Thornbury Voice February 2023

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Rob says goodbye

A THORNBURY man was the guest of honour at his own funeral, after being told he has months to live.

Aerospace engineer Rob Hale, who is 33, arranged the “living funeral” to say goodbye to friends and family.

Rob has been fighting cancer for two years – but in December was told he only has months to live. So he decided he wanted to hold a special event and “go with a smile”.

Friends and family gathered at Cattle Country, near Berkeley – an old favourite with Rob for family outings when he was a child.

Rob said the living funeral was his way of thanking those around him.

He said: "I'd never seen or heard of one before so I really didn't have any expectations but I was blown away by the love and kindness everyone showed me.

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'Callous' scam

A DOG owner has warned other pet lovers not to fall prey to criminals who demand money in return for missing pets.

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Buses on demand

A NEW 'on-demand' transport service enabling people in the Thornbury area to 'hail' a minibus will be launched this year - as some subsidised services are cut.

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Arsonist jailed

A MAN who destroyed 12 vehicles belonging to a charity serving people in the Thornbury area has been jailed.

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Lotto win

VILLAGERS are celebrating after their community hall won a lottery grant of nearly £100,000.

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Rob Hale with his dog Brian

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New power hope for Oldbury

HOPES that the site of the former nuclear power station at Oldburyon-Severn could be used to generate electricity again have been revived.

A "senior team" from engineering giant Rolls-Royce visited Oldbury and nearby Berkeley in January, as the company looks for potential sites for its small modular reactor (SMR) power station programme.

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The Rolls-Royce SMR team also met landowners, council representatives and the Western Gateway team behind the recent bid to bring an experimental fusion reactor to the site, during what it described as a "packed programme of meetings and visits".

Oldbury and Berkeley made the final shortlist for the £220 million Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production programme (STEP) project, but lost out to a former coal site in the East Midlands last October.

The visit follows an announcement last year when Rolls-Royce SMR prioritised its first four sites, which it says have the potential to host 15 gigawatts of new nuclear power between them.

The company says each SMR would create 470 megawatts of lowcarbon energy, enough to power a million homes and equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines.

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They would be operational for at least 60 years, providing a consistent level of power to help overcome fluctuations in power from some renewable energy sources.

Oldbury was among the sites in the ‘first wave’ that the company said showed "significant potential" and earmarked for further investigation.

Rolls-Royce SMR chief operating officer David White said: “This has been an extremely important step for us – allowing us to better understand the sites, see the potential for Rolls-Royce SMRs and, most importantly, meet representatives from the communities to discuss their aspirations for bringing new nuclear to the region.

"Rolls-Royce SMR’s factory-built power stations will play a significant part in guaranteeing future energy security for the UK and providing clean, affordable electricity for generations to come, while supporting thousands of highly-skilled jobs.

"We are looking to agree a route forward with Government to enable us to start building British factories, commissioning supply chain contracts and agreeing export deals abroad, as soon as possible.

"It is vital that we maintain the momentum we have created and move from development into deployment.”

South Gloucestershire Council leader and Western Gateway Partnership vice-chair Toby Savage said: “It is great to see continued interest in our sites at Oldbury and Berkeley.

"Our area has a long history of expertise in pioneering new forms of energy generation and it was good to be able to demonstrate this to our guests from Rolls-Royce SMR.

"Alongside our partners, we are in the process of exploring a range of options to make sure we find the best use for these sites to unlock their potential."

Rolls-Royce SMR says the new power stations would use standard nuclear energy technology that has been used in 400 reactors around the world and could create 40,000 jobs across England and Wales.

The former Oldbury nuclear power station

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"I had told my parents I wanted an event where I could properly say goodbye to everyone - and because everyone I have known since childhood all have children of their own now I wanted to hold it somewhere they could come.”

Rob became ill in early 2021 with coronavirus, and when his symptoms persisted, he assumed he had long covid.

But when he finally sought help, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer that affects cells in the bone marrow.

He had three bouts of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, and then stem cell treatment.

Rob first told the Voice about his illness in the summer of 2021, warning people not to dismiss the symptoms he suffered, including extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and brain fog, as long covid.

In December he put out a plea for more people to donate stem cells, and says the treatment gave him an extra 18 months of life.

But just before Christmas he was told he only has months to live – and so decided to host his own funeral at Cattle Country, on January 14.

Writing about the experience to the many people who have followed him on Instagram and Facebook, he said: "I couldn't go there and not go down the death slides, so with a bit of encouragement and a large crowd of spectators I climbed up and gave it one last go (well, twice).

"My legs were very shaky afterwards but it was worth it. If I was healthier I might have gone head-first but... old age and cancer stopped that.

"I am so glad I got to see such a happy funeral rather than the usual sombre sad affair they usually are.

"I really am glad I was given the chance to say goodbye to you all, and I can't stress enough how overwhelming it was seeing and feeling the love - we may not have stayed in contact over the years but it certainly didn't feel like it tonight.

"Most people never get the chance...to say goodbye properly.

"Death is usually so sudden and final and full of regret for things left unsaid. I feel like when I go, I can go with a smile."

Rob, 33, holds his own 'living funeral'

Rob, who had to give up work because of his illness, has also drawn up a bucket list of visiting all the castles in the UK before he dies. A fundraising page has already topped £3,300 to help pay for the trips.

Since then he says he has received gifts from total strangers – and was even contacted by his favourite football team, Tottenham Hotspur, who have sent him VIP tickets to a home game.

Rob said: "I've never seen Tottenham play at their new ground before and it was something on my bucket list.

"The first (and last) time I see my favourite club playing in their new stadium will be from a VIP executive box with my dad and two other people. I am beyond excited.”

Rob says he is taking every day as it comes, but hopes he is able to attend his niece’s second birthday at the end of April.

People can visit Rob’s fundraising page at www. gofundme.com/f/robertsbucket-list or follow him on Instagram at @robs_cancer_ journey and @robs_final_dance.

To find out more about the stem cell register visit the Anthony Nolan Trust at anthonynolan.org/help-save-alife/join-stem-cell-register.

Rob Hale with friends at his 'living funeral' at Cattle Country

A NEW 'on-demand' transport service enabling people in the Thornbury area to 'hail' a minibus will be launched this year.

The aim of the 'WEST link' service is to enable people who live in areas with little or no bus service to reach a stop or station where they can pick up another bus or a train.

Funded by the West of England Combined Authority, out of £3 million cash from the government's Bus Service Improvement Plan, the minibuses will run between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

The service was originally set to start in the summer but a meeting of the West of England Combined Authority on January 18 heard it could be operational by April.

The new ‘demand-responsive transport’ WEST link minibus services will cover all of South Gloucestershire north of the M4, as well as large parts of North East Somerset and some areas of Bristol.

People will be able to phone, go online or use an app to call up a minibus as a "feeder service" to reach a stop linking them up with main commercial services to destinations including Cribbs Causeway, Southmead Hospital and Bristol Parkway station.

The system works by splitting the region into zones and using

New 'on-demand' buses launched as more cuts loom

transport crisis facing the region.

He said the government insisted Bus Service Improvement Plan money cannot be spent to subsidise existing services but must instead be invested in services that are "innovative and new".

Mr Norris said: "Everyone knows the buses don’t currently work as well as we need them to, so it’s time to try something new.

"If we carry on doing the same old things, we're going to get the same old outcomes. In doing innovative things, sometimes they don't work, but sometimes they are a success.

"WEST link will provide a much-needed new public transport option to help people get out and about to their destinations."

an algorithm to work out when requests by several people can be combined into one minibus journey that collects them all.

It has no timetable, and ticket prices will match regular fares on the region's buses, which have recently been reduced to a £2 flat rate single.

Details of how many minibuses will be provided and how far they can go from each town or village covered by the scheme have yet to be finalised.

The idea grew out of consultations held by Metro Mayor Dan Norris last year to try and find solutions to the public

The Metro Mayor also hopes running a fleet of smaller minibuses will help solve the shortage of more than 250 drivers on the region's bus network: they are easier to drive and quicker to train on than a large bus, as drivers don't need a public service vehicle (PSV) licence.

Row as 42 subsidised services face axe

BUS passengers face further cuts to the struggling public transport network, with around 42 subsidised services facing the axe across the region from April.

The service cuts were signed off by the West of England combined authority on January 18, after the region’s political leaders heard how many of the services were crucial in connecting isolated communities and persuading drivers to use public transport instead.

Among the routes facing cuts in South Gloucestershire are the 622 Chipping Sodbury to Cribbs Causeway, the 626 Wotton-under-Edge to Bristol - which is the only current service for Iron Acton - and the 202 Chipping Sodbury to Winterbourne.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris blamed the leaders of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils for paying the combined authority too small a transport levy, which was less than inflation, so service cuts had to be made.

He said: "We have a real term cut in supported bus services because the levy has not increased. The levy is much lower than in other parts of the country.

"At the moment we have about £20 a head per year for our transport levy, and that compares to the ones at the top of the combined authorities in other parts of the country, that are £60 a head. "There are huge reserves in some of our council areas that could perhaps be used in a way that deals with exactly these concerns, and that’s a political choice."

Mr Norris repeatedly denied that the WEST link minibus services were replacing the subsidised services.

South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage said many of the council’s reserves are for specific areas and can’t be spent on saving subsidised bus routes - and countered that WECA was wasting money.

He said: "I’ve raised concerns in the past about the West of England’s new offices, and over-reliance on interim staff that are often much more costly."

