A FORMER Castle School pupil is representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
PAGE 7
SHOPKEEPERS in Thornbury say they are frustrated that major works have started on the town’s biggest car park – just weeks before Christmas.
PAGE 5
A SHORTAGE of catering staff has left children at some Thornbury schools without hot dinners.
DETAILS of a project to build 100 new homes on the site of Thornbury's Castle School Sixth Form Centre have been revealed.
Developer Aequus wants to convert the existing buildings at the old Grammar School on Gloucester Road and build new houses on the rest of the site.
It is working with South Gloucestershire
Council, which owns the land and is helping to fund a new home for the sixth form and other updates at the main Castle School site in Park Road.
But the plans have been criticised by councillors and pressure groups, after Aequus held a limited public consultation exercise in November.
Full story: Pages 2 and 3
PAGE 6
CAMPAIGNERS are organising a protest calling for changes to the region's buses, as Thornbury's MP calls for one of the town's axed services to be restored.
PAGE 8
Our January edition deadline is December 14.
Advertising
Richard Drew, Publisher 01454 800 120 contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
Letters for publication can be sent to us via email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk We reserve the right to edit your letter.
Follow us on Twitter @thornburyvoice
South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009
Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009
Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk
Find us on Facebook Thornbury Voice
Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Thornbury 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 cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Thornbury Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Richard On 01454 800 120 or contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Thornbury Voice, contact the publisher using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.
PLANS for a new building at Castle School’s main Park Road site have been submitted.
Key to the plans is a new three-storey block for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics, which will be built on land currently occupied by prefabricated buildings.
Under the plans the sixth form centre currently based at the old Thornbury Grammar School site in Gloucester Road will be relocated to the main site, within "remodelled areas of the existing school".
Consultants Rapleys have submitted a detailed planning application on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council, which is the applicant and also the authority responsible for giving the scheme permission.
In a consultation document issued earlier this year, South Gloucestershire Council said the split site arrangement has now been in place for 50 years, and neither site has seen any significant investment.
Castle School Education Trust (CSET), which runs the school, has been working with South Gloucestershire Council since 2016 to explore options for consolidating the school onto a single site.
In 2019 they reached an agreement which allowed funds from the sale of the Gloucester Road site to be used to upgrade facilities at both the Castle and Marlwood School in Alveston, which is also run by CSET and sends many of its pupils to the joint sixth form after their GCSEs.
The planning application includes demolishing the existing prefabricated buildings.
The new teaching block would include a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics centre for students, and a new science laboratory.
Adding the sixth form provision to the site will mean an extra 300plus students in years 12 and 13 would be based at the Park Road site, in addition to around 1,220 in Years 7 to 11 who are currently based there.
The plans include landscaping with external seating areas and breakout space near the building’s entrance, which is set around new tree and hedge planting and offers a connection to the existing school buildings. There would also be solar photovoltaic panels on the flat roof of the proposed teaching block, extra parking and minor alterations to improve coach waiting facilities.BThere would be no change to the existing vehicle and pedestrian access.
There had been no public comments made as the Voice went to press on the detailed plan, which can be found on South Gloucestershire Council's planning website by searching for application P22/05928/F.
People who are not online can call 01454 868004 for more information on the plans and making a comment.
New school library opens: Page 13
PLANS to redevelop the historic Thornbury Grammar School building and adjoining land to provide 100 new homes have been unveiled.
South Gloucestershire Council wants to redevelop the site, currently home to Castle School Sixth Form Centre, helping to fund work to modernise the school’s main Park Road site and provide housing, including affordable homes, on a 'brownfield' site.
But concerns have been raised that the plans could result in the loss of green space from the town as the playing fields would be built on.
Developer Aequus held a consultation at the school in November to explain their plans.
Three existing buildings, built in the late 1890s and early 1900s, will be retained and refurbished into residential units: the Castle Sixth Form Centre building, the Thornbury Grammar School building and the Headmaster’s House.
Aequus, which is owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council, announced the consultation after November's Voice had gone to press.
In a letter to local residents, the company said the homes would include “a mix of two, three and four bed houses along with one and two bed apartments, a percentage of which will be affordable homes, and public open spaces."
It continued: "Existing school buildings will be repurposed into residential accommodation maintaining any important historical features.
"The new building is designed to reflect the character of the surrounding area while considering environmental issues.”
But after attending the consultation, South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrat ward councillor Maggie Tyrrell said the proposals went against the Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan, approved in a referendum earlier this year, which says the green space should be preserved, with the rest of the site used for highdensity development.
She said: “The playing field is a precious green resource at the centre of the community and easily accessible from all parts of
the town.
"It is recognised that part of it may need to be sacrificed in order to provide a viable development but there should be enough open space planned in, to allow current activities to take place on it.
"Young people and families regularly use it for informal play, games, and training, including football.
"It is used extensively by dog walkers, and people are frequently seen using it as a picnic area. The open space that is within the current plan is totally inadequate and unsuitable for these activities.”
Cllr Tyrrell said Thornbury did not need more three and four bedroom houses, as proposed by Aequus.
She said: "On this site the community is looking to balance this with some more compact houses and apartments, with a small amount of private outside space, that could then benefit from a consolidated area of community open space/playing field nearby."
Cllr Tyrrell's views were echoed by pressure group Thornbury Against Poorly Planned Development (TRAPP'D), which said the Neighbourhood Development Plan specified that the scheme should not "result in the loss of locally important green space".
TRAPP'D co-chair Colin Gardner said: "Realistically, we are not going to be talking about whether a development takes place here, but how and how many homes.
"However, the big issue here is that the plans are wholly unsuitable for a town centre site and, contrary to the agreement at the time of the NP, use the whole of the green space which was the
former playing fields.
"This is council-owned land, and they should not be using it in a manner that contravenes the current Local Plan consultation proposals and what was agreed at the adoption of the NP."
A spokesperson for Aequus said: “The mix of units has been informed through discussions with housing policy and suitably qualified local agents assessing demand and need.”
A South GloucestershireCouncil spokesperson said focusing efforts on reusing brownfield sites would enable the council to continue to meet its requirements for housing delivery whilst protecting greenbelt land from speculative development.
The next stage will be for Aequus to submit a formal planning application, at which point people will be able to submit comments.
The council spokesperson said: “The submitted planning application will be subject to full technical assessment and design to support ecology, transport, neighbouring properties and drainage.
"Full consultation will additionally be taking place with Sport England for the reprovision of sports fields locally.”
Comments on the plans can also be made to Aequus at Cambridge House, Henry Street, Bath, BA1 1BT.
Aequus says the new houses will look
A THORNBURY mum is helping raise awareness of the deadly illness sepsis – after her daughter became seriously ill during hospital treatment.
Heidi Bennett was in intensive care for five days in July after contracting sepsis, at the age of 11 months.
Five months on, she is much better but still suffering some long-term effects, including a lowered immune system.
Mum Emma has decided to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April next year to increase awareness of the disease, and raise funds for the Sepsis Trust charity.
Heidi became ill after being admitted to the Bristol Children’s Hospital for treatment for hyperinsulinism, an illness related to diabetes.
Emma said: "The sepsis went unnoticed at first and she became very poorly. The staff didn’t think of sepsis at first - it was only when I started forcing people to listen.
"I had heard of sepsis but didn’t really know what it was. But then someone suggested she might have been infected through a cannula (a fluid tube), and they tested for sepsis."
Heidi was treated with antibiotics, and eventually went home after two weeks in
hospital.
Emma said: "She is over the worst and doing well. But she has a weakened immune system and is prone to other illnesses, including having chest, ear and throat infections.
"I don’t blame staff but the system. I feel she was let down by the hospital as a whole. They have told me they are investigating it.
"This should not happen to anyone and I don’t want it to happen to anyone else."
Emma is a player at Thornbury Rugby Club, and has roped in fellow players Sadie Giles and Rachel Underwood to join her for the fundraising run next April.
She said: “I hope we can raise money for the Sepsis Trust and make more people aware of this illness.”
The Sepsis Trust says five people die with sepsis every hour in the UK – the charity works to educate health professionals to look out for the signs.
A spokesperson said: “Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury.
“Normally our immune system fights infection – but sometimes, for reasons we don’t yet understand, it attacks our body’s own organs and tissues.
“If not treated immediately, sepsis
Are you a caring person? Are you a carer for a family member?
Do you want a flexible job, working from home?
Could you support someone to achieve their goals?
Do something amazing, become a Shared Lives carer.
Do you need support to live your life?
Find out if Shared Lives could support you: www.ategi.org.uk
can result in organ failure and death. Yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.”
