TOWN councillors have angrily decried being told to keep South Gloucestershire Council's latest designs for Thornbury High Street a secret.
The "draft final designs" were shown to a town council meeting in December, on condition that they were kept confidential.
Councillors then issued a statement saying they were "unhappy" at the restriction, which made
them "appear complicit in an apparent conspiracy against the people of Thornbury".
The row comes as one of the High Street's bestknown independent shops closes for the last time and the future of a clothing store is in doubt after its owner went into administration.
Full story: Pages 4 & 5.
A STALWART Thornbury firefighter has told how a routine fire service health check saved his life.
PAGE 3
A PRIMARY school near Thornbury with just 49 children on the register has been praised as “a gem” by inspectors.
PAGE 7
A THORNBURY mum is calling for action to make safe a kissing gate at the entrance to a field, after she injured her back falling over the uneven surface.
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Our February edition deadline is January 18.
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A TEACHER at a Thornbury school turned up drunk to work and texted a pupil's mum threatening to kill him.
Terence McHenry also sent aggressive messages to the head teacher of Sheiling School, where he worked, and lied about his previous medical history, including alcohol problems, in his job application after previously receiving 30 rejections.
He has now been banned indefinitely by a Teaching Regulation Agency panel, which found his conduct was unacceptable and might bring the profession into disrepute.
The panel heard 53-year-old Mr McHenry's texts made the head of the independent boarding school for pupils with special educational needs feel “threatened and uneasy", and his "unpredictable behaviour" had become increasingly hostile.
Mr McHenry, who did not attend the two-day hearing in November and was not represented, attended work while unfit and under the influence of alcohol on August 30, 2019, having done the same thing in 2015, while teaching in Somerset.
He failed to disclose relevant issues on pre-employment medical questionnaires to both schools, which amounted to dishonesty and a lack of integrity, the panel ruled.
Its report said in July 2019 Mr McHenry, who had joined Sheiling School the previous year, was seen by a colleague slipping over while drunk in Tesco, causing a cut to his hand which needed hospital treatment.
He made an allegation against the colleague but was said to be under the influence at a meeting to discuss it and was “advised that he needed to sober up in order to give a reliable witness statement”, the report said. He later withdrew the allegation.
Mr McHenry also repeatedly refused the school’s maintenance team access to his on-site flat to investigate why the fire alarm kept being set off.
The report said: "Mr McHenry’s text messages to the maintenance team and the head teacher started to sound threatening."
He was given notice to vacate the flat and was offered support from the school but turned it down.
Mr McHenry was then accused of being drunk at work during a staff preparation week in August 2019, and was suspended on full pay.
He handed in his work mobile phone, which contained inappropriate texts, including one sent to the mother of a male pupil during the summer break, which said: “Tell him I will kill him.”
Mr McHenry was sacked for gross misconduct the following month.
At a disciplinary hearing he had admitted being under the influence of alcohol whilst working and lying on his application form.
Writing to the TRA, Mr McHenry said a family situation in July 2019 had caused him “deep distress”, and said he no longer drinks.
A spokesperson for Sheiling School welcomed the decision to ban Mr McHenry, whose "unacceptable behaviour...fell significantly short of the high standards we expect from all our staff."
The spokesperson added: “We took immediate and decisive action, resulting in the dismissal of the individual involved.
“We continue to uphold incredibly high standards of scrutiny and a code of conduct for our staff, and are very proud of the excellent team here at Sheiling School.”
Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A STALWART Thornbury firefighter has told how a routine fire service health check saved his life.
Andy Downes has had to stand down from the volunteer role he has loved for the last 17 years, due to ill health.
Andy, a local builder, joined the town's retained firefighters as a hobby – and ended up as a crew manager, in charge of a team.
But poor health means he has had to step down, at the age of 52.
Andy says he has Avon Fire & Rescue Service's health checks to thank for being alive today, after its routine screening spotted the start of hearing loss, which was the result of a series of brain tumours.
He said: "They found I had two brain tumours, which was fairly dramatic for me, and I went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.”
Two years ago Andy had surgery, and is still checked every three months in case the tumours grow again.
He said: “It was originally discussed that I only had 12 to 18 months – since then I have done three years, so every day is good, a bonus.”
Andy started in the Fire Service while running his own building company in the town, and ended up being a mainstay of the all-volunteer service.
He said: “Those firefighters you train and work with are your back-up, all day, every day.
"I loved the team element of it. At work in the building company, I mostly worked alone
- with the fire service I was with a team.”
Thornbury fire station, which has two engines, is staffed entirely by volunteer retained firefighters, who are always on call.
Andy said: “It is a massive commitment. You have to be available 24 hours a day, all year round.
“We could be called to anything from a major crash on the motorway, a huge fire in Bristol or a cat up a tree. It’s been a big part of my life.
“Being a firefighter in a small community like Thornbury, you often know the people you are being called out to help. It’s part of the community.”
Despite his love of the role, Andy decided it was time to leave after his health affected his ability to carry it out effectively.
He said: "The condition meant the fire brigade said I can’t drive a fire engine any more.
“Six months ago I said to them 'am I ever going to be good enough to ride on a fire truck again?' and the doctor said no, so I decided I had to walk away.”
Andy was given a moving send-off by colleagues and family.
Watch manager and Thornbury shopkeeper John Riddiford, also a retained firefighter, presented Andy with an axe at his farewell presentation at the end of October.
John said: “The rest of the crew always felt in safe hands with Andy’s unflappable calm, professional approach.
“We would like to thank Andy for his time in service and the support, sacrifice and professionalism he has made over the years to our community, the station, and the service.
“Everyone is sad to see him leave us and we wish him well for the future.
"Thank you, Andy.”
ONE of Thornbury’s best-known shops has closed its doors for the last time, amid ongoing concerns for the High Street.
Sue Aitken and Tony Sansum have been running Thornbury Garden Shop for 25 years - but have decided to call it a day and retire from the business.
Thornbury Chamber of Commerce said the shop had been a great asset to the town, and described Sue and Tony's departure as a huge loss.
The closure came as the future of another Thornbury store, clothes shop M&Co, was thrown into doubt.
M&Co went into administration in December - the second time the chain had done so in two years.
The St Mary Centre shop, one of 170 branches across the country, has put up posters advertising a 'closing down
sale', although no official announcement has been made on its future. M&Co's Yate store
has already closed permanently.
The Garden Shop's last day of trading was Christmas Eve.
Sue said that with Tony reaching 73, they had decided it was time to retire.
They started the business 27 years ago with a market stall selling plants, after Tony was made redundant from his job as a nursery manager for Bristol City Council.
Sue said: “We did that for two years and then a small shop in the courtyard came up, so we decided to go for it.
“Tony’s knowledge of plants and my background in financial services came together to make the business work.”
The couple grew all their bedding plants and vegetables at home to sell in the shop, and built a strong local following with garden lovers.
As they celebrated 25 years in the shop in 2022, their lease came up for renewal, and they had to make the tough decision to quit.
Sue said: “The lease had come up, so we could not sell the business and it was not the right time for us to think about committing to another long time here.
“The job is seven days a week, with never time to have a rest.
"When the shop was closed, we still had to look after the plants and there was always something to do.
“We’re sad to give up the shop, but it is time for Tony to retire, and I will have to find something else to do.
“I’m very conscious that the High Street is facing a struggle but we have to make the right decision for our physical and mental health.”
Thornbury Chamber of Commerce said Sue had been an inspiration to others in the town.
Secretary Zoe Gilbraith said: "She has been the driving force for many years behind our successful Thornbury in Bloom and has ensured the town has amazing floral displays, and will be a tough act to follow.
“We have seen a few changes in our High Street since the lock downs and with the news this week that M&Co could close, it is a very difficult time for all types of business.
“With the uncertainty of the changes South Glos are imposing on our High Street still not finalised, it is very difficult for any business to decide to open a new shop in our town, but we can only hope the businesses we have will continue to be supported by the local residents, who have been very supportive over the last few years in particular.
“On a happier note we have new businesses that have recently opened, Thornbury Tap at the bottom of the High Street and Elsie and Bea at the topand Papillio at Heritage in the middle is under new ownership.
