Thornbury Voice January 2020

thornburyvoice www.thornburyvoice.co.uk

January, 2020 Issue 34

FREE EVERY MONTH IN THORNBURY AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Luke keeps seat

CONSERVATIVE Luke Hall retained his Thornbury and Yate seat as the Tories won an 80-seat majority in the general election.

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£32,000 for schools

It's pant-o time!

Fluffy the dog, played by Beth Wright, is one of the stars of a new pantomime being staged in Thornbury. Full story: Page 13

Hospital services move to centre HEALTH services in Thornbury are entering a new era - and closing the door on the town's hospital for the last time.

A new facility known as Thornbury Outpatients was due to open at the St Mary's Centre on December 23.

The opening of the new town centre facilities for outpatient and community midwifery

appointments, which include four clinical rooms, coincides with the final closure of Thornbury Hospital, which North Bristol NHS Trust says is no longer "fit for purpose".

Thornbury Outpatients is based on the site of a former charity shop and is open during weekdays but concerns have been raised over car parking.

Full story: Page 5

FRIENDS groups set up to buy equipment for two underfunded secondary schools have raised £32,000 in the space of a single year.

PAGES 8 & 9

Joel's big win

ROCKHAMPTON comedian Joel Dommett's appearance on a TV game show left a Thornbury charity £11,000 better off.

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Praise for primary

An inspector says that a village primary school near Thornbury is good, with outstanding early years provision.

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January, 2020

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Luke retains seat as Tories build majority THE Conservatives have held on to all three constituencies in South Gloucestershire, as the governing party swept to an 80seat Parliamentary majority in December's general election.

In Thornbury and Yate, sitting Tory MP Luke Hall was re-elected with an almost identical majority to the previous election in 2017.

Both the Tories and Lib Dems increased their share of the vote on an increased turnout, with Labour – the only other party standing – slipping to under 10 per cent.

Mr Hall, who first won the seat in 2015, received 30,202 votes, 58% of the total cast and up from 28,008 (55%) in 2017.

His majority was 12,369 - up by 298 from 12,071 in 2017.

Liberal Democrat Claire Young finished second on 17,833 (34%) which was also a three per cent increase in her share of the vote two and a half years

Luke Hall (centre) looks on as fellow South Gloucestershire MPs Chris Skidmore and Jack Lopresti shake hands after retaining their seats. previously, when she received 15,937 votes (31%).

Labour’s Rob Logan mustered only 4,208 votes (8%), down

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from the 6,112 (12%) his party achieved in 2017.

Just three candidates stood in the constituency this time after the Greens withdrew as part of their Unite to Remain pact with the Lib Dems. The Brexit Party withdrew from all Tory-held seats.

Turnout was up from 50,690 (75%) in 2017 to 52,243 (76%) In his victory speech, Mr Hall said: “It has been the most enormous privilege in my life to serve my constituency since 2015.

“It looks like the Conservatives will form a majority government. I hope this will provide clarity and certainty to the country as we look to

deliver a Brexit deal with the European Union.

“I would like to say thank to the residents who have elected me for a third time which is a huge privilege and I will do everything I can for you.”

Ms Young, who is the Lib Dem group leader on South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who supported me.

“I am proud to have run a positive campaign, and rest assured my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to serve our communities with whatever lies ahead.”

Mr Logan said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to represent my party in this constituency that I love.

“I would like to thank the other candidates for the tone and manner in which this election has been fought.

“I’m not sure the campaign nationally has quite lived up to that standard and I think in the future all parties need to learn how to be nice to each other again.”

Result: Luke Hall (Conservative) 30,202 Claire Young (Liberal Democrats) 17,833 Rob Logan (Labour) 4,208 Turnout 52,243 (76%) (254 rejected ballot papers)

Please contact Penny Skinner or Rowena Moncrieffe for further details…

14 The Plain, Thornbury, 01454 858007 www.bondsofthornbury.co.uk

Defeated candidates Rob Logan and Claire Young.

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January, 2020

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Joel 's £11,000 TV win for Thornbury charity ROCKHAMPTON comedian Joel Dommett has done a Thornbury charity a big favour by making it the beneficiary of a win on TV show Catchphrase.

Former Castle School pupil Joel, best known for his appearances on I’m a Celebrity…

Get Me Out of Here! and E4 drama Skins, won £11,200 for Brain Tumour Support on the ITV quiz.

He beat fellow former I'm a Celebrity... 2016 contestants, actor Dean Gaffney and chef Rosemary Shrager, who competed to identify a familiar catchphrase represented by a piece of animation.

Joel said: “I can’t believe how much money I won! It turns out I’m good at Catchphrase!

"I was so happy to win it for such a wonderful charity that is close to mine and my family’s heart. The charity’s support groups and specialist counselling are a lifeline to so many patients

and families and I know these funds will make a big difference to these people’s lives. I’m really proud to be able to support the charity.”

Joel grew up Rockhampton before moving to London to start his showbiz career and remembered his roots when choosing the charity, which is based in Thornbury but offers support and advice to people nationwide.

It is estimated that 100,000 people in the UK are living with a brain tumour and Brain Tumour Support can receive more than 20 referrals every week.

Charity founder and chief executive Tina Mitchell Skinner said: “We were over the moon when we heard that Joel had chosen Brain Tumour Support.

He has such a big heart and always wants to make a difference. Winning this amount of money for us will allow us to do so much.

Cats die after drinking antifreeze THREE cats in the Olveston area have died due to what police believe to be antifreeze poisoning.

It is unclear whether cats are drinking liquid spilled or leaking from cars, or are being deliberately poisoned, which is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act, punishable with a maximum penalty of up to 6 months in prison and a £20,000 fine.

In a letter to residents, the Thornbury neighbourhood policing team has asked people to be ‘careful’ and ‘considerate’ when using the product to make sure it is stored safely and not spilled.

It only takes a teaspoon (5ml) of anti-freeze to poison a cat and they are attracted to the smell and taste of the liquid's poisonous main ingredient, ethylene glycol, which causes kidney failure.

Symptoms to look out for in cats include vomiting, appearing to be drunk, extreme stillness, seizures or difficulty breathing.

These signs can show only 30 minutes after antifreeze has been consumed. Kidney failure is apparent after two or three days.

Anyone who spots these symptoms should contact their vet urgently because the sooner the cat receives treatment, the more likely it is that it will survive.

The neighbourhood policing team say in their letter that they “hope that these suspected poisonings are unintentional”.

Joel Dommett (right) with Catchphrase presenter Stephen Mulhern (centre, left), dean Gaffney and Rosemary Shrager.

"The impact of brain tumours desperately needs more awareness and more money allocated to support the growing number of people affected, living and dying, every day."

The charity, which received a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019, operates across the UK with 23 support groups and one-to-one support on offer.

It campaigns to raise awareness of the impact on patients and their families.

Anyone who needs support or would like to help the charity should email info@ braintumoursupport.co.uk or visit the website www. braintumoursupport.co.uk for more information.

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thornburyvoice February deadline

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Local information South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

January, 2020

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Conman targets vulnerable resident in holiday home scam POLICE are trying to trace this man after a Thornbury resident was conned out of a "significant sum of money".

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "The victim gave a man a large amount of cash, believing he was paying a deposit for a holiday home – however, the man has since disappeared."

The victim is described as "vulnerable" by police.

The man officers want to trace is described as white, with a ginger beard.

He spoke with a Swedish accent and drove a silver BMW 7 series car, which had a foreign registration plate.

Police released a CCTV image of the suspect on December 13.

They called on anyone who recognises him, or has any other information which could help their inquiry, to call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5219 022 321.

Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Thornbury Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Thornbury Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Richard On 01454 800 120 or contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

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January, 2020

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Farewell to hospital as services move THORNBURY Hospital is closing to patients for the final time, as new facilities for outpatients open their doors in the town centre.

The new facilities at the St Mary's Centre, known as Thornbury Outpatients, were due to open to patients for the first time on December 23.

The opening completes the relocation of services from the existing 1920s hospital building, which North Bristol NHS Trust announced was "not fit for purpose". It had recently been blighted by anti-social behaviour.

The outpatient and community midwifery facilities are based in the former Multiple Sclerosis People’s Help charity shop, pictured, in St Mary Street, which will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The NHS trust says the hospital building in Eastland Road will be kept secure until a decision is reached on its future.

Director of estates facilities and capital planning Simon Wood said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer local people their outpatient services from much better premises, in a convenient location with good access.”

The trust says Thornbury Outpatients is accessible to people with disabilities, including those in a wheelchair, and there is free car parking at Castle Court, Rock Street and Mary Street. The centre is served by eight bus routes which are within walking distance.

However, concerns were raised at a South Gloucestershire Council health scrutiny committee meeting in June that car parks nearby are already very busy and patients arriving by car might have problems finding a space.

South Gloucestershire area director for NHS Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire CCG Dave Jarrett said: “We’re grateful to North Bristol NHS Trust staff, and to the League of Friends, for their hard work in continuing to provide services in Thornbury Hospital in recent years, despite the poor condition of the hospital buildings.