The Voice asked United Bristol Healthcare Trust, which runs Bristol Children's Hospital, about Heidi's treatment in the hospital but the trust declined to comment.
You can donate to Emma’s fundraising effort at www.justgiving.com/team/ TeamHeidiB.
It’s a bit like foster care – but for an adult. As a Shared Lives carer, you will be paid to support adults who need a little extra help from your own home.You’ll help them to achieve their goals and support them to live independently, helping them live their life, their way. They could spend the day with you, stay overnight or even move in, it’s flexible to you.
What does it mean to be a Shared Lives carer?
“I’m proud to be a Shared Lives carer because I believe that everyone deserves to be happy and be themselves, regardless of who they are and that’s exactly what Shared Lives does -placing people in homes with families where they are cared for, loved and respected.” -
Kwame, Shared Lives carer
Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer on our website: www.ategi.org.uk or email us on carerapplication@ategi.co.uk
SHOPKEEPERS in Thornbury say they are frustrated that major works have started on the town’s biggest car park – just weeks before Christmas.
It comes as South Gloucestershire council defends its redevelopment of the High Street, which will give more access to pedestrians and cyclists but which traders and many residents say has already impacted businesses in the town centre.
Parts of Rock Street car park were closed by South Gloucestershire Council in mid November in order to allow the work to start, ahead of other changes to the High Street.
But Thornbury Chamber of Commerce have expressed disappointment that they were only given one week’s notice of the closure, and that it is happening weeks before Christmas.
Secretary Zoe Gilbraith said: “Our main issue is their timing. Why in the run-up to Christmas did they think it was a good idea to close our largest and mostused car park in the Town, with only one week’s notice?
“This is yet again South Glos ignoring the people and businesses that are most affected by their decisions. No consultation, no information and no warning.
“This time of year is always critical to businesses but even more so this year, after the last two years, so to cause such an impact on the town is unacceptable.”
Thornbury Town and District Residents Association, which was formed following meetings to protest against the High Street plans, agrees the work needs doing but also questioned the timing.
Spokesperson John Reynolds said: “It seems a ridiculous time of year to start the work, since South Glos has already decided to defer work in the High Street until after Christmas, to avoid interfering with that shopping period, but then has taken steps with the car parking to ensure that many shoppers will go elsewhere.”
Traders and TTaDRA have been at loggerheads with South Gloucestershire over planned changes to the High Street, including more pedestrianised areas, and restricted car access.
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said
the authority had carefully considered public feedback about the plans for Rock Street car park, which include additional parent and child parking bays, standard size parking bays, electric vehicle charging points, and trees and wildflowers.
The spokesperson said: “We have been working with local traders to promote the fact Thornbury is very much open for business and there is a fantastic range of events planned that will help to boost footfall on the High Street in the run-up to Christmas.
“There are plenty of alternative parking options in and around Thornbury while the improvement work at Rock Street takes place, and we are continuing to work with local businesses and organisations to support and deliver activities to encourage people to explore the High Street, and all Thornbury has to offer over the Christmas period.”
The council said they had directly supported the Thornbury Christmas Lights Association, including the free provision of a member of staff and lift, to help with putting up or taking down the lights display, and recently installed an external power socket so the lights can be switched on.
PUPILS at seven South Gloucestershire schools are going without hot meals at lunchtime because of a catering staffing crisis, it has been revealed.
The council admits it can provide only cold food, such as sandwiches, or jacket potatoes at best because of the chronic recruitment shortage in catering - but insists youngsters are getting the nutrition they need.
Schools in Thornbury, Downend, Little Stoke and a number of other villages are among those affected by the vacancies, which currently stand at 23 across the district.
The issue was raised at a South Gloucestershire Council cabinet meeting by Thornbury ward Liberal Democrat councillor Jayne Stansfield.
She told the meeting: “Apparently the children in Thornbury have not been having access to the hot meals they expect due to high levels of staffing vacancies.
“So I would like to know what is being done to ensure that they do get their hot meals now and also into the future.”
The council says schools unable to provide hot food at the time of the cabinet meeting on November 14 were New Siblands School in Thornbury, Tortworth VC Primary School, St Andrew’s Primary School in Cromhall, Little Stoke Primary School, Pathways Learning Centre in Downend, St Augustine’s Primary School in Downend, and Wick CE VC Primary School.
Cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton said that Integra, the local authority’s trading arm which provides services to its schools, was finding it as hard as many other hospitality and retail companies across the country in recruiting for roles.
He said: "It’s a testament to the team that you can see management stepping in where possible in order to try to
continue to deliver the services to schools.
“The impact that has had is obviously some schools have been placed on the cold service, the sandwich service, which still provides the nutritional benefits and a balance in accordance with what Integra is looking to provide, but of course it doesn’t substitute necessarily for hot school meals.”
Cllr Burton said two or three vacancies had now been filled at Crossways Federation in Thornbury, which had been unable to provide hot lunches but had restarted them.
He said: "We are making every possible effort to recruit staff to those roles and we will endeavour to get schools back onto those hot school meals as soon as possible.
Afterwards a council spokesperson said: “Recruitment for catering and hospitality roles is proving very challenging across the country at the moment and where we have had vacancies and staff sickness on occasion, we have had to suspend hot meal services to some schools for periods of time.
“This is of course regrettable, however where sandwiches are being provided as part of a lunch service we continue to maintain high nutritional standards and provide a balanced meal.
“In any case where we need to temporarily alter the service provided, we work with the schools so they are aware of
the situation and seek to restore hot meal provision as soon as possible.
“We are continuing to work hard to fill the existing vacancies and, as part of the nationally agreed pay negotiations, hourly rates for these staff are due to increase this month, with our lowest paid staff seeing a 10.5 per cent increase to £10.50 per hour.
Jayne Stansfield“We have also recently recruited to a number of roles supporting Crossways School which has seen that service restored this week.
“We currently have 23 ongoing vacancies, which is affecting our ability to provide hot meals to seven schools and this situation can be worsened when we experience staff sickness.”
The council could not say how long each school had been affected but that it could be longer term if there were unfilled vacancies or shorter in cases of extended periods of staff sickness.
The type of food provided instead of hot meals varies but while most pupils are given sandwiches, some also get the option of jacket potatoes or baguettes.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A FORMER Thornbury schoolboy is representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
Castle School old boy Joe Morrell – who wears the number 16 shirt in the Wales Squad - made the squad for the nation's first World Cup since 1958, having already received 28 caps.
The 25-year-old midfielder started showing his talent while at the school – and started his professional career with Bristol City, signing his first professional contract aged 16.
Joe’s former PE teacher at Castle School, Lloyd Spacey, spoke to him on the morning of Wales’ first match against USA, shortly before the Voice went to press.
Lloyd said: “I spoke to him earlier in the day and he was raring to go.”
Joe, a midfielder, played for Bristol City, Cheltenham, Lincoln and Luton, before signing a three-year contract at League One side Portsmouth in August 2021.
He now lives in Hampshire but his parents Dave and Sian still live in South Gloucestershire.
Joe qualifies to play for Wales through his Welsh mother, Sian. He made his under 21s debut for the national side in October 2017.
He made his senior international debut against Belarus in September 2019 and was selected for the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament last year.
Joe flew out to Qatar with the squad for the World Cup in November, telling his Twitter followers: "Time to make some more memories, let’s go."
Lloyd told the Voice: “When he was at school it was obvious he had a special, special, talent, and he was not just a good footballer but a fine sportsman as well.
"We are tremendously proud of his achievements so far with Wales, and it’s just fantastic to see a Castle School student at the World Cup.
"He is a true inspiration to all our students and we are so proud of him.”
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on passengers who are fed up with the area's bus services to protest outside a South Gloucestershire Council meeting.
The Voice reported last month how pressure group the West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network (WESTACT) had written an open letter calling on Metro Mayor Dan Norris and the leaders of all councils in the area to suspend the deregulated bus market, taking scheduling out of First's control, and provide a franchised bus service under contract through WECA.
As main operator First announced a total of 1,450 bus journeys a week on its routes were being cancelled until April, just weeks after introducing a new timetable, WESTACT is increasing the pressure by organising a demonstration outside a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council, when the open letter will be presented.
The group is calling for
people to join them with torches, hi-vis clothes and glow paint outside Kingswood Civic Centre at 6.15pm on December 14.
Laura Fogg-Rogers, of WESTACT, said: "We need to reclaim our buses with local control through franchising, to make sure all local residents can access the city and the services they need.
"This is an equity issuebuses are used more by women, older people, disabled people, and younger people.
