Thornbury Voice May 2024

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THORNBURY Musical Theatre Group members are preparing to perform in Thornbury for the first time since the start of the pandemic with their show, Journey Back to the Future. Full story: Arts, page 19

Helping others in Tyler's name

THE parents of a young Thornbury man who was killed in a road crash are working to help other families in their position.

Tyler Carley, who was 20, died in December when the lorry he was a passenger in overturned on the A4174 Avon Ring Road, near Mangotsfield.

The former Castle School pupil's family have

set up a foundation in his memory to help charities offering help to bereaved relatives, after finding it hard to find support themselves following his death. In their first major fundraising event, a team of runners is coming together to race in Tyler's memory at May's Great Bristol Run.

Turn to page 3

Please contact Rowena Moncrieffe for

Man admits killing

A PILNING man has admitted killing a former footballer he punched in the car park of a village pub.

PAGE 2

Health centre 'scaled back' PLANS for Thornbury's new health centre have been scaled back, because high inflation and long delays mean the budget won’t “stretch as far” as first hoped.

PAGE 4

Scammers jailed

A FATHER and son have been jailed for fraud after selling thousands of bottles of a "useless" fake hand sanitiser during lockdown.

PAGE 8

thornburyvoice

Our June edition deadline is May 15.

Man admits killing footballer

A PILNING man has admitted killing a former footballer in the village.

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A member of the

Avon & Somerset police said George Baylis punched 46-year-old Scott Hendy, who played for clubs including Mangotsfield United, Clevedon Town, Bath City and Yate Town, in the car park of the Kings Arms pub, off Redwick Road, Pilning, in the early hours of March 2.

Scott, a father of three children, died the following day of a head injury, in Southmead Hospital.

Baylis, aged 30, of Redwick Road in Pilning, pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter at Bristol Crown Court on April 8.

He has been remanded in custody for sentencing on May 29.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond, of the police major crime investigation team, said: "This incident has had truly tragic consequences, and our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies go out to Scott’s family.

"We have updated them of the guilty plea and specially trained officers will continue to offer them support."

In March around 900 people remembered Scott, who was living in Pilning when he was killed, at a charity match at Mangotsfield United's Cossham Street ground, which raised more than £5,000 to support his family.

Scott leaves behind sons Lewis and Harvey, aged 24 and 14, and daughter Holly, 13.

His children and his parents, Bob and Jen, from Pilning, were among family members who attended the memorial game.

Scott's friend and former team-mate Geraint Bater organised a Gofundme online donation page, at tinyurl.com/36b6mpaa, to support his family, which had raised more than £16,000 by midApril.

Geraint said: "Scott was loved by everyone who met him; he was funny, genuine and the life and soul of any party."

Sexual exploitation arrest

POLICE have made 11 arrests, including one in Alveston, as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation in Bristol.

Officers from Avon & Somerset police child sexual exploitation disruption team, with support from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and National Crime Agency, made the arrests on April 10 in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire.

All of those arrested were men and boys aged between 17 and 33: ten on suspicion of an exploitation-related offence and one on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.

Some, but not all, of the

offending involves online exploitation, a police spokesperson confirmed.

Detective Chief Inspector Jess Aston said the arrests were "a significant moment in a serious and complex investigation".

She said: “Although we remain in the early stages, we believe a number of children, aged in their mid to late teens, are victims of sexual exploitation and our priority is to identify and safeguard them, which we’ll do at pace alongside our partner agencies."

She encouraged anyone with concerns to contact their local police team.

Reports can also be made and advice found online at avonandsomerset.police.uk

George Baylis

Scott Hendy

n NEWS

Foundation will help to keep Tyler's memory alive

From page 1

Tyler's dad Mark said he, Tyler's mum Gemma and siblings Kylan, Skye and Ronni-Irene, had founded The Road Forward – Tyler Carley Foundation to support road accident victims' families in the light of their own experience.

He said that, in the immediate aftermath of Tyler's death: "We literally had no support.

