Reasons to celebrate this May

IF you’re reading this, you are likely at home, rather than work, as this May has extra bank holidays. Hurray! And if someone is nagging you to mow the lawn on your day off, tell them the Metro Mayor says you don’t have to. More on that later!

The West of England has a long heritage of May Day celebrations, dating back to pagan times.

Many have echoes in customs such as dancing round the maypole. However, this bank holiday was first brought in as a way of marking International Workers Day in 1978.

The Spring bank holiday is back to its usual slot on the last Monday of May and this year, there’s that extra day off to celebrate King Charles’s Coronation too.

Whether you’re a republican or royalist, this is certainly a moment in history.

I’ve been finding out about our region’s association with coronations. Did you know that on May 11, 973 AD, Bath Abbey was the site of the coronation of Edgar, the ‘First King of All England’?

The service used for Edgar’s coronation was compiled by Dunstan, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the same service is being used by King Charles III.

Bath Abbey is well worth a visit, as are so many attractions across our amazing region.

I run an Explore Local campaign, and as part of this, I get to visit many fantastic museums, green spaces and other attractions. As the Spring weather improves and everyone looks to the great outdoors, I’d urge you to explore our brilliant region.

I promised to get back to mowing (well, not mowing, to be precise). Because the other thing I’m marking this month is No Mow May. A month off from cutting the lawn for the very best of causes - our bees!

Our bees need our help because they are fighting some big enemies: pesticides, habitat destruction and climate change. But they are so vital. Bees pollinate flowers and crops. In fact, one in three mouthfuls we eat depends on our pollinator pals.

One way to give bees a break is to liberate your lawn and free the wildflowers in your grassy areas so they can grow wild and provide a feast for pollinators.

Many people are doing that, as are organisations who I’ve been encouraging to enter my annual Bee Bold Awards to showcase the region’s very best “bee buddies”. I love to see the entries - it really gets me buzzing!

Finally, I’m well aware bank holidays don’t mean a break for all, especially people in emergency service roles like nurses, police or firefighters, so a special shout out to them, and particularly to bus drivers as I work hard to recruit more.

Keep safe - and I hope you have a great May.

May 3-24 n SOUTH GLOS COMMUNITY

LEARNING COURSE, The Chantry, 9.30-11.30am. Confidence Building for Work, four-week course on Wednesdays. To sign up call 07548 103398 or email aimee.hilbourne@ southglos.gov.uk.

May 6 n CORONATION COMMUNITY

PICNIC, Mundy Playing Fields, from 11am. Coronation ceremony on giant screen. Bring along a picnic. Activities for children: royal-themed dressing up competition.

May 7 n LOVE THORNBURY

CORONATION BIG LUNCH, 11am4pm, Castle Street, Thornbury. Stalls, food, crafts. Bring your own chair and picnic. Have your picture taken with the life-sized cut-outs of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

May 11 n ST PETER’S HOSPICE

SEVERNSIDE SUPPORT GROUP

Coronation celebration tea party, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, 2.30pm. Musical entertainment from Lizzie Adkins. Tickets £10, including full home-made high tea, available from hospice shop in Thornbury, or pay on the door.

May 12 n THORNBURY PICTURE

HOUSE Presents Oscar-winning film Nomadland, Thornbury Methodist Church Upper Hall. Doors open 7p.m. Members free, Guests £5. For more information about membership visit www. thornburypicturehouse.org.

May 13 n ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP presents The Buffalo Gals, old-time country music, 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. Tea/coffee served during the interval. Tickets £15 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com.

May 13 n THORNBURY CHORAL

SOCIETY celebrates the Coronation. St. Mary’s Church, Thornbury, 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 pre-booked or £17 on the door, £5 under 18s. Email tickets@ thornburychoralsociety.org.uk, call 01454 417865 or visit Horders Stationers after April 26.

May 18 n ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY

SOCIETY day trip to Westbury Court Garden and Dean Heritage Centre. Coach from Alveston Shops at 9.30.am, returning about 5pm. Expected cost £30 plus lunch. To sign up call Frances Houghton on

01454 417048.

May 20 n THORNBURY FESTIVAL OF SUSTAINABILITY, St Mary Centre, Thornbury, 10am-2pm. Find out more about everything from electric cars and reducing bills to growing your own fruit and veg. Organised by Sustainable Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Council.

May 24 n ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY TALK, Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. 'Boil a Mouse in Urine' - talk on child care in earlier times with Malcolm Watkins.

May 31 n SOUTH GLOS COMMUNITY LEARNING COURSE, The Chantry, 9.30-11.30am. Crafty Shapes workshop. To sign up call 07548 103398 or email aimee.hilbourne@ southglos.gov.uk.

