Thornbury Voice February 2020

thornburyvoice www.thornburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020 Issue 35

FREE EVERY MONTH IN THORNBURY AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Marlwood's new lease of life Paul and Alistair at arts festival

A BAND fronted by pop star Paul Young and a piano performance by comic Alistair McGowan are among the highlights at this year's Thornbury Arts Festival.

PAGE 23

Woods protest

CHILDREN tied themselves to trees and more than 600 people signed a petition in support of a woodland threatened with destruction.

PAGE 3

Plan unveiled

PEOPLE are being asked for their views on a new vision for the future of Thornbury.

PAGE 5 INSPECTORS have hailed the turnaround in fortunes at Marlwood School as it exits special measures.

Education watchdog Ofsted visited the secondary school in Alveston to check on its progress

and said the school was "enjoying a new lease of life".

While concluding that the school still requires improvement overall, the inspectors rated it good in three out of four categories and praised

the progress made under head teacher Del Planter It marks a huge turnaround for the school, which was rated 'inadequate' less than three years ago.

Turn to page 2

Bus apology

A BUS company boss has apologised for delays to Thornbury commuter services he blames on 'appalling' road works.

PAGE 6

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February, 2020

n NEWS

Spirit and vision at Marlwood praised From page 1 Ofsted inspectors visited Marlwood shortly before Christmas and their report, which has just been published, said it had moved up from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ in three out of four categories: behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management.

In the fourth category, for quality of teaching, inspectors upgraded it from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ - but the report was full of praise for the progress made in this area under the leadership of head teacher Del Planter.

It described him as having an "ambitious vision" and said: "The impact of his work is not yet fully embedded."

In a letter to parents Mr Planter said the Ofsted inspection team was "confident that the school is close to securing a ‘Good’ judgement" but had just missed out this time because the changes he is overseeing need more time to make an impact.

The inspectors wrote: “This school is enjoying a new lease of life.

"Pupils now look forward to coming to school. They are keen to tell visitors how much it has improved recently.

"There is a real community spirit that

includes pupils, teachers and leaders alike.

Parents and carers are virtually unanimous in their praise for the school and the head teacher.”

Mr Planter, who joined the school at the start of the 2018/19 academic year, said: “For us to achieve this with three out of the four areas graded as ‘Good’ is a testament to what can be achieved through strong ambitious leadership and a school community working together for excellence.

"Student numbers are increasing rapidly and the school is now focussed on the next stage of progress towards the vision we have set out."

Marlwood School was graded ‘Inadequate’ back in May 2017 and placed in Special Measures, which means it is subject to extra monitoring of standards by Ofsted and

offered support to improve.

In the autumn of 2018 the challenges the school faced were laid bare in the awardwinning BBC documentary School, including the funding crisis which left it without some equipment and supplies.

Parents and friends mobilised to help and set up the Friends of Marlwood School, known as FOMS. With 1,500 members, it has rebuilt community spirit and raised substantial funds to help, following years of budget cuts.

Since then Mr Planter has put a new curriculum in place, which inspectors said was "at the heart of the school’s improvement".

Mr Planter said: “A lot of work has gone into improving the school and to see the pride and joy as a result of this outcome is fantastic.

"I think the TV programme captured the attention of people across the country, with the last images of Marlwood pointing to a very bleak future, and consequently there have been lots of positive messages in response.

"As an ambitious school there will be no resting on our laurels as we pursue excellence and address areas we need to improve.”

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VOLUNTEERS at Thornbury Foodbank have thanked the community for its "amazing response" in the run up to Christmas.

They say that one and a quarter tonnes of food and over £1,000 in cash was donated to the Foodbank in the run-up to Christmas.

The foodbank is based at Thornbury Baptist Church. People in crisis are referred there when they have been left in need by an emergency situation, to make sure they do not go hungry.

They can exchange a voucher for three days’ emergency food, while volunteers talk with them over a cuppa and are able to give advice on longer-term help.

Foodbank lead volunteer Rod McLellan said “This is an amazing response by the community to a continuing need to put food on the table for those in crisis. The festive season is a time when the public shows particular generosity towards those who we help.

“Foodbank use is on the rise, with the Thornbury outlet seeing an increase of almost 70% in the number of referrals during 2019, compared with the previous year.

“With the support of local people, and with our dedicated team of volunteers, we are confident we can carry on meeting these needs during the coming year.

“We work on a referral basis, and Foodbank vouchers can be issued by many local agencies, including GP surgeries, health visitors, community midwives, Citizens Advice, the churches, and local schools.”

The foodbank, which is part of the North Bristol network of Trussell Trust Foodbanks, is open for donations every Friday from 2pm to 4pm.

To find out how you can help, email foodbank@ thornburybaptistchurch.org.uk or call 01454 419118.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020

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n NEWS

Protest at wood as 600 add names to petition CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Vilner Lane Wood in Thornbury from development have held a day of action.

A petition calling for South Gloucestershire Council to abandon plans to sell the wood near the town's leisure centre for development gained more than 600 signatures in just one morning.

And at the woodland itself, a group of young people held a peaceful protest by tying themselves to trees.

Brett Harrison, the chairman of Thornbury Composting, which runs a facility based at the wood, said the response from the public was "amazing".

He said: “We got 620 signatures from young and old from all over South Gloucestershire and beyond.

That made a total, online and on paper, of 1,526.

"We are really quite proud of that.”

People signed the petition

Members of the Krunch Youth Group protest against the sale of Vilner Lane Wood with Jerry Dicker of Thornbury Composting at a table in the High Street run by the Woodland Action Group (WAGIT).

At Vilner Lane Wood five members of the Krunch youth group, aged 11 to 14, tied themselves to trees for about an hour. They were accompanied

by Penny Baker, their youth club

Warning over fake £50s PUB landlords in South Gloucestershire are being urged to be on the lookout after several reports of counterfeit £50 notes.

Police say they have recently been contacted by four pubs after customers tried to pay for drinks with counterfeit notes. Officers believe several more have been targeted but have not reported the incidents.

Avon and Somerset police issued this CCTV picture of two men wanted in connection with the incidents.

They are both described as having Irish accents and were seen leaving one of the pubs in a grey or silver van.

Sergeant Ruth Gawler said: “This appears to be part of a crime series within South Gloucestershire with forged £50 notes being handed over to staff. Several establishments have accepted the notes, while others have refused them.

“The notes appear to be genuine under ultraviolet light but we have seen several of them use the same serial number and other features of the note are faked."

The Bank of England provides security advice for businesses and police say counterfeits should be taken to the nearest police station.

Anyone who thinks they know who the men are should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 011 605 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

leader, and Jerry Dicker, the founder of the composting site.

Five years ago planning permission was granted for a care home with a garden to be built at the wood, and a developer has now shown an interest.

But South Gloucestershire

Council cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton has said that he will "carefully reconsider" whether the original planning decision is "still the best decision for today".

Mr Burton acknowledges that there are multiple factors involved, including any environmental impact, the need for a care home, the wishes of local residents, and financial considerations as the council has already committed to spending the income from any sale. A revised ecological survey is already underway.

Thornbury Composting’s facility is also under threat from the plans and recently closed due to a shortage of funds, although it is still selling wood on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.

A decision is due to be made this year. The petition on South Gloucestershire Council’s website has now closed.

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February, 2020

n NEWS

Super start to year at Gillingstool CHILDREN in a school reception class have been using their love of superheroes to help them learn.

The youngsters at Gillingstool Primary School are reading a book called Supertato and to help inspire their learning teachers decorated their classroom with a superhero theme.

The topic stared with a themed dressing up day, with the class full of Spidermen, Supermen and Wonder Women.

Children were set challenges throughout the day to defeat the evil Poison Ivy such as “using their super strength eyes to find numbers around the classroom” and “using their super speed and climbing powers to complete the obstacle course”.

The school uses special events like the dressing up day – known as WOW days – to ignite curiosity and immerse the children in their new subject.

Prospective parents who would like a tour of the school should call the school office on 01454 866527.

Local information 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

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

Complaints

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.

A member of the

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February, 2020

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n NEWS

Help shape the future of Thornbury PEOPLE are being asked for their views on a vision for the future of Thornbury.

Consultations are due to start next month on the Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan, which has been worked on by a group of town councillors and community volunteers for around three years.

They asked for ideas about the future of the town, and the feedback they collated has been used to create the draft vision, which looks ahead to the next 18 years.

The team working on the project has been guided by a vision statement which says: "Thornbury will retain its market town and historic character and its sense of community.

"It will keep and expand its green spaces, streamside walks, connections with nature and access to the countryside.

"It will be resilient to climate change and will provide well planned, high quality, sustainable and affordable homes.

"It will support the prosperity and wellbeing of its residents by providing a vibrant town centre, quality local jobs, a good choice of retail and employment facilities and appropriate services."

The policies within the plan should, if followed, achieve the vision which has been set out. The draft plan covers the type of housing development which the community might want to see, local employment and business opportunities, green and open spaces, protecting the environment and mitigating against climate change, transport and access, the future of the town centre’s services and facilities and how the town’s identity can be protected.

A Neighbourhood Plan does not stop development from happening and cannot determine how much development is approved, as this is set by South Gloucestershire Council in line with

government targets, but it does enable communities to influence where and what kind of development takes place.

Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan chair Tricia Hillier said: “We want to make sure that any future development does not mean the loss of the things we want to preserve.

Future development must make sure it fits in with Thornbury’s character.”

Once the full draft plan is published in March it will be available to view online, at the town hall or library, and residents will be urged to complete a survey.

Feedback will be looked at and further

changes to the draft may be made. After all the stages in the process have been completed, the plan will go to a referendum, with every resident in the parish having a vote. If it is approved, it will become part of the planning requirements for any future development.

Tricia said: “Please read the plan when it is released and respond to help us to keep our town thriving.”

At present the draft vision and objectives can be viewed online at www.thornburyplan. co.uk or by searching for Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan on Facebook.

Masked burglars hit Thornbury pub MASKED burglars threatened the occupants of a pub in Thornbury.

The two men, wearing balaclavas, had already searched the upstairs living quarters of the Wheatsheaf pub in Chapel Street and taken what police described as a "quantity of cash" when they were disturbed.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the raid, which happened at around 8.30pm on December 7, to come forward.

Both men were white: one was of large build and about 5ft 10in tall, wearing black clothes, a black beanie-style hat and a balaclava. The other was about the same height and skinny. He was also wearing dark clothing, hat and a balaclava.