He said comparing the £20 a head WECA area levy to other regions with trams or metro systems was "comparing apples and pears" and not particularly helpful to the public.

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young spoke at the WECA meeting and said

some services, such as the 622 and 626, were "the only regular bus for some villages".

Cllr Young (pictured), also raised concerns that replies to the Metro Mayor’s 'Big Choices on Buses' consultation last year did not appear to have been seen by officers working on WEST link, despite it being "the biggest shake-up in bus services in decades".

She added: "We don’t know whether the feedback was shared with the councils to help them decide which services to support in their area."

Meeting report by Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A map of 'WEST link' coverage in South Gloucestershire (in green) includes Thornbury and the surrounding area.

A DOG owner has warned other pet lovers not to fall prey to criminals who demand money in return for missing pets.

Andy MacDonald paid £250 to fraudsters who claimed to have his missing border collie Belle, but then they vanished without a trace.

Detectives say his case is among more than 100 reports of similar scams nationwide, dating back over the past two years, where criminals target online lost pet appeals and demand money - despite not having the pets.

Andy’s nightmare started when Belle went missing from his garden in Alveston in December.

He found a break in his fence, which made him think she had been stolen.

Andy’s friend set up posts on Facebook and website LostDog. co.uk appealing for help.

A man then phoned Andy, 57, and said he could leave Belle with a local vet - but unless Andy paid £1,000 to get her back, he would kill her.

Andy says he didn't realise it was a scam, although he says that by the end of the call "I was a bit worried that things were not quite right".

After receiving the bank details from the scammer, Andy transferred £250 to an account.

But after the bank transfer, communication broke down and he heard nothing more back.

Andy contacted Avon and Somerset police, who forwarded

'Callous and ruthless' scammers target dog owners

she is no longer alive.

"Even that bad news is better than no news at all.

"We are glad at least we know what happened to her, and she had not been stolen."

Police are advising people to complete extensive checks before sending any reward money to confirm that the person actually has a missing dog.

Methods of checking include Facetime or asking for new photos of the dog.

Andy said Hazel Richards, a local contact for LostDog.co.uk was a great help – and he advised owners to advertise missing animals on their site, and allow them to handle contacts.

the information to Cumbria, where detectives were already investigating multiple incidents.

He said: "It is a national scam - they surf the net looking for lost animals and contact the owners pretending they have their pets.

"It all sounds plausible, with the bank details too, but they use stolen bank account details. They are technically capable and ruthless about the way they do it.”

Cumbria police said they have received over 100 reports from across the country of scams involving lost dogs, which they

believe are linked. More reports are coming in regularly and a “very complex investigation” is being carried out.

So far, 15 people from Barrow-in-Furness have been arrested in relation to offences including blackmail, fraud and attempted fraud, and released under investigation.

Andy’s story had a sad ending – he found Belle’s body in a local lake a few weeks later, and believes she fell through the ice after escaping from the garden.

He said: “At least she is home. We have her back, even though

Cigarette ends in court

A MAN who dropped a cigarette end in Thornbury High Street has been ordered to pay a total of £558 in fines and costs.

South Gloucestershire Council prosecuted Alex Davis, of Woodruff Close in Gloucester, for littering after he was spotted smoking a cigarette then dropping it in the street by two street enforcement officers last August.

A council spokesperson said: "The officers approached Davis to speak with him and pointed out that he had been observed discarding the cigarette, to which he apologised.

"They explained that because he had committed a littering offence, that they were obliged to issue him with a fixed penalty notice."

When Davis failed to pay the

charge of £150 - with a 50% discount if paid within ten days - he was taken to court.

He failed to attend the hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court in January and was found guilty of littering in his absence.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £220, along with £250 in costs and a £88 victim surcharge.

Council cabinet member Rachael Hunt said: "Cigarette ends are unsightly, and it can take between 18 months and 10 years for their component parts to decompose. Smokers are encouraged to dispose of their smoking litter in the bins provided or take it home with them."

Littering and other anti-social offences can be reported by visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/report.

Gardener

He said: “The money is not important, it’s a small amount when you are trying to find a dog who is like a member of your family.

"We love our pets and hope telling our story can prevent anyone else going through this.

"It is bad enough losing a pet, but the scammers make it worse. Some people cannot afford this sort of money but will pay it because it offers hope.

"These people are callous and ruthless and have no feelings or concern for the people they are harming."

prosecuted

A THORNBURY man has been ordered to pay a total of £276 after being stopped illegally transporting garden waste.

Duncan Young, aged 45, of Dovedale, pleaded guilty to the offence of transporting waste without a waste carriers licence at Bristol Magistrates Court in January.

South Gloucestershire Council prosecuted him after stopping a vehicle during a road safety operation at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, carried out by police and environmental enforcement officers, last October.

A council spokesperson said: "The vehicle was liveried with D Young Garden Services and was towing a trailer that contained a large quantity of green waste.

"The defendant confirmed the vehicle and business were his own.

"He also confirmed that he had been present when the green waste had been loaded on to the vehicle."

Young confirmed that he did not have a waste carriers licence and that the waste had been collected as part of a job the business had completed the previous day, which he had received payment for.

He was then told he had committed an offence.

Andy MacDonald with Belle, who disappeared from his garden in December.

Jail for arsonist who burned charity's minibus fleet

A MAN who started fires which destroyed 12 vehicles belonging to a charity serving people with mobility problems in the Thornbury area has been jailed for three years.

Daniel Cron, aged 26, set fire to a total of 20 vehicles, causing damage estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds, in the early hours of April 3 last year.

Twelve vehicles belonging to Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport, which serves areas including Almondsbury, Alveston, Frampton Cotterell, Olveston, Rockhampton, Thornbury, Tytherington and Winterbourne, were destroyed and a 13th was damaged during the spree carried out by Cron and another man, who has yet to be identified by police.

A number of privately-owned vehicles were also damaged in the attacks.

Cron, of Filton, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on January 11 and was sentenced to three

years in prison, having pleaded guilty to 21 counts of arson – the 21st related to a fence – at a previous hearing.

An Avon and Somerset spokesperson said dozens of people submitted footage from their private CCTV, doorbell cameras and dashcams in response to an appeal for video evidence after the attacks.

Using the footage, officers then tracked Cron and the other man as they set fire to the vehicles between 1am and 4.40am in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Patchway and Stoke Gifford, where the vehicles were stored.

After the sentencing hearing Inspector Steve Davey, of Operation Remedy, said: "Cron has never offered any explanation for his actions and it was only by sheer luck that nobody was seriously injured or killed.

"While no one was hurt, vulnerable members of the community lost a vital

transport resource, while the community group which owned the minibuses, along with other motorists, suffered a significant financial hit and the inconvenience of replacing their vehicles.

"We’re extremely grateful for the support we received from the public following our appeals.

"Their help in providing us with footage saved a lot of valuable police time and enabled us to quickly put together a route Cron and the other man took and provided the evidence we needed to secure this conviction."

Four Towns and Vale Link chief executive Nigel Davis said the attacks had "shell shocked" the charity, which lost more than half of its minibus fleet, but staff and volunteers had been "uplifted by the offers of support which came from the community".

He said: "We are still not back where we were, prior to the vandalism, despite a very good service from our insurance company.

"It was a very difficult and time-critical undertaking to try and replace the written off minibuses in the open market.

"Certain vehicles were simply not available, or delivery

timescales were advised to be up to 52 weeks. We could not wait longer than a few days, if all our commitments were to be achieved."

He said the charity was also given a week's notice to quit the area it had used to park its vehicles by landowner RollsRoyce, which was "more of a blow than the actual fire itself".

The charity was lent vehicles by Callicroft school and vehicle leasing company ALD Automotive, and Crossbow House in Frampton Cotterell offered some free parking for its remaining vehicles as it tries to secure a long-term site.

Mr Davis said Four Towns and Vale Link had also been affected by the spike in fuel prices and a shortage of volunteer car drivers as it tries to meet increased demand in light of recent bus route cancellations. Anyone who is interested in volunteering as a car driver or to help with admin should call 01454 250500 for further information.

Daniel Cron

Firefighters tackle the blaze.

Picture: Avon Fire and Rescue Service

Airline library lands at school

A JET airliner is turning heads and has become a social media hit, after it landed at a school in Alveston.

The front section of a BaE 146 was lowered by crane into the grounds at St Helen’s Primary School, ready to be converted into a library.

Now it will undergo six months of refurbishment, and become a symbol of the school’s vision statement for its pupils, which is 'Flying High’. The plane was built at Filton in the early 1980s and was due to be scrapped – but has been donated by GKN Aerospace.

Apprentices at Filton have been repairing the fuselage free as part of a work project, and have painted the words ‘Flying High at St Helen’s' on the outside.

The village has a strong link with aviation, as the aerospace designer Captain Frank Barnwell lived at what later became the Alveston House Hotel, and is buried in the graveyard of St Helen’s church.

The Voice first reported on the plan in 2020 - since then the idea has been cleared for take-off by planners, and South Gloucestershire Council has contributed an £11,500 grant towards the costs of kitting it out.

Additional fund raising of £10,000 will pay for electricity supply, furniture and books.

In future, staff and pupils will use the library during the day, and families will be able to take books out after school hours, making it a community facility.

Head of School Kelvin Chappell told parents in a newsletter that it was an exciting time for the school.

He said: “It has been a phenomenal effort from so many people to enable us to edge ever closer to the library being open.