"We are calling on South Gloucestershire Council to champion this issue to the West of England Combined Authority, to support our most vulnerable residents."
Thornbury & Yate MP Luke Hall has met with First to put local concerns on the agenda ahead of a review of bus timetables and routes expected in April next year.
He met with the managing director of First West of England, Doug Claringbold, and Steve
Reade, South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member for transport.
Mr Hall said he presented "the key priorities for residents and commuters in our area", including for Thornbury's T2 bus service to Bristol via Cribbs Causeway, axed earlier this year, to be restored, and for a bus service to be reinstated along Thornbury High Street as quickly as possible.
He said: "First Bus have given their commitment to working with us to assess these key issues for our area and as our local MP, I will continue to work on this critical part of our Positive Plan for Transport.
"Over the coming weeks, I will be feeding back to First Bus residents’ comments about their local services and will in particular be asking for First Bus to reconsider the demand for key services, particularly for our rural villages such as Shortwood and Iron Acton."
Girls and Boys, Day and Boarding, Nursery to Sixth
A THORNBURY primary school is celebrating the return of parents and carers for visits - for the first time in nearly three years.
Families have been able to attend assemblies and visit classrooms at Gillingstool Primary School again this term after the lifting of final covid restrictions.
Year 6 pupils were the first to have a chance to show off their knowledge, leading a class assembly on topics including evolution and climate change, with some singing to finished off.
Parents have also been welcomed to classrooms to work alongside their children on special activities, including an afternoon of engineering for Year 2.
Class teacher Rachel Sayce, invited families in to help children make their own rain-gauges as part of their humanities learning.
She said: "Both children
and parents had a fantastic time, learned such a lot and all enjoyed working together in such a creative way.”
The school is looking for new ways to develop parental engagement and rebuild links after the pandemic.
Gillingstool Family Link
Call Nick Abraham today 0800 145 5118 for a FREE estimate on repairs to bumper scuffs, paint scratches, minor dents and alloy wheels. Find out more at chipsaway.co.uk
Worker Jacqui Vokes organises regular coffee mornings, where parents can come and meet, socialise and chat with each other, helping families who are new to the area to establish new friendships.
The most recent coffee morning also introduced
new parents to the Friends of Gillingstool (FOG), the group which organises fun events to raise money for the children.
Miss Vokes also organises regular community learning sessions for families, with courses on offer a variety of subjects from maths to supporting children with anxiety.
Head teacher Caroline Carter said: "Of course, the school is now preparing for the most exciting time of the year –Christmas.
"In addition to the FOG Christmas Market, families will join us for a traditional Reception nativity play, Christmas Songs from Around the World from Key Stage 1, and term will finish with our whole school Carol Concert.
"It will be wonderful to celebrate the end of the year together at last."
More information about school activities can be found online at gillingstool.org.uk.
A SOCIAL worker who posted a video showing the sexual abuse of children online has been barred from the profession.
Rodrigue Ekwelle-Nkwelle was working for South Gloucestershire Council children’s services when he put the video on social media site Instagram.
The 43-year-old locum social worker was living in Broad Street, Staple Hill, when he was given a two-year suspended jail sentence at Bristol Crown Court in April last year, after pleading guilty to distributing an indecent image of a child suffering sexual abuse, and possessing extreme pornography involving animals.
He was also ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid work, undergo 30 days of rehabilitation, made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Ekwelle-Nkwelle, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented, worked for South Gloucestershire Council for nearly three years, from October 2017 until the offence in June 2020.
The Social Work England report said he had claimed asylum after arriving in the UK from Cameroon, where the abuse video he shared had been filmed.
degree course, he was allowed to complete it in 2015, then worked with Wiltshire Council from 2016 to 2017.
When he applied to employment agency HCL Workforce, leading to the work for South Gloucestershire Council, he failed to disclose the sexual misconduct allegation.
that were occurring in Africa and Cameroon in particular.
“Mr Ekwelle-Nkwelle expressed his total shame of himself, the shame he had brought on his family and his profession.
“He said that he understood that he ought to have reported the matter to the police."
The Social Work England report, published following a three-day regulatory hearing in October, said: “The panel considered that these were convictions of a very serious nature.
Ekwelle-Nkwelle told investigators he accepted his fitness to practise was impaired but insisted he would not hurt "any individual", particularly a child.
Regulator Social Work England has now removed him from its register, banning him from working in the sector, after a hearing panel ruled that he had committed serious misconduct that created a risk to the public.
He decided to become a social worker as "the best way to repay the UK" - but was accused of making sexual advances towards a woman service user with mental health problems in 2013, while still studying for his social work degree.
WB Generic AW.qxp_Layout 1 15/09/2020 21:14 Page 1
Police took no further action because the woman did not wish to support an investigation, the report said, and while Ekwelle-Nkwelle was temporarily suspended from his
“It was satisfied that children and animals are likely to have been harmed by their involvement in the images which Mr Ekwelle-Nkwelle had dealt with.
“He said that when he had distributed the video it had been to decry some of the ‘ill things’
But the panel said he “had not explained the facts relating to the other conviction for possession of extreme pornography”, adding that there was "a risk of repetition of past behaviour, which involved a risk to the public."
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Servicewillowbrookshopping.co.uk
CHILDREN from a Thornbury primary school were among those who helped name a new £1 million fleet of gritters to keep the area's roads safe.
South Gloucestershire Council launched a fleet of nine new vehicles in November ahead of the cold winter weather.
The new fleet uses 20 per cent less salt than the older models by using technology which can be set to spread a more precise measurement, to suit road conditions, making them more efficient and minimises their carbon footprint.
The council invited children from schools across the district to suggest names for the new vehicles and four suggestions from pupils at Christ the King School in Thornbury were among the nine chosen.
They were: Walter the Salting Machine, The Salty Warrior, Guardian Gritter and Knight in Salty Armour.
The names picked for the other vehicles were Mr Thaw, Super Salter, Sir Grittalot, Sponge Bob Grit Pants and the Grittest Showman.
The council regularly grits around a third of South Gloucestershire’s road network when ice has been predicted, including main A and B roads, and routes to schools, care providers, fire, ambulance and
police stations.
Some is spread manually on town centre pedestrian areas, while a small spreader mounted on a tractor is used to treat some of the busier sections of cycle routes.
Vehicles and staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the winter, with arrangements in place from late October until the end of March.
The council stores 5,000 tonnes of salt at its depot at Broad Lane in Yate.
Council cabinet member for transport Steve Reade said: “Ensuring our roads are safe is a top priority for the council and we treat 510 kilometres of roads every night during periods of cold weather to keep people safe and traffic moving.
"I’d like to thank all of the
are some very imaginative titles!"
For more information on gritted routes and grit bins visit www.southglos.gov.uk/gritting.
Updates on gritting are posted on the council's StreetCare Facebook page and Twitter account.
THE warm spaces scheme in South Gloucestershire is “totally insufficient” because most venues will not be open during evenings or weekends, councillors have been told.
Last month the Voice reported that Thornbury Town Hall was opening its doors to offer somewhere warm for people struggling with heating bills this winter.
The town council is offering a Warm Space facility for people aged over 60 to meet up, socialise, keep warm and find support with the cost-of-living crisis from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.
Thornbury Library is also involved in the Welcoming Spaces scheme coordinated by South Gloucestershire Council.
But the council cabinet was told eight of the first 17 venues to sign up to the councilrun scheme were in Yate, with very little coverage either for rural areas and outside normal working hours.
The council says some of the locations are already planning to increase their opening hours, while more are expected to apply to the scheme.
Sean Rhodes, who stood as a Labour candidate in last year's Downend by-election, told a cabinet meeting in November: “Clearly weekends and evenings are the times when families with children are going to be most in need of access to warm and welcome spaces when the cost of putting hot food on the table for their children, heating the home, using Wi-Fi for homework and having family time watching television together is at its most expensive.
“So heading into winter I’m really concerned that this level of provision is going to be totally insufficient.
“Does the cabinet have a plan for increasing the level of options for families needing warm space support?"
Conservative cabinet member for public
health and equality of opportunity Franklin Owusu-Antwi said the council had provided a budget for groups to apply for grants of £100 to £500 to run warm spaces at their venues, and believed that organisations would come forward to provide Saturday and evening provision.
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: "We are running a promotional campaign to encourage more venues to step forward and join our network so we can expand their reach as widely as possible across the rural and urban areas of South Gloucestershire.
“Some of the confirmed venues are already planning to increase their opening hours, and as demand increases this may include opening on weekends and evenings."
For more information about the scheme call 01454 868009.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceSTROUD Auctions' November sale saw outstanding results for two large collections.