An Avon and Somerset force spokesperson said: "We’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time who may have seen two people answering the descriptions above who may have been without headgear or removing it in the Chapel Street area."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5219 282 799.

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

6

n NEWS THE boss of bus operator First has apologised to Thornbury commuters as he made a scathing attack on traffic problems which are causing services to run up to an hour late.

First West of England managing director James Freeman says "appalling" delays in Stoke Gifford and on the Avon Ring Road have left services "utterly gummed up" since the start of the year.

And he admits passengers can be forgiven "for thinking we're useless" as heavily delayed buses become overcrowded, leaving them unable to pick up passengers at many stops.

Mr Freeman said a new £2.4m fleet of biomethane gas-powered buses had been introduced on the m3 metrobus route on the first Monday in January.

But he added: "By Tuesday, these splendid new vehicles were utterly gummed up in appalling delays on the A4174 Ring Road.

A journey that normally takes about 35 minutes was taking an hour and 35 minutes!"

Mr Freeman said north to south routes passing through Bradley Stoke, which include the T1 Thornbury and Almondsbury service and the metrobus m1, had also been badly affected, despite timetable changes aimed at increasing capacity.

He said that after South Gloucestershire Council started long term road works at the Great Stoke roundabout on Bradley Stoke Way, services had been badly affected.

Mr Freeman said: "The resulting congestion has delayed buses by up to 40 minutes on each journey at the key morning peak times.

"This has totally disrupted the

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February, 2020

Bus boss says road work delays are ruining services

James Freeman rest of the (m1) service straight through the morning, all the way to the very south of the city."

Mr Freeman said more than £10 million had been spent on new buses, on top of the £230 million cost of metrobus routes.

But he warned: "It’s largely wasted if we can’t run the service properly or at all. Not only that, if our much-vaunted metrobus system, by which so much store has been set, is not to be entirely discredited as an alternative to driving cars, then somehow the way has to be found to make these metrobuses able to run through these areas of increasingly chronic congestion.

"This approach has started to be recognised in Bristol but

metrobus can’t work if we don’t realise that we must take urgent action.

"In the meantime, we must offer our riders, not just on metrobus but on the many other routes that are affected, especially from Thornbury and Bradley Stoke, Yate and Emersons Green, a most sincere and heartfelt apology if you have been affected this week. My fear is that, despite our attempts at mitigation, these problems will repeat next week and the week after and on until half term!"

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “With major new housing and business development planned in the area we are investing £160

million over four years on a number of highway improvement schemes to reduce congestion and emissions, improve cycling and pedestrian routes and make sustainable transport a more attractive option.

"We are working to minimise any disruption by keeping traffic moving where possible and carrying out work by narrowing lanes and only closing lanes at off-peak times.

"We are continuing to monitor and evaluate the impact of this work and have postponed, combined or brought forward some schemes, but unfortunately some disruption will be caused and we sincerely apologise to anyone affected.”

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n NEWS

Making space for wildlife in Olveston VOLUNTEERS are helping make a biodiversity project in Olveston a success.

More than 50 people came to provide some practical help for the village's Making Space for Wildlife initiative in a community tree planting day.

Nine trees of four different varieties were planted at the Vicarage Lane playing field, with 1st Olveston Scouts and their leaders helping to dig the holes. The scouts had expressed a keen interest in doing some tree planting and their leaders spotted the event’s publicity and got in touch.

Children also made wild flower 'seed bombs' and bird feeders at the event on January 19.

Making Space for Wildlife is an Olveston Parish Council initiative which got underway two years ago and aims to tackle the loss of biodiversity in the area.

More than 50 people took part in the community tree planting day. Photo: Lisa Helyar,

Organiser Melinda Evans said: “We are doing this by undertaking activities within the parish to enhance the natural environment, by raising awareness of the issue and by providing information about what residents can do to help independently.”

The tree planting event ties in with South Gloucestershire

Council’s winter tree planting scheme, and as part of this it gave town and parish councils a thousand broadleaf trees including oak, birch and chestnut. It is encouraging people to help it double the number of trees in the area by 2030 as part of its commitment to tackle climate change.

Launching the scheme

earlier, South Gloucestershire Council chair Brian Allinson said: “Planting the right trees in the right places will provide a multitude of benefits, including supporting local wildlife and helping to reduce the impacts of climate change.

"We will be working closely with schools, local communities and town and parish councils to plant many more trees over the coming years, so this is the of start something extremely important for all of our futures.”

Melinda and the small team working on Making Space for Wildlife have big ambitions and are at the early stages of looking into planting a community orchard. They have already planted two wild flower meadows in an effort to restore lost grassland habitats, as well as several trees at local schools, and they’ve supported the 2017 Charter for Trees by planting a tree at a local playing fields.

Gardeners' World star Bob comes to Thornbury A GARDENING club is bringing one of the country's leading organic gardeners to Thornbury to share his expertise.

Eastwood Garden Club has teamed up with Wotton-under-Edge Gardening Club for a new series of events bringing nationally-known speakers to the area and the first is An Evening with Bob Flowerdew next month.

Bob is familiar to viewers of

Gardeners' World, listeners to Gardeners' Question Time and the author of many books, including Bob Flowerdew’s Organic Bible and the Gourmet Gardener.

He is a regular blog writer, patron of his local Food Bank, President of the Norfolk group of the Soil Association and a passionate advocate for home-grown food.

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

He gardens on a one acre plot in Norfolk and is known for his slightly eccentric approach to recycling, including growing potatoes in a pile of old car tyres and storing harvested apples in an old, non-working freezer.

Bob will be at the Armstrong Hall in Thornbury from 7pm on March 10.

For ticket details, call Richard Laycock on 07762 120904.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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n NEWS

February, 2020

'Overall improvement' in primary test results PRIMARY schools in the Thornbury area have shown an improvement on last year’s results in the government’s performance tables.

The government compiles a list of figures for every school in the country to show how much progress pupils have made in the key subjects of reading, writing and maths between the ages of 7 and 11.

It takes the key stage 2 test and assessment results taken by 11-year-olds and compares them with the results of pupils in schools across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 1, when they were seven.

A score given above zero means pupils made more progress, on average, and a score below zero means pupils made less progress, on average, than pupils across England who got similar results at the end

of key stage 1. The majority of schools will have progress scores between -5 and +5.

South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for schools, skills and employment, Erica Williams said: “It is pleasing to see that as a consequence of the hard work and commitment of children, parents and staff, our primary schools continue to do well and results show an overall improvement on last year.”

Those which stood out in the table were St Helen’s Church of England Primary School in Alveston, which scored well above average in all categories with 4.7 in reading, 4.1 in writing and 3.3 in maths, Rangeworthy Church of England Primary School which scored 3.7 in reading, 2.8 in writing and 2.1 in maths, and Crossways Junior School in Thornbury which got

2 points for writing, and 0.5 and 0.6 for reading and maths respectively.

Other results included: *Almondsbury Primary: -0.9 for reading, 0.5 for writing and -0.5 for maths. *Christ the King Catholic Primary: -0.9 for reading, -3.8 for writing and -1.6 for maths. *Gillingstool Primary: -0.2 for reading, -2.1 for writing and -2.7 for maths. *Manorbrook Primary: -0.9 for reading, 0.9 for writing and -1 for maths. *Oldbury on Severn C of E Primary: -2.9 for reading, 1.8 for writing and -3.5 for maths *Olveston C of E Primary: 1.2 for reading, 1.8 for writing and 0.8 for maths. *St Mary's C of E Primary: -0.6 for reading, -2.6 for writing and -1.9 for maths. *St Peter's Anglican/

Methodist Primary: -2.2 for reading, 0.2 for writing and -0.2 for maths. *Tortworth Primary: -2.9 for reading, -5.8 for writing and -2.9 for maths.

The Department for Education also records the percentage of pupils meeting expected standards and achieving at a higher standard each year.

Cllr Williams added: “It is also encouraging to see that improved outcomes for our children are being reflected in recent Ofsted judgements of our schools, which paints a positive picture for the future.

Our number one priority is to improve school standards and we will continue to work closely with head teachers and school leaders to use our resources to provide the best education for all of our students.”

News? contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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February, 2020

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n NEWS

Cash will get school day off to a good start A GRANT will help up to 200 children at a Thornbury school get their days off to a good start by funding a breakfast club.

The Castle School Friends Association won the £5,000 awarded to set up a breakfast club for pupils who receive the government’s pupil premium.

The pupil premium is given to children because they are from disadvantaged families or families on a low income and face daily challenges which mean they may do less well academically and socially at school.

The money was awarded by the Quartet Community Foundation, an independent charity based in Bristol which gives money to frontline organisations and voluntary groups across South Gloucestershire, B&NES, Bristol and North Somerset.

CSF grants and projects officer Jackie Hall, who applied for the grant on behalf of the Friends, said: “We are delighted

to have received this grant. It will mean that some of the most vulnerable students in the school will have a great start to the day.

“The breakfast club will help ensure they get to school on time, are well fed and ready to learn.

"The club will also give them the opportunity to talk to staff in a safe environment about any problems or worries they might have. We feel this will have a positive impact on the students’ mental and physical well-being."

The Castle School Friends

raised nearly £20,000 last year through a wide range of fundraising events, grants, and fund-matching schemes.

It is currently one of the featured charities for Bags of Help at Tesco Thornbury, with £2,000 on offer if it gains the most blue tokens between now and March.

The group is also encouraging parents and children to take part in the Mojo Active Muddy Madness, a mud filled obstacle course event on March 23. There is a 2k and a 5k on offer and everyone is encouraged to dress up as superheroes. For every participant who signs up naming CSF the charity will be given £1, and it will also make money from selling refreshments.

It also supports the school with an Amazon wish list, which enables parents and friends to buy essential items for lessons.

For more information on the CSF search for Castle School Friends on Facebook.

Company snubs school plea over 'skinny' trousers FASHION retailer Next says it will continue to sell skinny and slim-fit school trousers, despite a head teacher's claim they should not be marketed as uniform.

Castle School head Joe Docherty wrote to the company to raise the issue after some girls wore what he described as "Next ‘slim’ style trousers" to school.

More than half of the varieties of school trousers aimed at girls aged 3 to 16 on the company's website – 10 out of 19 – are listed as "skinny".

In his regular newsletter to parents, written at the start of the new term, Mr Docherty said: “School trousers must be grey, of proper school material and not skinny.