"It has been a very long time coming, but the fact that we can physically see the plane on site means that there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ and we are nearly there!”

The plane library has been a surprise Social Media hit – one teacher who Tweeted a photo of the plane at the school had 1.7 million views.

Mr Chappell said: “This is amazing to think about how many people are seeing the great effort that has been put in place to get this going and, although it gathered a lot of media attention we cannot but remember that the purpose of this plane is to expose children to the magic and love of books!

“Reading really is the most magical thing that we can do- and no matter how tricky we can find reading, we want all children to all be able to read something for their own ability.

“Hopefully the library plane will inspire children to pick up something that interests them – magazines, comics, non-fiction, fiction - it really doesn’t matter, just love reading!”

GKN Aerospace, based at Filton, said: “It's an honour to support St Helen's Alveston primary school on their important school project, Flying Home.

"After 18 months of work at GKN Aerospace the library plane is now in place and will be used to stimulate the love of reading among children."

The fuselage section in place at St Helen’s Primary School

A jobs fair is being held to showcase full and part-time opportunities on offer at a new stroke rehabilitation unit at South Bristol Community Hospital opening soon.

Across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, health, care and voluntary sector partners are working together to improve services for people affected by stroke.

This includes work to improve the prevention of stroke, as well as to provide the best possible stroke emergency care, rehabilitation and care at home once individuals are discharged from hospital.

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK, and one of the largest causes of disability. Working with other healthcare partners, the aim is to ensure local people have the best opportunity to survive and thrive after stroke.

As part of this work, Sirona care & health is recruiting to a number of new positions for a dedicated rehabilitation unit, otherwise known as a Sub-Acute Stroke Rehab Unit (SSARU).

The unit will meet the needs of people who are unable to return home immediately after a hospital

New year, new NHS career?

stay as they need specialist rehabilitation following their stroke.

The team is made up of a variety of clinical and support professionals, including registered nurses, therapists and support workers, who all work together

to deliver the best rehabilitation experience possible for people. There will be on-the-day interviews available, too.

Join us – it’s free:

Thursday 2 February 09:30 – 16:30

South Bristol Community

Hospital, Hengrove Promenade, Hengrove, Whitchurch Lane, Bristol BS14 0DE

Register via our website – https:// www.sirona-cic.org.uk/

If you can’t make the jobs fair –Sirona can be contacted by email via sirona.recruitment@nhs.net.

Village hall's lotto win

VILLAGERS in Oldbury-on-Severn are celebrating a big lotto win for their community.

The Memorial Hall has been awarded a lottery grant of nearly £100,000, to improve access for people with mobility issues, provide a lobby area, an extra toilet and storage space.

The hall in Camp Road has been one of the main centres of the village since it was first built in 1922 in memory of those killed in the Great War, initially as a hall for returning soldiers to meet up and socialise in the evenings.

Building work that started just before Christmas will provide a new entrance on the side of the hall with a more accessible route, leading to a bar area, improved toilet provision and new storage space at the back of the hall for tables and chairs.

Memorial Hall Committee chair Chris Jennings said: "We are very grateful to the National Lottery for having faith in us to take the hall on to a new stage in its 100 year history, by providing these funds to improve the facilities.

"We have been steadily increasing the use of the hall over the last few years, and these new improvements will encourage even more folk to use the facilities we have.

"As well as thanking the National Lottery, I

am also most grateful for the support of the hall committee, local residents and organisations that use the hall, and also to Oldbury Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council for getting us to this stage."

The work is due to be completed in February.

Homes plan

A HOUSING association is finalising its plans for a new housing development at Tytherington following the end of a public consultation.

Bromford and development partners EG Carter sought villagers’ views on its draft plans to build 24 homes on land to the west of Stowell Hill Road, north of the junction with Woodlands Road.

The consultation period ended just before Christmas and the housing association was due to meet with the parish council in the New Year ahead of a review of the consultation comments.

The plans proposed a mix of one-bedroom flats and two and three-bedroom houses, all of which would be available for social rent and allocated via South Gloucestershire Council.

Bromford’s partnerships director Clare Crawford said: "We believe there is a real need for more quality, affordable housing in rural areas across the area in villages like Tytherington."

Keith Miller and Chris Jennings from the hall committee inspect the work.

Expert predicts tough election fight for Tories

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council's ruling Conservatives face a serious fight to stay in power in this year's local elections, a polling expert predicts.

Independent statistician Nigel Marriott, who is credited with making the most accurate forecast for the last General Election, says the district bucked the national trend in the last local authority elections four years ago - but may not this time.

In 2019 the Tories retained overall control in South Gloucestershire, in contrast to nearby North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset, where the party lost power to an independent-led coalition and the Liberal Democrats respectively, with the unpopular government of Theresa May blamed.

Mr Marriott, of Bath, has crunched the numbers on how residents in each of the four unitary authority areas in the region have voted at local, general and EU elections since

2009.

He says there are some striking similarities between South Gloucestershire and North Somerset in particular, as well as crucial differences.

Mr Marriott says the outcome this year depends on whether South Gloucestershire is once again apparently immune from national trends, as happened in 2019, or if that result was a one-off.

He said: “South Glos and North Somerset are similar politically, with Tories dominant and having grown their vote share notably since 2009.

“The vote shares are practically identical for South Glos and North Somerset.

“One difference is that North Somerset has been more open to independents, so the advance of independents in 2019 at Tory expense was not completely unexpected.

“South Glos has no history of independents or even minor parties, other than in EU elections.

“It is a solid three-party council and, unless something else is happening on the ground, I think you have to expect it to remain like that at the next election.”

Nationally, the Conservatives are polling at similar levels to May 2019, at around 25%.

Mr Marriott said it was hard to predict whether the Lib Dems or Labour – the second and third biggest party groups respectively – would benefit most in South Gloucestershire.

In May 2019 Labour was polling around 24% nationally, with the Brexit Party on 18%, Lib Dems on 16% and Greens on 7%. The first national YouGov poll of 2023, however, put Labour on 46%, with the Lib Dems on 9%, Greens on 6% and Reform UK on 7%.

Mr Marriott said: "The Tory vote in 2019 in South Glos was very resilient.

"Given the Tories are polling the same level again today as May 2019, if they are still polling 25 per cent come May 2023 then

Nigel Marriott

that points to an unchanged Tory vote in the election.

“The question for South Gloucestershire, though, is whether 2019 was the anomaly that corrects itself in 2023 –ie, big losses – or 2019 is the baseline, in which case they could be unchanged.”

The perils of forecasting individual elections are clear - Mr Marriott predicted the Conservatives would win the 2021 Metro Mayor election, which was won by Labour.

Mr Marriott’s blog can be found online at marriott-stats. com/nigels-blog/

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

New ID rules

VOTERS in South Gloucestershire will need to show an accepted form of identification at upcoming council elections.

Recent changes to the law mean people unable to show ID such as a driving licence, passport at polling stations could be barred from voting in the elections on May 4.

People who do not have an accepted form of ID will be able to apply online or by submitting a paper form to their council for a free ID card — although details of how to do this had yet to be confirmed as the Voice went to press.

But opposition politicians have raised questions about the new rules, particularly over which forms of ID will be accepted.

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young told a council meeting in December that it was "outrageous ageism" that photo travel passes for older people are set to be accepted as ID but those for younger people aren’t.

She called on the council to commit to ensuring free ID was available in good time for the local elections.

The Electoral Commission says research shows people less likely to have an accepted form of ID include those over 85 and people with disabilities.

But council leaders said a recent pilot scheme showed that most people have “an acceptable form of voting”.

Conservative cabinet member Ben Burton said: "The most important thing to ensure is that the democratic process is well run and the people who can vote are able to vote. I have every confidence in the democratic services team, with their experience of elections, to get the message out there in terms of what people can vote with, how they can vote, and to ensure that the electoral process goes smoothly."

The deadline to register to vote for the next local elections is April 17.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Ross is an 'inspirational force for good'

A THORNBURY woman who overcame her own mental health issues and set up a workplace scheme to help others has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Rosslyn Hill has been awarded the British Empire Medal for her work at the Abbey Wood Ministry of Defence establishment, where she is an occupational health advisor in a team that supports 10,000 staff.

Ross has worked for the Civil Service for 38 years, but it was only when she moved to the Abbey Wood, home of the Defence Equipment and Support organisation, in 2006 that she noticed others around her with mental heath issues, and decided to do something about it.

She said: “For the first 20 years I was a quiet thing, with long-term mental health issues dating back to my childhood.

"I was too nervous to make myself known - I kept my head down and got on with the job.

"But with chronic anxiety,

my communication skills were always an issue. I found my voice in about 2010."

Ross researched mental health and well-being, set up a committee, hosted workplace health days and created an educational session on promoting positive mental health.

In 2014 she became the first trained mental health first aider (MHFA) in Defence Equipment and Support and secured funding

for a small cohort of MHFA’s to support the organisation.

Ross said: “My friends and colleagues are all very proud and pleased I have been honoured in this way.

"I just love that I have inspired a decade of staff to openly discuss mental health, stress and identify positives in this stressful environment.

"I am overwhelmed by the award.

"I just felt I was doing my job

and I am humbled that people think this highly of me."

Her line manager John Taylor said until Ross started her work, awareness of mental health issues and how to spot them had been limited.

He said: "It still felt like a bit of a taboo subject, to be perfectly honest, so it was with some trepidation that myself and some of my colleagues entered the room!

"With low expectations, what actually followed was liberating, uplifting and has left a lasting impression on myself and, no doubt, many others.