The first of these was an exceptional group of uniforms and other militaria, consigned by the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum Trust and sold for a total of over £55,000 – the entire hammer price going directly to the museum due to Stroud Auctions’ policy of making no charge for selling on behalf of a charity.
The second collection included in the auction was a private collection of bayonets, collected over a lifetime, which realised an impressive £45,000 and created a huge amount of interest from specialist collectors around the world.
The Stroud Auctions team are very proud of the results achieved for private collections; the care and attention needed to do them justice is considerable, but worthwhile to ensure the owner receives the best possible prices for their cherished items.
The November auction also
featured medals, militaria, sporting items, ceramics and glass. There were pleasing results across the board, but notably for Swarovski Crystal items, particularly lot 45 - a group of seven Walt Disney figurines which realised £1,800 for the delighted owner.
A total of 1,785 lots brought interest from 1,351 online bidders.
The highest price achieved for an individual lot was £14,000 for a 1934 Riley Lynx car.
This five-shot pepperbox revolver, made in Stroud, sold for £8,000
The surprise lot was a Gloucestershire Regiment 5th Battalion WWI tunic, attributed to Lance Corporal Percy Walter Ireland, which sold for £3,900.
The auctioneer’s favourite lot was a Buddings Patent second model five shot pepperbox revolver by Edwin Budding of Thrupp, Stroud, in a lined and fitted mahogany case, which sold for £8,000.
Our next sale on December 7-9
will feature more than 1,500 lots of jewellery, plus silver, watches, coins and the hugely popular fine wines and spirits section of over 200 lots, including some fantastic whisky, port and champagne.
The catalogue will be available online from a week before the auction date.
Entries are still being invited for Stroud Auctions’ February sale.
This will include a large private collection of approximately 200 air weapons, including rare examples, which will be sold alongside the featured sections of guns and weapons, medals and militaria, sporting items, ceramics and glass.
Entries close on December 23.
A preview of the air weapons is already available on Stroud Auctions’ website www. stroudauctions.co.uk.
If you have anything you may wish to consign to an upcoming auction, please contact us or send images to valuations@ stroudauctions.co.uk.
Valuations are completely free and without obligation.
STAFF and pupils at Thornbury's Castle School are already reaping the benefits of work to upgrade the site.
While plans to build a new three-storey science, technology, maths and engineering block have just been submitted for planning approval, some of the work on other areas of the school in Park Road has already finished, with more due to get underway early next year.
A new ground floor library has opened during the current term, along with a new English department area containing nine classrooms, as well as a staff workroom, all fitted with state of the art interactive screens and temperature control.
The work brings all of the school's English teachers into one area for the first time.
A modernised set of toilets for Key Stage 3 students has also been installed, along with a new IT suite in the music department, with a spare music room converted into an additional maths classroom.
The school says the IT suite allows the music department to cope with an increased number of students sitting GCSEs this year, who need
access to technology for digital composition work.
Work is still underway elsewhere on the school site, with a new history department, with five classrooms, due to open in January, along with another new toilet block with 25 individual cubicles, upgraded PE changing rooms and new offices for the school's heads of year.
A year of work to replace most of the school's flat roofs, many of which were more than 50 years old, is also coming to an end.
A £14 million improvement plan for Castle and Marlwood
School in Alveston was announced by South Gloucestershire council and the Castle Schools Education Trust, which runs both schools, in 2019.
It came after the dire condition of the schools' buildings was highlighted in a BBC documentary.
Head teacher Joe Docherty said: "I am delighted that students and staff are gradually benefiting from these muchimproved facilities.
"When I arrived here in 2019 I could see that teachers and children were doing great work,
but often hindered by facilities which were past their best.
"We now have clear plans for modernising the majority of the school areas in lots of ways, and what we have opened this Autumn is the first steps on this journey.
"Students have been very involved in discussions, and they keep reminding me of the need to be more environmentally aware in our school.
"Our next sets of new buildings will have solar panels, and be built to the highest standards of energy efficiency.
"I’ve also been delighted to overhear students saying things like ‘this looks like a new school’ or ‘this looks like a school in a film’.
"I want to say a big thank you to our contractors, Spellar Metcalfe, who have worked closely with us to carry out this work safely and efficiently while we continue to run the school.
"I’ve also been hugely impressed with how adults and children have adapted to temporary re-locations, diversions and inevitable noise from construction - I think they can all see the long-term benefits.”
A QUIZ evening at Castle School raised over £450 for school projects.
The event in mid-November was hosted by Castle School Friends and 15 teams competed under the watchful eye of quizmaster Graham Witchard.
A pop-up bar was available to keep everyone refreshed through ten rounds, which included a picture round.
Winners were Hel’s Angels, following a tiebreaker with a team of teaching staff representing the school, who were pipped at the post.
A fundraising raffle completed the evening.
Friends' chair Justin Warr said: "Our thanks to everyone who supported the event, as well as Coffee#1 Thornbury, Parky’s Chippy, 6 O’clock Gin and Temple Spa for the super prizes, and also to our chief CSF
organiser Jenny Ratcliffe."
The friends group is on the hunt for a new committee secretary.
Justin said the volunteer would need "good powers of organisation, an interest in supporting the school and four hours a month to offer".
He added: "We’re a friendly bunch of a dozen communityminded folk who meet monthly to plan and organise events which benefit the school students and staff. Our events range from quizzes to car boots and we also apply for grants from many generous local organisations.
"The Secretary role is vital as it enables CSF business to be conducted in an orderly and effective manner.
"The post holder does not need to have children at Castle School but does need to have an
active interest in volunteering to benefit the school and local community."
For more information email
enquiries@castleschoolfriends. org or send a message via the group's Facebook page.
by Conservative councillors, so the overall political effect of the change may not be significant.
The biggest change proposed for South Gloucestershire will see the Kingswood seat, created in 1974, disappear, with parts of the seat going to a new constituency, Bristol North East, others moving to Filton & Bradley Stoke and the rest merging with the North East Somerset seat held by another Conservative, Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The redrawn Thornbury & Yate constituency will gain a long stretch of the Severn Estuary shoreline but lose residents of the new Lyde Green estate.
PLANS to redraw MPs' constituencies, which would see areas covered by the Thornbury & Yate seat change, are out for a final consultation.
The shake-up would mean the constituency currently held by Conservative MP Luke Hall would gain the Pilning and Severn Beach ward from neighbouring Bradley Stoke, which is moving eastwards.
In turn, Thornbury & Yate would lose parts of Lyde Green - a new estate rapidly gaining population east of Emersons Green - to Filton & Bradley stoke, which is currently held by another Tory MP, Jack Lopresti. Both wards are currently held
The changes, proposed by the Boundary Commission for England and first reported by the Voice last year, are part of a national review aimed at ensuring constituencies are all a similar size, taking account of population shifts over the past 15 years to add new seats where the size of the electorate has increased and take them away from areas where it has declined.
While the new Bristol North East and North East Somerset & Hanham seats would cross council boundaries, the review would put to an end the current situation where constituency boundaries cut through some council wards: at present both the Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward and Frenchay & Downend wards are split between Filton & Bradley Stoke and Kingswood, while the Emersons Green ward is split between Kingswood and Thornbury & Yate, which covers part of Lyde Green.
People are invited to view and comment on the new constituency map online at bcereviews.org.uk by December 5, with the final recommendations due to be made next July.
A SOUTH Gloucestershire athletics track is seeing a new breed of racers…speeding up to 100mph.
The competitors are 'pilots', who fly remote-control drones at high speed in breathtaking races.
South Gloucestershire Drone Club is part of a growing sport – and they are looking for new members to join them at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex in Broad Lane, Yate.
Club Chair Sean Boulton said: "It’s like an out-of-body experience, with all the thrill and no risk to the body.
"It’s F1 car performance in your hands. You are essentially controlling a robot you can take anywhere. It's a very surreal feeling.”
Competitors race their drones, which measure less than six inches across, around
specially laid out courses at the athletics track.
They also take part in competitions all over the UK.
They use Virtual Reality headsets so they can experience the flight as if they were on board the drone, and control it from a remote control console.
Sean said: “The drones can fly up 100mph and reach 60mph in under 0.5 seconds.
“The hobby provides some great benefits to our members both through learning a wide range of science, technological, electronic and mechanical skills such as coding, flight dynamics and 3D printing, but also has huge mental health benefits through positive human interaction within a creative, safe, fun environment.”
He said suitable drones start at about £200 – but members
write their own software and use 3D printing to adapt their machines to be faster and more nimble.
