theatre evolving with new technologies?

The world of theatre, often associated with timeless traditions and classic performances, is undergoing a dynamic transformation with the integration of cutting-edge technologies.

Technology has always been an integral part of helping to bring magic alive in theatre, with invisible trap doors, innovative costume and set design, illusion, pyrotechnics, and lighting, to name just a few.

At the beginning of the year, Life of Pi, at the Hippodrome, demonstrated how far lighting and puppetry have advanced to create an enthralling and immersive show with storms, shipwrecks and an extensive cast of zoo animals – with the charismatic Bengal tiger taking a leading role alongside Pi.

As the digital age continues to redefine how we experience art, theatre is innovating to captivate audiences in new and exciting ways and enrich the latest theatrical experience.

Last month’s production of Macbeth at Bristol Old Vic embraced both, using the

original language and pairing it with video and security cameras to create a big brother feel that brought it bang up-to-date.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) both gained momentum in the world of theatre during lockdown where many companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company began to experiment. Allowing audiences to step into a virtual world where the boundaries between the stage and the audience dissolve. Virtual and augmented reality technologies make this possible by allowing theatre-goers to immerse themselves in unique and interactive experiences.

Productions are incorporating VR and AR to create fantastical settings which could not be achieved in any other way and enhancing the overall impact of their performance. UWE is now offering an MA in virtual and extended realities and a hub of new ideas are being developed in the Watershed’s Media Centre.

Perhaps one of the biggest and now most used technologies is that of livestreaming and on-demand platforms. A show is no longer confined to its physical venue – it can go anywhere. Livestreaming performances and on-demand platforms allow people from around the world to access and enjoy theatrical productions. This not only broadens the reach of theatre but also provides a more inclusive option for those unable to attend in person.

As technology continues to advance, we will see more of these new and exciting changes to shows. But, ultimately, theatre is still – and always will be – about people and the human experience. Technology can provide welcome and exciting additions, but it cannot replace the human emotions, authenticity and heart of an actor and their audience.

Jacqui Ham, Acting Out

FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

Murder vigil at Knowle West

My thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragic deaths of Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, following an incident on Ilminster Avenue in Knowle West in late January.

With my cabinet at our meeting last month, we shared our sincerest condolences with their families, who are going through a pain which nobody – no parent – should have to experience.

Like people across south Bristol, our whole city and beyond, I was deeply saddened to hear of this further loss of life. As the police have said, any loss of life is devastating but this case is particularly so, as the two young victims had their entire lives ahead of them.

The murder inquiry launched by Avon & Somerset Police has, at the time of writing, arrested and charged a number of people in relation to these horrific events.

With hundreds of local people, and Filwood councillor Chris Jackson, I attended the vigil in Knowle West the evening after this double

murder, and found the community’s response and mobilisation incredibly moving and powerful.

People have come together to grieve, with a real resolution to do all they can.

The council, including my cabinet members, has been working in partnership with the community, schools, partner organisations like the Robins Foundation and Youth Moves,

The

and the police to support people affected.

Our director of public health has written joint letters with the police to the community and local young people signposting everyone affected to the support which is still available.

Mental health support is on offer from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, Off the Record, Samaritans, and Bristol MIND. We would encourage anyone experiencing a reaction associated with trauma to call 111, contact their GP, and/or talk to someone they trust.

Max and Mason are sadly not the first young people that Bristol has lost to knife crime. As a city, we will do all we can to support their families. At Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, we saw a united city in two minutes’ applause in Mason and Max’s memory.

While we can likely unfortunately never totally eliminate the risk, and there is the need for real national reform, we must also continue working locally to try to prevent further tragedies.

n WILDLIFE Bedminster’s Hedgehogs

By Ben Barker, Secretary, BS3 Wildlife Group

Hedgehogs are now a threatened species. Britain’s hedgehogs numbered several millions in the 1990s. Today, it’s around one million mainly from habitat loss due to industrialised agriculture. Surprisingly, hedgehogs may be safer in urban areas like Bedminster.

For two years people in BS3 have been reporting hedgehog sightings (see map below). We are diurnal animals while hedgehogs are nocturnal, so it’s easy to miss each other, but a pattern seems to be emerging. There are colonies in and around our major parks, Victoria and Greville Smyth. The situation for smaller parks is unclear. There are neighbourhoods with no hedgehogs (or no reporters?).

Some people are trying to make BS3 better for hedgehogs by linking up gardens; supplying water (if a pond, make sure it’s easy for a hedgehog to climb out); offering food (cat and dog food is fine, but not fish-based); avoiding slug poisons and providing ‘houses’.

Hedgehogs can easily entangle themselves in wire, so don’t leave that around, and they may fall into open drains and other holes, so check gardens for safety. Gardens and parks are increasingly creating ‘rough’ and bushy areas for hedgehogs (and other creatures) to hide in.