"We are aware that a number of girls have purchased Next ‘slim’ style trousers. Unfortunately, the trousers are much too close to being skinny to be allowed. We have written to Next about the fact that these should not be marketed as school trousers.”

But a spokesperson from Next told the Voice: “Next has a number of different styles of children’s school trousers on sale including slim style. Whilst the demand is there for this particular style, we will continue to sell them.”

Mr Docherty has given the families who have already bought the Next trousers permission to wear them until the Easter holidays.

He said: “I hope that will give those families to whom it applies the time to get the correct uniform in place. This exception does not apply to skinny trousers, which are not allowed at all. I would like to thank all families who have already made the change and whose children attend school in correct uniform every day.”

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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n NEWS SURGERIES are providing extra appointments as the NHS tries to cope with increased levels of illness over the winter.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is responsible for paying for health services in the area, says GP practices across its area are providing a total of 7,000 hours more for appointments over the four months to the end of February.

It comes as Bristol’s hospitals reported that mounting pressures over the winter meant they were failing to meet targets to see emergency patients within four hours and waiting times for planned treatment were rising.

The CCG says that in South Gloucestershire, the number of hours available for appointments across all surgeries had been increased by 263 per month, the equivalent of 11 extra days of surgery opening.

But the time patients wait to have an appointment vary between practices.

According to the NHS GP Patient Survey for 2019, 36% of patients of Thornbury Health Centre were able to book a sameday appointment, 34% waited more than a day but less than a week and 26% waited for a week or more.

At St Mary Street Surgery, 23% of patients were able to

February, 2020

Extra surgery appointments as NHS feels the winter pressure Southmead Hospital is missing emergency waiting time targets as pressures mount this winter.

book a same-day appointment, 46% waited at least a day but less than a week and 29% waited for a week or more.

At Streamside Surgery, 24% of patients surveyed were able to book same-day appointments, 52% waited at least a day but less than a week and 18% waited for a week or more.

At Almondsbury Surgery, 31% of patients were able to book a

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same-day appointment, 30% waited at least a day but less than a week and 24% waited for a week or more.

At Pilning Surgery, 33% of patients were able to book a same-day appointment, 35% waited at least a day but less than a week and 22% waited for a week or more.

Some patients responding to the survey couldn't remember

the length of their wait.

A spokesperson for the CCG said more evening and weekend appointments were being provided to make things more convenient for patients and relieve pressure on busy hospitals.

He added: “Many practices are also embracing digital ways of serving patients, allowing patients to reorder prescriptions, access self-care advice, and book appointments through the NHS app. Some are also offering an online consultation service for their patients.

"We’re also planning to work with practices to pilot and evaluate video consultations in 2020, and provide this as an option for practices to use in 2021.

“There are preventative steps the public can take to stay well this winter, avoiding a trip to a GP or other urgent care service altogether. Actions as simple as keeping warm, getting a flu vaccination and visiting a local community pharmacist at the first sign of illness all contribute to staying healthy.”

A CCG governing body meeting in January heard hospitals including the BRI and Southmead were "enormously pressured" over Christmas and New Year, with demand at A&E growing at a "really significant rate" and 19 people currently waiting more than a year for planned surgery.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2020

11

n NEWS

Regional masterplan dumped as councils go it alone SOUTH Gloucestershire Council will abandon a blueprint for 105,000 homes across the West of England, it has been confirmed.

Council leader Toby Savage told a cabinet meeting that the authority was set to formally withdraw from the Joint Spatial Plan at its full meeting council next month.

It follows years of costly crossborder collaboration between the four neighbouring unitary authorities, including Bristol city and Bath & North East Somerset councils, that ended with the JSP in tatters when planning inspectors rejected it last summer.

The government officials admonished the four organisations for trying to make the evidence fit into their housing, jobs and infrastructure strategy for the next two decades, rather than being led by it, and ordered them to go back to the drawing board.

The blueprint included 12 strategic development locations, which would each have had hundreds of new homes built on them.

They included Buckover, Thornbury, Charfield, Coalpit Heath and Yate.

Earlier this month, North Somerset Council became the first to officially pull the plug on the JSP and instead push ahead with its own local plan. B&NES has also withdrawn.

Conservative Mr Savage told fellow South Gloucestershire cabinet members on January 13: “We will be considering a similar report to North Somerset at the February full council meeting and, it would seem, make that formal decision to withdraw from the JSP process.

“We will need to continue working jointly with our neighbouring authorities, not least because of the legal duty to cooperate but also, in the case of Bristol and B&NES, we work together through the West of England Combined Authority.

“North Somerset will have to have that working relationship with Weca as well, which we already have through the mechanisms that have worked for us to date through the JSP process.

“In terms of the split between

South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage what will sit in any new strategic-level document and what will sit within our own local plan, that is still to be discussed and decided.

“The offer continues to be open through the policy advisory group (PAG) process to ensure opposition members have the opportunity to engage and participate.

“We are in the new year and I would hope for a new approach from all members to ensure we are able to work together as we bring forward the next stage of planning for the future of South Gloucestershire and the wider region.”

At a full council meeting in October, opposition Labour group leader Pat Rooney said her party would no longer take part in cross-party talks through the policy advisory group because “all trust had broken down” with the Tory administration as a result of previous decisions

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The JSP included development sites at Buckover and Thornbury arising from PAG discussions.

She said Labour was “not abdicating our responsibilities” and would hold separate meetings with top council officers, a decision Cllr Savage called “very disappointing”.

At Monday’s meeting, Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young said: “In terms of the PAG, we have not seen proposed terms of reference about what these arrangements would be.

“So It would be helpful to see those in writing before we move any further forward.”

The West of England Combined Authority is continuing work on its Joint Local Transport Plan, which was meant to run alongside the JSP. More than 4,200 people responded to the consultation on the transport plan.

Nearly three in five people found buses unreliable and poor value for money, and said it was not easy to plan journeys.

Residents’ top priority was on new and improved railway stations and services.

There was strong support – mainly in Bristol – for congestion charges or a new levy on workplace parking to bring in extra funding.

A Weca spokesperson said: “Weca remains committed to working with the four West of England councils on the best way forward for the region to positively address its strategic planning needs.

“Weca and the councils will be jointly commissioning a refresh of the strategic evidence base.”

By Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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12

February, 2020

n NEWS

Cash pledged for sports upgrades FUNDING of more than £22,000 has been found towards two sports improvement projects in Almondsbury.

The Almondsbury Sports and Recreation Centre and North Bristol Rugby Football Club are both to receive £11,367 in funding from money paid to South Gloucestershire Council by developers as part of planning deals.

At the sports and recreation centre it will go towards revamping the changing rooms and kitchens, while at North Bristol RFC it will pay for car park improvements.

The funding is known as Section 106 money after the part of the planning law which allows the council to negotiate a contribution from developers to offset the impact a development might make on the local community. In this case money has come from the development of the disused squash court area on Oaklands Drive, where ten

Councillors Matthew Riddle and Keith Burchell at Almondsbury Sports and Recreation Centre homes are to be built.

The total cost of improvements at Almondsbury Sports and Recreation Centre is estimated at £55,000, and the organisation is planning to obtain match funding for the council’s cash. The ASRC wants to improve the changing rooms in order to enable it to hold more matches at once. The alterations will enable both men and women to have use of the

site simultaneously, which is not currently possible.

The scheme includes new showers and disabled access. The centre also intends to improve the kitchen in the pavilion, which is used by cricket teams.

North Bristol RFC also applied for match funding to overhaul its car park, which will cost £22,735 in total. The loose surface becomes uneven and waterlogged, making it

difficult for people to cross the car park, especially those who have mobility issues. The RFC will use the money to go towards re-surfacing and improving drainage.

Severn Vale ward councillors Matthew Riddle and Keith Burchell, who represent the Almondsbury area, said: “The Sports and Recreation Centre and the Rugby Club are very popular, being widely used by the community and visitors from even further afield, so we are very pleased this funding will help keep these important facilities up to a suitable standard.”

The spending is part of £310,000 in section 106 funding being spent across South Gloucestershire.

Cabinet member for communities and tourism Rachael Hunt said almost £10 million had been spent on open areas and green spaces over the past five years.

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February, 2020

13

n NEWS

Search is on for our new firefighters PEOPLE from all backgrounds are being urged to consider a job as a firefighter based in Thornbury as the Avon Fire and Rescue Service launches its annual recruitment drive.

Potential applicants are invited to initially find out more about what the role involves in 2020, which may differ to what they expect.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton said: “The remit of a firefighter in today’s world is much broader than the role played at emergencies.

“We need people with different skill sets who are passionate about community safety, are committed to prevention and protection and who can act as a role model inspiring others to be the best they can be.”

Candidates need to be honest, ambitious, courageous, and highly motivated by serving their

community, as well as good team players who have aspirations to become team leaders.

The service is recruiting full-time firefighters for stations across the area as well as retained firefighters for Thornbury and Yate fire stations.

Full time, fully qualified firefighters earn £31,000 a year, with a clear career pathway.

Mr Shilton said: “A career in the fire service is exciting, often challenging, always varied and entirely rewarding.

“If you want a career where you can make a difference, has opportunities for advancement and gives back to you what you put in then joining our team and becoming a firefighter is for you.”

Recruitment events will

run throughout February with applications officially opening in March, and successful candidates will take practical tests later in the year. There are also vacancies for on-call firefighters and corporate staff.

For more information visit www.yesyoucan.careers and register your interest.

Crews called in as home is flooded FIREFIGHTERS were called in to help save a home near Thornbury after heavy rain caused it to flood.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the property in Gloucester Road, Whitfield, on the evening of January 14 after water running off local fields started to pour in.

A crew from Thornbury fire station was mobilised and when they arrived, they found water flooding in to the kitchen.

The firefighters used a light portable pump to reduce the water level before handing the property back to the owners to clean up.

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14

February, 2020

n NEWS NATIONAL level cycle racing returns to the Thornbury area when the 48th Severn Bridge Road Race is staged next month.

The race is set to take place on March 1, on an 11km (around 6 3/4 mile) circuit.

Starting from the race HQ at Marlwood School, the race passes through Alveston, Elberton, Olveston, Tockington and Old Down on each of its 11 laps.

The circuit includes Vattingstone Lane, Redhill Lane, Aust Road, Upper Tockington Road, Old Down Hill and Alveston Road, and on the final lap the finish line will be at Old Down.

People are being invited to come along and see the race, with the climb up Old Down Hill and the finishing line at The Crescent, Old Down the spots recommended for the best view by organisers Bristol Road Club.