“We’re delighted that these valued local services have a new, accessible and secure home in Thornbury Town Centre.”

Several pieces of equipment have been donated by the Thornbury and District League of Friends.

Chair Shirley Holloway said: “It gives us great pleasure to provide a jaundice monitor and educational TV screen together with a coffee machine for the staff. We are sure they will be of use.”

Plans for a new £10 million heath centre for Thornbury are still awaiting funding.

Patients can contact the new facility between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday on 01454 415 750.

LUKE HALL MP MP for Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages

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Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH e: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk w: lukehall.org.uk Promoted by Luke Hall MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA.

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January, 2020

If Geronimo had TB, why is he still healthy more than two years later?

A FARMER has spoken of her frustration that the government is "refusing to listen" to reason after over an alpaca it ordered to be killed.

Helen MacDonald, who runs a farm in Wickwar, and her alpaca Geronimo are at the centre of a court battle over whether he has bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

Geronimo, pictured, tested positive more than two years ago, after being imported from New Zealand. Helen claims the result is a false positive, because Geronimo's immune system was responding to injections of Tuberculin which he received as part of the skin test carried out in New Zealand for bTB surveillance and for his export to the UK. She says if Geronimo really had the disease he would be dead by now – and would have affected the other animals he has been quarantined with.

But the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs insists that the alpaca has the disease and must be put down, despite Helen's pleas for officials to look again at the evidence. She says the department has a 'kill at all costs' policy which is not fair and reasonable.

Helen said: “In Geronimo’s case he had had four injections of Tuberculin. The government has never measured the effect of cattle Tuberculin on healthy camelids' immune systems. It's the same dose as you would give a cow, which is ten times

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the body weight of an alpaca.

Camelids are not cows, they have a completely unique immune system.”

Helen has been fighting for a re-test, and although she lost her case in the High Court, judges ruled that Geronimo would not be put to sleep while her legal challenge was underway.

Her request for an appeal hearing was turned down in November by the Court of Appeal and she has no further rights to appeal in the UK – but is now considering whether to take the case to the European Court of

Human Rights.

Helen said: "I'm so disappointed and quite shocked the court hasn't looked at the evidence but has ruled on the law as it stands – so it seems that you can't hold a government to account – and this is a unique case, where there is a wealth of evidence to show Geronimo did not get bTB in New Zealand, as Defra allege.”

Helen wrote to the most recent Environment Secretary, Theresa Villiers, to request a meeting, but had not received a reply before December's general

election. Ms Villiers is the third minister Helen has written to since she started her legal battle, during which time Geronimo has remained healthy.

Helen says Geronimo’s exact movements in New Zealand have been documented and no other animals he came into contact with has tested positive. The farm where he lived has been free from any suspicion of TB for 20 years. Since coming to Britain, he has been quarantined – and none of the other animals he is held with have contracted the disease.

What keeps Helen fighting is her conviction that there is no scientific evidence behind the government’s decision.

She said: "It's wrong – the fact is, they have no valid test data, Geronimo is running around five years after Defra allege he ‘got it at a show’ in New Zealand and now, more than two years later, must be slaughtered because they say the test results were correct back in 2017.

“How do you make a government accountable for their actions? I have expert witnesses, I have expert camelid vets, I have evidence from around the world that says this isn’t acceptable, but DEFRA won’t listen to anybody.

"It's not about trying to save a sick animal, if I thought for one minute that Geronimo was diseased then he would have been taken at the outset in 2017."

The Voice has asked Defra for a comment on Geronimo's case.

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January, 2020

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n NEWS

Pride at school where children aspire to achieve INSPECTORS have praised a village school where children “aspire to achieve their best from the moment they start".

The government’s education watchdog, Ofsted, visited Olveston C of E Primary School in November and their report, which has just been published, found it to be 'good' overall, with ‘outstanding’ early years provision.

The two inspectors examined five categories: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management; early years, which related to children in reception class.

Ben Jordan, the lead inspector, and his colleague Emma Jelley said in their report: “Children in early years are extremely happy and safe. They show high levels of concentration in their chosen activities.

“The development of

Children from Olveston C of E Primary School learning outdoors pupils’ personal, social and emotional intelligence is a strength.

"Staff keep parents and carers well informed about their children’s learning and development. Parents and carers speak highly of the start their children make.”

The report praised teachers at the 179-pupil school for their skills in teaching reading

using phonics, noting that children who are struggling are identified quickly and staff provide "strong support" to help them catch up. It also highlighted that children with special educational needs and disabilities are offered "appropriate and timely support" and therefore "achieve well".

The inspectors noticed the

‘community feel’ of the school, which caters for reception to Year 6 pupils, writing: “Pupils also enjoy learning about their village and take an active role in ensuring that their school plays a key part in village life.

For example, the school has a partnership with the local church.”

Pupils throughout the school spoke to the inspectors about how much they enjoy learning, the trips on offer and the range of clubs.

In order to improve, the inspectors said school leaders need to ensure that they further develop knowledge and skills in subjects such as science and PE, and broaden opportunities to learn about different faiths and cultures.

Head teacher Amanda Luke said: “We are extremely proud of all our children and are thrilled that Ofsted recognised the outstanding start we give to every child.”

Georgina honoured at Sports Personality of the Year A SOUTH Gloucestershire woman who set up an inclusive sports club after finding there wasn't one in her area has mixed with the stars at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Georgina Moore, 36, from Chipping Sodbury, set up and runs an inclusive Boccia club at Yate Leisure Centre.

It’s one of the most successful sports clubs in the area, where people with any additional need or disability and those without can play together. The game is like bowls but played sitting down, and players can use any part of their body to propel the ball.

Georgina's achievement saw her named the BBC South West Sports Personality of the Year award and a place at the final in Aberdeen on December 15.

Although she missed out on the national award, Georgina said it was an "honour" to be there.

She said: “It was like I

had gone inside my TV, after watching it every year. To be on stage with the other 14 nominees for Unsung hero was an honour.”

Georgina has a severe physical disability and moved to independent living in Chipping Sodbury three years ago and is supported by carers.

Growing up she was often separated from other children, PE was always a lesson where she was removed to play games with a teaching assistant, and after school sports clubs weren’t accessible. She said: “Growing up and moving into adulthood the only club I was part of was a disability swimming club.

This meant I was only mixing with other disabled people and couldn’t take my nondisabled friends along. Also going swimming was physically challenging, due to the changing, hoisting, showering. However, there wasn’t a sport’s club out there that was fully inclusive, and I could take part in without

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Georgina Moore meets Olympian Sir Chris Hoy at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Aberdeen. leaving my electric chair.”

Georgina’s ambition is to keep running the Boccia club, and to focus on her personal performance. She said: “I will aspire to play at a Paralympic Games and be inspirational to others. I recently heard that calling someone with a disability

inspirational is insulting and offensive. I completely disagree.

If people see me as an inspiring person for whatever reason, and it helps motivate them to go out and things, then that is a positive thing in my opinion! Life is too short to waste time.”

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January, 2020

Friends give Marlwood a £12,500 boost A GROUP set up to help Marlwood School after it was placed into special measures has raised £12,500 in its second year of work.

The Marlwood School Friends Association, known as FOMS, was set up two years ago this month. The school was in crisis after years of funding cuts and falling pupil numbers were followed by an 'inadequate' rating from regulator Ofsted.

FOMS now has 1,500 members and has excelled in providing equipment and making improvements to the school, using everything from grant applications and fundraising events to an Amazon wish list.

In the past 12 months the committee has applied for and was successfully awarded four substantial grants.

The first, £1,000 from the Armourers and Brasiers Company, paid for science equipment, a Van der Graaf generator and accessories, a visualiser, power packs, and a ripple tank.

The second, £1,200 from

the local firm Cox Automotive, went on equipment for design and art, English, maths, science and music lessons. It included two Chromebook computers, a dressmaker's mannequin, sketchbooks, SD cards for photography, paintbrushes, wool, a guitar and amp, and microphones and cables.

Olveston Parish Council gave FOMS £1,000 to buy two commercial refrigerators for the school's food technology rooms.

The final grant came after FOMS won a local vote for supermarket Tesco's Bags of Help scheme, which paid for almost £4,000 of gymnastics equipment.

Early on, the friends started an Amazon wish list, and people wanting to support the school have used it to buy all kinds of basic items including stationery, art supplies and dictionaries. An upcycling scheme has seen donations of equipment made direct from the community, among them musical instruments, a piano, office chairs, memory sticks and cameras.

A group from FOMS performs at the Marlwood's Got Talent event.

Volunteers at a Friends of Marlwood School gardening day are rewarded for their work with bacon butties.

FOMS also spent money on the school's outdoor areas, to make the school a place for both pupils and staff could be proud of. The group organised six days of gardening, with 20 volunteers turning up to help for each one.