For more information, contact bs3.hedgehog.project@gmail.com or read the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report at www.hedgehogstreet.org/ wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SoBH-2022-Final.pdf

Our hedgehog survey will continue in 2024 along with other surveys including butterflies, birds and more. You can join in by just noting what’s in your garden, allotment or local park. We can all help to support the Greater Bedminster Urban Nature Reserve.

To sign up to our newsletter, just contact me on mywildbedminster@ virginmedia.com

Saint Mary Redcliffe guided tours

Enjoy a tour of over 800 years of history of the magnificent church, once referred to by Queen Elizabeth I as “The fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England”. The church is a treasure of international importance, a Grade I listed building that has been described as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

TOURS

Tours last for 90 minutes and take place on Fridays and Saturdays. Starting times are as follows: 11:00; 12:40; 14:30.

Tickets cost £5.00 via https://bit.ly/3SN19wm

Please note: this tour will include a visit to the Chatterton Room, which is only accessible via a flight of stairs (a 75-step spiral staircase) and is therefore not accessible for those who are unable to climb the staircase. Most of the tour, however, will take place in the main body of the church, which is accessible via the south entrance and on a level. The church welcomes bookings from those who are unable to visit the Chatterton Room, but would like to join us for the main part of the tour.

Images © Paul Stevens

24 February, LGBTQ+ History Day, M Shed. 11am to 4.45pm. Free. www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/mshed/. A range of talks highlighting LGBTQ+ stories and heritage from the search for ancient trans Celts to a cheeky look at butts in art.

25 February, Babatunde Aleshe: Babahood, Tobacco Factory, 8pm Tickets £17 | Age 16+. Join Babatunde Aleshe, the multi award-winning star of Celebrity Gogglebox, as he talks family and fatherhood in this highly anticipated debut tour.

1 March, Matt Chorley – Pole Dancer at the Hen & Chicken. 8pm. From £26. The Times Radio presenter and Have I Got News For You regular is back with his third stand-up tour. Chorley draws on two decades of reporting from Westminster – and two centuries of history – to deliver his hilarious guide to winning and losing at the polls.

1 & 22 March, Visually impaired walk, Tyntesfield. Plus 12 & 26 Apr; 10 & 24 May 11am–12pm. Free (normal admission applies). Booking essential 01275 461900. www. nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield

4-29 March. Urban Nature Collective Exhibition. Tobacco

Factory Bar. Launch Event 7-9pm

Thursday 7 March. This exhibition is a collaboration of local artists, celebrating and highlighting their passion for nature in an urban and local context.

23 March, Zion’s Spring Craft Fair & Easter Workshop. 10.00am to 2.00pm. Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road, Bristol, BS13 7JW. With market stalls, an Easter egg hunt & craft workshop.

First Wednesday of the month, South Bristol Gardening Club St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Southville. Annual membership £25. A friendly club and new members are very welcome. The club has a varied series of talks and visits planned for 2024. Club members enjoy free regular talks from expert speakers and subsidised visits to gardens throughout the year. To join, go to https://bit.ly/3w6xjKB

Thursdays, Gardening for Wellbeing, Redcatch Community Garden. A free weekly gardening group to support your wellbeing, to enable you to meet people and so you can enjoy being outdoors. Tea and coffee included. Every Thursday, 10.30am-12pm. To book your place,

Bonds-A Poetry Workshop for South Bristol

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 10am-1pm

Join us for an exciting poetry workshop in south Bristol! Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just starting out, this event is perfect for you. We’ll be gathering at Zion Bristol, at Bishopsworth Rd, Bristol BS13 7JW, UK. This is an incredible opportunity to bond with like-minded people and discover the magic of poetry!

Open to all – no writing experience necessary This welcoming workshop is designed to be friendly and supportive and will develop your writing and storytelling skills to create and weave lines into poems with local south Bristol poets, Agata and Lisa. Even if you have never written poetry or would like to be inspired, this will be a great workshop for you.

email kaya@redcatchcg.com or call or text 0785 863 0507

Fridays, Women’s Craft Club. FREE, 11am to 1pm, Arnolfini, Second Floor, Reading Room. Run in partnership

Boys’ deaths were shocking and senseless n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

I AM deeply saddened by the recent shocking and senseless deaths of two boys, aged only 15 and 16, at the end of January in South Bristol.

The grief being felt by the families of those boys and the impact it will have on their loved ones, as well as the wider community, is unimaginable.

Preventing knife crime and stopping young people from coming to harm must be at the forefront of all our minds.

This is an area of focus for our Violence Reduction Partnership, which provides education, mentoring, and employs a community-based approach to prevent these tragic crimes.

Additionally, to encourage people to safely discard any knives and weapons they are carrying, Avon & Somerset Police have installed weapon surrender bins across the area.

Lifesaving bleed control kits designed to provide emergency

help for someone who suffers a traumatic injury are also being installed alongside defibrillators.

I also want to focus on the process of police misconduct hearings, as this is something many people are rightly asking about this month.