The race, which has 80 elite competitors, is likely to take about three hours and, while the roads on the circuit will remain open to traffic while it

Road race returns to villages

Competitors in last year's Severn Bridge Road Race. is going on, motorists are being advised that junctions will be shut down by police-authorised race marshals with stop signs for a few minutes each lap, as the riders pass through.

The race convoy will include several lead vehicles and officials’ vehicles with signs and yellow flashing lights, supported by motorcycle outriders warning traffic of the approaching race.

Organisers say competitors have to obey the rules of the road during the race and can be

removed by race commissaires if they don't. The race is regulated

by British Cycling and authorised

by Avon and Somerset police.

The Severn Bridge Road Race dates back to the 1960s and was held on this year's circuit for 20 years up until 2013. Since then it has been held on a circuit starting and finishing in Henbury and including Hallen and Chittening.

Organiser Brian O'Kelly said: "Thousands of road races take place on public roads each year,

although only a small proportion can boast the quality of field that is achieved for this National level race, which includes many professional and international riders.

"This prestigious event is an opportunity for local villages to watch and be involved with. The organisers, Bristol Road Club, would like to extend an invitation to residents to help on the day as stewards and we also hope to get the local Scouts group involved."

The race starts at 11am, with warning signs in place from 8am and marshals at junctions from 10.30am.

It is expected to finish at around 1.45pm, with presentations to winners at Marlwood at 3pm.

Anyone who wants to watch the race at Old Down Hill is advised to park at the Queen Alexander Memorial Pavilion at the top of the hill.

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February, 2020

15

n THORNBURY CLINIC

How do I manage my injury?

Guy Oldring is the clinical lead and heads up the team at the Thornbury Clinic

O

VER the years since I have been practising there is one question that I am asked a lot: “What should I do to recover quickly when I am injured?”

Historically, the advice we are given is RICE – which is, to rest it, ice it, compress it and elevate it.

This advice is aimed at helping to reduce the inflammation and swelling that can occur after an acute injury. This advice does still hold true, however, only for around the first 48 hours.

Research has now shown that the main bleeding and inflammation

stage of an injury usually peaks at around 3 days.

After this phase, the body will move into the proliferation phase.

This phase involves the body laying down scar tissue and trying to effectively heal the fill the tear of damaged area with collagen fibres (which all tissue is made up of ). During this phase, if we continue to simply rest the area and not move it, the fibres are laid down in all different directions, which can then cause problems with mobility and flexibility.

Due to the above it is now universally accepted that the RICE method is now replaced with POLICE. As you can see, the ICE is still in there. However instead of rest, with have protection and optimal loading.

Protection: This represents the first few days, when the inflammation and bleeding phase is at its peak. During this time, it is essential that we protect the area from any future damage and make sure that the body has time to start to heal.

It is also in these first few days that it is important to recognise that the inflammation is good for the injury! It is commonplace for people to immediately reach for the ibuprofen after an acute injury, such as rolling your ankle.

However, this has now been shown to have an adverse effect on healing, if taken within the first 24-48 hours. Therefore it is worth noting that we need to hold off the ibuprofen for the first few days and rest instead.

Optimal Loading: Simply put, this means after the first few days we need to start trying to gently move the injured area and try to maintain the range of movement, and also put a gentle load through the area to help align the collagen fibres that are being laid down. Progressive loading of an injured tissue is more likely to help restore the strength and promote tissue structure change.

However, it is also important to note that too much load will lead to more damage and a regression back into the inflammatory stage of healing.

Due to the above, I would always advise that if you do have an acute injury, it is really important to see a medical professional around 5-7 days after the event, so they can start giving you the correct exercises to get you back and quickly as possible.

Leaving the issue can lead to

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a build-up of scar tissue and ultimately a re-injury.

Ultimately, the message here is that getting advice early when sustaining an injury can dramatically shorten your time out with injury and get you out of pain a lot quicker.

If you are interested in learning more about how to prevent and manage injuries, the Thornbury Clinic is doing a free talk on Tuesday February 18 at Thornbury Leisure Centre. The talk will discuss the common injuries seen and the ways to manage these injuries.

To book, just call 01454 838366 or visit www. thethornburyclinic.co.uk online.

17/05/2019 14:34

info@thethornburyclinic.co.uk www.thethornburyclinic.co.uk

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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16

February, 2020

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Global bidders vie for furniture and photos

I

F THE dazzling January sale is any indication, 2020 is going to be another brilliant year for Stroud Auction Rooms.

First of all, the highest selling lot - a pair of 19th century French Boulle cabinets with unusual blue panels - had an unprecedented eight phone bidders competing with those online and in the room, before they were eventually sold for a pleasing £10,000.

Then, a Japanese Meiji period fine silk embroidered panel depicting a Pekingese dog and peacock feathers, pictured, went under the hammer for £5,900, which is believed to be the highest price paid for a panel of that type. The panel was made by Iida Shinshichi, one of the leading Japanese producers of ornamental textiles at the time.

But maybe the icing on the cake were the early 20th century Edwardian photograph albums compiled by and featuring David Dewer McNeil, of Orkney (18731951), which seemed to grab

the interest of bidders across the globe. The albums, which included many large format images, mainly contained photographs of every day life in Africa and the Canary Islands, and made £5,800.

Although somewhat surprised that the albums had caused so much enthusiasm, owner and auctioneer Nick Bowkett added: "But we should also ask, how many similar items of that quality and interest are out there?"

In an auction offering so many outstanding lots across the board, a large quantity of Peter Gabriel ephemera drew an exceptionally good response. The pieces, relating to his early years from Charterhouse School through to his bands M'Lords and Genesis, included letters, documents and handwritten embryonic lyrics, among other fascinating ephemera, and eventually sold for £3,000.

Also featuring on the list of top sellers were several lots of stamps and playing cards. Among

them was a good collection in two stockbooks of mint commemorative stamp sets, mainly George V and early Elizabeth II (£2,500), and a 19th century pack of playing cards, with square corners and non-standard named Spanish court cards (£1,300), among others.

The next auction at Stroud will be on February 5 and 6 (10am), with specialist sections for guns, weapons, medals, militaria, taxidermy, sporting, toys, cameras, weights and scales and scientific instruments. Viewing will be on Tuesday, February 4 (10am-7pm) and from 9am on sale days.

Entries are currently being invited for the March auction of jewellery, watches, silver, clocks, coins, textiles, motoring & transport. The deadline or entries is the February 8 but, as it’s a popular auction, it's best to bring items as soon as possible. Free valuations are every Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday morning 9am-12.30pm, with no appointment needed.

This Japanese Meiji silk embroidered panel sold for £5,900 For more information about any aspect of buying or selling with Stroud Auction Rooms, ring 01453 873800, email info@stroudauctions. com or visit the website at www. stroudauctions.co.uk.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Entries now invited for our upcoming auction on March 4th, 5th & 6th Including specialist sections of jewellery, silver, watches, clocks, coins & textiles

Jewellery

Wristwatches

Silver

Contact Alexandra Bowkett (DGA, FGA) Contact Stuart Maule Contact Mark Rozelaar A 19thC gold pendant set with A pair of earrings set with Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Kutch Indian silver ewer a yellow diamond, rubies, a 1.5ct diamond to each.

Ovettone Bubbleback 18ct gold Sold for £2,400 diamonds and seed pearls Sold for £9,500 automatic wristwatch. Sold for £15,300 Sold for £5,200 FREE valuations every Friday (9am-5pm) & Saturday (9am-12:30pm) at our saleroom, at your home by appointment or why not email us a photograph for an instant valuation to info@stroudauctions.com We are regularly ranked no 1 in the country for the number of online bidders

Unit J, Bath Road Trading Estate, Stroud, GL5 3QF

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01453 873800 www.stroudauctions.co.uk

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2020

17

n WHAT'S ON IN OUR AREA February 2 and 9 n National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival, Rock House, Elberton, BS35 4AQ, 11am-4pm.

Two-acre garden with woodland vistas and many snowdrops and daffodils, spring flowers and cottage garden plants, as well as old yew tree and pond.

February 7 n Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, 10.15-11.45am: Singalong with Stella & Ade. February 7 n Friends of Manorbrook quiz night at Manorbrook School, Park Road. Teams of up to six people welcome. Cost £9 per person with fish or sausage and chips meal, £5 per person without food. Cash bar on the night. Forms available from the school office or contact the Friends of Manorbrook Facebook page.

February 11 n Eastwood Gardeners' Club talk: Plants that should be known better, with Katherine Crouch.

Avon Hall, Turnberries, Bath Road, 7pm. Visitors welcome.

February 15 n Alveston Repair Café Big Fix 2020, St Helen’s Church, Alveston, 10am to 1pm. Bring broken belongings including electricals, toys, clothes and ceramics so volunteers can repair them, in return for a voluntary donation, as part of national Big Fix event.

Refreshments and bicycle health checks available.

February 19-22 n Thornbury Musical Theatre Group perform pantomime The Sleeping Beauty, Armstrong Hall, 7.30pm each night and matinee on Friday and Saturday at 2.30 pm.

Adult tickets £12.50, concessions

and group bookings available. Visit www.tmtg.org.uk or call the box office 07516 270140.

February 19-22 n Olveston Parish Players present South Pacific at the Parish Hall, Tockington, at 7.30pm each evening. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £7 for children and £12 for premium seats, on sale from January 12 by calling 01454 202011.

February 19 n Member Awarded Funding grants meeting, Council Chamber, Thornbury Town Hall, 7.30pm.

Councillors Shirley Holloway, Jayne Stansfield and Maggie Tyrrell, will award the remaining £4,500 MAF funding allowance to groups in Thornbury. Email Shirley.holloway@ southglos.gov.uk. for more information.

February 21 n Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, 10.15-11.45am: Singing with the Nightingales of Berkeley.

February 21-22 n Severn Valley Quilters Exhibition of members work, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court. Friday 2-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission £3. Traders, sales, tombola and refreshments.

Disabled access. Proceeds to Western Air Ambulance. More details from severnvalleyquilters@ gmail.com.

February 26 n Thornbury Volunteer Centre and Community Learning free confidence/resilience workshop, 10am-1pm, Thornbury Town Hall Council Chamber. Explore barriers to confidence and positive ways to overcome them, manage stress and difficult situations. For more information email mail@volunteer-

thornbury.co.uk.

February 26 n Alveston Local History Group, Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30 pm. Dr Naylor Firth: Severn Ferries, 45AD to 1966. All welcome: visitors £2.50 at door.