1st June - 3rd June n BRISTOL QUILTERS EXHIBITION……QUILTFEST!

Thursday 1st June , Friday 2nd June 10am to 5pm

Saturday 3rd June 10am to 4pm.

Admission £3 Children free. At Redland Hall, Redmaids’ High School, Westbury Rd, BS93AW

June 14-17 n OCTOPUS DRAMA GROUP presents A Bunch of Amateurs, Christ the King Church Hall, Castle Street, 7.30pm. tickets available from May 9 at Rosie and Rex Gift Shop on the High Street.

June 18 n THORNBURY’S FIRST OPENAIR OPERA: Opera in a Box perform Don Giovanni at Rockhampton Village Hall Field, 2.30pm. Tickets £20 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com.

Regular Events

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

Tuesday n THORNBURY ART CLUB hosts live talks and demonstrations by established artists on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30pm. Non-members 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 Thorn- bury Town Hall Tuesday 10amnoon. No appointment needed. n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the Chantry Community and Arts Centre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come along and sew with others bring your sewing machine & materials/ pattern. Call Carrie 07753 236095. n THORNBURY MEMORY CAFE is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except August) from 10.15am until 11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. For information contact Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 01454 260371. n SUNBEAMS TODDLER GROUP, 1.30-3pm every Tuesday in term time, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (off Castle Court). All families welcome, no need to book, £2 per family includes snack and drink.

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

Thursday n THORNBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, Thornbury URC, Chapel Street, 1-3pm. For info visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468. n BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR are recruiting new members. 7pm - 9.15pm, St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. A varied repertoire, no audition. No need to read music - our regular practices will get you in shape to sing at our regular concerts and enjoy the social vibe. www.bristolmvc.org.uk email secretary@bristolmvc.org. uk Telephone 07764447699.

Friday n HAVEN MEMORY CAFE, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, first and third Fridays of the month from 10.1511.45am. More details from Stuart Hill on 07913 241437 or Sue Walton 07794 370903.

Saturday n THORNBURY PARKRUN, 9am, Mundy Playing Fields. Free.

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

Historic England ignored High Street

AS the person who started the public awareness of work on Thornbury High Street, I should be permitted to respond to the latest article (Voice, April).

At the start of the covid pandemic South Gloucestershire Council hurriedly brought in restrictions without giving the correct notice and imposing restrictions that were, in many residents' opinion, not necessary.

When pointed out by myself and members of the town council, the replies received were, and I quote: "We will do as we please."

Following three public meetings I called using the town council’s constitution, held for all to discuss the closure and what could be done, a residents' association was formed.

Because of my own age and physical condition I had to step back from active participation.

This did not mean that I had given up. I continued my communication with SGC.

As a retired police officer I queried many aspects of the proposal, including the ‘flower planters’, which I was convinced were illegal.

Another matter I challenged was that SGC had “consulted “on the changes but they said, on being asked, that they did not keep records of whom they had consulted.

One thing that hurts is that Historic England seems not to be interested in the damage being done to the conservation of Thornbury High Street.

I could go on about why my opinion and that of others should be considered, but I can’t see any positive results.

Clive Washbourne

Scouts need you

IS your son or daughter a member or potential member of 1st Thornbury Scout Group? Maybe you were involved as a Beaver, Cub or Scout when you were younger?

The group has been delivering adventure, challenges and fun to Thornbury youngsters for over a hundred years, and to make sure we can carry on doing this, we need a regular flow of adult volunteers.

We are currently looking for a few more people to volunteer as uniformed or nonuniformed leaders to ensure that all our six sections - two Beaver colonies, two Cub packs and two Scout troops - can continue to flourish.

All sections are open to both boys and girls, and the children of leaders can bypass the waiting list.

As a uniformed Leader or non-uniformed Section Assistant, you will be making a positive difference to the lives of young people and supporting them in their personal development. You will learn new skills, try different activities, make new friends and most of all have lots of fun.

If you feel you would like to get involved, please contact me on 01454 412440 or email gsl1tsg@gmail.com.

Rob Mills Group Scout Leader

Calling old Ridings pupils

CALLING former Ridings High School pupils who are about to turn 60!

If you started at the school in Winterbourne in September 1975 and are reaching the big 60 in the coming school year, we'd like to hear from you, along with teachers who taught there during the same years.

We are holding a reunion in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on September 2, and we currently have 140 people registered. It would be great to fill it!

If you would like to attend or are still in contact with anyone else from school who would, get in touch with us at ridingsreunion@ gmail.com.

Jane Cooke (née Wise)