Pilots need to have British Model Flying Association insurance, and to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority, which the club can help people organise.
Sean said: “Drone racing is an up-and-coming new sport, and growing in popularity across the world.
"Anyone can take part, no matter your age or gender.
"They are very hard to fly. So you need a positive attitude and be open to learning a new skill.
"If any of this applies, then this could be for you.”
Anyone who is interested in finding out more can contact the club by email at info@ southglosdrone.club or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook. com/southglosrc
THE World Cup is upon us.
For fans, it’s usually a time of nervous anticipation. I’d like to be having chats about the formation Southgate will play. Have the team been practising their penalties?! Could we follow the success of the women’s team, and this be the year England finally goes all the way?
This time however, sadly like many other West of England sports fans, I find myself with very different questions on my lips.
How can we celebrate the beautiful game in a state that abuses its own peo ple? Why has Qatar been awarded a global platform to promote itself? What is the world doing in the face of Qatar censor ing and jailing journalists and cosying up to Putin? How can we best call out the terrible human rights abuses, blatant hom ophobia and lack of women’s rights?
There wasn’t a single death in the work to build the London Olympics, which should be a huge mark of pride for our great country. It was the safest Olympic
build in history. In contrast, the current tournament has broken bodies, killed doz ens and maimed and crushed the hopes of abused foreign workers.
And let’s not pretend the Qataris won the hosting rights through merit alone. FIFA’s decision-Making, 12 years ago, was surrounded by rumblings of corruption and bribery. It’s been controversial from the off, because money talked louder than football.
So, what should we do? Of course, I always want my teams - Bristol City and England - to win.
As Harry Kane leads his men out, I hope we can use the power of football to inspire.
We know the World Cup can motivate young people to go out and exercise. We know great cup runs can bring our nation together. The excitement of Euro 96 or reaching the 2020 final last year. It’s also a great chance to back our hospitality sector at local pubs.
But we must also use this tournament
to keep human rights issues firmly in the public eye and to campaign for stronger workers’ rights.
These high-profile international sport ing events come with great kudos and attention for any host country. But it’s the people’s game - so they should come first.
Let’s hope in future the football author ities never place us in this position again where we love our football but are deeply troubled by the circumstances of the tournament.
A GROUP that supports families of children with additional needs and disabilities is celebrating a big injection of funds from the National Lottery.
South Glos Parent Carers (SGPC) has been awarded £275,000 to help with running costs and to continue its expansion further into the community.
The successful bid to the National Lottery Community Fund was the result of months of behind-the-scenes hard work by the group, which is based in Yate but represents families across South Gloucestershire.
SGPC applied for the funding, which will be delivered over five years, to develop its services as a direct result of the increasing numbers of parent carers requesting support.
Some of the money will be used to expand SGPC’s peer support services for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities
(SEND), with the aims of providing:
• a channel through which they can express their views to help shape future services;
• increased knowledge via training, workshops, and peer support;
• a supportive peer community
where families feel listened to by members who live a similar journey, and where their views and experiences will be understood and valued;
• a parent carer community where anxiety and isolation are reduced and the capacity of parents to support their
children is strengthened.
A spokesperson for the group said: “SGPC are an independent community interest company supporting parent carers of children, aged up to 25, with SEND.
"They are not part of the local authority but do partner with local service providers to help them to hear and understand the views of parent carers, in order to improve services.
"SGPC has over 1,800 members and we know there are many more parent carers in South Glos whose voices and lived experiences deserve to be heard.
"Any parent struggling to understand their child’s behaviour is welcome to contact us for further information. We are happy to hear from any parent, regardless of a diagnosis."
Membership of SGPC is free.
Parents can join via the website at www.sgpc.org.uk.
WITH 2022 coming to a close, it has been another busy year for delivering on our positive plan for South Gloucestershire.
Together, we have made great progress over the last twelve months.
The year kicked off with the really positive news that South Gloucestershire Council had purchased the land at the Thornbury Hospital site, paving the way for the redevelopment of the town’s health centre. Our bid for funding to deliver a new health and care hub is under consideration, whilst work is ongoing to return health services to Frenchay at long last.
At the beginning of the year, we also officially opened the new Park and Ride in Yate, which is offering direct services into Bristol City Centre and Southmead.
In our bid to get South
Gloucestershire moving, we also re-opened the Heron Way Righthand turn, saving commuters precious time on their journeys, and reducing heavy congestion in Yate and Chipping Sodbury.
We have worked closely with the Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset to reduce crime in our local area, including doubling the size of the Rural Crime Unit.
We have secured vital funding for our local schools, improving facilities and completing key refurbishments including at Old Sodbury Primary and Castle School.
As we reached the spring and summer, our flagship campaign to introduce soft-plastic recycling was a huge success, with household collections now taking place in Chipping Sodbury and Olveston, with many more villages set to
follow in the New Year.
Supporting jobs and the local economy was a vital part of our positive plan as we recovered from the pandemic, and in the Autumn I was proud to hold our ninth, and most successful yet, jobs fair event.
The hard work to deliver our positive plan will continue in 2023.
Our local train services will be enhanced with half-hourly services between Bristol and Yate, as the reopening of Charfield Station gathers pace.
We continue to progress with plans for a brand-new special needs and disabilities school in Alveston, and new community facilities in the Ladden Village community.
A Park and Share in Falfield remains on the agenda, as does key investment in Frampton Cotterell to repair roads, and take forward plans for a village bypass.
We also must remain on guard ready to defeat inappropriate housing, with Buckover, Chipping Sodbury and Wickwar at the forefront of our minds.
South Gloucestershire really is the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family.
I am as optimistic as ever for 2023 and remain completely thankful to the community’s support which is continuing to deliver so much for our area.
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
THE latest census has revealed fascinating details about where South Gloucestershire's residents were born.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that one in six residents of England and Wales on census day last year - a total of ten million people - were born outside the UK. That is up from 7.5 million in 2011.
In South Gloucestershire the percentage of residents who were born outside the UK rose from 6.6% to 10.6% over the last decade.
Just under nine out of every ten people living in the district - 259,757 of 290,400 residents in March last year - were born in the UK.
A total of 249,242 (85.8%) were born in England, with a further 7,035 people born in Wales.
The next most common nation of birth was Poland (3,320 people), followed by residents who were born in India (2,958), just ahead of Scotland (2,667).
The next biggest individual nation of origin was Romania, where 2,084 South Gloucestershire residents were born.
However this number was smaller than the 2,551 people from nine other nations, grouped together by the ONS, which joined the EU between 2001 and 2011, including the Czech Republic and Cyprus but excluding Poland, Romania and Lithuania, which were counted separately.
Other common places of birth outside the UK recorded in South Gloucestershire were Germany (1,101 people), non-EU European countries (1,065), South Africa (1,062), South America (997), the Republic of Ireland (977) and Nigeria (841)all of which were above Northern Ireland (800) in the list.
In neighbouring Bristol, the
percentage of residents born outside the UK rose from 14.7% to 18.8% from 2011 to 2021.
A total of 383,495 out of 472,400 residents (81.2%) were born in the UK, with 365,336 (77.3%) born in England.
After Wales (11,722), the next most common nation of birth was Poland (8,770), followed by the ONS group of nine EU postmillennium nations (5,303).
The most common non-UK or EU nation of birth in Bristol is Somalia: 4,654 residents of the city were born in the East African country - more than the 4,626
SOUTH Gloucestershire's population more closely matches the national average age range than anywhere else in the country, the 2021 census found.
The district's median age of 40 is the same as the England average and the percentage of people in each age group closely matches the distribution of ages nationwide.
By contrast Bristol's median age of 34 is well below the national average: the percentage of people aged between 18 and
people in the city who were born in Scotland. By contrast, only 85 South Gloucestershire residents were born in Somalia.
The other most common countries of birth outside the UK for Bristol residents were India (4,381 people), Romania (3,782), Spain (3,616), Pakistan (3,586), smaller pre-2001 EU member countries, including Benelux and Scandinavia (3,543), Italy (3,123) and China (2,638).
Nationally, the most common country of birth outside the UK is India, followed by Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland,
41 is well above average, while number of 47 to 85-year-old residents are below average, as are six to 17-year-olds.
B&NES has a median age of 39 and a large spike of 18 to 23-year-old residents, representing the city's large student population relative to its size.
While South Gloucestershire is home to many students at UWE's main Frenchay
Italy, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Germany and South Africa.
The number of Romanianborn UK residents rose from 80,000 in 2011 to 539,000 in 2021.