February 27 n Thornbury Wellbeing: An introduction to Tai-Chi, with Vicki Siggins. Chantry Community Centre, 7-9pm, admission £5.

Defence training, health benefits and meditation. Limited places, so please book in advance at charlene@colour4life.co.uk.

February 29 n Cancer Research UK free concert, Thornbury United Reformed Church, doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Featuring the Poets Quartet and Thornbury Good Afternoon Choir. Interval drinks, retiring collection for Cancer Research UK. For more information call Jennie on 01454 415856.

February 29 n Thornbury Choral Society choral workshop. Join in and sing some well known opera choruses at Thornbury Baptist Church, conducted by Steven Kings and accompanied by Robin Baggs, starting at 10.30 am. More details from workshop.thornburychoral@ gmail.com or Tessa Sullivan on 01454 417865.

February 29 n Armstrong Arts Group and the Select Society Company presents Divorced, Beheaded, Died: An Audience with King Henry VIII. Cossham Hall, Thornbury, 7.30pm.

Performed by Jack Abbot. Tickets £12 or £10 for over-65s, from Thornbury Town Hall or by calling 01454 412272.

March 1 n Severn Bridge Road Race.

Starts 11am at Marlwood School, Alveston, with 11 laps of 11km course until 1.45pm approx.

Finishing presentations at 3pm at Marlwood. Best viewing points at Old Down Hill and The Crescent, Old Down.

March 2 n Royal Osteoporosis Society Bristol Support Group, 1.45pm in Westbury Methodist Church Hall.

Talk by occupational therapist Maria Fitzgerald. All welcome.

For more information call 07710 743613.

March 10 n Eastwood Garden Club and Wotton-under-Edge Gardening Club present An Evening with Bob Flowerdew at the Armstrong Hall, from 7pm. Tickets £10 each for members or £12 for non-members via Richard Laycock on 07762 120904 or Sue Hunt on 01453 521263.

March 28 n Thornbury Jazz Festival 2020, Armstrong Hall, Thornbury, 6pm11.30pm. Virtuoso guitarist Remi Harris, Bristol jazz band Sinead and the Sinnermen, Jenner Jazz Quartet and Kris Nock Big Band. Tickets £20 from Thornbury Town Hall or by calling 01454 412272.

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday n Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall World Dance 7-10pm n Yoga for beginners at Armstrong Hall, 6:30-8pm on Mondays. £6. All kit provided.

Contact Moira 07703 536700 Tuesday n 11.00 am - 1.30 pm Armstrong

What's on at Thornbury Library Opening times Staffed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Open access seven days a week between 8am and 7.30pm.

Murder Mystery: Assassination Aboard Amphitrite. A brand new murder mystery by The Red Herrings set aboard a luxury yacht sailing the Greek islands in 1963. Come along and put your sleuthing skills to the test.

February 15, 2pm. Tickets £3.20 for members, £6.40 for nonmembers, available from library during staffed hours or email

Thornbury.library@southglos. gov.uk.

Have You Read…? Come and join a new library book group on the first Friday of every month.

February 7, 2pm. Theme: Read any book with a place in its title.

Lego Club: Come and join us for a story, create your own Lego masterpieces and display them in the library for your family and friends to see. February 22, 10.3011.30am.

Chatterbooks Group: Bookthemed and activity sessions every month for children in years 4, 5, and 6. Next session: February 8, 10.30-11.30am.

Rhymetime: Every Friday

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

10.30-11.00am, term time only.

Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together.

Pre-school Storytime: Every Monday at 2pm, term time only: join us for stories and simple crafts.

Sewing Repair Hub: Bring your small items of clothing or soft furnishings for repair. Saturday February 1, 10am-11.30am.

Family History and Ancestry Advice: Come in for some support to delve further into you family history. February 10: 10-11am, 30 min bookable slots; 11am-noon, drop-in.

IT support: Computer volunteers

help with online and IT questions – speak to a member of staff for dates and times.

Vision West of England: February 6, 10.30am-1pm.

Support and advice for visually impaired people.

For more information on any of the above please contact: Telephone 01454 868006, email thornbury.library@southglos.gov. uk or visit our website to find out more: www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries.

Facebook page at South Gloucestershire Libraries or @ SouthGlosLibs on Twitter.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

18

n WHAT’S ON

Classes n Torn Paper Collage for Wellbeing: Turnberries Thornbury Wednesdays12.30-2.30pm. For more information or to reserve a place on these courses or other courses available throughout South Gloucestershire Please contact Jane Thomas, Community Learning Development Worker Tel: 07860 181352 Mob: 01454 864687 Email: jane.thomas2@southglos. gov.uk n South Glos Aspies, a weekly pub social for adults on the autistic spectrum, meets from 7-11pm at the Malthouse, Thornbury High Street. Friends and family of those on the spectrum are also more than welcome. Board games, skittles, darts, informal conversation and outdoor activities, weather permitting.

More information from robert@ southglosaspies.org.uk, george@ southglosaspies.org.uk or at www. southglosaspies.org.uk. n Thornbury & District Townswomen's Guild meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Turnberries at 7.30pm.

Varied programme of events and speakers. Pay a visit and perhaps join to celebrate 60 years of TG in Thornbury.

Hall - Excell Room Recycled Teenagers Lunch Club n Sunbeams toddler and parent group Thornbury Methodist church hall Every Tuesday 1.15pm to 2.45pm in term time Time and space to share themed activities with your children ( 0 to 4 years) Contact janet_mann@ hotmail.com or margaretcrocombe60@gmail. com n Get Singing. A community choir for anyone who loves singing. All abilities welcome.

See www.getsinging.co.uk for more information. Turnberries, Thornbury. Tuesday 7.30 - 9.00pm (term time only). n Thornbirds, Thornbury W.I. meet on the third Tuesday of every month, 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Thornbury. We are a friendly group offering a range of speakers over the year as well as well as a variety of social activities.

Visitors are always welcome so why not come along and find out about our programme for 2019.

Wednesday n 2.00 pm Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall Tea Dance 01454 412060 n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall, Committee Room Lip Reading

At ST Helen’s Church in Alveston On

Saturday 15th Feb from 10:00 to 13:00 Volunteers will be on hand to repair your broken possessions for free (small voluntary contribution to costs requested) ELECTRICAL CLOTHES CERAMICS BICYCLES GENERAL Tea Coffee & Cakes too

n Friendly Bridge SW bridge club meets at Alveston Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm every Wednesday. Visitors welcome, partner guaranteed if you come alone. For more information, including bridge tuition, contact Gareth on 07921 788605 or email friendlybridgesw@gmail.com n T’hornblowers wind band: friendly, adults-only wind band meets from 7pm every Wednesday in The Studio, Turnberries, Bath Road. New members always welcome, particularly trumpeters and trombonists. For more details contact Turnberries Community Centre on 01454 868485 or email enquiries@turnberries.co.uk. n Avon Pickleball Club play at Thornbury Leisure Centre from 10.15am-12.15pm. Indoor racquet sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Sessions cost £2.50 for an hour or £4 for two hours.

Email info@avonpickleball.club or phone 07801 715421 for more information.

Thursday n 8.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Ceroc Dance n Scrapbooking for Wellbeing.

Turnberries in Thornbury.

Thursdays 12.30pm-2.30pm. n South Gloucestershire Arts Appreciation Society meet at Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Lane, Bradley Stoke, 3rd Thursday evening of the month.

Starting October at 7.00 for 7.30 start. Refreshments provided.

Contact: Sallykitching@ googlemail.com Tel. 01454 774401 n Royal British Legion monthly meeting point – coffee and a chat for Armed forces veterans, personnel and families at Hawkes House, St Mary Street, Thornbury.

RBL volunteers, together with other organisations will be on hand to offer support and advice to those who need help. Second Thursday of the month, 9.30-

11.30am. n Thornbury & District Flower Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month at the Thornbury Methodist Hall from 7.30pm for flower arranging demonstrations, practice nights and workshops. Cost £2 a meeting for members plus a yearly subscription of £30; visitors £5 a session. Call 01454 202962 or email jhfaulkner@icloud.com for more information.

Friday n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Committee Room Canasta Club n Weekly Hatha Yoga, The Chantry, Fridays 1.30-2.30pm.

Improve strength, balance, flexibility, health and wellbeing through this transformational and healing practice.

Drop-in basis, £8 (£6 concession) All Welcome.

There's no need to be bendy!

Contact Selina flourish@ selinaratcliffe.com Saturday n Thornbury parkrun is a free, weekly, 5km run or walk, organised entirely by volunteers and taking place every Saturday at 9am on the Mundy Playing Fields. Register once, print your barcode and just turn up. See www.parkrun.org.uk/ thornbury Sunday n Thornbury Ramblers walk. See www.thornburyramblers.org.uk for details, or ring 01454 413924 n The Alternative Sunday Lunch, Butchers Hook, High Street We provide a smorgasbord of food and ask others to bring in homemade/homegrown contributions to share out with everyone in an informal, open-table style Sunday lunch.

Suggested donation of £6 per person with all profits to charity.

Every Sunday 1pm.

Charity needs volunteers NEW !

Bring your BICYCLE for a HEALTH CHECK

Note in your diary 2020 Supported by the Alveston Parish Council and the Alveston Community Forum. Visit : https://repaircafe.org/en. https://Alveston.org

February, 2020

REPAIR CAFÉS

15th Feb 2nd May 12th Sept 14th Nov

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

A CHARITY is urgently calling for volunteers in South Gloucestershire to help its fundraising campaign next month.

Marie Curie, which helps people living with a terminal illness and their families, is holding its biggest annual fundraising campaign, the Great Daffodil Appeal, in March.

It needs volunteers to give just two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations.

The charity says that over the next 10 years, more than six million people will die in the UK and three quarters of them will need end-of-life care.

The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie Nurses provide expert care to people in the area with terminal illnesses, and support for their loved ones.

To volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal and give out the charity’s daffodils pins in return for donations, please visit mariecurie.org. uk/collect, email Helen.Isbell@mariecurie.org.uk or call 0117 9247 275.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020

thornburyvoice

19

n NEWS

Big fix comes to Alveston Repair Café

Last year's inaugural Alveston Repair Café fixed 23 items, from clothes and bikes to video recorders A COMMUNITY project to save household gadgets from the dump is back this month as part of a national event.

The Alveston Repair Café was launched last year to help people extend the life of household items by getting them fixed.

It will return on February 15 as part of the Big Fix 2020, which is thought to be the biggest repair event ever held. All 109 repair cafes in the UK are being encouraged to open on the same day.