“Hopefully local people will continue to support this and all our local businesses, who employ local people and work hard to ensure Thornbury is a lovely place to visit.”
THORNBURY Town Council has accused South Gloucestershire of making it "appear complicit in an apparent conspiracy", by insisting it does not reveal details of updated plans for the town's High Street.
The project team behind the controversial plans, to make permanent the part-pedestrianisation of the road, asked town councillors to comment on its draft designs at a meeting on December 13.
Town councillors say the latest plans "bear no resemblance to the designs originally shared with the public".
But they expressed frustration that, despite making comments on the plans at a full council meeting on December 13, they were told they were shared "in confidence".
Afterwards the town council issued a statement, which said: "The Town Council is unhappy that the draft plans were shared confidentially.
"The plans should have been made available publicly for public comment in advance of final approval.
"The Town Council does not understand the requirement for confidentiality and this does not seem to be in accordance with transparency legislation.
"By requiring the Town Council to keep the plans confidential, it in turn makes the Town Council appear complicit in an apparent conspiracy against the people of Thornbury.
"The Town Council finds the current plans to be totally unacceptable, as they bear no resemblance to the designs originally shared with the public.
"The Town Council strongly suggests that senior representatives of South Gloucestershire Council come to Thornbury and explain to the people of the town the basis for the revised designs."
The Voice asked South Gloucestershire Council to respond to the town council's criticism, and to confirm when new images or details would be made public.
A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "We shared the final plans with Thornbury Town Council as community representatives, to ensure that they had early sight of the design and to take into account any comments they may have.
"The final scheme design reflects feedback and engagement, balancing the views of the community and stakeholders, and will be published early in the New Year, before the work begins.
"We will also be sharing visuals and explanations about the benefits to the Thornbury community, environment and how this will support a sustainable High Street into the future."
The authority is advising people to visit its page dedicated to the project at www.southglos.gov.uk/thornbury which, as the Voice went to press, featured the designs for the street produced in March 2022.
The council says work will start in "early 2023" but was unable to be more specific. It could begin while the six-month project to revamp Rock Street car park, which started in November, is still underway.
Thornbury Town and District Residents Association spokesperson John Reynolds said: "The Town Council is not the only body in Thornbury which is fulminating at SGC’s attempts to stifle opinion and comment.
"The Chamber of Commerce, representing the businesses whose livelihoods depend on a thriving High Street, has also protested to the Council about their exclusion from the information which directly impacts the High Street economy.
"Surely, it is now time for South Glos Council to come clean about its proposals and to stop trying to delay any disclosure of its intentions until it is too late to stop them?"
A THORNBURY mum is calling for action to make safe a kissing gate at the entrance to a field, after she injured her back falling over the uneven surface.
Domonique Latham is still having treatment and taking painkillers after being taken to hospital following fall at the partly-broken gate, on a route which links homes in Park Farm to the Castle School playing fields.
After the Voice contacted landowner Taylor Wimpey, the developer said it would investigate the problem.
Domonique, who uses the route every day to take her three-year-old daughter Rei to preschool, says tree roots, a damaged step and slippery mud make the gate dangerous and difficult for anyone with a pushchair or mobility issues.
She said: “I badly hurt my back and I spent two hours on the floor and five hours waiting for an ambulance. In the end I had to be carried into a
neighbour’s house.
“It’s nearly impossible to get a pushchair or wheelchair or bike over it.
"If an older lady crossed it, it could be dangerous.
"There have been many complaints about this and the council have ignored us."
After Domonique highlighted
the issue on local Facebook groups, other residents echoed her concerns.
One said: “This is a joke - all they need to do is remove the rest of the gate and flatten it!”
Another said: "I have also had so many problems getting over that bump. I’m only small but can just about manage to get my pushchair over, and although my son enjoys the ride, it’s still a huge hassle and it's unsafe.”
South Gloucestershire Council says that although the entrance from Barley Fields into the northern corner of the school field is not a dedicated
public right of way, officers are investigating.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the safety concerns raised by local residents and we are working with the relevant landowners and interested parties to find a resolution to the matter."
A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson told the Voice: "We would like to thank local residents for bringing this matter to our attention.
"Health and safety is our priority and we are sorry to hear that one resident has been injured whilst walking in this area.
"We are currently investigating whether any work can be carried out on Taylor Wimpey land to improve access through the gate."
Castle School director of development Andy Bethell said: “We hadn't previously been made aware of this issue, so we will get in touch with South Gloucestershire Council as a matter of urgency and ask them to review safety at that point.”
A spokesperson for Thornbury Town Council said it had raised concerns regarding walking and cycling access between Barley Fields and Victoria Close on the new Park Farm estate.”
A PRIMARY school near Thornbury with just 49 children on the register has been praised as “a gem” by inspectors.
Oldbury on Severn Church of England Primary School was rated 'good' after a visit from regulator Ofsted in October.
Inspectors Jen Southall and Richard Vaughan said pupils love going to the school and enjoy their learning.
Their report, published in December, said: "Leaders strive to provide the very best education and care for pupils at Oldbury School.
"School leaders are proud of the inclusive family feel that exists throughout, which parents and pupils appreciate.
"The school has a caring ethos, based on the values of care and community, joy and growth, and friendship and respect. These values are evident throughout the school.
"Adults teach pupils to be kind. Pupils are polite, courteous and well-mannered.
"There is a calm and orderly atmosphere in school and on the playground.
"Pupils immerse themselves in all that the school has to offer. They take on extra responsibilities with pride, including being elected as school ambassadors, and taking part in a range of clubs and trips linked to the curriculum."
The report said significant work had gone into ensuring that the school curriculum, called OUR, or Oldbury’s Unique Response, met pupils' needs.
It praised the way staff weave children's spiritual, moral and social education throughout the curriculum.
The inspectors said: "Parents speak positively about the school’s curriculum and appreciate the varied and creative learning styles such as forest schools, outdoor classrooms and child-led extra curricular activities."
The inspectors also said the school’s mathematics curriculum was "well crafted".
They said in some foundation subjects the curriculum was not implemented as effectively as in others, and the school needed to implement plans to strengthen these subjects effectively, as well as increasing expectations for pupils' presentation of work.
The school works in partnership with Olveston C of E Primary School, with an executive head teacher for both schools and training to help staff develop their skills.
The report said staff adapted the curriculum to ensure children with special education needs and disabilities can work on similar content to other pupils.
Head teacher Lee Dunn said: “We are really proud that Ofsted has validated the good things that are happening at Oldbury on Severn Primary School.
“It is nice that the report captures the ethos and spirit of our lovely village school.
“More importantly it captures how our community feels about their amazing little school. “
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet has agreed a raft of proposed cuts to go forward for next year's budget.
Green waste collections will nearly double in price from £30 to £55 a year, street lights will be dimmed and staffed library hours reduced if the plans to plug a £29.3 million shortfall are approved by the full council in February.
Among the raft of planned savings, which are now open for a public consultation, are premiums on council tax bills for second and empty homes, fewer guided escorts for home-toschool transport, scrapping taxi marshals in night-time economy hotspots and higher fees and charges across the board.
The authority’s cabinet agreed the proposals at a meeting in December, despite many of them lacking details.
Opposition councillors aired concerns about the draft 2023/24 budget, which will be put before a full council meeting in February.
Cabinet members said the
squeeze on costs was caused by Vladimir Putin and high interest rates rather than the government and that the authority was in a better position than most because of “prudent financial management”.
They said most frontline services would be unaffected and car parking would remain free.
But Liberal Democrat Yate North ward councillor Mike Drew told the meeting that the draft budget was dependent on the local government financial settlement, which Whitehall had yet to announce and was likely to be far less favourable than hoped.
He said: “There appears to be absolutely no criticism of the government mismanagement of the economy.
“South Gloucestershire will have to put up with it and yet
you go along and pretend that you can solve all those problems which our central government is causing.”
Conservative council leader Toby Savage replied: “The report talks about how inflation is the principal driver of the council’s worsening financial position.
“It has nothing to do with the mini-Budget, it has everything to do with the fact we have a global war and that is playing havoc with the global economy and the prices we are all having to pay.”