I am proud to have lobbied for significant changes aimed at increasing the chief constable’s power to act on police officers who have been found guilty of misconduct.

One of the outcomes of this, which comes into effect from May, is that chief constables will be able to terminate the employment of officers found guilty of gross misconduct.

This move marks a pivotal step towards upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within law enforcement.

One of the most notable adjustments is the composition of the panels responsible

for adjudicating cases of misconduct.

Formerly, only one independent panel member (IPM) was mandated to sit alongside a chief constable in a hearing.

The revamped structure now necessitates the inclusion of two IPMs, bolstering the impartiality of the decision-making process.

Consequently, my office is actively recruiting new IPMs to partake in this crucial aspect of police oversight.

The imperative for these reforms is underscored by the instances of police misconduct showcased in the Channel 4 documentary ‘To Catch A Copper’, which shines a spotlight on the need to address such issues decisively and transparently.

If this is an issue you are passionate about, I urge you to put yourself forward.

These roles offer an invaluable opportunity to contribute to the

Please come and write with us. We can explore memories, stories and family histories of south Bristol. We will explore all our ‘bonds’ to this place of home, work, sport, neighbourhood and local tales. There will be writing prompts and exercises with warm advice from Lisa and Agata.

There will be an opportunity if you are interested to share some of your work in a poetry exhibition at Bristol Beacon.

Join us for this lovely event, provided as part of Bristol Bonds project for Lyra Poetry Festival. We would love to meet you at our writing workshop.

Please email birdsongpoetry@ aol.com or text/phone Lisa on 07853167720 if you have any questions. You will be able to purchase drinks and snacks from Zion Counter.

with Bristol Refugee Festival at Arnolfini where women from all backgrounds are welcome to go along, have a cup of tea and get crafty. All materials are provided. community@arnolfini.org.uk

With police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford

integrity of our law enforcement system.

I am also pleased to lend my support to the government’s forthcoming ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign.

As the National Association of Police and Crime Commissioners economic and cybercrime lead, I recognise the critical importance of equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to safeguard themselves against fraudulent activities.

By fostering awareness and vigilance, we can collectively mitigate the impact of fraud and protect our communities from financial harm.

WICKED WITCH

In witch I’m a peeper

I was hanging around Jubilee Pool chitter chatting, because that’s what you do in a community asset, when a regular staggered through the door looking dreadful. She’d walked up Talbot Hill, which usually was not a problem, but that morning it was freezing and it nearly did for her.

After a glass of water and a rest on the sofa she recovered and I drove her home. She told me her TV had broken, the heating had packed up and her electrics kept tripping; it was a horrid list of gone wrongness. I took her number so I could call her later with details of an electrician I knew. She gave me a cheery wave and I drove off.

Later that day, I called Mrs Cheery. No answer. I frowned, then got distracted and didn’t think about her until the next day when I called her again. The

phone rang out. A little nagging thought poked at me. She might be dead. Again, my mind got taken somewhere else and the day disappeared. Mrs Cheery, albeit maybe dead, was forgotten. I woke up on the Sunday and immediately had visions of Mrs Cheery lying on her cold kitchen floor groaning for help; I decided to drive to her house and investigate.

The house looked normal. I banged at the door. Nothing. I peeped through the front windows. No sign of anyone. I knocked on a neighbour’s door. Turns out she is a private person keeping herself to herself. I scrabbled around the back and peered through another window

where a large fluffy cat, lounging on a perfectly made bed, regarded me with an unblinking stare. “Hello?” I knocked at the window, the cat yawned, stretched, rolled then resumed its yellow-eyed cold stare.

There was another window with a small opening but it was higher up, so I took my phone out, stretched my arm up, poked it through the gap and took a picture, expecting to see a body. Nothing. I then realised that I had left fingerprints. If there had been an incident, the person who finds the body is always the first suspect. I wiped the sill with my sleeve. There was one last window on the side of the house and I cupped my

hand around my eyes and peeped. There she was, stood at the sink, washing up. WASHING UP! Oh! I stood for a while, feeling a bit silly, debating whether to knock again but deciding she probably didn’t want to see anyone, so I slunk back to my car and drove home. She was alive and I could relax.

Mrs Cheery arrived at the pool on the Monday. I told her that I had phoned and knocked for her. She was properly surprised. Although it turns out that her phone, along with the rest of her house, appeared to be broken and she had not heard me knocking. I did not tell her that I was a peeper and I’m glad that cats can’t talk.

How to run a play street n NEWS

Calling all parents, grandparents –and residents! Find out how to run a play street on your doorstep – this is a local and FREE way to get children playing outside, exercising in the fresh air without them even realising they are exercising! It’s an easy way to get to know

your neighbours and make your street feel like a safer, nicer place to live. If you live on an estate, you can still take part.

For more information, visit www.playingout.net, email hello@playingout.net or call us on 0117 9537167.

Open Morning

17 March from 10am