Almondsbury Tree Surgeons provided mulch which they spread on the beds to keep the weeds at bay. They planted 1,000 daffodil bulbs and developed a garden plan to help manage all the jobs across the site. The pond area in the science block was renovated and is now back in use. Ahead of the all-important

open evening in September, the whole site had a tidy up.

The final fundraising event of the year was the group's Christmas fair on December 19 – but the FOMS committee is already planning another year of quizzes, concerts and fairs in 2020, with the spring highlight of the group's fundraising calendar, Marlwood’s Got Talent, due to be held on March 13.

Updates and appeals are posted on the Friends of Marlwood School Facebook page.

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Castle friends raise staggering £20,000

Sheila Forsythe from Thornbury in Bloom presents the school's award to Andy Bethell and Jenny Griggs from Castle School, Sara Iles from Castle School Friends and pupils Archie Iles and Erin Baker.

Volunteers helped renovate Castle School at a series of DIY days.

A FRIENDS group founded in response to a funding crisis at Thornbury's Castle School has raised almost £20,000 in its first year.

The Castle School Friends Association was formed shortly after the BBC2 documentary series School was broadcast in the autumn of 2018, which showed the impact that cutbacks had on staff morale, buildings and resources.

Parents at Castle School were determined to do something to help and the CSF was set up to pay for essential equipment and carry out refurbishment.

Incidents over the winter a year ago, including graffiti and an arson attack in which a gazebo used as an outdoor classroom for children was destroyed, only served to galvanise parents further.

The newly formed committee decided to make their first event very visible and agreed to repaint the sports hall and changing rooms. They were overwhelmed when 60 parents and friends turned up to help and the job was

sourced second-hand items, from office furniture to IT equipment and even a baby grand piano.

An Amazon wish list proved a huge success, with parents and friends buying thousands of pounds of basic classroom equipment, and will be relaunched this year. £3,000 of the money raised by the wide range of events organised by the volunteer committee has paid for equipment, uniform, books and trips for pupils who receive the government’s pupil premium.

Metal railings have been restored and outdoor spaces around the school have been transformed. The volunteers’ gardening efforts led to CSF teaming up with Thornbury in Bloom and being part of the winning entry for the South West in Bloom competition. Castle School Friends received a trophy and certificate for outstanding community engagement.

Sara said: “There are some goals I would like us to try to achieve in 2020 and these include securing a large grant for the school, completing the

completed in just an hour.

Since then the group has gone from strength to strength, winning the school an In Bloom award and supplying a huge amount of equipment.

Castle School Friends chair Sara Iles said: “I am so proud of the amount we have raised, the awards we have won, the support we have had – but most of all the community we have started to create. I feel in 2019 we turned something negative into something really positive for Thornbury and I would really like to build on this through 2020.

“I can’t thank the community enough for supporting CSF and making this a success. It was such a daunting task a year ago when I realised just quite what we had taken on!”

Over the course of the year the CSF has repainted the student centre, where the pastoral care staff are based, and provided it with an improved entrance and a well-equipped sick bay, with a new bed donated by a local company. Volunteers

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SEN garden ready for summer, and growing our volunteer community. I’ve learned everything is achievable if we work together and stay positive.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far – you are making a real difference for the students and teachers at Castle School."

Castle School Education Trust chief executive Will Roberts praised the friends groups of both schools.

He said: "We are enormously grateful to the Friends groups for their huge contributions to The Castle and Marlwood schools.

The commitment of parents and the wider community to supporting the schools is greatly appreciated by our staff, and the contributions they have made over the past year have made a tangible difference to the experiences we can provide for our students.

To contact the group search for Castle School Friends on Facebook or email enquiries@ castleschoolfriends.org.

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January, 2020

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Specialist school acts after Ofsted criticism AN INDEPENDENT specialist school in Thornbury insists there is no risk to staff and pupils after criticism of its facilities by Ofsted.

Sheiling School, which has 38 pupils on roll and a long waiting list, applied to the Department for Education for permission to increase its official capacity from 30 pupils to 50.

This automatically led to an inspection by Ofsted, which took place in November.

But the education watchdog said that, at the time of the inspector's visit, the school did not meet the relevant standards for independent schools wanting to expand.

Sheiling School offers day and residential placements to pupils aged 6 to 19 years old who have Education Health and Care Plans and may not have been able to access education for some time. Many have at least one additional need, including autistic spectrum disorder, sensory impairment and emotional and mental health difficulties. At its last regular Ofsted inspection in 2017 the school was rated ‘good’ for education and care.

But after the recent visit Ofsted inspector Jonathan Dyer

Staff and pupils at Sheiling School at a recent Children in Need fundraising day. The specialist school wants to expand to cope with increasing demand for places said: “The proprietor has not made suitable arrangements to ensure that pupils' welfare is promoted at all times. For example, a lack of rigour around fire risk assessments and deficiencies in the school's premises have the potential to

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place pupils at risk."

He reported that although fire risk assessments were in place, remedial work which had been identified in December 2018 had not yet been carried out. He found that the comprehensive health and safety policy, had not

been "implemented effectively or monitored with sufficient rigour".

The inspector found that in a few areas toilets for boys and girls weren’t for the sole use of pupils, there were no washing facilities in the medical room, drinking water was not clearly labelled, and in some locations the hot water temperature could possibly cause scalding.

Sheiling School’s CEO Nico Sialleli said: “We have taken the findings of the report very seriously and have completed all the necessary actions.

"With regard to fire safety, we can categorically state that our pupils and staff have not been and are not currently at risk. The only action that was not completed out of our annual risk assessments was simply due to a reassessment following the removal of a wood burner and a change of use (from classroom to staff room). However our new online system had not been updated and we accept that additional rigour was needed.”

The inspector recognised that safeguarding procedures are in line with the latest guidance, staff are trained in first aid and the ‘comprehensive’ first aid policy is being effectively implemented.

He said enough staff are provided with all pupils having at least one to one support and that plans to increase the number of support staff if the application is approved would provide ‘effective supervision’.

He highlighted the ‘abundance of outdoor space’ as well as a sports hall and a swimming pool, and concluded that the school does have the capacity to take more pupils.

Mr Sialleli added: “We have been working positively with the DfE and Ofsted and would like to thank them for their support.”

When independent school standards aren’t met, the DfE requires the school to submit an action plan. This is either accepted or rejected, if it’s rejected enforcement action can be taken.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

January, 2020

11

n NEWS WHEN organisers of a Thornbury festival decided to donate proceeds from the event to support the area's air ambulance they had no idea it was about to save a friend’s life.

Mellow in the Meadow raised £1,000 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity from its inaugural event in 2018 and decided to double the donation second time around.

Just a week before the event at Pound House Farm in August, Vicky Vatcher, a close friend of the organisers, had a riding accident. She fractured her skull, resulting in a bleed on her brain, and also broke her ribs and punctured a lung. She was taken by the air ambulance to Southmead Hospital’s major trauma centre.

Three months later Vicky was well enough to meet specialist paramedic Jack Kilminster, who was with the air ambulance crew on the day, when the £5,000 Mellow in the Meadow raised – more than double the target – was presented at the GWAAC air base in Almondsbury.

Vicky said: "It is amazing how quickly circumstances changed from being a normal day to waking up in hospital, weeks later. It was wonderful to meet Jack and hear about the care I received at the scene. I am grateful to have the opportunity to say an enormous thank you to Jack and the crew at GWAAC." Lorna Hook, from Mellow in the Meadow said: “We are very proud of our achievements fundraising for a fantastic cause, but also enormously grateful for all you do and for providing super care to our friend.”

Five thousand thanks for saving Vicky's life

Sspecialist paramedic Jack Kilminstermeets Vick Vatcher and the organisers of Mellow in the Meadow.

Mellow in the Meadow also raised £1,000 for the Farm Safety Foundation.

GWAAC community fundraiser Joe Hughes said: “Mellow in the Meadow is a real South Glos success story and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.

"It’s only thanks to people like Lorna, Beth, Massey, Julia, Suze and Jackie doing amazing things like this that we can continue to save lives in South Glos and Glos and surrounding areas, so on behalf of everyone living or working in this region: thank you so very much!”

GWAAC has to raise over £8 million every year to keep the air ambulance flying, with no

Kate and Nicki entertain HIGHLY entertaining and versatile singer Kate Milner Evans will perform a selection including excerpts from Carmen, Tosca, Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard at Thornbury's Cossham Hall.

Originally from Alveston, Kate has years of experience on stage, taking more than 30 leading operatic roles in Germany. She recently returned to England to star in shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Crazy for You, Showboat and The Sound of Music in London’s West End. Accompanying her at the piano is Nicki Barnes, from Rockhampton. Nicki is known as a flautist but won an exhibition scholarship and prizes for piano accompaniment at the Royal College of Music, coached by Robert Sutherland (accompanist to Maria Callas).

Kate and Nicki have recently performed for Cancer Research in Bristol and at the Pitshanger Manor Museum in London.