"The police give you a green book and send you on your way. You come home and get an email about six hours later from your police liaison officer, and that's it.

"There was nothing at all for Tyler's sisters, brother, aunts and uncles."

The family eventually found two charities which offered help.

The first, SCARD (Support & Care After Road Death & Injury), provides a phone helpline, free counselling, legal and practical support for families affected by road deaths and serious injuries.

The second, 2Wish, supports bereaved families of children and young people aged under 25 who have died, offering counselling, home visits and 'memory boxes'.

After supporting SCARD with donations from mourners at Tyler's funeral, the family started considering a more permanent way of honouring his memory.

Mark said they decided to go ahead and set up The Road Forward after people who knew Tyler contacted them, offering to run the 10k at the Great Bristol Run in his memory.

Already more than 20 people have volunteered to run, with an initial target set of raising £5,000 through sponsorship and online donations.

Mark said every penny raised would go towards charities supporting other families in a similar position, and to raise awareness of their work.

Eventually he hopes that the foundation will be able to offer

help directly to local bereaved families struggling with funeral and burial costs, or living expenses after having to take time off work.

Mark, who lives in Hengrove and grew up in Kingswood, also hopes to organise sessions to teach CPR at Kingswood Boxing Club, where he is a volunteer coach, after learning that passers-by tried to revive Tyler at the scene of the crash that claimed his life.

Mark said: "It's surprising the number of people who don't know any first aid."

Tyler lived in Kingswood before moving to Mangotsfield and then Thornbury, attending St Stephen's infant and junior schools before going to Mangotsfield School and then The Castle School.

He was living in Thornbury

with mum Gemma and working as a scaffolder when he died.

Mark said Tyler had a big group of friends from Kingswood, Mangotsfield and Thornbury, and also had many friends from playing football for Deerswood, Longwell Green and Bristol Rovers' development squad.

He was a big Bristol Rovers

fan, following the club home and away, both with his dad and with friends.

People from all areas of Tyler's life are supporting the fundraising, along with Mark's colleagues at gas supplier Flogas – the company is supplying running tops for the team running the 10k on May 19.

After the race the runners, supporters, friends and families are being invited to meet at the function room at The Swan in Thornbury High Street, from noon onwards.

Landlady Sandra Davies recently held her first coffee morning for 2Wish – the next one is planned for May 7.

More details on The Road Forward can be found at the charity's Facebook and Twitter accounts, or by emailing info@ tylercarley.org. A website is also being set up at tylercarley.org. Anyone who wants to donate to the foundation online can do so via its JustGiving page at tinyurl. com/4aknubcs.

*A 37-year-old man was arrested in connection with Tyler's death and later released under investigation.

Police say their enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing and as yet, no-one has been charged.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 and give the reference number 5223 297 300.

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Tyler Carley (right) with dad Mark at the Memorial Stadium

Health centre plans scaled back

PLANS for Thornbury's new health centre have been scaled back because high inflation and long delays mean the budget won’t “stretch as far” as first hoped.

Last year the government finally promised to fund the £14 million for refurbishing the former Thornbury Hospital site – the same amount asked for five years ago.

The hospital closed in 2019, and the site has been empty since then.

Current plans involve building 75 'extra care' apartments for elderly people, and a health centre with space for two GP surgeries on site, for existing practices to relocate from elsewhere in the town.

The original plans involved three surgeries, hospital beds, care home beds, extra care, rehabilitation services and an outpatients unit, but have now been scaled back to provide

"replacement" rather than "expanded" facilities.

At South Gloucestershire Council's health scrutiny committee on April 10, Tim James, head of strategic estates at the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Integrated Care Board (ICB), which funds local provision, said: "It’s obviously a project that’s been bubbling up for a long time.

"Thornbury is a priority for us, but the particular need for investment is not as high as in deprived areas like Westonsuper-Mare or South Bristol.

"There was political interest in Thornbury in the run-up to the 2019 election, and that resulted in the Department for Health identifying £14 million that could be allocated to the project, and we submitted an application for that.