The concept behind repair cafes is to share skills, save items from going into landfill, and to bring people together to have fun and socialise. Organisers estimate that more than 1,500 items will be repaired across the country, from lamps, vacuum cleaners and ceramics to clothes and toys.

The Alveston event is taking place in St Helen’s Church from 10am-1pm and everyone is welcome to bring anything that needs repairing, in return for a donation. There will also be a bicycle health check available for cyclists.

The repairers are local people who have relevant skills and they can volunteer for a specific area of interest.

At the inaugural Alveston Repair Café last year, more than 15 volunteers helped to save 23 household items from going into landfill. One of the highlights was fixing a Singer sewing machine which a woman had been given when she was a child: she wanted to get it working again so that

she could teach her own children to sew.

The Repair Café movement started in the Netherlands ten years ago and there are now thought to be over 10,000 repair cafes globally. As well as the environmental impact of saving goods from landfill, the aim is also to tackle social isolation,

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bring communities together and pass on practical skills that would otherwise be lost.

The Big Fix 2020 is the brainwave of Devon County Council, which is organising and promoting it.

Further Alveston Repair Café events at St Helen’s Church are planned for May 2, September 12

and November 14, from 10am to 1pm each day.

For more information visit the community section of the Alveston parish website at alveston.org or the Repair Café movement website at repaircafe. org/en/.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

20

thornburyvoice

February, 2020

n NEWS

Henry VIII in Thornbury Confidence workshop ONE of English history's most famous – or should that be infamous – kings will be reappearing in Thornbury this month.

The Armstrong Arts Group and the Select Society Company are staging Divorced, Beheaded, Died: An Audience with King Henry VIII at the Cossham Hall on February 29 at 7.30pm.

The performance, written by John White and performed by Jack Abbot, brings the Tudor monarch back to life in 1544 during a Royal Progress about his realm.

An Armstrong Arts group spokesperson said: "The King, recently married to his new and sixth wife, Queen Catherine Parr, is in poor health; his leg continues to cause him considerable pain and he is often in poor humour.

"In the course of the 'audience', His Majesty will recount the events of his long reign; telling of his wives and his children, and His Majesty will invite his Loyal Subjects to Petition him or question him on any related subject. There may be some surprising answers – a lively Q&A is assured!”

Tickets cost £12 (£10 concessions over-65) from Thornbury Town Hall or by calling 01454 412272.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

THORNBURY Volunteer Centre is holding a free workshop to help people build their confidence.

The confidence and resilience workshop will be held on February 26 between 10am and 1pm at the Thornbury Town Hall Council Chamber.

People who take part will explore some barriers to confidence and positive ways to overcome them, managing stress and difficult situations, and identifying positive attributes and how they are transferable to skills needed in the workplace.

The centre is also looking for volunteer instructors to assist Thornbury Sea Cadets, particularly anyone with skills in adventure training, catering, water sports, communication information systems, engineering, first aid, leadership and management, seamanship, meteorology, music, physical training, shooting or stewarding.

Volunteers must be willing to commit to one evening per week, either Monday or Thursday.

Volunteers are also needed to acts as independent visitors to support and befriend a young person in care aged between eight and 18. Volunteers are someone that the child or young person can talk to and who offers guidance and support.

The centre is also looking for an organisation which needs help from an experienced volunteer with speech and mobility issues who is looking for a role in Thornbury with accessible premises and toilet.

She is an experienced volunteer who has previously worked in an office environment but is willing to try something new. She is computer literate and is free on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings.

For further information on any of the above email mail@volunteerthornbury.co.uk or call 01454 413392.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2020

21

n NEWS

School's young stars shine in play Bank's boost for charity

A SCHOOL'S Christmas play was not just a hit with parents – it reached the semi-final of a competition to find the nation's best.

Tockington Manor School entered the Lower School Christmas Play in the Virgin Media Christmas Stars competition at the end of last year.

Judges said the standard of entries that the independent school was up against was "extremely high throughout" and they were "blown away by the quality, originality and creativity of the entries".

Head of Lower School Jane Sheppard said: “Congratulations to all of lower school for this incredible achievement.

"Thank you to all of the teachers for their hard work, children for their excellent performance and families for being a great audience and helping to learn their lines.”

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THORNBURY charity Brain Tumour Support has been given a boost of more than £3,000 by staff and customers at a town bank branch.

The TSB branch in the town has raised, with the help of customers, a total of £3,300 for the locally-based charity, which provides support nationwide to people with brain tumours and their families, in the five years since it launched a partnership in January 2015.

The money has been raised at a variety of fundraising events including cake sales, raffles, a tea dance and a Caribbean-themed party.

TSB Thornbury manager Cathy Bone said: “Our Local Charity Partnership programme is all about working in partnership to help support the local causes that are the lifeblood of many communities across Britain.

“It’s been fantastic to help Brain Tumour Support, which is close to our hearts here in Thornbury. Everyone working here has found our partnership really rewarding.

“As our partnership with Brain Tumour Support comes to an end, I’d like to wish them the very best for the future.”

Brain Tumour Support chief executive Tina Mitchell Skinner said: “It’s been great to work in partnership with TSB. Their support has had a really positive impact on our charity and the work we do here in Thornbury.

“The £3,300 we’ve raised together is being used to deliver really important services in our local area. Having major businesses like TSB supporting us locally is a great way of making our community stronger.”

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22

n NEWS THE hi-tech future of home care is taking shape at a secret location in South Gloucestershire.

The inconspicuous threebedroom semi-detached house contains a kitchen hob which rises and falls at the push of a button, lights that dim on command and Japanese-style toilets with built-in washers and dryers which enable some disabled people who would otherwise need help to use the loo to go without assistance.

South Gloucestershire Council’s fully adapted home showcases the latest technology to help elderly and disabled people continue to live independently in their own home.

There are door sensors which can automatically signal when someone with dementia wanders out of their bedroom or front door; remote controlled showers with fail-safes to prevent scalding; an ingenious but cheap plastic plug that magically stops the sink overflowing by rising out of the hole under the weight of too much water; a phone with just two buttons, each with a photo of a loved one, that a relative with memory problems can press to call them instantly.

There is even jewellery pendant to provide a stylish alternative to the traditional plastic personal alarms to call in help in an emergency, 24-7.

Occupational therapist Catherine Young said: “People want the freedom of living in their own homes, if they can, not staying in hospital or a care home.

“It’s all about choice.

“A lot of this stuff is not just for older people – they are all personalised and bespoke.”

People are referred to the show home to find out which technology might work for them by care workers.

Booking is by appointment only and the location is secret to avoid people dropping in and maintain the excellent relationship staff have nurtured with neighbours.

Occupational therapist Rosemary Johnson said: “The approach we take in South Gloucestershire is to start with a conversation about what’s important to you and how assistive technology can support you to achieve independence and therefore well-being.

“The preventative part of it

February, 2020

Caring technology helping people to live at home is to point out to people, before their condition worsens and they need a social care package, that there are things out there to help them.

“That’s why we have developed the electronic side of this house, to promote that message.

“It’s not just about giving care but how you can enhance life.”

There is a traditional stairlift but, like everything else that can be tried out here, the purpose is not just to find the right one for the user but to rule out those that just aren’t suited to them, before they or the local authority make an expensive mistake – a “try before you buy” approach.

Catherine says: “It makes a massive difference to carers if you can do something for yourself.

“It takes so much pressure off and gives the person independence with mundane tasks.”

The home includes an Alexa, Amazon's voice-operated gadget which allowed one woman who needed oxygen every day to leave hospital by helping manage her supply, saving the taxpayer thousands.

“Alexa allowed her to go home,” said Catherine.

The show home also has a place mat with flashing lights to guide partially-sighted people to put their drinks down in the right place, and an electronic screen programmed to flash up an alarm when it’s time for pills.

There is a GPS tracker wristband that can detect the impact of a fall.

“You can also set a geo-fence so someone can safely walk to their local shops and back but no further than that boundary before letting others know,” said Rosemary.

“It enables someone to do their day-to-day tasks but building in safety.”

Catherine added: “This house is here to demystify the impact of having a disability and showing it is possible for many to live in their home environment and the neighbourhood they love.”

Council cabinet member for adults and public health Ben

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Stokes said: “This is a really important part of the support we can offer to people who need help to continue to live independent, healthy and fulfilling lives in their own homes as they get older or experience ill-health or Above: Some of the technology at the assisted disability.

“We want to living show home do everything “The common thread is that we can to give people the choice each solution is bespoke and by to stay active and present in seeing, touching and trying out their local communities, but we alternatives, solutions can be recognise that there can be a found that are as individual as sense of mystery or anxiety about the service users.” how living at home might be

By Adam Postans, Local possible.

Democracy Reporting Service

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2020

23

n NEWS

Alistair tickles the ivories for Festival HE'S better known as an impressionist but Alistair McGowan will bring his more recently-developed skills as a pianist to this year’s Thornbury Arts Festival.

Pop singer-songwriter Paul Young's Tex-Mex band Los Pacaminos, cop-turnedcomedian Alfie Moore and former Home Secretary Alan Johnson – most recently seen emerging from under a pharaoh costume in ITV contest The Masked Singer – are among the other highlights of the annual festival, which runs from April 24 until May 2.

Alistair’s re-discovery of the piano at the age of 49 led to a debut album, which topped the classical music charts.

The Piano Show mixes classical music from the likes of Chopin, Grieg and Debussy to Philip Glass and Yann Tiersen with Alistair's trademark impressions and will end the festival at Armstrong Hall on May 2.

Volunteers running the festival have also booked Los Pacaminos, fronted by singersongwriter Paul Young, for an evening of foot-stomping Tex-

Los Pacaminos, featuring Paul Young (front), are one of the headliners of this year's Thornbury Arts Festival Mex music.

Formed in 1992 when pop star Paul had some down-time, Los Pacaminos today continues to be one of the UK’s most popular live touring bands.

The musicians will appear at Armstrong Hall during the first weekend of the festival, on April 25, with Alfie Moore performing the first night show at the same venue on April 24.

Alfie’s 18 years on the beat provided him with a wealth of “you couldn’t make it up” stories

and he has appeared numerous times at the Edinburgh Fringe, while his BBC Radio 4 show It’s a Fair Cop is a hit with listeners.

Other events include a murder mystery created on the spot in an improvised performance by Bristol-based Degrees of Error theatre company on April 28 and an onstage interview with postmanturned-Cabinet member and best selling author Alan Johnson on April 29, both at at Armstrong Hall.