"Having been there at the outset of her work and having felt the benefit ever since, I would like to thank Ross for helping me and so many others in DE&S to manage and live our work lives more safely."

John said Ross has been "an inspirational force for good in DE&S", driven by a desire to help others.

Ross Hill. Picture: Ministry of Defence

Games, toys and cartoons surprise at sale

STROUD Auctions’ January sale featured more than 1,000 lots in specialist sections of pictures and paintings, books, stamps, ephemera, cameras and binoculars, Asian art, vinyl records, musical instruments and toys.

As usual, there was a lot of interest, with almost 1,500 online bidders from 41 countries, most notably for the musical instruments, where three of the top selling lots were found.

The best of these comprised a 19th century rosewood cello, which sold for £4,600, a 1790’s Georg Hornsteiner violin (£3,200) and a W E Hill & Son violin bow (£2,900).

The auctioneer’s favourite lot was an original pen, ink, colour and gouache picture by cartoon by Daily Express cartoonist Ronald 'Carl' Giles (1916-1995).

The airport scene shows passengers about to board a BOAC aeroplane with a tired pilot and co-pilot walking past after all-night strike talks, while the skies are filled with aircraft from other airlines.

Signed and titled to mount "Let's get one of these bloody planes in the air and catch up on some sleep", it sold for £2,200.

The surprise result of the sale was for a collection of Dragon Models Ltd 1:6 scale action figures, together with a collection of clothing, accessories and five original boxes, which sold for £580.

The toy section saw modern collectable items realising some pleasing prices, including a

Nintendo games console (£340) and six Lego sets (£530).

More traditional items also performed well, including model railway items and die-cast model vehicles.

One of the other notable results saw a private collection of Dungeons & Dragons and similar role playing books and games sell for a total of £4,600 – a really pleasing outcome for an emerging collecting field.

More top results were found in the specialist camera section, where a Nikon D810 digital SLR camera realised a pleasing £850.

The next auction will be on February 8 and 9, and includes guns and weapons, medals and militaria, bladed weapons, taxidermy and sporting and ceramics and glass.

Our biggest gun auction ever, this one looks exceptional, with over 700 lots of guns and air weapons alone.

If you’ve never thought of buying at auction, why not come along to our public viewing day on February 7, between 10am and 6pm?

We are still accepting entries for our March auction, which will include jewellery, silver, watches and coins as well as the ever-popular classic cars and motorbikes.

If you are thinking of selling please give us a call on 01453 873800 to book a valuation or just ask for advice from one of our specialists

This cartoon by Giles of the Daily Express sold for £2,200

School's young voices soar at concert

CHILDREN from a Thornbury primary school became part of the world's biggest school choir at a huge concert.

Pupils from the St Mary's C of E Primary School choir took part in the Young Voices concert, at Birmingham Resorts World arena, in January.

Led by staff member Cheryl Jenkinson, the 36 children form Years 2 to 6 joined more than 6,000 others to sing together.

Head teacher Samantha Gillman said: "So much time and effort had gone into the planning, but it was all worth it.

"The children absolutely loved it and had the best day ever.

"Parents who came to watch also echoed just how amazing it was.

"This will be one for the memory box that the children in the Choir will always remember. It is so great to be back doing

these things again now we are through the pandemic.

"This was such an amazing opportunity, which only happened because of volunteers and staff and parents giving up their time to attend and support the children.

"We are looking forward to our next venture!"

Special school keeps outstanding rating

A SPECIAL school in Thornbury has been rated 'outstanding' following an Ofsted inspection.

After a two-day visit in November, an inspector praised the “remarkable” way pupils at New Siblands school approach their learning, and the “dedicated and highly knowledgeable” staff.

There was no change in rating since the last inspection in 2020.

But the inspector said it was possible the rating could be lower if a more detailed “graded” inspection was carried out. She said the next inspection would be graded one.

The school caters for 126 pupils, aged two to 19, who have learning difficulties, with primary children at a site in Gillingstool and secondary pupils at Easton Hill Road.

In her report, the inspector

Leanne Thirlby said the school was “a calm and purposeful place to learn”, and pupils feel safe and enjoy coming to school.

She said all pupils experienced an extensive range of opportunities across their education, and careers education and work experience ensure they develop into independent and resilient young people ready for life beyond school.

However she said the academic curriculum was not as ambitious and consistent as it could be, so that pupils have the best possible options available to them.

The report said leaders ensured the curriculum covers the needs of all pupils, including getting advice and guidance from external partners to enhance learning.

The inspector said: "The early reading curriculum develops pupils’

communication very well. There is a clear understanding of how early communication and exposure to books is fundamental to children in the earliest stages of reading.

"Staff use the outcomes in education, health and care plans to target what pupils need to learn and assess how well they make progress. They break these down into smaller steps, ‘priority learning goals'."

However the inspector said the system and process around this was not yet as consistent and effective as it could be, so some pupils do not always get the most precise support they need.

The report said that for some pupils, the curriculum was not designed to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes and leaders do not fully assure themselves that curriculum goals are as ambitious as possible.

The inspector said: "Leaders

need to ensure that the curriculum is as ambitious as it can be to support what pupils know and remember over time.

"Some aspects of the curriculum and assessment systems are not as well embedded and consistent as they could be. As a result, some pupils do not always get the most precise and appropriate learning and support that they could…and some pupils do not achieve as well as they could.

"Leaders need to ensure that there is a robust and consistent approach to monitoring the implementation and impact of their actions and decision-making so that all aspects of the curriculum are secure and consistent.”

The report said arrangements for safeguarding were effective.

The Voice has asked Enable Trust, which runs New Siblands, to comment on the report.

The school hung a banner from the balcony to announce the choir's presence

Children from St Mary's Primary School at the concert

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

We all know that nurses and carers worked valiantly to support our communities through the Covid pandemic, but are now facing huge financial challenges from the cost of living crisis. This has led to the first nurses’ strike in living memory in response to a low NHS pay offer. Many NHS nurses have recently come forward talking about how they can’t save money, pay into their pensions, and even have to use food banks.

Bristol Care Homes conducted a staff survey which showed the main worries of the team to be pay and the cost of living. The company has therefore decided to bring its annual pay award due in April 2023 forward to 1 January, awarding a 14% increase in base rates of pay across all care staff roles.

‘We have brought forward our inflationary rise from April to December and made it significant enough that we will remain ahead of the national minimum wage by April 2023, with the vast majority of our team members paid at or above the real living wage’, says Richard Crocker, CEO of Bristol Care Homes.

Bristol Care Homes is

Bristol Care Homes brings forward pay award to support staff with cost of living crisis

well paid career, and will avoid staff shortages or excessive use of agency staff.

Other staff benefits included in the pay scheme are

- Up to £250 welcome bonus

- Up to £250 refer a friend bonus

- 10% enhancement salary rate on hours worked on weekends

- Time and a half at Bank Holidays

- Profit share bonus scheme

- Excellent induction programme

- Excellent training and development opportunities

- Career progression and development opportunities

- A wide range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts

- Employee assistance programme

- Cycle to work scheme

- Free meal when working +8 hours shifts.

committed to providing excellent lifetime care to residents. Two of its homes have CQC ‘Outstanding’ rating, whilst its resident fees

remain extremely competitive and good value. This staff pay award therefore ensures that working with the company is an attractive

Bristol Care Homes welcomes applicants to join its nursing and carer teams.

www.bristolcarehomes.co.uk

Quarry House in Fishponds offers safe and nurturing care

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

We also ensure:

• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible

Players brush up their Shakespeare

OLVESTON'S Parish Players are making final preparations to bring another Broadway blockbuster to Tockington.

This year’s production is Kiss Me, Kate, which will be staged at the Parish Hall in Tockington during the school half-term holidays from February 15 to 18, with each show starting at 7.30pm.

The Tony award-winning musical, by Cole Porter and Sam and Bella Spewack, is famous for a score that includes hits Another Op’nin’, Another Show, Too Darn Hot, I Hate Men and Brush Up Your Shakespeare, and is celebrating its 75the anniversary this year.

Experienced director Linda Evans and musical director Chloe Allsopp-Jones have returned this year following previous successes with Calamity Jane, South Pacific and The Sound of Music.

Kiss Me, Kate is a retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the

Shrew via a production starring two divorced actors who have trouble with gangsters, lovers and each other.

The troubled duo Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, whose off-stage relationship closely

Jazz festival is back

THORNBURY Jazz Festival is back in March to banish the winter blues.

The festival will take place at Marlwood School Drama Hall in March, and fans are being urged to book early.

Organisers Armstrong Arts Group say there will be "fabulous acts to please all jazz fans", from big-band swing to cool and mellow.

The festival, on March 25 from 4-9.30pm, opens with local talent the Thornbury Swing Band, featuring solo vocalist Shairon Lloyd.

Next up are the Class Act Quartet, with "smooth standards" for two guitars, flute and bass. They are followed by the Mood Indigo Trio – vocalist Will Grealish, with piano and bass – performing numbers from the Great American Songbook.

Top of the bill are acclaimed New Orleans veterans of the Bristol jazz scene, Cass Caswell and the six-piece Storyville Strutters.

Tickets are £25 and AAG is "strongly recommending" early booking by emailing AAGThornbury@gmail.com or calling 01454 850933.

shadows their on-stage roles as Petruchio and Katharine, are played by Paul Dimery and Kate Coyle for the Parish Players. Emily Jones plays Fred’s lover and nightclub performer girlfriend Lois Lane, and David

Proud plays Lois’s boyfriend, chronic gambler Bill Calhoun.