Asked about potential redundancies as part of a £641,000 cut from the council’s trading arm Integra, which supplies services to schools, cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton said: “I’m going to be very cautious in my comments in this forum, because obviously this line of the budget
very much reflects members of staff who are within Integra.
“We have for some time been under significant pressure with Integra in terms of the services they can deliver, in particular in terms of staff pay and also vacancies for a variety of different roles that have been hard to fill."
Lib Dem group leader Claire Young said £400,000 of cuts to the council tax reduction scheme from 2024 could harm the “most vulnerable members of our society”.
The second stage of public consultation into the budget runs until January 15 at www. southglos.gov.uk/budget.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
CAMPAIGNERS who want to see a complete change to the way the area's buses are run made a high-vis protest as they took their case to South Gloucestershire Council.
Supporters of the Reclaim Our Buses coalition, which brings together climate activists, trade unions, community groups and passengers, braved a freezing evening to stage a torchlit demonstration outside Kingswood Civic Centre, with many wearing reflective jackets.
They then came in from the cold to read out an open letter, signed by more than 1,500 residents of the region, to the council meeting on December 14.
The letter, drawn up by pressure group the West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network (WESTACT), calls for the power to set fares, timetables and routes, to be taken from First and other private operators.
The current deregulated system would be replaced with a franchised bus service, provided under contract through the West of England Combined Authority in cooperation with local
an essential part of a functional public transport system, and have to be part of the picture if people are going to be less dependent on cars. They are also a lifeline for people who can’t use cars - whether because of age (young or old), for financial reasons, or due to a whole range of disabilities."
councils.
Franchising is already used in London, Jersey and many European countries.
The campaign has gathered momentum as First has made a series of cuts to services during the past year, citing severe driver shortages.
In April the company axed the T2 route, which linked Thornbury to Bristol city centre via Cribbs Causeway, saying that it was "no longer commercially viable".
In October more services in
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South Gloucestershire were cut back and the route of the T1 was changed so it now terminates at Bristol Bus Station instead of the Centre.
In November 1,450 bus journeys per week across the network were cancelled until April.
The cutbacks come as Bristol's Clean Air Zone is introduced, with drivers of older diesel and petrol cars charged £9 a day to enter the city centre.
WESTACT coordinator Emilia Melville said: “Buses are
The protesters' cause was given a lift when Bristol City Council voted to support bus franchising, the day before the South Gloucestershire meeting.
The move increased the public and political pressure on Metro Mayor Dan Norris to explore how a bus franchising model could solve the wider region’s bus crisis.
Mr Norris has said franchising was still “on the table but not a quick fix”, adding that franchising would not solve the driver shortage, which would be "exactly the same challenge whatever system was in place".
AMBULANCE service leaders are urging people to "think carefully before dialling 999" and have called in military assistance to help respond to emergencies on strike days.
South Western Ambulance Service appealed to people to only call 999 "when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk" as it faced challenges from "cold weather, busy hospitals and the likely impact of the upcoming health service strikes".
The service said that on one Monday evening in December - when no strike action was taking place - there were 420 patients waiting for ambulances and 152 ambulances waiting outside hospitals to hand over patients across its region, which runs from Cornwall up to Gloucestershire.
will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is the most immediate risk to life."
For other situations people were being asked to call 111 or go online for help, and to "arrange alternative transport".
Trust chief executive Will Warrender said: "We are sorry that we are unable to respond as quickly as we would like.
"We are doing all we can to manage winter pressures and the upcoming industrial action, including receiving military support during industrial action days, which will allow our ambulance clinicians to crew more ambulances and reach patients more quickly.
December.
UNISON, Unite and the GMB said they were among 3,500 paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff striking on December 21 and 28 in a dispute over an imposed 4% pay award and staffing levels.
It follows the first ever strikes by members of the Royal College of Nursing in December.
staffing levels and patient safety as it is about pay.
"A third of GMB ambulance workers think delays they’ve been involved with have led to the death of a patient.
A spokesperson said: "On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. Ambulances
“Please do not call back asking for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. We cannot provide this information and it blocks our lines from other callers reaching us."
WB Generic AW.qxp_Layout 1 15/09/2020 21:14 Page 1
Ambulance workers in the NHS trust were taking part in two strikes at the end of
GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison said: "Ambulance workers – like other NHS workers – are on their knees.
“No one in the NHS takes strike action lightly – today shows just how desperate they are.
“This is as much about unsafe
“Something has to change or the service as we know it will collapse."
“GMB calls on the Government to avoid a Winter of NHS strikes by negotiating a pay award that these workers deserve.”
willowbrookshopping.co.uk
PEOPLE in South Gloucestershire are being let down by the continuing failure to deliver health services promised nearly two decades ago.
That’s the view of councillors who have now agreed to a new review of the impact of the reduction in hospital beds and shortage of minor injuries treatment provision across the district.
South Gloucestershire’s Health Scrutiny Committee heard that the Bristol Health Services Plan, drawn up in the early 2000s, had envisaged acute services at a rebuilt Southmead Hospital in Bristol with intermediate care beds at new community hospitals in Thornbury and Frenchay, as well as minor injuries units (MIUs) around the district.
But Thornbury and Frenchay hospitals have both closed and have yet to be replaced, and South Gloucestershire has just one MIU at Yate, which cannot meet the demand, while efforts to secure a second MIU at
Cossham Hospital in Kingswood have been unsuccessful.
Campaigner Barbara Harris - a former member of Frenchay Community Hospital Groupsaid a total of 348 hospital beds were lost through the Frenchay and Thornbury hospital closures, while many of the beds at Southmead Hospital were currently occupied by patients who could not be discharged because follow-up community care was not available.
She and fellow campaigner Daphne Havercroft told the meeting that the problem would only get worse as South Gloucestershire’s population continued to increase, having already grown from 250,000 in
HEALTHCARE services have received £11.5 million to try to crack a hospital 'bed-blocking' winter crisis in the Bristol region.
The cash, split between the new local health authority Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Board and the three local councils, is from a £500 million Department of Health and Social Care emergency fund.
'Bed blocking' is where a patient is medically well enough to leave hospital but cannot be discharged because there no place or support available for them to be looked after in the community.
The 'adult social care discharge fund' aims to speed up the process of getting people into the most appropriate setting, as well as relieving the knock-on effects of packed A&Es and long ambulance queues.
It can be used to pay for more adult social care staff during the current crisis and other ways of freeing up hospital beds, such as home care and a programme called 'discharge to assess' where patients continue to have their care and assessment out of hospital.
BNSSG ICB chief executive Shane Devlin told a meeting of the board in December that many of its longer-term priorities had been suspended until April, with all focus now on getting as many people out of hospital safely when they have ‘no criteria to reside’.
He said keeping people who don’t need to be in hospital on wards “causes a massive amount of harm, not only to people in bed, both cognitively and physically, but also in flow with regard to ambulances”.
A report to the board said the ICB had been allocated £8.3million, Bristol City Council £1.7million, South Gloucestershire Council £780,000 and North Somerset Council £770,000 for its social care departments, with all money pooled.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service2005 to 296,000 now.
Thornbury Hospital, pictured before its closure in 2019
Mrs Harris called on MPs Luke Hall, Jack Lopresti and Chris Skidmore to take action, describing the healthcare situation as “the biggest scandal” in their constituencies.
Opposition councillors successfully called for a working group to be set up to scrutinise the failure to deliver the BHSP and find out why plans for community hospitals were abandoned so that a case can be made to the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board for improved provision.
Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Labour councillor Ian Boulton said the original BHSP had been
a good plan, but it had not been delivered, and it was time new measures were put in place to address changing needs.
Yate Liberal Democrat councillor Ruth Davis said the Yate MIU often had to turn away patients because of high demand from across the district.
People then had to travel to already over-subscribed emergency departments at Southmead Hospital, Bristol Children’s Hospital or the Royal United Hospital in Bath, which was especially difficult for those who did not have cars.
She said: "We have got a system that is just broken. People are travelling all over the place. But the bus services that join up various places don’t exist any more."