The musical event takes place at Cossham Hall on January 12 at 3pm. Tickets are available from Thornbury Town Hall or by calling 01454 412272.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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12

January, 2020

n NEWS

Woodland site fenced off as fight steps up CAMPAIGNERS who want to save Vilner Lane Wood in Thornbury from development are stepping up their fight to save it.

Now established as the Woodland Action Group, they will be out gathering signatures on their petition to preserve the woods on January 18 at the St Mary Centre, Thornbury Leisure Centre, Thornbury Tesco and at the wood's composting site.

The call for more support comes as the composting site at the wood has been fenced off, after running out of money to keep it going.

The campaigners aim to gather as many signatures as possible from residents to present to a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council in February. People can also find the petition on the council's website, where it had attracted more than 340 signatures as the Voice went to press.

The small woodland is situated next to the footpath

Bob Quilty, Tom Usherwood and Brett Harrison at the fenced-off composting site at Vilner Lane.

that runs between Tesco and the community composting site. It is a haven for wildlife, connecting town gardens to open countryside.

Plans to build a care home there were approved five years ago and recently a developer has shown an interest.

Council cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton has agreed to reconsider the original decision, to ensure

it is still in the best interests of the community and the environment.

The Woodland Action Group believes that the climate emergency must take priority and that another care home is no longer needed in the town.

The community composting site has been fenced off for the winter due to lack of funding, as the amount of garden waste needs to be reduced until its

future is certain.

Thornbury Composting Group chairman Brett Harrison said: “The reasons we have run out of money are a combination of more and more waste, from mainly contractors, and less in the way of donations, particularly grant aid.

"South Glos have done their best but they are also facing more and more competition for a reducing pot.

"We hope to be able to get back to something like normal activity in the new financial year, while keeping control over access to the site.”

Brett has asked that anyone concerned over the future of the site should write to their South Gloucestershire councillor. The composing site is continuing to process wood for sale, which is available on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.

The petition can be found at bit.ly/2RXSpoc.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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January, 2020

13

n NEWS A THORNBURY drama group is taking a new look at a traditional story for its pantomime this year.

Octopus Drama Group's show Finding Buttons is described as a sequel to Cinderella, continuing the story beyond the end of the fairy tale.

Written by Caroline Wookey, it continues the Octopus Drama Group's policy of putting on original pantomimes written by members or friends.

The story picks up some years later, when Queen Ella is happily married to Prince Charming but struggling with her new life at the palace because her whole family has moved in too. The wicked stepmother, ugly sisters, and her father are all there.

Jenny Dennis, from the group, said: "There are many new characters and many questions to be answered. Will the fairy godmother find her magic again, who are the Pinkly Blinders, and what secrets are held by the strange painting on the wall? But, most important of all, what happened to Buttons, her long time friend and admirer?"

Finding Buttons is being performed at Christ the King Church Hall from Wednesday to Friday, January 8 to 10, at 7.30pm, and on Saturday January 11 at 11am and 2.30pm.

Tickets cost ÂŁ7 for adults and ÂŁ5 for children, and are on sale from Chappell and Matthews in Thornbury High St, or by calling Karen on 01454 413783.

More panto productions: Page 23

Cinderella sequel is a panto premiere

Buttons, played by Jo Plumbley, and Fluffy, played by Beth Wright, star in Octopus Drama group's sequel to Cinderella

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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14

January, 2020

n NEWS A CELEBRATION of the life of a Thornbury musician raised more than £4,000 for a cancer charity.

The party at the Castle School marked a year since the passing of Andy Dodd, who died of pancreatic cancer.

The 57-year-old, who worked for British Aerospace, loved playing music and was the drummer with the band Ride the Edge while he was ill, as well as playing with Ukelele Jam and Mean Ol’ Spider.

Party for Andy in November saw nearly 300 people enjoying an evening of music provided by acts that Andy was involved with before his death.

Organised in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK, the event raised a total of £4,400.

Andy's former Ride the Edge bandmate Noel Clarke said: "Wow, that was quite a party!

"Of course many of the people who danced the night away knew Andy, but even those who didn't still appreciated the sentiment.

"The bands were delighted to find the dance floor was full from the very first note to the

Party for Andy raises £4,400

Andy Dodd's band Ride the Edge played at the fundraising party in his memory. final song - even the serving of the delicious food provided

by Butties of Thornbury didn't distract a determined core of dancers enjoying the music.

"Thanks to the musicians of Ukulele Jam, Mean ol' Spider and Ride the Edge, Tom Grey at

Loud Hire for the sound system, and all those who worked so hard to make this memorable event run so smoothly.

"All these people gave their time, their talent and their equipment for free, indeed the entire events team and

performers even paid for their own tickets, so that Pancreatic Cancer UK could benefit to the max continuing the amazing research work that they fund into what is an incredibly harsh disease."

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

January, 2020

15

n THORNBURY CLINIC

New Year, New You?

Ella Guest is the sports injury therapist at the Thornbury Clinic and has experience working in both private practice and semiprofessional sport.

Ella has a thorough understanding of chronic and acute sporting injuries.

I DON’T think I have ever heard the phrase 'New Year’s resolution' without hearing the words 'exercise'. 'diet' or 'fitness' immediately afterwards. That’s because most of our resolutions have something to do with getting ourselves back on track after a

long year and, most importantly, the busy festive period. One of the biggest challenges of making a New Year’s resolution is finding the time to stick to it. Between work, family, and busy social lives, you might be struggling to find the balance: it’s hard to sneak away to the gym, take part in an exercise class or go for a run once a week, let alone on a daily basis.

Whether you want to lose weight, exercise more, sleep better, be more active, or just become a healthier version of you, it’s important to focus on the steps you’ll take to get there. You don’t have to start at 100 miles an hour; chances are, you will fall out of love with exercise pretty quickly if you do. Take it easy to begin with – it will help you to enjoy exercise but, most importantly, it will prevent injury. If you haven’t exercised in a while or if you are trying something new, ease yourself into it: let your body get to grips with the new demands you are asking of it.

or competition. If you want to do more running, why not sign yourself up for a 10k or a half marathon in a few months’ time?

The fear of failure will drive you to work and train harder than ever.

• Its OK to be nervous, but don’t let it stop you. People are often afraid to try something new. This is completely normal.

• Treat yourself! Once you hit your goal for the week, whether it is going to the gym three times a week, losing a few pounds or completing a 10 minute workout from home every day, choose a reward that won't undo your hard work, such as a massage.

In the dark and cold of winter it can be hard to drag yourself away from the comfort of your sofa, but exercise benefits so much more than just your physical health. This

Top tips for a happy and healthy new year: • Stick to one goal at a time but always have several in line for you to move straight on to.

• Share what you are doing with the people around you. Having the support of others can both inspire you and hold you accountable.

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time of the year can be particularly hard for people suffering with their mental health and exercise is one proven treatment for it. You will feel better about yourself and will be proud of actually getting up before work and trying a class or doing a simple routine at home.

Before long, we are sure you will catch the exercise bug – and what was once a chore will become something you look forward to.

If a healthier new year is what you want, keep that desire strong throughout the year. New habits are not made overnight; you must keep working at them and the Thornbury Clinic team will always be on hand to offer physical and emotional support and advice to help you achieve your goals.

17/05/2019 14:34

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

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

16

January, 2020

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Jewellery and watches sparkle in sale

THERE was definitely a sparkle about the December sale at Stroud Auction Rooms, with specialist sections for jewellery, watches, silver, clocks and coins attracting bidders across the globe.

A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner gentleman's wristwatch, pictured, made £4,400, setting the scene for the next few highest lots.

An 18ct white gold ring with a round cut diamond went under the hammer for £3,200, followed by a modern Breitling Navitimer gentleman's automatic chronograph wristwatch (£2,300), a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date gentleman's automatic wristwatch (£2,300), an 18ct gold ring set with three round cut diamonds (£2,300) and a Breitling Navitimer 806 vintage gentleman's chronograph wristwatch (£2,100).

An Art Deco platinum ring set with a 1ct diamond and with diamond encrusted shoulders also sold for £1,700: Alexandra Bowkett always comments on how popular Art Deco pieces are, and this was a prime example.

The jewellery and watches theme was broken by a Georgian hallmarked silver twin-handled hare coursing trophy, with a greyhound finial and decorated with a hare coursing scene, which went under the hammer for £2,000. Dated 1827, it was made

by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, who held a Royal warrant from 1797

until 1834.

In the silver section, a George V 12-place setting canteen of Old English pattern cutlery, all having the Seymour (Duke of Somerset) crest and housed in a fitted mahogany canteen on legs, which sold for £1,300, was ready for the Christmas dinner table. A pair of hallmarked silver pedestal tea light holders made £1,050 amongst a small group of lots, all by Stuart Devlin, including novelty eggs, napkin rings and a pair of chalices, totalling over £3,000.

Top of the coin lots was a 2000 Queen Mother Centenary Year proof gold crown in deluxe case with certificate, selling for £1,010.