Phil Savage and Ray Hale play two ham-fisted gangsters trying to recover their boss’s gambling winnings.

Kate said: "It has been a lot of fun to work with the whole team, singing Cole Porter’s fantastic songs and wearing such spectacular Tudor costumes."

Paul said: "This really is a unique musical. As well as learning quite a lot of Shakespeare’s lines to include with the modern dialogue, I am delighted to be working alongside Minnie the whippet, who plays my character’s dog on stage!"

Tickets are available now by calling 01454 202011 and cost £10 for adults, £7 for children and £12 for premium seats. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/ OlvestonParishPlayers.

Join the singers

THE Alveston Singers have started rehearsals for their next pair of concerts, taking place in May and June, and say now is a "great time" to join.

The choir, which has around 30 members, is working on new pieces are Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and Handel’s O, Praise the Lord.

Member Bob Dale said: "Rehearsals are far from being formal learning; we always have time for banter and chat.

"You don’t need to be able to read music, but you’ll enjoy it even more if you can.

"The Alveston Singers never charge admission to their concerts. Instead, a collection is taken all of which goes to our nominated charities active in the area. We have donated over £50,000 so far. "So, by singing, not only will you be enjoying yourself, but you will also be supporting the less fortunate in our community."

The singers meet at 7.30-pm on Tuesday evenings at Alveston Methodist Church and anyone interested to come along and give it a try, or call James on 0780 759 6092 for more information.

Parish Players Paul Dimery, Kate Coyle and Ray Hale in rehearsals for Kiss Me, Kate

Census gives first ever snapshot of sexuality

DETAILS of the number of people in South Gloucestershire who identify as straight, gay or bisexual have been revealed for the first time.

A question on sexual orientation for people aged 16 and over was added to the 2021 Census by the Office for National Statistics.

A question on gender identity - whether a person identified with their sex as registered at birth - was also included among the questions for the first time ever.

The ONS says the information it has received as a result will be "vital in helping shape services in years to come".

However, as the questions were voluntary, one significant factor is the number of people who declined to answer either of them.

In South Gloucestershire, just over nine out of ten respondents (90.64%) said they were straight or heterosexual.

A total of 2.82% of

respondents identified with a sexuality the ONS described as LGB+, with 1.29% saying that they were gay or lesbian; 1.24% bisexual; 0.19% pansexual (defined as attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender identity); 0.07% asexual (no sexual attraction to others), 0.02% queer (non-conventional sexuality) and 0.01% wrote in another sexual orientation.

However the second largest group was those who declined to answer the question about sexuality, who made up 6.53% of the population - more than double those who identified in an LGB+ category.

In Bristol 85.45% of respondents said they were straight or heterosexual.

More than twice the proportion of the Bristol population as in South Gloucestershire - 6.06%identified with an ONS LGB+ category: 2.2% said they were gay or lesbian; 3.08% bisexual; 0.49% pansexual; 0.11% asexual

0.13% queer and 0.05% stated another sexual orientation.

An even higher proportion of Bristol residents, 8.48%, did not answer the question.

Nationally, 43.4 million people (89.4%) identified as straight or heterosexual, 1.5 million people (3.2%) identified with an LGB+ orientation and 3.6 million (7.5%) did not answer the question.

In response to the gender identity question, 94.59% of South Gloucestershire residents said theirs was the sex they were registered with at birth, while 5.02% of respondents did not answer the question.

Of the remaining 0.38% of respondents, 0.14% said their gender was different to birth but did not give any specifics, 0.07% identified as a trans woman (registered female at birth, but now identifies as a man), 0.07% as a trans man (registered female at birth, but now identifies as a

man), 0.06% were non-binary (not identifying as a man or woman), and 0.04% wrote in another gender identity.

In Bristol, 92.45% or respondents identified with their sex at birth, 6.73% did not answer the question and 0.82% identified with a different gender.

Nationally, the ONS said 262,000 people in England and Wales identified with a gender different from their sex registered at birth, representing 0.5% of the population or around one in every 200 people.

ONS director Jen Woolford said having figures on gender identity and sexual orientation at a local level was "crucial" to "better understand the extent and nature of disadvantage which people may be experiencing in terms of educational outcomes, health, employment, and housing".

Fewer people in work

THE percentage of South Gloucestershire residents in work has fallen in the past decade, the Census has found.

Office for National Statistics figures show 62.2% of residents aged over 16 were "economically active and in employment", including self-employed, on the day of the 2021 Census, down by 2.3% on the 2011 figure of 64.4%.

In neighbouring Bristol the number of people in employment has gone up by 0.9% since 2011 but at 61.2% is lower than in South Gloucestershire.

A total of 2.5% of South Gloucestershire residents said they were economically active and unemployed, compared to 3.6% in Bristol.

In England and Wales, around 27.8 million over-16s were in employment (57.2% of the population), 1.7m were unemployed (3.4%) and 19.1m were economically inactive (39.4%), including people who were not looking for work or could not work because they were retired, students, looking after a home or family and long-term sick or disabled.

Other facts about South Gloucestershire and Bristol from the Census published by the Office for National Statistics include:

*36.6% of South Gloucestershire residents own their homes outright, while 36.8% have a mortgage, other loan or shared ownership, 10.8% rent socially and 15.8% rent privately - in Bristol 25.2% own outright, 29.7% have a mortgage, 18.7% rent socially and 26.4% rent privately.

*Around one in eight South Gloucestershire households (12.3%) have no car or van, while 40.1% have one vehicle, 34.1% have two and 13.4% have three or more. In Bristol more than a quarter of households (26.1%) have no car; 45.8% have one, 21.6% have two and 6.4% have three or more.

For more Census information visit www.ons.gov.uk/census.

Retired headteacher turns to crime writing

A FORMER primary school head teacher from Thornbury has started a new chapter in his life, as a crime novel writer.

David Beeley is so pleased with his first book, Secrets, Lies and Rhubarb Pies, that he is about to publish a sequel.

The novel centres on the intrigues of allotment holders trying to defend their patch from a housing development. David used to be chair of his local allotments committee in Thornbury, but insists he has not based his story on real people.

David, who is 73, was deputy head at Crossways Junior School in Thornbury and head teacher of Trinity Primary School, Acton Turville and The Ridge Junior School, in Yate.

He said: “I have been wanting to do this since I was a lad – I started writing 60 years ago, but things got in the way - like family and jobs.

"I was inspired to have another go by my three granddaughters, E.J, Willow and Nora, who taught me determination, creativity and a zest for life.

“This book was written for them and a sequel for my beloved wife, Eveline.”

David self-published the novel, and has words of encouragement for other budding authors to do the same.

He said: “I always thought self-publishing was a vanity thing, but nowadays with Amazon Kindle, it is up and coming - and of course in the past people like Charles Dickens did it too.”

The novel is described as a story of “hope, redemption, and deep everlasting love" including a birth, marriage, two deaths, treasure and rhubarb pies.

It follows the allotment holders' attempts to save their tranquil haven, with each having their own dark secrets, conflicts and fears.

David said: “It all kept my mind occupied and the best bit was family and friends saying they enjoyed it.

“Some even asked for signed copies – it’s so brilliant and nice to have a book with your name on it.”

David says once he finished his first book, he found himself so interested in the characters he invented that he decided to write a follow-up to see what happened to them next.

He hopes Secrets Lies and Two Leg Byes will be available later this year - as the title suggests, this time it involves the goings-on at a local cricket club.

Secrets, Lies and Rhubarb Pies is available as a paperback or Kindle edition by searching for the title on the Amazon website.

David Beeley with his debut novel

Mary hits her century

A GREAT-grandmother who lived most of her life in the Thornbury area has celebrated her 100th birthday with a party and singsong.

Mary Anstey's big day at Manor Cottage residential home in Frenchay on January 10 included a visit from local singer Frankie Johns.

Born in Ham, near Berkeley, Mary had four sisters, Patricia, Peggy, Marjorie and Eva,and went to school in Berkeley.

She went into service with the Berkeley family shortly before her 14th birthday, and one of her earliest memories is being picked up in the family's car and being very sick in it as she was not used to car travel.

During the Second World War Mary worked at engineering firm Listers, which made engines, shell cases and other products for the war effort, in Dursley.

While there she met and shook hands with Queen Mary, the mother of King George VI, who visited the factory in 1940 .

In 1949 Mary married Oswald, an aero engineer at BAC in Filton, who later left to work on motorbikes at Falfield garage.

She says she can still remember her blue

wedding dress and hat, which she didn’t really like but did not complain about, so as not to hurt the feelings of the woman who made it.

The couple moved to Falfield and had three children, Derek, Colin and Joanne, and Mary says they are the "apple of her eye".

She has five grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.

After her children grew up, Mary worked at Michaelwood services on the M5.

Mary has also lived in Stone and latterly

Jabs plea as colds remedies run short

HEALTH leaders say it is not too late to have a flu or Covid-19 vaccination.

They are calling on people in eligible groups - including over-50s, frontline health workers, pregnant mums and people with longterm health conditions, to come forward if they have not been fully vaccinated.

The call comes as a surge in winter illnesses has seen a shortage of cough, cold and flu remedies in many pharmacies and supermarkets in recent weeks.

GP Dr Geeta Iyer, the clinical lead for the Mass Vaccination Programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said: "Covid-19 and flu are continuing to circulate in our communities, with lots of people catching the viruses and many ending up in hospital.