A BNSSG Integrated Care Board spokesperson said: “We understand the committee is drawing up terms of reference for this working group and we look forward to receiving further details.”
A SOUTH Gloucestershire schoolboy has celebrated beating leukaemia – by getting his whole school to fund raise for the Wallace and Gromit appeal.
Six-year-old Henry Shafto was given the all-clear in November after three years of chemotherapy.
Now he and fellow pupils at Frampton Cotterell CofE Primary School have raised more than £1,400 for the Bristol Children's Hospital charity by baking cakes and asking friends and family to make online donations.
Teaching Assistant Karlie Starr said Henry had been undergoing treatment, including daily oral chemotherapy, and lumbar punctures every three months.
Karlie said: “Henry had leukaemia for three years, three months and three weeks.
“He rang the bell on the 21st of November and had a party at the Miners Social Club in Coalpit Heath, for friends, family and school to celebrate.“
Cancer patients often ring a ceremonial bell to celebrate the end of their radiation treatment or chemotherapy.
Karlie said: “He’s been doing fundraising because he wanted to give something back when he reached the end of his treatment.”
Henry said he wanted all his friends at school to make cakes
and hold a huge cake sale for the Wallace and Gromit Appeal, which supports families of children being treated at the BRI.
He said: “The nurses and doctors at the hospital worked hard, they were good. They made me happy and smile. And I made some friends with other sick children at hospital.
“My friends and me made
some cakes for a cake sale. I like the Mario cakes best.”
Karlie said schoolchildren helped decorate cakes and sold them to other pupils, staff and parents, and raised £500 on the day.
She said: “He wanted to give back, and the Grand Appeal really helps in so many ways with children having this treatment.
“Henry is very brave. The class really supported him. They made signs and cakes to sell. They were amazing.”
At the time of going to press Henry’s efforts had raised more than £1,400, including an online fundraising page that had reached nearly four times his original £250 target.
Henry says he hopes the money can go towards buying toys for the appeal’s Wish List and the Treasure Box for children.
To contribute, visit Henry’s online fundraising page at gofund.me/a6afce78.
Free valuations every Friday 9am-4pm at our saleroom, free home visits or email
THORNBURY'S Armstrong Arts Group has two contrasting events to kick off 2023.
The group hosts a performer it described as "one of the UK’s most exciting saxophonists, vocalists and composers," Kim Cypher, at The Porch House in Castle Street on January 21 from 7.30pm.
Kim, who plays tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, and also sings, is backed by guitarist Chris Cobbson, Mike Green on double bass and Mike Cypher on drums.
The quartet recently played a sold-out gig at leading jazz club Ronnie Scott’s and their music is described as "stylish, accessible jazz".
The band will perform a great selection of well-known jazz favourites, swing, original music, Latin and funk.
The performance is part of Kim’s Brighter Tomorrow project and tour.
Tickets are £15 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or by calling 01454 850933.
The group's second event of the year is a talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on King Alfred the Great.
A spokesperson said it was "standing room only" the last time Prof Hutton, a well-known personality on TV history programmes, came to speak in Thornbury.
His talk on the king often regarded as responsible for the creation of England aims to look at how much we think we know was the result of "Alfred’s own propaganda machine".
The talk takes place in St. Mary's Church Hall in Eastbury Road on February 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.50 from the same email and number as above.
Prof Hutton will talk about another monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, to Alveston Local History Society on January 25 at Alveston Methodist Church, at 7.30pm.
*Thornbury Orchestra stages its first concert of the year on January 29 at St Mary's Church, Berkeley, at 5pm.
THORNBURY'S Octopus Drama Group are preparing to stage a pantomime in their traditional January slot for the first time since the pandemic.
The group will perform Ali Baba, described as a "totally new and refreshing take on the beloved story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves from the original Arabian Nights", at Christ the King Church Hall in castle Street from January 11 to 14.
Last year's production of Aladdin had to be switched from January to March after the spread of the covid omicron variant, while restrictions in 2021 meant that no live performances were possible at all.
Written by local playwright and author Steven J Yeo, the group says Ali Baba is "a riotous panto for all the family, full of magic and mayhem" and features "colourful costumes and fabulous scenery, songs to sing along to and jokes to make you laugh (or groan)".
The show takes place on Wednesday to Friday, January 11 to 13 at 7.30pm, and on Saturday 14th at 11am and 2.30pm.
Tickets are available from Rosie and Rex Gift Shop on Thornbury High Street, at £8 for adults and £6 for anyone under 18.
Tickets, available on the door, are £10 for adults, with children and concessions free.
The concert is in aid of Thornbury's New Start Debt Advice Service and will include a selection of popular classics including the Hansel & Gretel Prelude by Humperdinck and extracts from 'Rodeo' by A Copland.
The orchestra was founded in 2002 and draws players from across South Gloucestershire and beyond, performing two or three concerts a year to support of local charities.
Anyone who is interested in joining should visit the orchestra's website at www. thornburyorchestra.org.uk.
MORE than nine out of ten South Gloucestershire residents are white - about 10% above the average for England and Wales.
Figures from the 2021 Census on ethnic groups and national identity have been released as part of a programme by the Office for National Statistics to provide a detailed picture of the population.
Nationally, 81.7% of usual residents in England and Wales said their ethnic group was white, with 74.4% of the total population saying their ethnic group was 'White English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British'.
In South Gloucestershire 91.3% of residents said their ethnicity was white: 85.8% ticking the White English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British box, with the other white options on the census form being Irish (0.5%), Gypsy or Irish Traveller (0.2%), Roma (0.1%) or 'other White' (4.7%).
A total of 3.4% of residents
identified as Asian: the only option selected by more than 1% of respondents was 'Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh: Indian', which was picked by 1.7% of residents.
Another 1.6% of South Gloucestershire residents were 'Black, Black British, Black welsh, Caribbean or African', more than half of whom were African.
Another 2.5% of residents said their ethnicity was 'mixed or multiple ethnic groups': within that category the biggest group was 'white and black Caribbean' (0.9%) followed by 'white and Asian' (0.7%).
In neighbouring Bristol 81.1% of residents were white - close to the national average - with 71.6% describing their ethnicity as 'White English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British'.
The 2021 Census also asked people to describe their national identity - a more subjective question as it allowed people to choose between English or Welsh
only, English and British, Welsh and British or British only, as well as other combinations of UK and non-UK identities.
The ONS has not provided a breakdown of how people in South Gloucestershire and other areas of the country chose to identify within the various UK identities: its published figures say only that 92.1% of residents had a UK identity, 1.6% had a mixed UK and non-UK national identity and 6.3% had a non-UK identity.
However nationally the most striking change was a reversal in the numbers of people saying their identity was 'English' versus 'British'.
In 2011, 57.7% of people had only said their identity was English, with 19.1% saying British, 8.7% saying 'English and British' and the rest either saying Welsh, non-UK or another combination of identities.
But in 2021 54.8% of people ticked the 'British' box, with only 14.9% choosing 'English' and
13.6% choosing 'English and British'.
Numbers identifying only as 'non-UK' rose from 8% to 9.7%.
Census Deputy Director Jon Wroth-Smith said: "Today’s data highlights the increasingly multicultural society we live in.
"The percentage of people identifying their ethnic group as ‘White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British’, continues to decrease.
“But despite the ethnically diverse nature of society, 9 in 10 people across England and Wales still identify with a UK national identity."
In London just under twothirds of people identify with an ethnic minority group, he said.
For more details on ethnic groups visit bit.ly/3hDmmJq and on national identity visit bit. ly/3v6z9Hm.
LESS than half of South Gloucestershire residents consider themselves to be Christian - and more people in the district say they have no religion at all.
The decline in religious observance is one of the fastest-moving trends in the UK population to be highlighted in results of the 2021 Census, published by the Office for National Statistics.
The ONS said that for the first time in a census of England and Wales, less than half of the population (46.2%) described themselves as “Christian”, a 13.1% decrease from 2011, when the figure was 59.3%.
In South Gloucestershire the number of people identifying as Christian was even lower, at 44.1%, with 'no religion' the most common response, given by 46.1% of residents.