The star amongst the older coins was a 1658 Commonwealth shilling in excellent condition, which made £850.

While jewellery and watches dominated the top selling lots, all the other categories, from bijouterie to fine wines and spirits, performed well.

Auction staff have already started lotting for the first sale

of the new year. The auction on January 8 and 9 will feature ceramics, glass, Asian and tribal art, books, ephemera including another single owner collection of playing cards, stamps, musical instruments, vinyl records, and pictures. Viewing will be on Tuesday, January 7, from 10am7pm.

Another guns, weapons, medals and militaria auction will be held in February. Patrick Smart, our militaria expert, is already working on a large single owner collection of over 400 military cap and other badges, it will likely total over 500 lots. This is always a very popular event, so if you are thinking of consigning items into this sale, now is the time to take them in.

For any queries about buying or selling with Stroud Auction Rooms ring 01453 873800, email info@ stroudauctions.com or visit the website www.stroudauctions.co.uk

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Entries now invited for our upcoming auction on February 5th & 6th

Including specialist sections of guns, weapons, medals, militaria, taxidermy, toys scientific instruments, cameras & binoculars

Naval General Service Medal Sold for £12,200

J & W Tolley .303 double barrelled side by side rifle. Sold for £4000

A 3” scale Marshall live steam traction engine. Sold for £4,300

Deadline for entries 11th January

FREE valuations every Friday & Saturday at our saleroom, at your home by appointment or why not email us a photograph to info@stroudauctions.com We are regularly ranked no 1 in the country for the number of online bidders

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

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

01453 873800 www.stroudauctions.co.uk

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

January, 2020

17

n WHAT'S ON IN OUR AREA January 3 Sleeping Beauty pantomime by JDJC Productions, for members of Haven & Thornbury Memory Cafes, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, 10.1511.45am.

January 8-11 Octopus Drama Group presents Finding Buttons, a pantomime sequel to Cinderella. Christ the King Church Hall, Castle Street.

Wednesday to Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 11am and 2.30pm.

Tickets on sale from Chappell and Matthews, Thornbury High St, or call Karen on 01454 413783.

January 6 n Thornbury Choral Society rehearsal term starts at 8pm, United Reformed Church, Chapel Street. Fauré Requiem.

January 9 n Thornbury & District Flower Club practice night and Winter Wonderland social evening at Thornbury Methodist Hall from 7.30pm. Members £2, visitors £5. Call 01454 202962 or email jhfaulkner@icloud.com for more information.

January 12 n Armstrong Arts Group afternoon singing event, from Puccini to Sondheim. Cossham Hall, 3pm One-hour performance from singer Kate Milner Evans and pianist Nicki Barnes. Tickets £10 (to include tea and cakes) from Thornbury Town Hall or call 01454 851965.

January 13 n Thornbury Choral Society Welcome Evening, United Reformed Church, Chapel Street 7.30pm: meet choir members over a drink and a snack, rehearsal begins at 8pm.

January 14 Eastwood Gardeners' Club, Turnberries, Bath Road, 7pm: talk,

Botanical Names Demistified, with Julie Henderson.

January 16 n Thornbury Choral Society Back to Singing Course commences, 7.30pm, United Reformed Church, Chapel Street. More details at thornburychoralsociety.org.uk or call 01454 416518.

January 17 Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street. Poetry with Katherine Aldridge Morris, 10.15-11.45am.

January 17 Celebrate Old Twelvey Night with the Rockhampton Folk Festival, 7.45pm, Rockhampton Village Hall. Join mother-and-son duo Louis Bingham and Griselda Sanderson for traditional music on the day that wassailers visited the cider orchards of England, reciting incantations and singing to the trees for a good harvest for the coming year. Tickets from rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk £10 (£5 for under-18s and students).

January 19 n Thornbury Orchestra concert, Castle School, 3pm. Mix of animal-themed music, including Die Fledermaus Overture and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In aid of the The Lemur Foundation.

Tickets £8 for adults, children free, available on the door or from orchestra members.

January 22 St Peters Hospice Severnside Support Group Winter Warmer lunch, Methodist Church Hall, Thornbury, 1pm. Cottage pie and crumble followed by tea/coffee – vegetarian option available. Tickets £8, available from Thornbury Town Hall from January 6.

January 22 Alveston Local History Group, film: Bristol's Great War, presented by

Clive Burlton. Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. All welcome – visitors pay £2.50 at the door.

January 28 Thornbury Wellbeing: Let Food Be Your Medicine, with Sofia from Sofia’s Chinese Kitchen. Come and celebrate Chinese New Year at the Chantry Community Centre, 7-9pm. Admission £5 – to book email charlene@colour4life.co.uk.

February 7 Friends of Manorbrook quiz night at Manorbrook School, Park Road.

Teams of up to six people welcome.

Cost £9 per person with fish or sausage and chips meal, £5 per person without food. Cash bar on the night. Forms available from the school office or contact the Friends of Manorbrook Facebook page.

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

Refreshments and bicycle health checks available.

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

Adult tickets £12.50, concessions and group bookings available. Visit www.tmtg.org.uk or call the box office 07516 270140.

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

202011.

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

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

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

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday n Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall World Dance 7-10pm n Belly Dance classes Beginners 7.00pm, Improvers 8.00pm, Methodist Church Hall (upstairs) with Anna 07971234236 or bristolbellydance@yahoo.co.uk term time only

n Yoga for beginners at Armstrong Hall, 6:30-8pm on Mondays. £6. All kit provided.

Contact Moira 07703 536700 Tuesday n 11.00 am - 1.30 pm Armstrong Hall - Excell Room Recycled Teenagers Lunch Club

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

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

Ukulele: Join us for some excellent foot tapping music and maybe even start a new hobby for the New Year. Saturday January 18, 10.45am-11.30am.

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

January 3, 2pm. Theme: Read any book set in a European country other than the UK. Lego Club: Come and join us for a story, create your own Lego masterpieces and display them in the library for your family and friends to see. January 25, 10.3011.30am.

Chatterbooks Group: Bookthemed and activity sessions every month for children in years 4, 5, and 6. Next session: January 11, 10.30-11.30am.

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Rhymetime: Every Friday 10.30-11.00am, term time only.

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

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

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

Vision West of England:

Thursday January 2, 10.30am1pm. Support and advice for visually impaired people.

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

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

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

18

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

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

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

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

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

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

Varied programme of events and speakers. Pay a visit and perhaps join to celebrate 60 years of TG in Thornbury. n Friendly Bridge SW bridge club

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January, 2020

meets at Alveston Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm every Wednesday. Visitors welcome, partner guaranteed if you come alone. For more information, including bridge tuition, contact Gareth on 07921 788605 or email friendlybridgesw@gmail.com n T’hornblowers wind band: friendly, adults-only wind band meets from 7pm every Wednesday in The Studio, Turnberries, Bath Road. New members always welcome, particularly trumpeters and trombonists. For more details contact Turnberries Community Centre on 01454 868485 or email enquiries@turnberries.co.uk.

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

Turnberries in Thornbury.

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

Starting October at 7.00 for 7.30 start. Refreshments provided.

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

RBL volunteers, together with other organisations will be on hand to offer support and advice to those who need help. Second Thursday of the month, 9.3011.30am. n Thornbury & District Flower Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month at the Thornbury Methodist Hall from 7.30pm for flower arranging demonstrations, practice nights and workshops. Cost £2 a meeting for members plus a yearly

subscription of £30; visitors £5 a session. Call 01454 202962 or email jhfaulkner@icloud.com for more information.

Friday n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Committee Room Canasta Club n Folk Companions meet 7.45pm9.15 pm, term time only, at The Chantry, Thornbury. Call 01454 414952 or email iain.d.gray@ btinternet.com for more details. n 1.30pm Zumba Gold at Thornbury Leisure Centre n Weekly Hatha Yoga, The Chantry, Fridays 1.30-2.30pm.

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

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

There's no need to be bendy!

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

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

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l ai av l ab e o n

2020 vision…

!

w

the paddocks, Tytherington LOOKING FOR YOUR DREAM HOME? Cotswold Homes is building fabulous new homes at The Paddocks, Tytherington and you’d be amazed to see what’s included as standard!

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thornburyvoice

20

January, 2020

n NEWS

Making recycling easier on the move A NEW recycling bin has been installed in Thornbury's Mundy playing fields to make recycling easier for people who are out and about.

The bin has been provided by Thornbury Town Council, which is aiming to encourage recycling

in the town by providing facilities in busy areas such as the playing fields.

Council environment committee chair Matt Stringer said: "The new recycling bin will hopefully be very much welcomed by the many users of

the Mundy Playing Fields.

We hope that we can all work together to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill."

The Committee is also planning to further develop its environmental area in the Poulterbrook section of the Mundy Playing Fields, including planting more trees and wild

flower areas, as well as a picnic bench made from recycled materials and another recycling bin.

The council is urging people who use the new bin to avoid contaminating the recycling section of the bin with nonrecyclable items.