"We’re calling for eligible people, particularly those with longterm health conditions, to come forward if they have not been fully vaccinated yet.

"Vaccination is the most effective protection we have. While a vaccine won’t prevent you becoming unwell from the viruses, it will reduce symptoms for the vast majority of people and help you get back to your normal self, sooner."

People who are eligible can contact their GP or local pharmacy for information and details of how to book and locations for walk-in vaccinations are also updated regularly online at grabajab.net.

In early January concerns over shortages of cold and flu medicines led to a meeting between health minster Will Quince and the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies.

The Department of Health and Social Care said supply problems were "sporadic and localised".

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports of issues with the availability of some branded cold and flu medicines – these appear to be temporary and localised.

lived with one of her sons in Tockington, before moving to Manor Cottage in 2020.

Oswald passed away in 2018.

Manor Cottage manager Rayna Powell said: "Mary likes to share her stories - her mother always told her she talked too much!

"She has no worries about old age - she says she enjoys her life and does not feel 100 years, she feels more like 50.

"Her advice for leading a happy life is 'be careful with your sweetheart, don’t have eyes for anyone else'.”

Mary Anstey celebrates her 100th birthday at the Manor Cottage care home

Mary aged 16, in 1939.

Aqua Park set to open

WE are excited to announce the opening of our new AquaPark on 1st April! This state-of-theart facility features a variety of water slides, jumps, bounces and obstacles and is perfect for families and thrill-seekers.

In addition to the AquaPark, we are currently open for outdoor swimming, paddle boarding, water-ski, RC Boating and other water sports. Our beautiful outdoor setting is the perfect place to enjoy

the great British outdoors and get some exercise. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just looking to have fun, we have something for everyone.

Our café is also open for good cheer and refreshments, offering a wide range of food and drinks to keep you fueled throughout the day. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a full meal, our café has everything you need to enjoy your time at our water park.

We are also excited to announce that there will be various special events and activities throughout the year, including live music, movie nights, and more, making our venue the perfect place to spend a day with family and friends.

So mark your calendars and join us for the grand opening of our new AquaPark in April! We can't wait to see you there!

Thornbury Lions Club

CROSSWAYS Junior School represented Thornbury and district in the Lions ROAR competition national final.

Lions ROAR is an inspirational education competition, run in partnership between Lions Clubs in the British Isles and educational website 8BillionIdeas.

This unique programme inspires children between the ages of seven and 11 years old to think big, dream big and change the world with their ideas.

As soon as children are inspired to dream up a fresh idea that might just change the world, they light up and become creative, unselfconscious, thoughtful and aware of the planet.

Children involved in the Lions

ROAR gain a tremendous amount.

The immediate gains come in many forms, including using their imagination, learning teamwork, developing communication skills, enhancing problem solving

Thornbury Community Permaculture Project

THE Thornbury Community Permaculture Project is a new group set up by Sustainable Thornbury.

Permaculture is a global movement that uses shared ethics, lessons from nature and a flexible design approach to create healthy regenerative places and communities.

Since March last year a permaculture garden has been taking shape at Alexandra Way retirement home.

This has been done using the three ethics that underpin permaculture design: earth care, people care and fair share.

Volunteers have been helping every Thursday morning, from 9.30 to 11am, to help develop and maintain the permaculture garden.

Our plans for 2023 include a new sensory garden that the residents will be able to enjoy at all times of year.

Particular plants will be positioned to ensure the residents will be able to smell, see, touch, listen and occasionally taste the fruit, flowers, leaves or branches to help them connect with nature.

Weekly volunteer sessions happen on Thursday mornings, with an additional session on the second Saturday of every month.

The next Thursday meeting is on March 2 and the monthly Saturday session will be on March 11. Both sessions run from 9.30-11am.

Anyone over 16 is most welcome to join us. Tools will be provided but please wear suitable clothing for gardening and the weather.

More details are available by emailing tcpp@sustainablethornbury.org or at our Facebook page.

For more information about Sustainable Thornbury see www. sustainablethornbury.org.

Melinda Evans

techniques and the list goes on.

Teachers enjoy the Lions ROAR competition, as it provides them with a clear structured programme through which they lead the children, from assisting

in developing the initial idea, to working through the practicalities and eventually presenting it to their peers and teachers.

The values ring true for teachers as they prepare the next generation for a world in which flexible, creative and forward thinking characteristics will be crucial. Of course, the competitive element adds an extra incentive.

Lions Clubs join this venture by providing funding and support to their local primary schools within their communities.

Thornbury Lions Club sponsored Crossways Junior School in the competition and handed over a cheque for £500 in recognition of their tremendous hard work and enthusiasm.

Royal British Legion

THORNBURY & District Branch of the Royal British Legion has new events to look forward to this year, whether you are serving in HM Forces, a veteran, or just someone who supports the Armed Forces and the work they do.

The branch has seen its membership increase, even since the start of the covid pandemic, and now stands at 68 men and women, from all three branches of the Forces, ranging in age from 22 to 96!

If you are interested in supporting us or even joining us, the following dates may be of interest. Feel free to put them in your diary and to dropping in to see us. You will be welcome.

Beer & Banter sessions will take place at the Swan on the following Friday evenings, from 6.30pm onwards: February 17, May 19, August 18 and November 17.

Saturday breakfasts at the Swan, from 9-11.30am will be on the third Saturday of the month, except April and July, when they are on the fourth Saturday.

We are also planning some themed evenings - details to follow once confirmed.

In addition, our regular branch meetings are on the last Sunday of every month in the Black Horse, Gillingstool, Thornbury, at noon.

John Black

Olveston and Tockington WI

WE had a great sing-a-long of Christmas songs as part of the musical entertainment provided by Bristol Fingers and Frets Orchestra at our Christmas party. The buffet was splendid with a variety of goodies and not one mince pie in sight!

After a talk in January from Phil Savage about his trip to the Antarctic, we are looking forward to a hint of spring, with a visit to Painswick to see the snow drops. Peter Bruce will be telling us about hat making in Winterbourne at our meeting in February.

Olveston and Tockington WI meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at Olveston Parish Hall.

Please contact Angela Green on 01454 615222 if you would like to know more about WI.

Julia

Wood

Kevin Simpson Thornbury Lions Youth Officer

The Crossways Junior School team

Our local support staff can help with all your care and domestic needs. Our reference and policed checked staff can

• Help with your cooking, cleaning, or laundry

• Assist with daily living tasks getting up, dressed and ready for the day

• Provide one to one community support

• Help you with your shopping or appointments

Helping children live life after burns

A CHARITY which supports children and their families after burn injuries is looking for people to help its work.

Frenchay After Burns children's club (FAB) is entirely run by volunteers, receiving no government support for its work to help young burn survivors make friends, build confidence and self-esteem through free activities, from days out, parties and pantomimes to international residential camps.

Any child aged under 18 with a burn injury can join and the charity aims to support them "from injury through to adulthood".

Lizzie Evans, who lives in Almondsbury, is one of the founders of FAB - and her own personal experience inspired her.

She said: "I had a burn injury myself when I was eight, and when it happened there weren't support groups.

"I was in a school with a thousand pupils and I was the only one who had had a burn injury.

"I had support from my mum and dad, which helped me through.

"These days, with the pressures of social media, living with disfigurement can be very challenging."

Lizzie was visiting family when she suffered her injury; her dress caught fire as she dried it in front of an open fire, after playing out in the snow.

Her older sister put the flames out but she suffered burns to her legs and was treated for ten days in Birmingham Children's Hospital, before going home and undergoing operations and skin grafts at Frenchay

Hospital's burns unit.

Lizzie would go on to become a nurse and work on the same ward were she was treated at Frenchay, and it was while there in 2000 that she met Julie Scott, one of the charity's other founders and current chair.

The group started small, with Lizzie and her fellow volunteers taking three girls away to a national camp for children with burn injuries.

Over the years support has expanded to include events to support the whole family of the child who has had the injury.

But Lizzie says the residential camps remain a vital part of the charity's work, and in recent years the group has taken children to camps in Canada, South Africa and Lapland.

She said: "It's a brilliant opportunity for children to meet up with others who have had the same experiences as them.

"A lot is about the child being accepted. Their injury isn't the focus, what they might look like and any disabilities from scarring - it's about peer support and having fun.

"The residential camps offer activities like rope climbing,

Friends kit out school

A SUPPORT group helping Thornbury's secondary school has donated equipment to help pupils get creative - on stage and in the kitchen.

Castle School Friends raised £2,000 to buy a lighting tower, which will help the school stage productions in its main hall.

So far the tower has been used to help set the lighting for dance shows and music concerts - next on the list is a drama performance in early February.

The school has also taken delivery of two new kitchen cookers, after the Friends pledged £1,000 raised from an open day at Tortworth Lake to the food technology department.

Dozens of home-made cakes and bakes were donated by the local community for CSF to sell on a refreshments stall at Tortworth last summer.

The friends' next fundraising event is a table top sale on Saturday March 4 at the school - see page 24 for more details.

archery and windsurfing that families wouldn't be able to provide.

"It's very rewarding - you see people that, before they came to a camp, are not confident enough to express their feelings. By the end of the camp that's disregarded. It's a fantastic opportunity."

Although Frenchay Hospital has long since closed, Lizzie now works as a burns outreach nurse at Bristol Children's Hospital, looking after children across the region following injuries.