Muslims made up 1.6% of the South Gloucestershire population, followed by Hindus (1%), Buddhists (0.4%), Sikhs (0.3%) and Jews (0.1%), with 0.5% of respondents ticking 'any other religion' and 6% not answering the question.
In Bristol the majority of residents (51.4%) said they were nonreligious - a huge increase on the 37% who gave the same answer in 2011.
Local area figures showed the percentage of people identifying as Christian in Alveston, Olveston and Oldbury (55.1%) was the highest in the district, above Thornbury and Almondsbury (both around 47%). Rural areas tended to have more people who described themselves as Christian than non-religious, in contrast to urban areas.
The number of non-religious people in the region is ahead of the national average, which was 37.2% - up from 25.2% in 2011.
Andrew Copson of non-religious group Humanists UK, said: "These results confirm that the biggest demographic change in England and Wales of the last ten years has been the dramatic growth of the non-religious. They mean the UK is almost certainly one of the least religious countries on Earth."
To see more details visit bit.ly/3Bzk592 online.
THE education watchdog has praised a South Gloucestershire school which provides many children with their "first positive experiences" of education.
Pathways Learning Centre in Downend is a pupil referral unit, teaching children who have been permanently excluded from one or sometimes two other schools, who are at risk of exclusion or who have significant medical and mental health needs.
It takes children from across South Gloucestershire on either short or long-term placements, and had 138 pupils, aged from five to 16, on its roll when a team of inspectors from Ofsted visited in September.
Their report awarded Pathways an overall 'good' rating, and said pupils' personal development, behaviour and attitudes were 'outstanding' - the highest possible rating.
The inspectors said: "Pupils describe Pathways Learning Centre as ‘a family’.
"Pupils start at different points in their education and throughout the school year. Despite this, they agree that everyone is welcoming. They quickly feel part of the school.
"For many, this is one of the first positive experiences of education that they can remember.
"The impact of this is evident in pupils’ highly positive attitudes to their learning and the strong relationships between staff and pupils.
"Everyone has high expectations of behaviour. Pupils respond and behave exceptionally well.
"Staff are calm, empathetic
and unintrusive when supporting pupils who may be experiencing challenges."
The inspectors said school leaders and staff had high ambitions for all pupils, and used an effective induction process to provide a "bespoke and engaging education", covering the breadth of the national curriculum.
They praised the school's work on reading and achieving qualifications relevant to the next stage of pupils' education.
The report said staff prioritised children's social, emotional and mental health needs.
The inspectors said: "Parents are positive about the impact the school has.
"They appreciate how staff treat pupils as individuals with specific needs."
Inspectors said the personal development of pupils was a "strength" of the school and also praised help for children
who were struggling with work, safeguarding arrangements and understanding of neurodiversity, which "empowers everyone to recognise and respect the uniqueness of each individual".
They recommended that the school improve the structure of its curriculum, understand pupils' prior learning better and more clearly identify what they want individual pupils to learn.
Head teacher Louise Leader said the school was "absolutely delighted" with the report.
She said: "To achieve a good rating is a great achievement for
everyone in PLC, but to secure outstanding judgements in ‘personal development’ and also in ‘behaviour and attitudes’ is remarkable.
"I am so proud of the fabulous and dedicated team at PLC, who work tirelessly to support our students.
"Pathways' mission is ‘changing lives’, and we try to do that every single day, in some small way, to help our students persevere, overcome the challenges they face and go on to have happy and successful futures when they leave us.
"We are so pleased that Ofsted has recognised the work we do and the excellent progress our students make; but we are most proud that they recognised that Pathways Learning Centre is ‘a family’ and that for many of our students this is 'one of the first positive experiences of education that they can remember’.
"Our efforts are reflected in the relentless hard work and dedication that goes on in many PRUs and Alternative Provisions across the country.
"We will continue to work tirelessly to support our students and help to drive the crucial work of the PRUsAP sector nationally."
A THORNBURY charity which helps children and their families across the area is planning to mark its 10th birthday in style.
JIGSAW Thornbury will celebrate completing its first decade in March, with a fundraising ball at the Grange Hotel, near Almondsbury.
The charity started out in a church hall in Thornbury in 2013, as a support group for children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families.
It is now a "thriving" charity, with 450 families from the wider region currently signed up as members, having worked with more than 850 families over the past decade.
JIGSAW, which stands for Joining In, Growing Support, Awareness, and Well-being, says members benefit from "friendship, support, and compassion, along with innovative and fun services that empower everyone to join in".
Over the past year, 15 new or improved services have been introduced to meet the needs of
the families the charity works with, including new groups for home educating families and sensory play-based sessions for preschool children, which have proved so popular there are currently waiting lists for places.
JIGSAW Thornbury’s core services include weekly termtime parent and carer support, well-being groups and a youth club for young people aged 14-25.
It has also moved into a new home in St Mary Street.
Interim chief executive
Hattie Clayton said: "Our members say that JIGSAW is a complete lifeline both to them as parents and their children who are dealing with exceptional challenges.
"We are only able to run our services with grant funding or support from the local community, which makes our fundraising ball such an important event for all the families we work with."
The ball will take place on March 3 at the Grange Hotel, and includes a three-course meal, live
THE advocacy group Open Doors is launching its 2023 ‘World Watch List Report’ this month, looking at the persecution of Christians globally, after considering what further steps potential steps the UK Government can take to help.
As regular readers of my monthly Voice columns will know, tackling Christian persecution is something of great personal importance to me. At the launch of the 2022 report, I wrote here expressing my horror at learning persecution of Christians had reached the highest levels in the 30 years that Open Doors has been carrying out research.
Open Doors' new report provides in-depth research and analysis into the 50 countries
where Christians face the most extreme persecution, making clear how violent persecution impacts those who are already vulnerable due to poverty, gender-specific reasons, social status, or a denial of access to justice.
They have highlighted the cases of people forced to leave their homes in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians in Nigeria have been killed, attacked and their homes destroyed by Islamic militant violence. There is great concern that such violence is spreading and increasing across Nigeria and West Africa, targeting Christian communities.
They have looked at stories of people in India, where families have been falsely accused of
religious conversion, and as a result, brutally beaten for their Christian faith. Open Doors have even seen instances where victims of violence have arrived at local hospitals in a critical condition and been refused vital medical help, as staff had been pressured by their attackers.
Here in the UK, it is vital we do what we can to help. In 2019 the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, carried out and published an independent review of Foreign Office support for persecuted Christians.
The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religious Belief, Fiona Bruce MP, is working with the Foreign Office to drive forward the implementation of the 22 recommendations for reforms made in the Bishop’s
music from local band Ride The Edge and a fundraising auction and raffle.
More details about the event and details of how to book tickets are available on the charity's website, on the events calendar at www.jigsawthornbury.org. uk/events.
JIGSAW Thornbury is also appealing for sponsors and for donations of prizes for the auction and raffle at the ball, from gifts or services to experience days or hotel stays.
Anyone who would like more information should email admin@jigsawthornbury.org. uk.
Interim chair of trustees Annie Holland said: "We would like to extend an invite to all our members and the local community to join us for an evening of celebrating our impact over the last decade and fundraising to support the future of our life-changing work with children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families."
review.
I am delighted that those recommendations have been taken forward in a way that will make real change to people’s lives.
This progress is vital for so many people across the world, and I am delighted to see the UK taking a leading role in tackling this persecution.
This report marks another important step in encouraging the Government to do all it can to tackle this most important of issues.
A THORNBURY family have been lighting up their home to brighten the festive season for a fifth year - and raise money for two good causes.
The Jefferies family are raising money for two Cancer Research UK and Jigsaw Thornbury, which supports families with children who have disabilities and additional needs.
They lit the 30,000 lights on their Christmas display in Eastland Avenue back on November 27 and are illuminating them every day from 4.30-9.30pm until January 3.
It is the fifth time Kieran and Kim, who have four daughters, have put on the display, which last year raised a total of £2,018.
Donations can be made in cash at the house or via a mobile phone QR code, which is on a poster on the display and also available at the Jefferies Lights Thornbury Facebook page.
While the recent cold spell put some visitors off before Christmas, Kim and Kieran said they love the comments from those who come along.