Jazz singer Cate Cody and classical music ensemble the Vesta Trio will also be in concert, while lunchtime talks will feature guests such as David Slater, the photographer at the centre of a legal fight over a macaque monkey selfie picture, and Oscar-winning special effects supervisor and designer John Richardson.

Senior model maker Will Harding from Bristol’s Aardman Animations – creators of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep – has also been signed up to give a talk on the studio’s work, to be followed by the screening of two 30-minute films, The Farmer’s Llamas and A Grand Day Out. Meanwhile, a popular Sunday stroll to discover the history and features of a local area will return, this time taking festivalgoers to Chepstow.

Tickets are set to go on sale in February. The full programme of events will go on the festival website www. thornburyartsfestival.org. uk and appear in guides to be distributed around the town and surrounding area.

Jazz festival performers are unveiled THE third Thornbury Jazz Festival will take place on March 28 in the Armstrong Hall.

Organisers say the event promises "a full evening of great music in a relaxed jazz café setting" - and both previous festivals sold out

quickly.

Top of the bill is virtuoso guitarist Remi Harris, playing an eclectic mixture of jazz and blues standards with original compositions and improvisations.

Also appearing are Sinead and the Sinnermen, featuring

Sinead McCabe (vocals) and Cass Caswell (bass) and much-admired on the Bristol jazz scene for their original interpretations of jazz greats.

The line-up is completed by local group the Jenner Jazz Quartet, featuring their new keyboard player Sam Foster,

and the Kris Nock Big Band.

The festival starts at 6pm and runs until 11.30pm.

Tickets cost £20 from Thornbury Town Hall or by calling 01454, 412272. Supper tickets are £7.50, and the bar is open all evening.

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24

February, 2020

n LOCAL MP

Free swimming will help pregnant women

A

S a father to two young children, I know how important it is to feel you are doing everything possible to give your family the best start in life.

In the summer, I teamed up with local mums, dads and families to push the council to create a new scheme, offering free swimming to local expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy.

After months of campaigning, I am delighted to inform Voice readers that from February 1 this year, pregnant women living in South Gloucestershire will now have access to free swimming.

This free service will now be offered in every single Active Leisure Centre across South Gloucestershire, in Yate, Bradley Stoke, Kingswood, Longwell Green and Thornbury.

To take part, expecting

mums must simply present their Maternity Exemption Certificate, which is supplied by their doctor or midwife, and proof of address before their first session.

Delivering this promise of free swimming has been an incredibly important objective in my Positive Plan for Schools and Family Life here in South Gloucestershire. The idea for such an initiative came from new research, which demonstrates the huge benefits of exercise, and in particular swimming, for pregnant women.

The Royal College of Midwifery welcomed reports from NHS England, as well as recommendations from the Government’s Chief Medical Officer, who advised parents to aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity during pregnancy. Swimming is widely recognised as a low-impact

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method of aerobic exercise, and is particularly good for pregnant women, as it can be performed safely in all three trimesters.

It has numerous benefits specifically for pregnant women, such as preventing diabetes during pregnancy, reducing the need for caesarean sections, improved fitness and reducing high blood pressure. Swimming can also have a long-term effect on a child’s development beyond birth, with further research suggesting that it has a potential for improving the mental and physical health of children well into adulthood.

The news is a great step forward in achieving the first stage of my Positive Plan to improve Family Life. I will now push for ensuring that other aspects of this plan see the same success for our schools, by building two new primary

Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice

schools in Yate, rebuilding Castle School and upgrading schools throughout South Gloucestershire and improving special educational needs and disabilities provision, including better equipment for deaf children.

For further information on the scheme, please do not hesitate to email me at luke.hallmp@ parliament.uk, where I shall be happy to help.

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February, 2020

25

n NEWS

Mary helps to keep 2,000 children safe A VOLUNTEER from Tockington has been recognised for her work teaching more than 2,000 children to stay safe.

Mary Craddy has completed more than 500 sessions at the Lifeskills Safety Education Centre in Smeaton Road, Bristol, since she started her role in 2005.

The Lifeskills Safety Education Centre is an interactive village - essentially a huge set with 19 different real-life danger scenarios which are presented to children. They usually visit when they are aged 10 to 11, often with their school or youth organisation, and tour the centre dealing with each scenario in small groups, facilitated by Mary and other volunteer guides.

The scenarios include discovering and reacting to a house fire, making emergency 999 calls, doing first aid and experiencing the consequences of walking on a railway line.

Lighting, sound and wind effects

Mary Craddy being presented with her Bristol Blue Glass award

by Lifeskills chairman Kevern Jenkin. are used to try and make it more realistic.

Mary said: “I began volunteering at Lifeskills fifteen years ago and after a few years became a trainer guide. When I first visited, I was impressed with the amount of safety topics covered.

“I find it very satisfying knowing that what I am doing will help to make the lives of

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children much safer. It's good to see them enjoying their visit as much as I enjoy guiding them.”

The Lifeskills centre opened in 2000 and 175,000 children have now visited. It also runs other programmes which are specifically designed to be suitable for adults with learning difficulties, children with special educational needs, parents with young children, and older

people.

Manager Andy Townsend said: “We could not operate the centre without our dedicated team of volunteers. We know what we do here makes a difference and saves lives; one child helped his family escape a house fire, another prevented a gas explosion, and a boy knew how to make a 999 call to help his mother – all skills learnt at Lifeskills.

“Lifeskills urgently needs more volunteers so we are running an hour-long 'taster session' at the Centre so people interested in becoming a volunteer can come and have a look before committing.”

To book a place on the taster session, which takes place on Wednesday February 12 at 10.30am, call 0117 922 4511 or email sam@lifeskills-bristol. org.uk.

For more information on the centre search for Lifeskills Bristol online.

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26

February, 2020

n THORNBURY & DISTRICT MUSEUM

Thornbury's railway line – the early years THORNBURY'S railway line did not get off to the best of starts.

Services to and from Yate via Tytherington started in 1872, nine years after a public meeting had been called to raise support for the line.

The first timetable was described as experimental, starting with two trains a day running between Bristol and Thornbury, morning and evening. The trains would have accommodation for first, second and third class passengers.

The first services ran on September 2 1872 but newspaper reports show that there were problems with the railway line from its earliest days. On November 2, two months after the line opened, there was an article about a land slip in the cutting between Thornbury and Tytherington stations. The land slip was said to be very extensive and so, although upwards of 150 men were reportedly working day and night, it was likely to have been at least

a fortnight before services could resume.

Another smaller landslip was reported on December 7 of the same year.

In November 1884 a minor accident was reported on the train which had left Thornbury for Yate the morning before.

Part of the train was derailed but no one was hurt.

Services never seemed to be adequate.

There are many newspaper reports of dissatisfaction, including one in Railway staff celebrate 50 years of the Thornbury line in 1922.

November 15 1899 in which the council have gone unheeded. It was never But as late as 1918, the Gazette was said to have very convenient to travel from was still suggesting that there voted to ask the Midland Railway Thornbury to Bristol via Yate. could be a bright future for the Company to run an extra train The competition which would railway line. An article in March from Thornbury between 1pm eventually spell the end for the said: “A large staff of engineers are and 2pm. This request seems to trains came with motor buses. at present at Thornbury planning In 1904 Alveston Parish Council out a light railway in continuation asked the Great Western Railway of the Midland Railway from Yate company to provide a motor to the River Severn, for the purpose car service between Thornbury of conveying stone from the and Patchway. The first motor huge quarries at Tytherington… bus service from Thornbury, to the banks of the River Severn at provided by the Bristol Tramways Littleton.” and Carriage Company, began in The extension never came.

February 1906. It ran to Horfield, Despite these problems, the where the Bristol trams ended. railway survived to reach its golden A year later the bus service jubilee and the main picture shows terminated at Filton, for the railway employees assembled for trams had been extended to that a 50th anniversary celebration in growing suburb. Some buses ran September 1922. through Thornbury to Berkeley.

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Thornbury railway station platform in its heyday, with well-tended flower bed and gas lamps. Picture courtesy of Gill Watts.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020

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27

n NEWS ANOTHER successful year for Thornbury Lions has been rounded off with its annual meal for senior citizens.

More than 200 people attended the event held in the Armstrong Hall, including groups from the town's Grace, Grace Lodge and Alexandra Lodge care homes.

Lion Chris Phillips welcomed the pensioners and special guests including town mayor Angela Symonds, deputy mayor Jayne Stansfield and curate Joy Ludlow.

Catering for the Christmas meal was by Paul Cook and the overall organisation was undertaken by Lions members Kim Webber and Ken Peers, with

Lions round off successful year a good supply of raffle prizes donated by local traders.

The event concluded with entertainment from Thornbury Music and Theatre Group, including songs from the shows and community carol singing.

Lion Les Jones said: "The club were able to give a good spread of donations due to the continued success of the bookshop. Donations were given to youth club Krunch for new equipment, another defibrillator was presented to Castle School, and 1st Thornbury Scouts, the town Christmas lights and the

Willow Trust also benefited.

"We are looking forward with confidence to be able to continue our success this year."

Right: More than 200 people attended the dinner.

Funerals go carbon neutral A THORNBURY funeral director is aiming to become 'carbon neutral' this year.

L & J Gulwell, part of an independent family firm of funeral directors, is looking at all of its practices to reduce waste, increase recycling and offset the carbon used in the business via two projects: Gold Standard, which works with the World Wide Fund for Nature and other international organisations to support projects which reduce carbon emissions and contributed to sustainable development, and oil firm Shell's Drive Carbon Neutral scheme to offset emissions from vehicles by funding forest developments and grassland preservation projects.

A spokesperson said: "We as a company feel that due to the nature of the job we do and the professional vehicles we use on funerals, we should be looking at trying to offset the carbon which we use.

"For 2020 we will be looking at our business practices and try to recycle more, reduce our waste and not make unnecessary journeys.

"As another step in trying to become carbon neutral we will be donating £5 from every funeral we conduct, to offset the carbon we use. Hopefully these small steps which we will try to make over the coming years will help to reduce our carbon footprint."

For more details on the schemes visit www. goldstandard.org or search for Drive Carbon Neutral online.

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February, 2020

Record field braves the Riverbank Rollick THORNBURY Running Club's opening race for the year, the Riverbank Rollick, was another roaring success, with a record field of 458 runners taking part.