Census deputy director Jon Wroth-Smith said: "We can see Romanians have been a big driver in this change, while there have also been increases due to migration from India, Pakistan and Poland, as well as southern European countries such as Italy."
campus, other parts of the university and accommodation are in Bristol, balancing the numbers of young people who leave the district to go to university.
By contrast, North Somerset and the three districts of Gloucestershire neighbouring South GloucestershireStroud, Cotswold and the Forest of Dean - all have median ages between 45 and 49, with numbers of over-50s noticeably above average and numbers of 18 to 40-year-olds below the England average.
HAVE you ever looked at an image and thought: "Wow!"
More to the point, have you ever wondered how you could improve your photos, to get that 'wow' factor?
You can. Easily. Early next year Thornbury Camera Club will hold a beginner’s course in photography. If you take part you will learn how to use your
WITH everyone's bills going up, in December we are having a big push on saving money on energy.
First we need to get you a bit energysavvy. The aim is to try to identify things that unnecessarily are consuming energy and costing you money.
You have to ask: How useful/valuable is the energy consumption? How much power per hour is it using? How long is it on?
The first thing to do is purchase a plug-in power meter device.
There are loads on Ebay, Amazon and in shops. You plug these between your device and the plug socket, and they tell you how much power that device is using.
They can also measure how much energy (units or kWh) that the device uses over a day or week.
Armed with this device, get measuring!
camera, composition and how to look critically at an image, and how to be creative.
The course will run for six evenings (missing half term) from January 25 to March 8, at Turnberrie's Community Centre.
The price will be £75 per person. This not only includes the course, but membership of the club for the remainder of the season, to August.
If you are interested, please contact Mike Ashfield at course.thornburycameraclub@gmail.com.
Why not give a place on the course as a Christmas Present? Even better, you could give it to yourself!
ARMSTRONG Arms Group invites you to join Jim Causley in celebrating the Christmas season.
Jim will entertain us with lesser-known West Country carols, medieval and secular carols from around the British Isles, his own settings of moving Christmas poems by his relative, the late Cornish poet Charles Causley, as well as a gurt dollop of festive fun, with songs of over-indulgence and even a spot of panto too!
Multi award-winning singersongwriter, musician and proud Devonian, Jim is an all-round entertainer.
He has been nominated more than six times for BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, won the Spiral Earth Singer of the Year and presented his own show on BBC Radio Devon.
He performed his tin-mining song on BBC TV’s Countryfile Dartmoor Special.
Jim’s show takes place on Friday December 2, at 7.30pm at The Ship Inn, Bristol Road, Alveston. Tickets cost £12.
For more information email AAGThornbury@gmail.com or call 01454 850933.
My advice is to measure things that are permanently plugged in.
Typically we want to find 'vampire' devices that are costing you, 24/7.
As a rule of thumb, at October energy prices, the cost to you is £3 per watt per year. So, for example a 20w Broadband/Wi-Fi router is costing £60 per year if it's on all the time.
Next, buy some smart plugs to automatically turn things off when they are not needed.
You could use normal mechanical timer plugs, but smart plugs are now of similar price and can easily be checked and turned on/off remotely by smartphone app.
When you rampage around your house with your power meter you may, or may not, get results like we found:
*Phone chargers – zero watts when not charging a phone. Forget worrying about them unless they are warm, in which case you will definitely measure more than zero watts!
*Dishwasher – ours uses 7w continuously when not being used. That’s £21 a year for no useful purpose. We now turn it off until we want to use it.
*Satellite receiver and audio-visual systems. Sometimes these can be using 3040w on standby – that’s £90-120 per year – a definite target to switch off overnight.
Some old wives' tales:
*TV on standby. I’ve never found a TV that uses more than 1 watt on standby – that’s £3 a year and not worth worrying about.
*Turning off the fridge overnight. No! It will just warm up and have to work extra hard the next day to cool down again. If you really need to save on refrigeration costs, consider increasing the temperature setting, say to -15C for the freezer and 5C for the fridge. This is at your own risk, as it may not comply with food hygiene recommendations!
*Hot water flask. Some people advocate filling a flask with boiling water in the morning to use throughout the day for making tea/coffee. It's a silly idea because it will not stay boiling and it will not use any less energy than boiling what you need each time. Plus, there is a big risk you will not use it all and so waste energy by tipping away warm water at the end of the day.
I’ve recently completed this exercise around our house and estimate we are now saving up to £500 per year, a 10-15% reduction in our overall usage.
This results in a smaller carbon footprint and, if repeated in every household, could reduce the chances of power cuts this winter.
For more advice, visit the Thornbury Radio website at www.thornbury.radio/electric.
MEMBERS of Thornbury WI have planted a rowan tree in the country park off Morton Way.
We bought the tree earlier in the year to celebrate the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and it has been well looked after during the hot weather.
Autumn being the right time for planting trees we went with our tree, spade and fork at the end of October and found just the right spot, where a previous tree had died.
Hopefully ours will do well, and we can watch it grow as we walk around the park.
THORNBURY Volunteer Centre is spreading the word for a local charity for socially isolated or lonely people, which needs volunteers for the Christmas period.
A 'Christmas cheer driver' is needed on Christmas Day to drive members to and from lunch venues in South Gloucestershire. Volunteers need to be free for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon on that day.
Christmas cheer event volunteers bring festive joy to some of the loneliest people on Christmas Day.
Volunteers collect one or two members from home, drive them to an event in South Gloucestershire and support them to help create a warm, friendly and fun environment.
Doorstep visit volunteers are needed to to help some isolated or lonely members who are housebound.
You’ll visit a member on Christmas Day, have a chat on the doorstep and deliver a festive hamper gift.
Whilst many visits will require you to drive, some could be within walking distance. For this role the charity accepts families, couples or single volunteers.
For further information and for details on how to apply please contact Thornbury Volunteer Centre at mail@ volunteer-thornbury.co.uk.
November 30-December 3
n THE VILLAGE PLAYERS present Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates, by Alan P Frayn, Pilning Village Hall. Weekdays 7.30pm, Saturday 1.30pm & 6pm. Tickets £7 & £5, under 3s free on the knee at matinee. 1 seat in 10 free. Call 01454 633786 or 632813, or email villageplayerspilning@gmail.com.
December 2
n FRIENDS OF MANORBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL CHRIST MAS FAIR, Park Road, Thorn bury, 6-8.30pm. Stalls jewellery, accessories, Christmas crafts and cakes from sellers and charities, plus school stalls with games and prizes to be won. Refreshments include mulled wine, mince pies, hot dogs, waffles, hot drinks, gin and Prosecco. Santa Grotto with present for every child, plus raffle. Free entry - cash only on stalls.
December 2
n ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP presents Jim Causley celebrating the Christmas season with lesserknown West Country carols, medi eval and secular carols from around the British Isles, poems and a "gurt dollop of festive fun". The Ship Inn, Bristol Road, Alveston, 7.30pm. Tickets £12 with buffet option. More details from AAGThornbury@ gmail.com or 01454 850933.
December 3
n FILTONES CHOIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS CRACKERS CONCERT, 7.30pm, Filton Community Centre, Elm Park. Tickets £8 including refreshments, accompanied children free. Tickets from Dot Bryant on 07870 984760 or on the door. Raffle and retiring collection in aid of charity Sense.
December 3
n CHRISTMAS TABLE TOP SALE supporting Jigsaw Thornbury at Christ the King Church Hall, 10am2pm. Crafts and decorations. Tea, coffee, mince pies and cakes will be available. Table tops are £10 each. Contact hev.cain74@gmail.com to check availability/reserve one.
December 5
n ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION meeting, Alveston Jubilee Hall, 7.30pm. Talk: Micronesian Adventure, with Pam Forrest. Visitors welcome, entry £3. December 6 and 10
n ALVESTON SINGERS’ CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Alveston Methodist Church on December 6 and Thornbury United Reformed Church on December 10, both at 7.30pm. Mix of Christmassy songs by the choir and singalong to wellknown carols. Soloist: Lowri Bufton. Entry free: donations collected for Thornbury Stroke Support Group & The Alzheimer's Society.
December 7
n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINES RESEARCH GROUP meeting and talk, 17th and 18th Century Mining in Kingswood and the development of the Liberties, by Steve Grudgings. Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, 7pm. Non members welcome - £2 each.
December 9
n THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE presents The Duke, the story of a 60-year-old taxi driver who stole a painting from the National Gallery. Thornbury Methodist Church Upper Hall, doors 7pm. Members free. Guests £5. For information about membership visit www.
THORNBURY Library is hosting Christmas craft sessions for children on two dates in December.
On Saturday December 10 from 11am-noon, you can make beautiful seasonal crafts to decorate your home - suitable for ages four and up.