Research UK as family members have been affected by the disease and JIGSAW as they wanted to support a local charity.
They said: "We really enjoy the smiles and excitement we get and getting people into the Christmas spirit, at the same time as raising funds for charity.
"Donations are voluntarywe are grateful for any and the
The Jefferies family's Christmas lights display in Eastland Avenue
money goes a long way."
The family covers all of the charges for the QR code system, which means 100% of visitors' donations are shared between the two charities.
With electricity prices surging, the display has support from three sponsors, Bristol Carpet & Flooring, News 4 U and Rykool, which has been "a massive help" in meeting the costs. As well as sightseers, the lights have also been a stop for touring fundraisers, including Thornbury Round Table's Santa sleigh and the Christmas Dubs decorated VW vehicle display, raising money for the Grand Appeal for Bristol Children's Hospital.
But the Jefferies have no intention of resting on their laurels in 2023.
They said: "We can't wait to see everyone next year and we are already planning on what's to come."
IT’S that time of year.
Waistlines expanded. Bank balances reduced. Christmas trimmings coming down. And people are looking to the future and setting their New Year’s resolutions.
So, what are mine? Well, they’re simple, really - taking Angel, my cocker spaniel, for more walks - even when it’s chilly - and putting our brilliant West of England even more firmly on the national and global map, and ensuring our region thrives.
Hmm, that politician pledge sounds a bit vague, you may say! How are you going to measure that? My response is simple: look at all the progress we’ve made already.
I am proud of everything we’ve achieved - together - in 2022: reducing bus fares; launching the region’s first-ever Good Employment Charter - now supporting over 6,500 workers and counting; supporting buzzing bees through brand-new grants; investing £12 million in the new Bottle Yard Studios, now open for business; unblocking the Temple Quarter scheme to refresh Temple Meads and the surrounding area; investing in green hydrogen at the
Bristol and Bath Science Park; winning record levels of cash from government, like the £105 million I secured to begin to improve our buses and start the long road to deliver a public transport network our region can be really proud of.
For me, the New Year also is a chance to reflect on the year ahead politically, like ensuring government understands and learns from the pressures facing working people, with taxes, inflation and energy bills all going up and up.
With local people hungry to see decisions made in their areas, I’ll continue to call for London-style devolution, to ensure I have the powers to make our region even better.
But fundamentally, New Year is a time for hope. And in the West of England, we have much to be hopeful about.
Every day as your Metro Mayor, I’m inspired by the people I meet. The ambition and confidence of our young people; the brilliance of our businesses; the potential of our amazing towns and villages, and our two truly great cities.
But this is also a time of year when we resolve to do better.
So my promise this year to you is to continue to be the strong champion for our region, from backing our world-class creative industries to our amazing local shops - by the way, for those of you looking for a resolution, I urge you all to please ‘Love Local’, as there are so many brilliant places to explore in our great region.
So, whether it’s doing Dry January or throwing yourself full-throttle into (finally) taking up that hobby, I wish you and your friends and family the happiest of Januaries as we enter into 2023. Good luck!
Are you looking for freedom, flexibility and a whole lot more? If so, then why not join our Customer Service team at LV= General Insurance. Scan the QR code or search LV= GI Careers Bristol.
AT the time of writing we await the verdict from the housing appeal brought by Barwood in support of their proposal for yet another 595 houses, this time located west of Park Farm.
In our view, the outcome hangs in the balance more than it should have done, because of the lack of preparation by South Gloucestershire Council on a key aspect of the case, namely proof of a five-year supply of other land for homes in the district.
Frankly, it was a shambles. Our repeated requests to meet the council to discuss our concerns have been dismissed on the grounds that they believe they did a good job and, in any case, they always have an internal debrief with advisors to pick up on any lessons learned.
We believe this smacks of complacency. The price of losing an appeal is huge, both in terms of the cost to the ratepayer (or on lost services that would otherwise be afforded) and the impact on our environment of allowing undesirable speculative development.
We think the council needs to raise its game significantly, and cannot afford to ignore warnings from concerned residents who have now participated in three such appeals concerning speculative development in Thornbury.
Roger Hall & Colin Gardner Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned DevelopmentFOLLOWING the excellent coverage of the proposed development of the Castle School Sixth Form site (Voice, December), I should like to add a huge concern for some of the neighbours, namely drainage.
Some of the houses in St Davids Road, whose properties border on to the south-east side of the playing field, are three to four metres below the level of the field.
They are therefore at high risk of being flooded if the housing site does not have adequate storm water drainage. We have seen an example of this recently, with the Miller Homes site on Morton Way, when water run-off after heavy rain
threatened neighbouring roads and properties. Thankfully only one cottage suffered serious damage, and we do not want a repeat of that, or worse, here.
People on the opposite side of St Davids Road should be equally concerned, because after the water has run through our properties, its next step will be over the road into theirs.
The more houses and roads that are built on the field, and the closer they are to the south-east side, the greater the risk, so I sincerely hope any development will be limited to the area nearest the Sixth Form Centre.
Mike Whitehead St Davids Road, ThornburyARE there any distant relatives of William Maclaine still living in Thornbury?
I have a letter which appears to have been sent by him to his mother in 1840, from Jersey.
If there is anyone interested, I could send them a copy (the original has a Penny Black stamp on it).
I collect stamps, mainly from the Channel Islands, and am a member of the Channel Islands Specialist Society, which holds postal auctions twice a year.
The letter was from a deceased estate and the executors know nothing about its history.
I like doing research on my purchases so I looked up W O Maclaine and Thornbury and, looking at the dates, I think the letter came from the William MacLaine who became Thornbury's mayor (in 1852-4, 1865-6 and 1876).
If there are any descendants who are into family history, please contact me via the Voice (contact@ thornburyvoice.co.uk) who can pass on my details.
Robert Corden SurreyEVERY year more than 900 million Christmas cards are sent in the UK. If you find yourself receiving plenty
of cards this year through the post, we’d like to encourage you to save the stamps.
At Kidney Care UK (the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity), we can collect these and turn used stamps into cash donations, at no extra cost to you.
Every year we receive around 250kg of stamps, generating around £9,000 to support thousands of kidney patients across the UK.
Around 6% of the UK adult population have chronic kidney disease (CKD), that’s the equivalent to 1 in every 16 people who could benefit from our support.
Kidney patients are disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis; in the last two months alone, we have seen an increase of 240% in demand for our grants to help people pay their heating bills.
If you would like to help us, please request one of our free collector’s pack online by visiting www.kidneycareuk.org/stamps.
Laura Toop, Community Fundraising Manager Kidney Care UKTHE British Heart Foundation's shop in Thornbury needs more volunteers for our team.
It has been well documented that volunteering for all ages improves mental health and overall well-being.
Our volunteers donate their time for many reasons. For some, it’s a chance to support the local community, make new friends, remember a loved one or keep active.
For others, it has been a great opportunity to develop new skills, grow in confidence or progress into paid job roles.
We can only have applicants who are 16 years old or above.
You can find out more online at bhf.org.uk/volunteer.
However, you can’t beat the personal touch, so if anyone is interested and would like to see the shop first, they are very welcome to go into the shop and enquire about volunteering - the team will be only too happy to have a chat with them.
Manager British Heart Foundation
GIRLGUIDING introduces girls and young women to a world of new opportunities and challenges. As volunteers, we help them to realise their full potential and share some unforgettable moments along the way.
By volunteering with us, you can help girls build their confidence, have adventures, learn new skills and have loads of fun – no matter your experience, your background or how much time you have spare.
Becoming a role model doesn't need a full-time commitment – we need volunteers in all sorts of roles. So, if you want to help behind the scenes, at special events or get involved every week, there’s loads of ways to inspire girls with GirlguidingBSG.
Register your interest today by visiting https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/ get-involved/become-a-volunteer/register-your-interest/ We’d love for you to join us!
PUPILS at Castle School have received free books to read thanks to an £800 grant from Thornbury Town Council.
The books for Year 8 students were delivered through a scheme called Bookbuzz, which offers a range of titles to promote independent reading as a fun and worthwhile pastime.