After several years of mild conditions and dry weather, the true nature of the course revealed itself on January 12, with very heavy mud adding to the difficulty of this 9.6-mile multi-terrain course.

The early rain didn't dampen the mood of excellent support generated by Thornbury RC's marshals, many in fancy dress, and the runners' families and friends who lined the course.

Weston AC's Chris McMillan and Stroud AC's Alastair Cambell were neck and neck before McMillan opened up a commanding lead to cross the finishing line in the fields of Castle School in an exceptional time of 59:52 mins. Cambell was 2nd in 1 hour 3:21 and Westbury's Alex Hamblin was third, in 1 hour 5:24.

In the women's race, Bristol and West AC's Annabel Granger took top honours again in a time of 1 hour 12:20, (11th overall).

Thornbury RC's Taryn Roberts was third

Thornbury's Taryn Roberts vies with Niki Morgan from Chepstow Harriers in the Riverbank Rollick. Picture: Charles Whitton Photography behind Chepstow Harriers' Niki Morgan, finishing in 1 hour 16:03 (22nd overall).

Taryn was also 1st in her age group – F18-39.

Dylan Roberts was the fastest Thornbury runner on the day, finishing 8th overall in an excellent time of 1 hour 11:21. Rob Cowlard won the M45-49 age group (14th overall) in 1 hour 14:13. There was more age group

success from TRC runners from Clare Watt, who was 2nd F55-59 in 1hour 32:01, Judy Mills, 4th in F60-64 in 1 hour 47:33 and Chris Lee, 5th in M60-64 in 2 hours 6:52.

The South West Cross-Country Championships and Gloucestershire Cross Country Championships were both held on the weekend of January 4-5 and there were Thornbury runners in both races.

Hannah Kinloch Haken, representing the Avon Team at the regional championships on a tough course at Aldon Hill, Yeovil, finished 49th overall in 26:07 mins.

At the Gloucestershire championships at Rendcomb College, Jim Godden finished 58th overall and was 3rd in the MV55 age category in 46:51 mins.

Thornbury's women had 3 finishers.

Clare Watt and Rosina Rowland ran an incredibly close race, with Clare the first of the Thornbury women home in 39th place in 34:58 mins and Rosina was 1 place and two seconds behind. Judy Mills was in 60th place overall in 39:44 mins.

Matt Johnstone

Challenging start to year for netball club THE first game of the season was always going to be a challenge for both Thornbury netball teams, with both teams playing against top sides in their respective leagues.

For the first team it was a familiar fixture against Emus: both teams were promoted at the end of last season, with Emus finishing top of the division, so the squad were well aware of the challenge that faced them.

At half time it looked like Thornbury Firsts might not even get a point out of the game and

an 11-goal lead in the second half gave Emus a considerable advantage. But a decisive decision made by captain Nic Latham to switch players at half time made a positive difference in the second half. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the firsts came back to within 2 goals before losing by 3 at the end of the game - another few minutes and we’re sure the result could have been a win! Final score: Thornbury 25, Emus 28.

The pressure is on now: the team are focused on promotion

so can not afford to lose another game. The firsts have formed a fantastic bond and coming back from such a deficit shows a great team spirit, and they know this experience will only make them stronger. Congratulations to Sarah Jenkins, who was awarded nominated player.

Thornbury Seconds had a very respectable game against top of the league Airbourne.

In the face of some last minute injuries and players playing out of positions, throughout the first half there wasn’t much

in it and Thornbury’s defence worked well, coming up with good deflections and some great play by Wing Defence Hannah Williams. In the end Thornbury lost 12-23 but coach Jane Sunnocks said: "The Team should be very proud of themselves. We stayed composed under pressure and didn’t put their heads down once."

Congratulations to Nicky Reed, for nominated player.

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Pack powers Thorns to victory

Newent 0-38 Thornbury THORNBURY’S well-drilled forwards out-muscled Newent to deliver a powerful six-try return to winning ways, after three successive defeats.

In constant drizzle and a stiff breeze on a heavy, slippery pitch, Thorns played to the conditions perfectly and adapted their style to turn pressure into points.

Thorns had enjoyed a 30-20 win over Newent at Rockhampton Road in September, since when Newent had endured a torrid season, losing all bar three of their games.

After ten minutes Thornbury went ahead. They won a lineout on the Newent ‘22’ and the forwards drove before releasing the ball. Then, after play was taken close to the Newent line, Sam Evans powered into two defenders and took them over with him for the try. Jack Pinker converted for a 7-0 lead.

The conditions ensured the

game would be an arm-wrestle, and Thorns looked to carry through the midfield rather than spinning the ball wide. As the half-hour mark passed the referee consigned the home No 8 to the sin bin for coming in at the side to prevent a maul progressing over the line and, after Thorns put the ball in touch, from the lineout the maul rumbled over, with Pinker awarded the try and converting his score.

Thorns held out after Pinker was sent to the sin bin to lead

14-0 at the end of a tight first half.

Chris Moseley crashed over for his first senior try for Thornbury three minutes after the break to put Thorns 19-0 up and ten minutes later, the forwards drove again from a lineout in the Newent ‘22’ and this time it was James Phillips who scored the try. With a bonus point in the bag, Pinker converted to extend Thornbury’s lead. Then Thorns scored again three minutes later, when Harry

Glew picked up and ran in from a breakdown in the Newent ‘22’ to score between the posts. Pinker added the extras and put Thorns 33-0 ahead.

With over 20 minutes left Thornbury brought on the replacements.

As time ran out, Newent lock Jack Devries was yellow-carded for a dangerously high no-arms tackle. With Thorns again one man up they destroyed the Newent scrum and, in injury time, had another driving lineout, with Jay Burley crashing over for their sixth try. Pinker’s conversion went wide but the referee blew for the end of the match with Thornbury winners 38-0.

It was a well disciplined and controlled performance by Thornbury, who knew how to play in the conditions.

Thornbury's home match with Cleve on January 18 was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Dave Fox

Pickleball comes to Thornbury THORNBURY is now the home of two pickleball clubs.

Originating from the USA, pickleball is a fully-inclusive sport with similarities to tennis, badminton and table tennis, with more than 3 million players in the US and around 1,000 in the UK. Like tennis, pickleball can be played as both a singles and doubles game, with the court layout and rules remaining the same in both instances. Like badminton, it is played to eleven and must be won by two points. The game is played with a ball – or wiffle – and paddles, like table tennis.

Pickleball is most popular among the over-55s – largely due to the health and social benefits involved.

After winning medals at the first English Open tournament held in Nottingham last year, Thornbury residents and seasoned pickleball players Kathy Blannin and Andy Horrell decided to set up the Thornbury Pickleball Club to get more people involved.

Kathy says pickleball is a "fantastic, social sport” and Thornbury Active Lifestyle Centre, which is hosting the club, has invested in equipment to support it.

Thornbury Pickleball Club is currently adults-only and offers free introductory tuition for new players. It meets at Thornbury Active Lifestyle Centre on Monday evenings, with further ad-hoc sessions being held throughout the week.

For more information on pickleball – or to join the club – contact Thornbury Pickleball Club at info@thornburypickleballclub.co.uk or visit their website www.thornburypickleballclub.co.uk.

Meanwhile the leisure centre has also started hosting sessions for Avon Pickleball Club, which also has a base in Bradley Stoke, on Wednesday mornings.

For more information email info@avonpickleball.club or visit www.avonpickleball.club.

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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February, 2020

Rain plays havoc with Town's season CONSTANT rain has upset Thornbury Town’s routine, with five consecutive games being postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

They played just one game in the whole of December, and that involved a trip to league leaders Hereford Pegasus, who, because of their artificial pitch, had been able to play regularly throughout the month.

Thorns found it difficult to adapt to the surface and whilst Craig Lancastle came close to giving Town the lead early on it was Pegasus who took a 2-0 lead into the half-time break. The second half saw an improved performance from Town and they pulled a goal back through leading scorer Lancastle but struggled to carve out any other openings to gain the draw that they perhaps just about deserved.

The following Saturday saw Malmesbury Victoria visit the Mundys for what was going to be another difficult test for Thorns.

The visitors were also in the

Action from Thornbury Town's defeat to Malvern Town. Picture: Cliff Williams. hunt for promotion at the time but Town ran out comfortable 4-2 winners in the end, with Lancastle netting a hat-trick and fellow striker Harry Brock scoring the other goal.

A GFA Challenge Trophy tie against old rivals from the County League, Patchway Town saw Town repeat the previous Saturday’s scoreline, with

the first goal coming when a Patchway defender headed a cross into his own net. Another goal from Harry Brock and two from Jacob Farthing saw Town run out comfortable winners.

Town’s first ever trip to Malvern Town is one that they will want to forget. Malvern are the only side to have beaten Thorns at home in the league

and they again proved what a good, strong, skilful side they are, winning 6-1 with three goals in each half. Lancastle netted Town’s consolation in stoppage time at the end of the game.

The result saw Malvern leapfrog Thorns, who dropped into fourth place in the league.

Town's home game against Moreton Rangers on January 18 was also postponed, which means they have now played five fewer games than top side Hereford Pegasus.

The Reserves and Third team have also had games postponed because of the wet weather.

The Reserves still maintain a mid-table position in their league but suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat in the County Cup quarter finals away at Marshfield, having led 2-0 at half time.

However the Third team remain undefeated at the top of the table and had more success in their County Cup tie, reaching the semi-finals following a 3-2 win against MPK Lofts.

Malcolm Carr

Cricket club looks to future as milestone awaits THORNBURY Cricket Club is open to new players and social members as it looks towards its 150th anniversary.

The club, which plays at the Ship Ground on the Thornbury Road in Alveston, was founded in 1871 by Dr Edward Mills Grace, older brother of England great WG Grace.

WG played 51 times for Thornbury, and over the years 24 Graces have played for the club, most of them doctors.In 2021 we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary with various functions and activities in aid of St

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Thornbury's four senior Saturday cricket teams play in the West of England Premier League and the Bristol and District League, with occasional Sunday and mid-week matches, including an annual fixture against the MCC. We have an intensive programme of junior cricket and have been accredited with Clubmark status by the England Cricket Board.

Thornbury CC welcomes new players irrespective of age or ability and offers social membership for non-players with a regular programme of functions. The clubhouse and bar are always open on match days, when non-members are welcome.

Anyone interested in joining as a social member should call Les Summerfield on 07774 110831 and players should call John Wormwell on 07974 191110, visit our website on Pitchero or come along on any summer Saturday.

John Wormwell

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