She uses her own experience in a positive way and tells the children she helps about it.

Lizzie said: "It can happen to anyone.

"It's made me who I am, helped me develop my role and given me the ability to empathise."

FAB relies entirely on fundraising to meet its costs of about £25,000 a year, and as well as volunteers to help on camps it is looking for people to help raise money. It also needs administrators, event organisers and support with its online and social media presence.

Anyone who would like to find out more is welcome to attend FAB's annual meeting at Christ Church Hall in North Street, Downend, on February 7 at 7.30pm.

More information can be found at the charity's Facebook page, website www.fabclub.org. uk, by emailing mail@fabclub. org.uk or by calling 07821 989845.

FAB founder member Lizzie Evans and fellow volunteers

n WHAT'S ON

January 28

n BRISTOL CAMERATA CONCERT, including performances of Mozart, Elgar, Haydn and Macilwham, in support of ActionAid against FGM, 7.45pm. Tickets, including drink, from www. nicolawoodward.uk/concerts, call Barbara on 01454 412272, visit Surroundings in Thornbury or on the door. Open rehearsal for those who cannot attend the evening concert, 3-4.30pm, free with donation pot.

February 6

n ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION MEETING, Jubilee Hall, Alveston at 7.30pm. Talk on English Treasure House gardens, with Richard Harvey. New members and visitors welcome.

February 10

n THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE presents Belfast, by Kenneth Branagh, Thornbury Methodist Church Upper Hall. Doors open 7pm. Members free, guests £5. For more information visit www. thornburypicturehouse.org.

February 15-18

n OLVESTON PARISH PLAYERS present Kiss Me, Kate, 7.30pm at the Parish Hall, Tockington. Tickets £10 adults, £7 children, £12 premium seats, available by calling 01454 202011. More information on www.facebook. com/OlvestonParishPlayers.

February 17

n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Beer & Banter at the Swan, High Street, from 6.30pm. Serving HM Armed Forces personnel, veterans and supporters welcome.

February 18

n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH

LEGION breakfast at the Swan, High Street, 9-11.30am. Serving HM Armed Forces personnel, veterans

and supporters welcome.

February 21

n ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP presents a talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on King Alfred the Great, St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, 7.30pm. Discussing the real person behind the image, with questions following the talk. Tickets £7.50 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or by calling 01454 850933.

February 22

n ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY MEETING, 7.30pm, Alveston Methodist Church. Talk by Liz Davenport on a visit to the antipodes in 1852-4 and its impact on Woodchester Mansion in Gloucestershire. Entry £5, including coffee or tea and biscuits.

March 3

n ST PETERS HOSPICE SEVERNSIDE SUPPORT GROUP 30th and final annual quiz, Tytherington Village Hall, 7.15p.m. Tables of four, to include light supper, £32 per table. Bring your own drinks. Plenty of parking available. For more call Mary on 01454 412567.

March 3

n WORLD DAY OF PRAYER at Thornbury Baptist Church, 7.30pm, with service prepared by women of Taiwan. All welcome.

March 4

n CASTLE SCHOOL table top sale in aid of Castle School Friends, Park Road, Thornbury. Sellers arrive from 10am, buyers 11am. Finish 3pm. Tables £5, entrance 50p per adult, children free. Refreshments, pre-loved uniform sale. See Facebook or email enquiries@ castleschoolfriends.org for more details.

March 6

n SEVERN VALE FLOWER CLUB

Thornbury Library news

THORNBURY Library is hosting a Steampunk murder mystery performance in February.

The Perilous Phlogisticon, by local group The Red Herrings, takes place on February 11 at 2pm.

Tickets cost £3.20 for library members and £6.40 for non-members.

A fairy tales craft session and treasure hunt takes place on February 15 from 10.30am to noon, and craft bags to create at home can be picked up between February 11 and 18 for the school holidays.

flower arranging classes, St Mary’s Hall, Eastbury Close, Thornbury. Starting on March 6, 2-4pm and continuing on March 20 and April 3. Basic flower arranging classes suitable for beginners and improvers alike, covering posies, triangles, table arrangements, parallels and foamless designs. More details from Brenda at b.cook@tinyworld.co.uk or Sally at ssjjtaylor@hotmail.co.uk.

March 25

n THORNBURY JAZZ FESTIVAL, Marlwood School Drama Hall, 4-9.30pm. Headliners Cass Caswell and the Storyville Strutters. Tickets £25: email AAGThornbury@gmail. com or call 01454 850933.

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday

n SEVERN VALE FLOWER CLUB meets on the second Monday in the month at 2pm in St Mary's Hall in Eastbury Close, Thornbury, for classes, demonstrations and competitions. For more information contact Sally on ssjjtaylor@hotmail. co.uk or Hazel on 01454 885213.

Tuesday

n THORNBURY ART CLUB hosts live talks and demonstrations by established artists on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30pm. Nonmembers welcome: £5 entry. For more information call Mary Drown on 01454 414433 or email mary. drown@blueyonder.co.uk.

n CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, Tuesday from 10am-noon. No appointment needed.

n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the Chantry Community and Arts Centre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come

Award-winning author Rachel Joyce will be at Thornbury Library on March 18 - more details next month.

Keeping warm and well sessions are being held throughout the day on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am-4pm: come and relax with a warm drink, use the computers or your own tablet or phone (WiFi available), read a book, newspaper, browse the shelves, enjoy a communal puzzle or just relax.

The Have You Read book club meets on February 3 from 2-3pm - no set novel, just drop in for refreshments and a chat about books.

Lego club meets every Saturday from 9.3010.30am - no booking required.

Book Focus Group, for children in Year 7 and up, takes place from 4-5pm on February 9. Rhymetime takes place every Monday and

along and sew with others bring your sewing machine and materials/pattern. To attend, call Carrie in advance on 07753 236095.

n THORNBURY MEMORY CAFE is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except August) from 10.15am until 11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. For information contact Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 01454 260371.

n SUNBEAMS TODDLER GROUP, 1.30-3pm every Tuesday in term time, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (off Castle Court). All families welcome, no need to book, £2 per family includes snack and drink.

Wednesday

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcomefirst visit free so come along and give us a try. Contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@blueyonder.co.uk

Thursday

n THORNBURY GOOD

AFTERNOON CHOIR, Thornbury URC, Chapel Street, 1-3pm. For more information visit www. goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468

Friday

n HAVEN MEMORY CAFE, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, first and third Fridays of the month from 10.15-11.45am. More details from Stuart Hill on 07913 241437 or Sue Walton 07794 370903.

Sunday n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION branch meeting, last Sunday of the month at the Black Horse, Gillingstool, Thornbury, noon.

Friday, from 9.30-10am.

A Sight Support West of England drop-in support and advice session for people with visual impairments will be held on February 20 from 10am-1pm.

A computer volunteer is ready to help with your IT and online questions on Thursday mornings, with one-to-one sessions available from 9.30am.

The library is open 9.30am-5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9.30am-12.30pm on Saturday.

Open access is from 8am-7.30pm every day.

For bookings and home library service call 01454 868006, email thornbury.library@ southglos.gov.uk or visit the website www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries.

WE start the New Year full of good intentions, yet by the end of January we are usually back on the couch. So why is it that our heartfelt New Year resolutions usually crumble?

Principally, there are two reasons. Firstly, we often don’t set ourselves clear, realistic targets. Secondly, we often anticipate

Keeping on track to meet your goals

failure, right from the outset. Here is a list of ten tips to help you achieve your goals.

1. Be specific

What does ‘toning up’ or ‘losing weight’ actually mean to you? How will you measure it, why do you want it, how will you get it and are you being realistic? Put your goal it through the 'SMART' test - is it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-framed? If not, adjust it so it is - and write it down.

2. Be active

If you walk, try going for another 5 or 10 minutes. Small little increases and changes to routines can make a big difference. Distinguish between 'can’t' exercise and 'can’t be bothered'.

3. Eat smarter

We all know fruit and veg are packed with health-promoting properties and we should be aiming at five to eight portions a day. If that seems daunting, start the day with a fruit smoothie, add extra vegetables to meals,

or eat fruit and raw veg as snacks between meals. Dried, canned and frozen varieties count, too.

4. Visit the gym often

If you join a gym but only go once a month, you are 30% more likely to drop it. If you’ve signed up, keep the momentum going and go twice a week - make the most of your membership!

5. Keep a fitness journal

Anyone who works out regularly should keep a log of what they do, including their fitness and weight at the outset. Keeping a diary is motivating, fascinating and can be very useful.

6. Be body aware

Body awareness doesn't stop when you finish your fitness session. Look out for hunched, tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, hanging-out stomach, a jutting head and crossed limbs.

7. Get your fluid intake right

If you know it's low, try to increase your water intake by 500ml, and see if it improves your

concentration, energy levels and skin. It's cleansing and calorie-free.

8. Try something new

If you have a passion for any specific activity, it’s tempting to restrict yourself to it but it’s important to have a balance in your fitness regime, which will reduce your risk of injury, improve fitness and, almost certainly, your performance.

9. Balance your training

Try to apply the hard-easy rule: follow tough, challenging sessions with something easier and less intense the next day.

10. Don’t ignore the niggles

When we increase any level of exercise, we are bound to feel sore or stiff in new places, but if pain in the body presents and is not relieved from stretching or rest, don’t ignore it - seek advice from a professional practitioner to prevent a niggle from becoming a longlasting injury.