Castle School Friends applied for the town council grant and school librarian Cynthia Titcomb has co-ordinated the scheme for the 12 and 13-year-old pupils.
Each student chose a favourite from among 17 titles, which is now theirs to keep.
The fiction and non-fiction titles included footballer Marcus Rashford’s motivational book You Are a Champion and Lisa Thompson’s novella The House of Clouds.
n ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION MEETING, 7.30pm, Alveston Jubilee Hall. Visitors are welcome (£3).
January 11-14
n OCTOPUS DRAMA GROUP presents Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Christ the King Church Hall, Castle Street, Wednesday to Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 11am and 2.30 pm. Tickets available from mid-December at Rosie and Rex Gift Shop on Thornbury High Street: £8 adults, £6 under-18.
n ARMSTRONG ARMS GROUP presents A Winter-Warmer – The Kim Cypher Quartet. The Porch House, Castle Street, Thornbury, 7.30pm. Performing a selection of well-known jazz favourites, swing, original music, Latin and funky groove. Bar available. Tickets £15 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or by calling 01454 850933.
n ST PETER'S HOSPICE SEVERNSIDE SUPPORT GROUP
Winter Warmer lunch, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, 1pm. Cottage pie and crumble followed by tea/coffee – vegetarian option available. Tickets £10 per person from St Peter's Hospice shop, Thornbury High Street, from January 6.
January 25
n THORNBURY CAMERA CLUB beginners' course, first of six sessions at Turnberries Community Centre. For more information and to sign up contact Mike Ashfield at course.thornburycameraclub@ gmail.com.
n ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY presents a talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on Queen Elizabeth I, Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Entry £5, including coffee or tea and biscuits.
n FASCINATING RHYTHM’S Love To Sing Day, from 10am, Castle School, Thornbury. Sing in four-part harmony with a large allfemale show chorus and perform with us to your family and friends. Thornbury venue. Tickets from £10. Details online at fascinatingrhythm.com/events/love-to-singworkshop.
n THORNBURY ORCHESTRA CONCERT, St Mary's Church, Berkeley, 5pm. Tickets available on door: £10 adults, children and concessions free. Raising money for Thornbury's New Start debt advice service. Selection of popular classics including Hansel & Gretel Prelude, Gaelic Symphony and extracts from Rodeo by Copland. For more details contact info@ thornburyorchestra.org.uk.
WITH the long dark nights stretching out in front of you, why not Resolve to help others this New Year by volunteering in your local community?
Giving just an hour a week of your time can make a huge difference to those that you help, and volunteering has been shown to improve your health and happiness too!
There are many reasons why people volunteer. For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new, which may lead to a career change.
For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits, meeting new people and making new friends.
On top of this, many people volunteer for a variety of other reasons: a desire to make a difference to the lives of others, feeling valued, having quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle.
Thornbury Volunteer Centre can provide
February
n ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP presents a talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on King Alfred the Great, St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, 7.30pm. Discussing the real person behind the image, with questions following the talk. Tickets £7.50 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or by calling 01454 850933.
n SEVERN VALE FLOWER CLUB meets on the second Monday in the month at 2pm in St Mary's Hall in Eastbury Close, Thornbury, for classes, demonstrations and competitions. For more information contact Sally on ssjjtaylor@hotmail. co.uk or Hazel on 01454 885213.
n THORNBURY ART CLUB hosts live talks and demonstrations by established artists on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30pm. Nonmembers welcome: £5 entry. For more information call Mary Drown on 01454 414433 or email mary. drown@blueyonder.co.uk.
n CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, Tuesday from 10am-noon. No appointment needed.
n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the
you with information and support on volunteering opportunities in the local area which best suit your needs, skills and time available, whilst making sure that you find volunteering an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
We are contacted regularly by groups and organisations that are seeking to recruit volunteers from all walks of life, levels of expertise (from none to highly skilled) and time available.
Age, gender or disability is not a barrier to volunteering. Anyone who is able to spare some time, from an hour a week to once a month or just on a one-off basis, would be warmly welcomed by someone in the community.
Volunteering is a valuable experience that benefits all parties.
If you would like to find out more please contact Thornbury Volunteer Centre on 01454 413392, email us at mail@volunteer-thornbury. co.uk, or visit our website at www.volunteerthornbury.co.uk.
You can also find us on Twitter or Facebook, or call into the office at Thornbury Town Hall between 10.30am and noon, Monday to Friday.
We look forward to meeting you.
Chantry Community and Arts Centre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come along and sew with others bring your sewing machine and materials/pattern. To attend, call Carrie in advance on 07753 236095.
n THORNBURY MEMORY CAFE is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except August) from 10.15am until 11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. For information contact Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 01454 260371.
n SUNBEAMS TODDLER GROUP, 1.30-3pm every Tuesday in term time, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (off Castle Court). All families welcome, no need to book, £2 per family includes snack and drink.
n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcomefirst visit free so come along and give us a try. Contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@blueyonder.co.uk
n THORNBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, Thornbury URC, Chapel Street, 1-3pm. For more information visit www. goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468
UNIFORM supplier Mi Hub, which owns Thornbury-based Alexandra Workwear, has announced that Children's Hospice South West is one of its new charity partners for 2023-2026.
The uniform company welcomed submissions from all corners of the globe, with the charities being shortlisted and selected internally.
Mi Hub chief executive Hayley Brooks said: "When selecting our final charities, we needed to choose charities close to our employees’ hearts, whilst also ensuring the charities shared our values."
CHSW corporate partnerships fundraiser Amanda Gallagher said: "We are so excited to have been chosen as Mi Hub’s local charity partner for Thornbury. We have a whole calendar of events planned and we’re looking forward to sharing more about the charity, how the team can get involved and why their support makes a difference, throughout 2023 and beyond!”
LIGAMENTS are bands of strong fibrous tissue that attach bone to bone and help support and stabilise a joint. An ankle sprain is the result of damage to one or more of the ligaments that stabilise the ankle.
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sport, with the highest incidence occurring in sports requiring sudden changes of direction
or landing from jumps, such as basketball, volleyball and netball.
However, ankle sprains are not exclusively sporting injuries: they can occur during everyday activities as well.
Sprains are usually graded based on their severity:
Grade 1: A mild sprain, which happens when you overstretch a ligament. There may be minimal swelling and bruising around the ankle, and mild pain, but you should be able to put weight on your foot.
Grade 2: A moderate sprain, which happens when you overstretch and partially tear a ligament. There may be quite a lot of swelling, bruising and pain around your ankle, and it will be difficult to put weight on your foot.
Grade 3: A severe sprain, which happens when you completely tear a ligament. There will be significant swelling, bruising and pain around your ankle. Your ankle may feel quite unstable and you won’t be
able to put any weight on your foot without a lot of pain.
The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion sprain, which occurs when the ankle of the weight-bearing or landing foot rolls outwards. This causes damage to one or more of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle (lateral ligaments).
You can also suffer with a medial ligament sprain, which damages the ligaments on the inside of the ankle and is the result of the ankle rolling inwards.
The third type of sprain is a high ankle sprain, which can damage the ligaments between the tibia and fibula bones. Both of these sprains are far less common.
Following an ankle sprain it is important to regain range of movement, functional stability and co-ordination early in the rehabilitation stages.
Seeing a qualified healthcare professional within the first week of injury to start rehabilitation is
advisable, as this can lead to better short-term ankle function.
Over the next eight to 12 weeks, your therapist should be working on improving range of movement, balance, proprioception and strength around the ankle and lower limb, prior to a return to sport or activity.
Although it may seem like an inconsequential injury, a sprain that is not fully rehabilitated can result in recurrence of the injury, as high as 70% risk of re-injury. This can cause chronic ankle instability, which can in turn lead to a delayed return to sport, disruption to daily activities and result in early degenerative changes in the ankle joint.
If you have suffered with an ankle sprain and would like any help or advice from our physiotherapists or sports injury therapists, please contact our reception team on 01454 838366 or book online at www. thethornburyclinic.co.uk.
A BLUNDER at a covid testing lab which resulted in almost 40,000 people being given false negative results may have caused more than 20 deaths, a report has found.