Apply for a grant

Thornbury councillors Clare Fardell, Matt Stringer, Bob Griffin and Guy Rawlinson with the new recycling bin.

ORGANISATIONS who need support for their work in Thornbury are being encouraged to apply for a grant from South Gloucestershire Council’s member awarded funding for the town.

Applications for the latest round need to be made by the end of January, ahead of a public meeting on February 19 in the council chamber of Thornbury Town Hall, starting at 7.30pm, when grants will be awarded.

South Gloucestershire councillors Shirley Holloway, Jayne Stansfield and Maggie Tyrrell are aiming to award their remaining £4,500 funding allowance to as many groups in Thornbury, as fairly as they can. Last year they supported 10 local charities.

To apply for funding, email Shirley.holloway@southglos.gov.uk, Jayne.stansfield@southglos.gov.uk or Maggie.tyrrell@southglos. gov.uk.

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NO MORE WASHING-UP IN 2020 Have you made your New Year Resolution yet?

I made mine on Christmas Day when things came to a head.

It was one thing to have the in-laws in residence but when my neighbours’ oven packed up on Christmas Eve my wife insisted that they should also join the family for lunch the next day.

Our current home can feel a bit cramped at times, so with three excited children and four additional adults, my ‘goodwill to all men’ was nonexistent.

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A dishwasher is fitted in every Cotswold Homes kitchen in addition to an oven, hob, fridge-freezer and washer-drier.

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• For more details call Milburys on 01454 417336.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

January, 2020

21

n LOCAL MP

Thank you for your support

I

AM totally humbled to have been elected as the local MP for our community for a third time. As someone who worked in Lidl before being elected, I never thought I would be here. The fact the community has supported me again makes me eternally grateful.

Opening yourself up to scrutiny is never easy, so I want to express my gratitude to the other candidates who stood in the Thornbury and Yate constituency. I know we are all grateful to them.

The big issue is settled. We are leaving the European Union on January 31. The new government has a mandate to deliver the result of the referendum, end the delay and provide certainty for our country.

I have never believed that people wake up every morning thinking about the EU. Quite the opposite. It is now time to deliver on the issues our community is concerned about. We will put more

nurses in our hospitals to deliver world class care and more police on the streets to tackle anti-social behaviour and speeding. This recruitment has already started.

We will invest in our local health services, rebuild Thornbury Health Centre and the Frenchay Centre of Rehabilitation Excellence and upgrade the Yate Minor Injuries Unit to an Urgent Treatment Centre.

We must invest in transport infrastructure by building the Yate Park and Ride, Charfield Station and put in place a proper Thornbury Infrastructure Plan with an A38 Transport Package.

We will further increase funding for every school in South Gloucestershire, bringing our area in line with other areas around the country whilst rebuilding Castle School, building two new primary schools in Yate and improving village schools.

We will work with and protect

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local businesses with low taxes, allowing them, as the engine room of our local economy, to create jobs and enhance our community. At the same time we must connect the remaining 4% of homes and businesses in South Gloucestershire with a good broadband connection so our children can do their homework and entrepreneurs can run startups from home.

As your local MP, I will continue the fight against poorly planned development across South Gloucestershire, working with the communities in Thornbury, Charfield and Coalpit Heath to make sure we make the best possible case about the correct locations for development, and the infrastructure that must come with it.

South Gloucestershire is a remarkable place to live and work.

It is family orientated, community minded, full of entrepreneurs

Finance options available!

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Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice

and incredible High Streets, all set amongst the most beautiful scenery you will find anywhere in our country. It is a privilege to serve you as our local MP. Thank You. If there is ever anything I can help with, please do not hesitate to get in touch at: luke.hall.mp@ parliament.uk.

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thornburyvoice

22

January, 2020

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

How new locks can unlock a new you A HAIR salon in Kingswood is leading the fight against female hair loss, transforming the lives of clients.

Charisma, on the Kingsway, set up a hair loss clinic 12 months ago.

Following the fitting of their integrated hair mesh systems, clients are leaving with a newfound confidence, delighted with their dramatic make-over.

The hair loss clinic is based on the first floor of the salon allowing customers who may feel embarrassed or upset by their hair loss complete privacy.

The intricate work is carried out

by Emily Gil, who originally honed her skills at Charisma as a Saturday girl under the leadership of salon owner Becky Rendell.

After qualifying as a stylist, Emily wanted to explore aspects of the business so went to work for a national hair loss clinic.

She missed the staff and after several years decided she wanted to return to Charisma.

Emily said: “I just wanted to come back as I loved the salon and loved working with Becky but I wanted to continue to work with clients with hair loss. I just wanted to make it more affordable for people.

“Becky and I met up a few times and we started planning the clinic.

It took about a year and a half to plan but now we’re up and running and it’s going really well.”

Emily, 27, has seen clients of all ages with very different conditions causing hair loss or thinning. Her eldest client was in her late eighties but her youngest client was just nine years old. She had hair loss due to treatment for leukaemia.

“It was very emotional,” says Emily, who lives in St George.

“I had a lady who came in before having chemotherapy and I was with her through her whole treatment journey. I’ve seen alopecia, female pattern baldness and trichotillomania, which is where someone pulls their own hair out. “There are a lot of women suffering and I can understand they might feel embarrassed but we are

Emily Gil here to offer support. People are putting their trust in me so I make sure I listen to what they want and take care of them. I want to help every client who walks through my door.”

Potential clients are given a one-to-one consultation where Emily talks them through her integrated mesh system which is attached to your scalp, with bonds made with your own hair in order to individually attach 100 per cent human hair extensions.

“We have a chat and find out about their condition which is causing the hair loss and how long they’ve had it for. I do tests on the hair and see if it’s growing back. We also discuss what they would like to achieve in terms of thickness and length. I encourage clients to bring in photos of the sort of hair and style they would like to achieve.

“If they are happy to proceed we match up hair colours and make a first appointment.”

The system means clients can have their hair any thickness, length or colour they desire, with the added bonus that their scalp can breathe under the mesh, enabling their own hair to grow back, should their condition allow it to.

Clients can treat the hair as their own and can wash, blow-dry,

straighten and curl it.

Emily said: “It’s life-changing.

You can tell that because you see how much confidence a person gains after having the system. They can be very timid and worried when they first come in but by the end of it you can see them glowing with confidence. We recently had a lady who came in with general thinning. She was very shy and apprehensive about what was going to happen but by the end, she was crying with joy - she just loved how she looked. She called me that evening and told me I had literally changed her life.”

One of her clients is Kingswood resident, 55-year-old Debbie Bush.

She had been going to Charisma for years for cuts but, with ever thinning locks, was intrigued by the salon’s integrated mesh system.

“I have really thin hair which runs in my family. I’ve done loads of things to it - I’ve dyed it, bleached it and have gone through stress and the menopause so it all took its toll on my hair. I’ve always wanted long, thick hair but have never been able to grow it past a certain length.

“I was nervous but excited and I couldn’t believe the result - it looked so natural! It’s given me a lot more confidence. I now bother with myself more and wear make up because I’ve got nice hair to

show off.

“I wasn’t embarrassed by my thin hair but it was hard work. I had to wash and blow-dry it every morning just for it to look ok, but now it’s just once a week.

“It was a considered purchase but I would say it’s well worth it as it makes me feel so good.”

Clients need to return every six to eight weeks to have the system tightened as it becomes slightly looser once their own hair starts growing underneath.

Once every six months the system is completely taken off, their hair and scalp washed and any repairs are carried out before the hair is connected back to the mesh. The system should last between two and two and a half years, depending on how it is looked after.

Emily said she loves her work and is delighted to be back.

“I always wanted to end up back at Charisma but I didn’t know what I wanted to specialise in. It was only when I got into hair loss solutions that I knew what I wanted to do.

“You build friendships and personal relationships with clients as you go on a journey with them.

“The best feeling in the world is watching their emotion at the end.

It’s priceless and it’s what makes my job worthwhile.”

Debbie has always wanted long, thick hair

3 Kingsway, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8BF Tel: 0117 967 4040 Email: charismahairlosslinic@gmail.com Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

January, 2020

thornburyvoice

23

n NEWS

Olveston relocates to South Pacific OLVESTON Parish Players are hard at work on their production of South Pacific, which is being staged next month.

The much-loved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, set during the Second World War, tells the story of two romances and the players are aiming to ensure that their colourful production will be just as successful as last year’s sell-out staging of The Sound of Music.

Sarah Wiggins, who played Maria last year, is back playing ensign Nellie Forbush, who falls in love with Emile de Becque, played by David Proud. The heroic Lieutenant Cable (Paul Harrod) falls for the beautiful Liat (Amy Sunderland) but their relationship is controlled by Liat’s abrupt mother, Bloody Mary (Lesley Clarke.) The couples struggle to come to terms with racial prejudice before recognising what really matters in life.

The story is set to the famous score, including the songs There is Nothin’ like a Dame, Some Enchanted Evening and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.

Linda Evans is the director, Chloe Allsopp-Jones the musical director and Jill Harris the Choreographer.