Volunteers needed

THORNBURY Volunteer Centre currently has over 100 volunteer opportunities available in the local area, the majority of which need no particular experience, just enthusiasm and time. Among the opportunities waiting to be filled are:

• Befrienders for older people, in person and on the telephone, as well as activities coordinators, technology and walking group support.

• Reading buddies, mentors and governors to help school children, as well as leaders for Scouts, Sea Cadets and Guides.

• Volunteers to work with donkey, hedgehog and bird charities.

• Water safety advisers, to deliver RNLI advice in the community, including school and youth group visits, help with water-based activities and carry out free safety inspections of equipment.

• Male swimming helpers for a local stroke support group swim at Thornbury Leisure Centre every Monday morning.

For further information on these and other opportunities, contact Thornbury Volunteer Centre at mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk or visit www.volunteer-thornbury.co.uk.

Last call for grants

VOLUNTARY groups and community projects in Thornbury have two weeks in February to apply for grants that are available from South Gloucestershire councillors.

Under the Member Awarded Fund scheme each ward councillor has £3,000 to distribute within their ward.

To find out if they are eligible for funding, organisers can get information from the grants page of South Gloucestershire Council’s website or contact either Jayne Stansfield at jayne.stansfield@ southglos.gov.uk or Maggie Tyrrell at maggie.tyrrell@southglos.gov. uk. Applications need to be submitted by February 14.

"The three Thornbury councillors work together to maximise the impact of this relatively small amount of grant money."

FLEUR Cradock is a senior McTimoney chiropractor at the Thornbury Clinic.

Extra funds will benefit our schools

IN my role as your local MP, supporting schools and families has been an integral part of my positive plan for South Gloucestershire.

It is one of the key public services that defines our future.

I was delighted to see that the government has announced an extra £2.3 billion will be invested in schools across the country. As part of the commitment to increase funding, schools in Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages will see a large increase in funding from next year.

This is great news for our community in South Gloucestershire, where funding for schools will increase by over £13 million next year, representing a cash increase of

6.9%, above the average increase for schools in England.

South Gloucestershire has historically been one of the lowest-funded local authorities for education, which is something I campaigned to change for some time.

These announcements mean we are now seeing the increases we need.

Many of our local schools will benefit, with secondary schools set to receive at least £5,715 a year per pupil, and at least £4,405 for each primary school child.

On top of this funding boost, £500m has been made available to schools and colleges to support energy efficiency upgrades, and to save on bills and manage energy

consumption.

The government is also giving further funding for young people in post-16 education: £125 million is being made available for schools, colleges and other education providers to 16 to 19 year olds next year, for investing in resources and skills qualifications that will offer more learning for students and access to high-quality qualifications, including T-Levels, A-Levels and technical qualifications.

This will make sure our young people can explore a wide variety of technical and vocational routes, giving them the qualifications needed to build successful careers.

I will continue to press for more support for our local town and village schools, to ensure we

are not left behind.

Our positive plan for schools and education will see us continue to invest in our local schools, to ensure our children get the best possible standard of education.

Improving school standards in South Gloucestershire is an absolute priority, so pupils living in our community have the best learning environments possible, and the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential in life.

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

A new solution to our bus crisis

LAST year I held scores of mayor events across the West of England to meet thousands of local people face-to-face to discuss buses.

For me, this was all about listening. It quickly became clear the severe bus driver shortage nationally is impacting hard locally.

For the individuals and communities hit by route changes or cuts, this is a very big deal.

The old ways don’t work. It needs new and innovative solutions as soon as possible.

I am proud to announce that a fleet of green minibuses called WEST link will form a new ‘on-demand’ service within the West of England, starting this summer.

Passengers in designated zones will be able hail a ‘WEST link’ minibus by using an app on your smartphone, visiting a website or by phoning up.

Unlike traditional buses, WEST link will be unrestricted by a timetable. Instead, clever tech will use algorithms to link up

several people’s needs, combining them into one trip as efficiently as possible.

The 7am to 7pm Monday-Saturday service will cover much of North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and parts of Bristol including Windmill Hill, Knowle, Brislington and St Anne’s. Within this overall area, there will be local zones. Passengers will be able to use a WEST link minibus in their local zone to get to key transport corridors to then pick up another bus or train.

Vitally, using more minibuses will help address the acute bus driver shortage. How? Well, it’s easier and quicker to train to drive a smaller vehicle and for most people, it is far less daunting!

It also allows drivers already qualified to get behind the wheel of large double-deckers to focus on the busy routes. On demand minibuses also better meet the needs of our more remote or isolated communities.

You have been telling me the status quo hasn’t been working and that unrelia-

ble buses cannot be tolerated.

You have said things must improve to help you get to where you need to travel and to meet our vitally important and ambitious 2030 Net Zero targets.

I agree – so there will be changes.

Change is hard: it’s disruptive and takes time.

I, my staff, and the bus companies, will have to learn lessons as we work hard to put things right. Please play your part by trying WEST link, so we can grab this positive opportunity to shape our transport future for the better.

Tuesday 7th February

Held at Stoke Lodge, Shirehampton Rd, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1BN

Since 1860

- 3pm

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

Win over students keeps Thornbury top

THORNBURY Ladies cemented their top place in their division when they overcame UWE in a four-goal thriller.

The 3-1 victory was Thornbury's first victory in five attempts against the students, who were the only other unbeaten side in West Clubs Women's Hockey League Berkeley Division 2.

Thornbury dominated the first half, creating numerous chances, but were regularly denied by the UWE keeper, who had an outstanding game.

At last, two minutes before the interval, the deadlock was broken when Coz Deas gave the home side a deserved lead, following good build-up play featuring Ella Clark, Jess Mundy and Molly Smith.

In the early stages of the second half, UWE began to show some deft touches but Sammie

Rugby update

THE weather has decimated Thornbury RFC's recent calendar of games.

Initially the pitches resembled concrete due to the frost - then, following the thaw and rain, those same pitches turned into boggy swamps.

In between, Thornbury staged their annual Christmas charity rugby match with the PROPS Barbarians, a team made up of players from Bristol community rugby clubs.

The match raised over £3,100 for the charity supporting young adults with learning difficulties.

With the Second XV and Ladies matches called off, the First XV did venture to Gloucester to take on league leaders Matson.

They returned having lost 8-5, and reflected that it was one that got away.

On February 4 the club will take a social team to Chiswick in London to play the local rugby club in a game in memory of Rob Tillen, a player with both clubs who passed away in 2022.

Dave Fox

Taylor, Mandy McGarry and player-of-the-match Lou Lou Taylor dealt effectively with their attacks.

Esther Jenkinson calmed home nerves when she scored

Thornbury's second goal but the visitors continued to search for one of their own, which duly came following a shot which cruelly deflected past Hannah Kemp in goal.

Two wins lift Thorns off bottom

THE winter weather has played havoc with Thornbury Town’s fixtures over the past month, with the first team having been in action on only three occasions.

Thorns made an early exit from the County Cup, suffering a narrow 2-0 defeat at Roman Glass St George.

However, this defeat did give Town the chance to concentrate on their league form, as they try to steer themselves clear of the Hellenic League Premier Division relegation zone.

A local derby after Christmas against Chipping Sodbury Town saw a good-sized crowd witness Thorns' biggest win of the season.

Two goals in a minute, from Harvey Pritchard and Harry Brock, started the ball rolling midway through the first half and a third from Cam Drew, five minutes later, gave Thornbury a comfortable lead at half-time.

Drew scored his second and Town’s fourth just after the hour mark, as they romped to a 4-0 win.

The New Year’s bank holiday fixture saw Town travel to Hereford to play fourth-placed Westfields and, in front of a 200-plus crowd, they upset the form book by snatching a 1-0 win, courtesy of a penalty from Jack Sheppard-Cozens.

Whilst the hosts enjoyed a good slice of

Captain Jo Deas, Sophie Vizard and Connie Talbot roamed effectively in midfield, while Alice Atkinson and Vicky Ball caused the visiting defence a number of problems, Ball putting the result beyond doubt when she hammered home the third goal.

Thornbury visit Hanham next, hoping to continue on the winning trail.

Meanwhile the Thornbury men's team lost a high-scoring game against Old Bristolians 5ths, 6-4.

Lewis Henderson scored a brace, with Christoph Zickert and Tiger Sherrard-Isles getting Thornbury's other goals.

The team continues to develop and show considerable promise in this, their first season in league hockey.

David Parry-Jones

possession, a great defensive display saw Thorns take the points and lift themselves off the bottom of the table.

The postponement of the away match at Fairford on January 22 was the third Saturday fixture in a row to be called off.

The Reserves still challenge for honours, despite only having played one game in the last five weeks.

There was some disappointment that they dropped two points following a 4-4 draw with Highridge United in an incident-packed game.

The Reserves led 3-1 and 4-2, with goals from Harrison Young(2), Stan Wyatt and George Huke, but on both occasions the visitors pulled level.

Despite the result, Town’s reserves still maintain second place in the league, three points behind leaders Old Sodbury, and crucially have three games in hand.

With some key league fixtures coming up and a County Cup quarter-final against Lion FC, there is still much to play for.

The A team however have been kicking their heels in recent weeks, not having had a fixture since the end of November.

In a very tight division they currently lie in fourth place, and whilst AFC Mangotsfield Reserves look to be title favourites, the runners-up spot is well within the A team's grasp, especially as the enforced break from action has allowed some key players to recover from injury.

Malcolm Carr

Thornbury Ladies celebrate their victory over UWE