People using the NHS Test and Trace facility in Mangotsfield between September and October 2021 were among those whose PCR test results falsely said they did not have coronavirus.
An investigation by the UK Health Security Agency into "errors" at the private Immensa laboratory in Wolverhampton found threshold levels for reporting positive and negative results were incorrectly set. Around 10% of people who were tested were told they did not have COVID-19 when they did have the disease.
Experts who worked on the investigation estimated that the mistakes caused an extra 55,000 infections, 680 hospitalisations and 20 deaths.
UKHSA Chief Executive Jenny Harries said in November that many of the report's recommendations had already been implemented.
Dante Labs, which owns Immensa, did not respond to our request for a comment.
A RAPIST went on the run after absconding from Leyhill open prison.
Andrew Sherriff failed to return to the prison near Thornbury on December 9 after being allowed out on day release.
The 50-year-old, who is serving a prison sentence for rape, was arrested the following day after an appeal for information was widely shared, including on the Voice website.
Police had warned people not to approach Sherriff.
THORNBURY Rotary Club is pleased to announce that the annual Thornbury Swimarathon is returning again in March.
This has become a very popular community event over the years, the proceeds from which have supported many local and national charities and charitable initiatives.
The 2023 event will take place on Friday March 3 and Saturday March 4.
The principal beneficiaries this time are the charities South Gloucestershire Young Carers and Paul’s Place, an organisation that helps enhance the lives of adults who are physically disabled.
Rotary president Stuart Hill has expressed his delight that the Swimarathon continues to be popular amongst sponsors, both private and corporate, and all those
who take part.
This fun event is free to enter and it is open to all ages, as long as swimmers can manage the length of the pool.
Anyone interested in entering a team can contact organiser Bernard Amos via email at RotarySwimarathon@icloud.com or mobile 07443 971716.
Adult teams have been reducing over the years, so Bernard is very keen to hear from people who might be able to represent different sports clubs, companies, charities, other organisations and groups.
There is an opportunity for charitable organisations taking part to benefit by receiving back a sizeable percentage of the money raised by their teams. Bernard would also like to hear from more schools, cubs, brownies and other youth groups.
Information about the Swimarathon and other Rotary activities can be found online at www.ThornburyRotary.org.
Sponsors can make pledges and payments with swimmers’ sponsorship forms or by donating directly through the JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/ campaign/thornburyswim23.
Stuart Hill would like to thank organisations and individuals who have continued to support Rotary through the years, and, on behalf of the club, wishes everyone a safe and prosperous 2023.
For more information on South Gloucestershire Young Carers visit www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/ young-carers and for Paul’s Place (South West) visit www.paulsplace. org.uk.
AT Olveston and Tockington WI, Angela Green kindly remains president for another year.
One of her innovations this year is to involve small teams of non-committee members to organise trips and welcome new members.
We also have organisers for both a walking group and a stitching group.
After a fun Christmas party, with musical entertainment from Bristol Fingers and Frets Orchestra, we are looking forward to a talk in January from Phil Savage about his trip to the Antarctic.
Olveston and Tockington WI meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm, at Olveston Parish Hall.
AFTER a December decimated by the weather, Thornbury RFC look forward to January with considerable anticipation.
Thorns sit in third position, with games in hand on the teams above, and could hardly face a tougher match to start 2023 than a trip to Matson in Gloucester to take on the league leaders who, remarkably, have not lost a league match in close to two years.
But Thorns will reflect they should have beaten Matson at home earlier in the season, and will be full of confidence.
They follow that up with a home match against Newent on January 14.
Games with the Forest club are always spectacular and close, and Thorns will need to secure a comfortable win to keep pressure at the top of the table.
They finish the month with consecutive games on the road, firstly to Frome, where they haven’t played this century, and then to Winscombe, where Thornbury have never played before.
Thornbury Ladies are also on the road in January, with a league match at North Bristol on the 15th and then at Chippenham at the end of the month.
They will be tough games but they are confident. The teamwork and organisation of
the women’s team saw them through some tough matches in the autumn.
Thornbury play on the edge of the village of Rockhampton, have three senior men’s teams, an adult women’s team plus a very
successful Colts/Under 17 side, and on Sunday over 250 children play in age groups from 6 to 16.
THE last month has seen a mixed bag of results for Thornbury Town in the six games they have played.
A 2-1 victory at home to then third-placed Hereford Pegasus was followed by a 4-1 home win over Fairford Town, results which lifted Thorns off the bottom of the Hellenic Leagues Premier Division table for the first time since the start of the season.
However injuries and unavailability affected their next two key games, against relegation rivals Longlevens and Lydney Town.
Two late goals at Longlevens saw the home side leapfrog Town at the bottom and whilst there was an improved performance at Lydney, the home side edged home 2-1.
Thornbury’s last two league games before Christmas were a home fixture against Worcester Raiders, who had moved up to third, followed by a visit to top-of-the-table Malvern Town. Worcester stormed into a twogoal lead in the first 10 minutes but Thorns responded well, and goals from Harry Brock and Jack Sheppard-Cozens kept them in the game before going down 3-2. The trip to Malvern showed why the hosts are top of the table and they eventually ran out 4-1 winners, with Town’s consolation goal coming from 17-year-old Jack Smith.
Town’s only Christmas fixture was a local derby at home to Chipping Sodbury Town on December 27, and the club were hoping to see a large crowd turn up at the Mundys for a 3pm kickoff as the team seeks to pull out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile the Reserves have only played two games in the last six weeks. They have progressed through to the next round of the County Cup with a victory over Pucklechurch Sports on penalties and now meet Lion FC at home on January 21.
They have also maintained their promotion credentials with a 3-0 win at Bradley Stoke Reserves, with goals from Matt Constable and Harrison Young(2).
The Reserves currently hold second spot in the Senior Division of the Bristol & District League, a point behind leaders Old Sodbury, but have three games in hand.
The A team, despite having suffered a couple of defeats in recent weeks, continue to press for promotion. Their latest victory, over Bradley Stoke A team, maintains their thirdplaced position in Division 2.
The committee and players really appreciate the support that they’ve been given so far this season and wish supporters a happy and healthy New Year.
Finally, a Thornbury Town flag was spotted at the World
THORNBURY Ladies firsts have finished the first half of the season unbeaten and on top of the table, on goal difference from UWE.
The teams drew 1-1 in their first meeting to open the season, with the eagerly-awaited return match at Castle School on January 14 at 11.30am.
Coz Deas is again leading the way, with nearly 30 goals, five of which she scored in the victory against Yate 3rds.
Vicky Ball scored four in the same game but has missed the last two matches through injury.
Her absence has allowed Ella Clark to
Cup in Qatar, as England beat Wales 3-0. Former manager Jason Rees was at the game, and gave the flag pride of place for
move upfront and contribute nine goals, including a hat-trick. The other pleasing feature of the first half of the season is that nine other players have got their names on the goal scoring list.
Captain Jo Deas is hoping the winter break doesn’t affect her side and the teams’ outstanding play continues.
Thornbury 2nds are more than holding their own since being reformed, with captain Sarah Lally leading the way on six goals; 12 other players have scored, which again demonstrates that the team doesn’t rely on just one person.
There are two development teams in the division, which means that when these teams play each other, the result on England Hockey is recorded as a 0-0 draw.
A similar situation faces the newly-formed Thornbury Men’s team. They have more than held their own against the other sides, and are thoroughly enjoying their hockey.
Connor Matthews, a live wire on the pitch,
has found the net on four occasions, with Tiger Sherred-Isles on three.
Skipper Pardip Bhogal hopes to return to action in January following an injury, which has side-lined him for a number of games.
The Thornbury junior section continues to thrive, with expert coaching being given at the Monday evening training sessions at Castle School.
A number of friendly fixtures have been played, thus giving the enthusiastic youngsters invaluable match experience.
The senior club regularly play mixed matches against other clubs, and organise their own mixed summer league games at Castle School.
New players are always welcome: just turn up to training on a Monday evening at Castle School, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm for juniors and 7.30-8.30pm for adults, or visit thornburyhockeyclub.weebly.com for more information.
David Parry-Jones