Olveston Parish Players' Richard Newley, Sarah Wiggins and Ray Hale rehearsing for South Pacific Performances take place at Tockington Parish Hall during February half term, from Wednesday 19 to Saturday February 22, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 for adults,

£7 for children and £12 for premium seats. They go on sale on January 11 at 9.30–11.00am in Olveston Stores, and from January 12 they are available from 01454 202011.

More information about Olveston Parish Players is available at the group's Facebook page.

Sleeping Beauty will wake in Thornbury ONE of the best-loved fairy tales has been chosen by the award-winning Thornbury Musical Theatre Group as their pantomime this year.

The Sleeping Beauty will be staged at the Armstrong Hall in February and the group promises drama, romance, upbeat songs, fast dance routines and plenty of laughs.

Directed by Alice Walton, with music direction from John Mills and choreography by Ellie Nicholls, the cast will transport its audience to Merriville where the friendly local folk have had some special news. Nanny Nora is trying to find her best frock, Fairy Fairway is looking for apprentices, and Aunt Ophelia is thinking of how to ruin everything. Prince Romeo is the

hero and Princess Crystal is the heroine.

Performances are from February 19-22 at 7.30pm each evening, with matinees on the Friday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Adult tickets cost £12.50, with concessions and group discounts available.

They are bookable online at www.tmtg.org.uk, by phone on 07516 270140 and, from January 18, from Lisa Costa Residential Sales and Lettings, 53 High Street, Thornbury. There is a 50p booking fee however you buy your tickets.

For more details on the group visit its Facebook page.

Right: Rehearsals are underway for Thornbury Musical Theatre Group panto Sleeping Beauty

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

24

n NEWS

January, 2020

Club's £5,300 cancer charity boost THORNBURY Golf Club has given a big boost to a charity providing mobile cancer care in rural areas.

The club presented a cheque for £5,300 from its annual fundraising to the Gloucestershire-based charity

Hope for Tomorrow, which runs mobile cancer care units.

The units were a world first when launched in 2007 and bring care closer to people’s homes so that they can spend more time with family and friends during their treatment.

They also relieve the stress of travelling to appointments.

Patient Valerie Hughes, who has benefited from the charity's mobile unit, said: “It was wonderful to only have to travel five minutes to the local doctor’s car park, rather than

the 45 minutes to the hospital.

Instead of being away from home of more than half a day, I was back within two hours! It was good to meet other local people on treatment and the staff were always wonderful – it was stress free.”

Chilling to fight cancer

Thornbury Golf Club acting chair Phil Jennings with Nikki Budding and Kelly Caple from Hope for Tomorrow.

L & J Gulwell

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A CHARITY teamed up with a fitness instructor to find a new way to raise money.

Thornbury Cancer Research Committee and Sam Hutchinson held their first ever Cracking 'Chillates' Christmas Class art the end of November, and raised more than £800 in the process.

The class was held at St Helen's Primary School in Alveston, where the main hall was transformed by using just fairy lights to light a gentle Pilates class set to festive music and was followed by mince pies, mulled wine and goody bags, with a stall selling wrapping paper, cards and gifts run by Pam Forrest of the Thornbury Cancer Research Committee to raise extra money.

Sam said: "Everything from the mince pies and mulled wine to all the treats in the goody bags were donated, meaning almost every single penny raised will go straight to funding the important work that Cancer Research do."

The event is set to be staged again in 2020.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

January, 2020

25

n NEWS

Head unveils her new vision for school

THE new head teacher of a Thornbury primary school has announced her vision for the school as she completes her first term.

Gillingstool Primary head Caroline Carter has worked in education for more than 20 years, spending the last 13 in South Gloucestershire schools.

She has joined the school following what she calls a "rapid journey of improvement" and hopes to develop it further.

Caroline decided to revisit the school’s vision with its community of children, parents, carers and school governors when she arrived.

She said: “We wanted to reflect the new energy within the school and ensure that everyone involved with Gillingstool would share the same aspirations.”

Together they agreed that the values of the school should be inclusivity, curiosity, resilience, integrity, creativity and ambition.

Gillingstool Primary school head Caroline Carter with pupils at the Thornbury primary school.

The school’s vision now refers to these values, and states: “At Gillingstool, integrity

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

MBST Cell Regeneration: Arthritis and Pain management MBST is a little known technology here in the UK. The technology originated in Germany with an adaptation of MRI using the same electromagnetic energy.

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Some facts about MBST There are 300 clinics in Germany mainly used by Orthopedic surgeons and physicians. We are currently one of only four clinics in the UK. We are currently successfully trailing the treatment with local surgeons, GP’s and professional sports teams. Several top Premier League football clubs use this technology to rehabilitate their players. It is safe and well researched in Germany and an in-depth study is currently underway in the UK. If you are suffering from long-term pain, injury or arthritic changes and are left unsure of how to manage things, don't wait for things to get bad enough to warrant surgery. Talk to us about how we can offer a safe and effective approach.

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To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do for our children.

"In partnership with our parents and the wider community, we provide a unique environment within a vibrant and caring school – inspiring our children’s passion for ambitious, life-long learning.

"This is delivered through consistently high standards in teaching, learning and behaviour.

"By working together with respect, enthusiasm and care towards all others, we at Gillingstool promote happiness, kindness and honesty."

Mrs Carter acknowledges that some teachers are relatively new at the school but says she has a "strong, experienced team", committed to "doing the very best" for the children.

The primary school shares its building with New Siblands special school, including many resources such as the swimming pool.

Tours can be arranged via the school office on 01454 866527.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

26

January, 2020

n THORNBURY & DISTRICT MUSEUM

History of the Market Hall and Toll House

A watercolour painting by an unknown artist of the Market Hall and Toll House in 1845, from a collection of paintings bought by Amanda Ellard in 2016.

The buildings were occupied by Worthington's between 1954 and 1997

AS a market town Thornbury has a history of weekly sales of livestock, fish, corn and cheese dating back centuries.

According to an English

1909 refers to records of a market going back to 1662. It records that in March 1670, King Charles II "granted Viscount William Stafford and the Lady Mary the right to hold a weekly market for the buying and selling of corn and cattle as well as other things or merchandise".

The market was to be held on Wednesday and William and his heirs were to receive the tolls and profits. This right continued up until 1911 and with the right went the ownership of the Market House and Toll House and the responsibility to maintain those buildings.

The first written record of the clock predates this, with an agreement between a clockmaker and several prominent tradesmen to build one dating to 1634.

The Market Hall was also the site of a town jail, most likely built under the stairs in the 19th century and known as Blind House, because it had no windows.

There were several markets in Thornbury: a cattle market, a pig market, a corn market, a fish market and a cheese market are all mentioned in the records, and vegetables, fruit and other produce may also have been traded in the markets. The central market place was located in the area around the Market House, but there is no complete picture of where each market was located. Silver Street is mentioned as a location for the corn market in the 17th and 18th Century, while the pig market was located on the road side between the Market House and Pye Corner

Heritage survey the Market Hall is a "probable mid-18th century remodelling of a 17th century building".

The Western Daily Press of

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and by the late 19th century, the cheese market was at the railway station.

The Toll House is believed to be where cattle and other traders were charged a fixed rate for each animal brought to market to be sold, with the income given to the lord of the manor. Records of how it operated or when it ceased to be used do not survive, however, and from the 1840’s onwards it was occupied by families listed in the census as having occupations other than toll collector. It is possible that they combined two or more occupations, as the collection of market tolls was only a part-time occupation.

By the time of the 1840 Tithe Survey, the Toll House was already being let to Joseph Prewett, who traded as a stationer and newsagent and expanded into the Market Hall by the 1870s.

Having ceased operating from time to time, by 1900 the Market Hall hosted a fire station and a shop run by Ernest Percy Weatherhead. Subsequently Beavan’s, Worthington’s and then Wildings, the Toll House was also part of the shop, except for short periods when it was let out as a separate business, including the Kyneton Farm Shop in the 196os and butcher Terry Davies for a few years in the 1970’s.

Until recently part of Wildings department store, the Market Hall and Toll House became the site of Prezzo Italian restaurant after being redeveloped in 2017.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

January, 2020

27

n NEWS

Thank you to Thornbury volunteers MORE than 60 volunteers and representatives from organisations which rely on volunteers turned out for an annual ‘thank-you’ lunch hosted by Thornbury Volunteer Centre at the hall of Christ the King RC Church.

The Alan Hudson Award for Volunteering Achievement was presented to Krunch South West to acknowledge the work they do with young people in Thornbury and the surrounding areas.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Tom Frost, spoke about the benefits of volunteering to a local community and gave details of the various grant making bodies available. The Mayor Cllr Angela Symonds praised the volunteers for their dedication and drew the raffle, which had prizes donated by Tesco, Aldi, Boots and Papilio.

Right: Tom Frost, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, with Thornbury Mayor Cllr Angela Symonds, Penny Baker and Natalie Chisnell from Krunch South West.