On Wednesday December 21, from 10.30amnoon, create something wonderful for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day - also for children aged four and over.
Self-Published author Lynne Cavendish will be in the library on December 5 from 10am-noon to chat about her book The Lights Came On for Marcia Duncan.
Keeping warm and well sessions are being held throughout the day on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am-4pm: come and relax with a warm drink, use the computers or your own tablet or phone (WiFi available), read a book, newspaper, browse the shelves, enjoy a communal puzzle or just relax.
thornburypicturehouse.org. December 10
n ST PETER’S HOSPICE
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, 10am. Christmas cards, gift stall, home-made cakes, raffle etc. Entry £3 per person, including tea/coffee and cake.
January 11-14
n OCTOPUS DRAMA GROUP presents Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Christ the King Church Hall, Castle Street, Wednesday to Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 11am and 2.30 pm. Tickets available from mid-December at Rosie and Rex Gift Shop on Thornbury High Street: £8 adults, £6 under-18.
January 15
n THORNBURY RUNNING CLUB still has some places available for its famous 'riverbank rollick' - a challenging 9.6 mile off-road race around the outskirts of Thornbury, including long sections on the Severn riverbank. Starts at 10.30am at Castle School. People may enter the race via the Thornbury Running Club website, or via FullonSport.
January 21
n ARMSTRONG ARMS GROUP presents A Winter-Warmer – The Kim Cypher Quartet. The Porch House, Castle Street, Thornbury, 7.30pm. Performing a selection of well-known jazz favourites, swing, original music, Latin and funky groove. Bar available. Tickets £15 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or by calling 01454 850933.
January 28
n FASCINATING RHYTHM’S Love To Sing Day, from 10am, Castle School, Thornbury. Sing in four-part harmony with a large all-
The Have You Read book club meets on December 2 from 2-3pm - no set novel, just drop in for refreshments and a chat about books.
Lego club meets every Saturday from 9.3010.30am - no booking required.
Book Focus Group, for children in Year 7 and up, takes place from 4-5pm on December 8.
Rhymetime takes place every Monday and Friday, from 9.30-10am.
A Sight Support West of England drop-in support and advice session for people with visual impairments will be held on December 19 from 10am-1pm.
A computer volunteer is ready to help with your IT and online questions on Thursday mornings, with one-to-one sessions available from 9.30am.
The library is open 9.30am-5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9.30am12.30pm on Saturday, except on Boxing Day, December 28 and January 2, when it will be closed.
Open access is from 8am-7.30pm every day, except Christmas Day.
For bookings and home library service call 01454 868006, email thornbury.library@southglos.gov.uk or visit the website www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries.
female show chorus and perform with us to your family and friends. Thornbury venue. Tickets from £10. Details online at fascinatingrhythm.com/events/love-to-singworkshop.
n SEVERN VALE FLOWER CLUB meets on the second Monday in the month at 2pm in St Mary's Hall in Eastbury Close, Thornbury, for classes, demonstrations and com petitions. For more information contact Sally on ssjjtaylor@hotmail. co.uk or Hazel on 01454 885213.
n THORNBURY ART CLUB hosts live talks and demonstra tions by established artists on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30pm. Nonmembers welcome: £5 entry. For more information call Mary Drown on 01454 414433 or email mary. drown@blueyonder.co.uk.
n CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, Tuesday from 10am-noon. No appointment needed.
n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the Chantry Community and Arts Cen tre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come along and sew with others bring your sewing machine and materi als/pattern. To attend, call Carrie in advance on 07753 236095.
n THORNBURY MEMORY CAFE is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except Au gust) from 10.15am until 11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. For information contact Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 01454 260371.
n SUNBEAMS TODDLER GROUP, 1.30-3pm every Tuesday in term time, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (off Castle Court). All families welcome, no need to book, £2 per family includes snack and drink.
Wednesday
n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Com munity Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcomefirst visit free so come along and give us a try. Contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@blueyonder.co.uk
Thursday
n THORNBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, Thornbury URC, Chapel Street, 1-3pm. For more information visit www. goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468
Guy Oldring is the clinical lead and heads up the team at the Thornbury Clinic.
SO Christmas is upon us, the lights are starting to go up and the shops are full of Christmas decorations. This is the exciting time of year where you wrap up warm and go Christmas shopping, whilst stopping for the well-earned cup of tea (or glass of Prosecco).
We all know what comes next: Christmas drinks, work Christmas parties and the overindulging starts. Then Christmas hits, more
drinks flow…and the food, oh, the food! We end up thinking “just one more” on most things – and why not? It's been a long year and this is a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of friends and family, which I completely agree with.
I am not saying that we should drink three bottles of wine a day and have five meals a day. But I am saying that it is important to have fun! Sometimes we can start overthinking and telling ourselves off before we have even finished our Christmas lunch, which in my opinion, isn't always for the best. Focusing on our mental health over Christmas is really important.
Firstly, here are a few excellent phrases that I use that I would like to share with you.
It's OK to have that extra mince pie – it's Christmas.
Rewarding myself by eating what I want over Christmas isn't
that bad!
Prosecco and mulled wine are not required with every meal, but its OK to have a few drinks with family and friends.
And my personal favourite –Sucking in your stomach is not the same as losing weight, but it's an excellent short-term fix.
Rather than go on about what not to do and that exercise is key (as we all know this), I just want to highlight the importance of mental health through this time of year. Due to this there are a few pieces of Christmas advice I would like to share:
Spend time with family. Studies have shown that spending time with a caring family can significantly increase brain function. In a child’s brain it has even been shown that it increased the production of grey and white brain matter, which are the main components of their developing nervous system. Basically, it makes us smarter!
Laugh Lots! Laughing with friends and family not only makes us feel good but has amazing
health benefits. Laughing can help to reduce blood pressure, improve our immune system, help to produce dopamine (our happy hormone) and even can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Give your family a hug. Did you know that hugs have been shown to a significant stress reliever? They also aid the release of oxytocin, which can make us feel happy, reduce stress and even increase our immune system. Studies have shown that a 10-second hug can significantly change our mood for the entire day!
However, the most important thing is to have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy it with no guilt. Yes, the jeans may be slightly more snug and we may have become festively plump. But remember, the gym will still be there in the new year, and we are always on hand to help you with your aches and pains, and give any advice you need to help you reach your goals in 2023.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Thornbury Clinic team!
IT'S panto time again - oh yes it is - and Octopus Drama Group has the perfect antidote to the winter weather and the energy crisis!
Written by local playwright and author Steven J Yeo, Ali Baba is a totally new and refreshing take on the beloved story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves from the original Arabian Nights tales.
Come along and cheer our hero Ali and his friend Morgiana as they heroically try to save greedy Cassim from the evil Asbad Asthat!
This is a riotous panto for all the family, full of magic and mayhem. You will see colourful costumes and fabulous scenery, songs to sing along to and jokes to make you laugh (or groan).
The cast of Octopus stalwarts and some bright young newcomers look forward to greeting you in January.
The show takes place on Wednesday to Friday, January 11 to 13 at 7.30pm and on Saturday 14th at 11am and 2.30pm, at Christ the King Church Hall, Castle Street.
Tickets will be available from mid-December at Rosie and Rex Gift Shop on Thornbury High Street, and are very affordable at just £8 for adults and £6 for anyone under 18.
Jenny DennisTHORNBURY Rotary fully supports Tools With A Mission.
This Christian charity gathers donated tools, refurbishes them, sorts them and packs them into trade packs that can be used by workers in poorer countries.
They work in many countries, but by far the greatest number of tools goes to four countries in Africa, namely Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The trade kits are targeted at agricultural workers, builders, carpenters, electricians, motor mechanics, plumbers, and garage workshops.
They also supply sewing machines, knitting machines and fully working computers and IT equipment.
In 2021 TWAM was able to send 9,989 tool kits, filling 14 shipping containers.
TWAM believes that people living in extreme poverty don't just need a financial handout but the means to a sustainable income that puts poverty in the past for good.
Giving communities the necessary resources helps to develop a mindset of independence, not reliance.
If anyone would like to help Rotary support TWAM, by donating tools that they no longer require, they can contact Rotarian Robin ColeMorgan on 01454 414281.
He will arrange to pick up the tools and take them away at a time that suits everyone.
The charity is unable to accept certain items, the focus being on what people can use.
Items that TWAM cannot accept, for example, include broken tools or tools with woodworm, ladders and step ladders, lawn rakes and long handled shears, mowers, printers, scanners and typewriters, disability aids, clothes and shoes, bikes, books and embroidery materials.