Memory cafe PEOPLE with memory problems and their carers are being urged to take advantage of Thornbury's Memory Cafe.

Now successfully running for more than seven years, the cafe is looking to help more people in the new year.

It runs on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10.15am until 11.45am, at the Methodist Church Hall on the town's High Street, with easy parking for blue badge holders nearby.

Volunteers serve free tea and snacks and each session has either entertainment or a guest speaker.

John Lee from the cafe said: "We are not a 'clinic' but we find that carers also benefit with the chance to chat to others in similar situations."

For more information call Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 01454 260371, or just turn up to a session.

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thornburyvoice

28

n SPORT

January, 2020

Triathlete Taryn takes on the world A THORNBURY triathlete has taken part in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

Taryn Roberts, who works at the Thornbury Active Lifestyle Centre, competed alongside 2,500 of the world’s top athletes, completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 122-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run. She had qualified for the competition after three attempts, by successfully winning her age group category at the Ironman Wales event by an hour.

In Hawaii, Taryn completed the course in 12 hours and 1 minute, finishing 38th in her division, 332nd in the women’s field, and 1,587th overall. The swim took 1 hour 9 minutes, the ride 6 hours and 31 minutes and the marathon 4 hours 9 minutes.

The challenge was made even more difficult because of 45 mph crosswinds and heat of 35 degrees Celsius.

Taryn said: “The entire experience was incredible. As a fitness instructor, I’ve always loved sport and pushing myself to achieve

new goals – so taking part in the Ironman challenge felt like a natural step to make.

Having the opportunity to compete alongside such determined and strong athletes from all over the world inspired me to do my best, and I’m now focused on improving my results at the next World Championships.

“In the lead up to the race, I was training for up to 15 hours a week, so I had to be extremely committed. Luckily, I have a brilliant support base, including the amazing team at the Centre, which definitely helped keep me motivated.”

Centre manager Frances Snell said: “We are extremely proud of Taryn. As a company, we aspire to make exercise rewarding, fun, and accessible to everyone.

“We already support our local GB athletes by providing free access to our facilities to help them realise their full potential, so it’s brilliant that one of our own instructors is also embarking on such incredible challenges.

She is an inspiration to us all.”

Mike completes half-marathon challenge THORNBURY Running Club's Mike Bennewitz (pictured, right) set out with a goal of completing at least one half marathon every month in 2019 and his mission was duly completed when he crossed the finish line in the Nottingham Christmas Half Marathon on December 1.

Mike's monthly racing odyssey included races abroad in America and Germany, road races, a fell race in the Cheddar hills, multiterrain routes and one alongside the River Thames.

His times improved as the year wore on and in his 14th half marathon in Nottingham Mike finished in 285th in 1 hour 55:08 mins.

The Weston Christmas Cracker took place on December 8 in wild conditions, as Storm Atiyah swept across the country. This 10k

race is a favourite with club runners and fun runners alike, with many decked out in festive fancy dress and helping to raise a considerable sum of money for the nominated charity, Weston Hospicecare.

Amongst the 2,000 entrants there were nine Thornbury runners, and first to finish was Julia Jolley, in 348th place overall and 74th woman in 55:19 mins.

The Tri-County Cross Country Championships took place on December 1 at Bath University, with Hannah Kinloch Haken finishing 13th overall in the women's 6.6k race, in 28:48 mins and 2nd senior woman amongst the Avon athletes, earning her a place in the Avon team for the South West CrossCountry Championships in January.

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January, 2020

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Thorns lose top spot with narrow defeat Hornets 29-24 Thornbury THORNBURY lost top spot in the table following a narrow defeat at Hornets but returned from Weston-super-Mare with two points.

A fightback from a substantial deficit saw them lead with 15 minutes remaining in another terrific game of rugby.

But this defeat and the postponement of Thorns' match at Keynsham on December 14, due to a flooded pitch, left them third in the table ahead of their pre-Christmas visit to Lydney.

Hutton Moor, aka the Nest, has been a bogey ground for Thornbury. The First XV has won there only once before, way back in December 1992, when Tet Ogilvie and Nick Jackson scored tries for Thorns. Only six of the current Thornbury side were alive then, and most of those were still in nappies when Thornbury won 10-8.

In the years since, Thornbury have regularly delivered poor performances there.

The floodlights were on as Hornets, wearing red shirts, kicked off into heavy drizzle.

The Somerset side dominated the early stages but crucially lost hooker Callum Lane to injury.

But with precious little ball to play with, Thorns were called in to defend for most of the first quarter and had missed more tackles in the first fifteen minutes than they had in the whole match with Sidmouth seven days before.

After seventeen minutes home fullback Charlie Carter opened the scoring with a penalty, followed by a converted try for a 10-0 lead.

Thorns at last managed to get into the game in the second quarter and then scored the try of the match. Running the ball from a scrum on their ten metre line, quick passing created space for Alfie Richardson, who ran freely and at pace, taking play to just outside the Hornets ‘22’ and passed out wide to Harry Glew, who sprinted in to score out wide. Jack Pinker’s conversion was narrowly wide.

Four minutes later Hornets scored another converted try for a 17-5 lead but the remaining fifteen minutes of the half belonged to Thornbury, who

Action from Thornbury's narrow away defeat to Hornets.

Picture: Dave Fox stretched the home defence, shoving their hosts over the line from a lineout for James Phillips to score. A missed conversion saw Hornets lead 17-10 at the break.

Early in the second half Thorns were level after a wellworked driving lineout saw Sam Evans crash over for a try, converted by Pinker.

Hornets regained control of the game and went ahead 22-17 before more pressure on the home lineout allowed Jack Hussey to steal the ball, juggle with it and then ground it over the line for Thornbury’s fourth try. A bonus point in the bag, Pinker’s conversion put Thorns ahead for the first time at 24-22.

But the referee then let Hornets escape their defensive duties when a long kick was chased by several forwards who were many yards offside.

Instead of a Thornbury penalty Hornets were awarded a scrum, and attacked from the set piece.

Thorns gave Hornets too much room and following a chip over the defence, Adam Francis scored a second try. That gave Hornets a bonus point and the lead, with the conversion putting them more than a penalty ahead at 29-24.

Thorns had fifteen minutes to regain the lead and they dominated most of those minutes but were unable to score.

So two points for Thornbury.

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It was a close game between two good sides, and Thornbury will think they could, perhaps

should, have won it. If they had started better it could have been a different story.

Dave Fox

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

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January, 2020

Thornbury Town's title charge continues THORNBURY Town’s charge towards the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West title continues unabated, with three more successive victories in November.

By mid-December, Thorns were in second place in the league table, four points behind leaders Hereford Pegasus but with four games in hand. Town have won every league fixture they’ve played, apart from the opening day defeat at home to Malvern Town.

After the victory away at Wellington at the beginning of November, Thorns had a comfortable 7-0 win at home to local rivals Tytherington Rocks in front of a crowd of over 100.

Leading scorer Craig Lancastle netted a hat trick, whilst strike partner Harry Brock scored twice. Tom Webb and midfielder Brandon Benjamin were the other scorers.

The following Saturday saw a trip to Bourton Rovers, where Thorns struggled to find their usual rhythm against a hard working home side. However, despite the hosts twice taking the lead, Town recovered and edged a tight game 3-2, with Lancastle again scoring twice and Marcus Wormwell netting the other.

The last game in November saw high flying Cheltenham Saracens visiting the Mundys and a high-powered performance saw Thornbury gain a deserved 4-1 win. Scorers were Brandon Benjamin, Harry Brock, Luke Franklin and Nathan Sage, and they could easily have scored more, having two efforts cleared

Harry Brock, who scored twice against local rivals Tytherington Rocks, in action for Thornbury Town against Cribbs FC in the FA Vase. Picture: Tom Shorey. off the line and another hitting the woodwork.

Unfortunately the wet weather caused the postponement of the first three games in December. Town's next matches as the Voice went to press were two tricky away fixtures against Hereford Lads Club and league leaders Hereford Pegasus. The league table at the turn of the New Year will make interesting reading and may well give a good indication of where Thorns are likely to finish come the end of the season.

Meanwhile the Reserves

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and Third team's good form continues, with both sides remaining undefeated throughout November. The Reserves have now moved up in to the top half of the table, whilst the Thirds remain in top spot in their division. The Reserves have had big wins away at Iron Acton Reserves (5-0) and Hartcliffe (7-1), whilst the Thirds have secured close victories over De Veys Reserves and Longwell Green Sports.

Last Saturday also saw both teams progress through to the County Cup quarter finals, with

the Reserves edging through via a penalty shoot out against Lockleaze Community Sports following a 3-3 draw. The Third team had a more straight forward passage winning 6-2 away at Suburban League side Corinthians Sports Reserves with goals from Chapman, Rosling, Organ(2), Garland and Webb.

Both the Reserves and Third teams await the draw for the next round of the cup, with ties scheduled for 11th January.

Malcolm Carr

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