Thornbury Rotary would be delighted if people can support TWAM by having a declutter, then contacting Robin to donate the tools that
Tools With A Mission donations are helping people in Africa to make a living in many trades.
would otherwise be discarded. Rotary president Stuart Hill has again expressed his sincere thanks for the support of this valuable project.
ON behalf of the club, President Stuart Hill would like to thank everyone in the community who has supported Rotary during the year.
The club managed to organise two major fundraisers, the Swimarathon in March and the more recent Walkathon 22.
After minor costs are taken into account, every single penny that is raised from these events goes to charities and good causes.
Rotary is sincerely grateful to all those who took part and all the personal and corporate sponsors who helped to make these community events such a success.
A total of over £15,000 was raised, plus gift aid.
The club would like to wish everyone an enjoyable Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Adrian Dennisproviding ef
are providing ef fec tive answers to
death and cell reproduction.
- Optimising cell oxygen levels
- Improving Cell energy production
The results we’re seeing now in patients with varying injuries and conditions is really remarkable.
I’ve also just discharged Kate 5 months following treatment for her arthritic knees (she’d already had a half knee replaced). She’s now pain free… I anticipate these results will last a number of years.
I’ve also just discharged Kate 5 months following treatment for her arthritic knees (she’d already had a half knee replaced). She’s now pain free… I anticipate these results will last a number of years.
- Optimising intercellular signalling pathways
Alex was diag nosed 4 years ago with arthri tis of his knees and came to me off the back of 3 years of coping using cortisone. In his words he was ‘eating naproxen!’ Stairs and more than 9 holes of golf were a real problem. He was referred to me by a friend who’d responded well to MBST with his hip, and 4 months post MBST Alex has responded equally as well. He can now play a full 18 holes of golf without Naproxen and stairs aren’t a problem any more. A great example of the positive effect MBST has on cartilage healing.
- Reducing inflammatory mediators
MBST uses the same method of electromagnetic energy transfer as MRI scanning which is how it was discovered in Germany 20 years ago.
This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive
- Readjusting cell circadian clock-leading to less cell death and cell reproduction.
Since then it has been adapted, updated and improved to achieve remarkable results for patients with varying conditions such as: Osteoarthritis, muscle tears, Tendon /ligament damage and Bone injury in all areas of the body.
This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive therapy.
Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.
Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.
It’s growing in popularity in the UK as a safe non invasive and natural way of tangibly healing our bodies and as more and more people are seeing that the results are actually for real it’s acceptance within the medical profession is also increasing significantly.
The results we’re seeing
Rob (above) is a great example of how MBST heals cartilage in a moderate to severe arthritic knee. 15 months after his MBST therapy he now runs, plays racket ball and golf without any pain and that’s without his braces. He’s recently done a course on his severe arthritic neck and has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next 6 months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.
without his braces. He’s recently done a course on his severe arthritic neck and after 3-4 months has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next 6 months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.
Knees were where I mostly started using MBST and I’m still seeing great results in 90% of the patients who are appropriate candidates for the therapy. I now also see a lot of spinal arthritis, shoulders, hands hips and ankles, really helping patients for whom there were few other options.
IS South Gloucestershire Council trying to destroy Thornbury?
It certainly feels like it, as they have been undermining our lovely town ever since lockdown, and the latest in the long-running saga is blocking off half the Rock Street Car Park for six months and right on top of Christmas, which will seriously affect trade in the townand they are reducing the number of parking places by adding flower beds!
To add insult to injury, having reduced the size of the car park by half, the traffic wardens are out in force, giving people parking tickets!
They have closed our High Street, which now looks simply awful, ignoring the wishes of local residents and businesses; allowed the building of hundreds of new houses without increasing the infrastructure; not supported the redevelopment of the Armstrong and Cossham Halls – trying to force us to use an alternative venue, which no-one likes or wants; introduced street markets, which are taking more money away from the town and over the bridge into Wales! How they allow food outlets at these markets, when we have cafes, pubs and restaurants in the town is beyond me.
All of this when inflation is rampant, the cost of living is soaring, fuel bills are rising exponentially, more and more people are sinking into poverty and needing to access food banks.
It is high time we do something about challenging South Gloucestershire Council and the impact they are having on life in Thornbury!
From one of many disgruntled, disenfranchised residents. Penny Taylor
AS the cost-of-living crisis deepens, we welcome any action to prevent the very real possibility of more people ending up homeless on our streets.
Since the start of the pandemic, charities have seen a rise in the number of homeless Armed Forces veterans seeking their help –some report an increase of 50%.
When someone has served their country, the least we can do is support them when they make the move back to civilian life. Yet every year thousands of veterans end up sleeping rough, sofa surfing or living in unsuitable hostels, because they’re unable to access housing and slip through the net. The cost-ofliving crisis will only make the situation worse.
The Armed Forces Covenant states that anyone who has served should face no disadvantage and that veterans who are especially vulnerable should be prioritised for support.
It’s vital that when someone needs help with housing, they are asked whether they’ve served in the Forces. If they have, this should be recorded. Once identified, they can be directed towards support that’s available.
We are concerned that without action, things will get much worse. A more coordinated approach between local authorities, housing providers, homelessness charities and veterans’ organisations is needed.
No one wants to see more veterans on our streets this winter. Those that have served, often through the most trying of times, deserve better.
Richard
Gammage, No Homeless Veterans Campaign (www.nohomelessveterans.org.uk)
THE Thornbury and District Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Committee are pleased to confirm that we raised a fantastic total amount of £3,342 (inclusive of £750 pre-sales) at our annual autumn fair held at St Helens School, Alveston, in October.
The committee would like to thank all our local supporters who attended, and those who gave so generously by purchasing crafts, books, preserves, teas and cakes.
Lynfa Fisher Press Officer
Thornbury and District Cancer Research UK Committee
THINGS have been quiet for Thornbury Town over the last month, with the first team having played just two games.
Following their victory in Cornwall in the FA Vase, Thorns drew Hellenic League leaders Cribbs at home in the second Round, a repeat of the game two seasons ago.
With a very depleted squad, Town made their visitors work hard throughout the game. Whilst Cribbs had the majority of possession, some resolute defending kept the scores level and it was Town who took the lead a couple of minutes before half-time.
Marcus Wormwell started the move deep in his own half and was on hand to finish it off by firing past the visitors' keeper.
Unfortunately Thorns couldn’t see out the half, with Cribbs equalising from a corner moments before the break.
The second half saw Town continue to frustrate the visitors
and start to create chances for themselves, as Cribbs pressed forward. However it was Cribbs who snatched the all-important winner 15 minutes from time, with the final score 2-1.
Town weren’t disgraced and will be looking to take that form into their league campaign in their efforts to pull away from
the bottom of the table.
Having only played one league fixture in the last month, a heavy 5-1 defeat at Brimscombe, Thorns have a number of games in hand on the clubs immediately above them, and will be looking to start picking up points and pull away from the foot of the table.
They have however made progress in the County Cup, having been awarded a walkover following the withdrawal of Bitton. They will play away at the winners of the Fairford v Roman Glass St George fixture in the
next round.
Meanwhile the Reserves have continued their excellent start to the new season and currently sit equal top of the Senior Division of the Bristol & District League with Patchway Town Reserves.
They have only lost one game all season, a 2-1 defeat at Old Sodbury, and have progressed through to the 3rd Round of the County Cup following a 1-0 victory away at Suburban League side Bristol Phoenix. Harrison Young scored the all-important winner and they were due to face Pucklechurch Sports at home in the next round on November 26.
Although the A team made an early exit from the County Cup away at Cadbury Heath Reserves, they have maintained their solid start to the season and currently sit in second place in their league table. Recent fixtures have seen them missing key players through injury and unavailability but they have still managed to secure important wins at home to Oldland Abbotonians Colts (2-1) and Mendip Broadwalk A (4-2).
Goals have been spread around the team, but Matt Chapman and Matt Smith are leading scorers with four apiece.
THORNBURY
Running Club still has some places available for its famous Riverbank Rollick - a challenging 9.6 mile off-road race around the outskirts of Thornbury, including long sections on the Severn riverbank.
The event takes place on Sunday January 15, starting at 10.30am at the Castle School.
Local people may enter the race either via the Thornbury Running Club website, or via FullonSport.
Thornbury Running Club captain Kevin Wood said: "The Riverbank Rollick is one of three races the club organises each year.
"It can be muddy along the riverbank in January, but the sense of achievement people get for completing this challenging course makes it all worthwhile.
"We are grateful to be able to use the Castle School as our race HQ, so it is a very convenient place to meet up with fellow runners before and after the race."