"But that coincided with Covid happening, which took away all the capital funding nationally from those kinds of projects.

"We never received an answer on whether the project could progress or not. We certainly pursued an answer, but one was never forthcoming — until last summer, when the Department for Health wrote to us for an update on where the project was.

"They indicated the funding may be available now."

The council bought the site in January 2022, and would continue to own the building after the refurbishment.

A public consultation is planned for this July, but construction work won’t start until at least next February, when health bosses plan to submit the final business case for the project to NHS England.

And Mr James warned the ICB didn’t "have a guarantee" that funding will be available after next March.

At the council's cabinet meeting on April 15, Severn Vale

ward councillor Tony Williams said he was "most disturbed" that the improvements were taking so long.

He said: "Thank goodness we are now able to move it a little bit closer, however, I am still perturbed we are not going to have a full hospital site there that was originally promised."

He urged cabinet councillor for corporate resources Adam Monk to consider the idea of "expanding it at a future date".

Cllr Monk (Lab, Filton) said the cabinet was "focused on getting this across the line" but was taking the lead from the ICB about the services required.

Thornbury ward councillor and fellow cabinet member Maggie Tyrrell said: "We’ve been waiting for progress with this for so many years.

“It’s very good news that it looks as if we’re finally going to make some progress – not maybe the progress we were hoping for some years ago but the replacement of the health centre is at least an advance and we welcome it very much.”

Severn Vale councillor Matthew Riddle said: “When Frenchay Hospital was closed it was done on the back that Thornbury was promised healthcare facilities, so I’m very keen that we get this over the line now because we’ve been waiting far too long for improvements.”

By Alex Seabrook and Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

MP column: Page 14

The former Thornbury Hospital buildings

n NEWS

Nursery's 'exciting learning environment' praised

AN inspector has praised an Alveston nursery's "exciting learning environment" and broad curriculum.

Ofsted said Natural Choice Nurseries was good in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.

Inspector Rachael Williams visited the nursery in David's Lane, which has 77 children aged four and under on its roll, in March – the regulator's first visit since 2018.

She said children are "keen to learn" and have a broad curriculum and "well-designed spaces" to learn in.

The inspector said: "Staff provide an exciting learning environment to entice children to make decisions about their play.

"This is particularly evident in the outdoor area, where children of all ages enjoy being physically active, exploring and learning about nature.

"This supports the high focus placed on supporting children's health and wellbeing."

The inspector said children were well-behaved and kind to each other, and the 20 staff worked to help them resolve any conflicts.

Children "benefit greatly from strong bonds with their key person", and staff challenged them to explore their senses.

The inspector said: "The management team have good insight into how children learn.

"Staff know children well and use their knowledge of children's interests to tailor the curriculum to meet their individual needs, including those with special educational needs or disabilities."

She praised the "lovely interactions" between staff and

younger children, with singing and laughter during nappy changes.

To improve further the inspector suggested that staff ask children more questions to challenge their thinking and help them solve problems.

Natural Choice Nurseries director Nicky Edwards said she was pleased not only with the result of the report but the "overwhelming" response from parents, who shared "how happy they are" when asked by Ofsted.

Nicky said: "Our company moto is 'Happy Staff, Happy Children, Happy Parents, Happy Planet'.

"We are not a big setting and we are not part of a big chain, we are a small independent group who care passionately about providing high quality childcare. We live local and work local.

"Our focus on children's well-being comes through very strongly in the report and it is something that is a big focus for us.

"The 'Happy Planet' element is the one area where the report doesn't do us justice, as we are so passionate about making a positive contribution to the planet."

She said this included having a sustainability officer, being the first Early Years setting to be awarded a silver Modeshift STARS award for active travel and offering healthy, mainly plant-based cooked meals.

Nicky said: "Our report is a 'good' overview of our offering, but we know that one word doesn't sum us up fully. What matters to us is that our parents value us and the children in our care are nurtured by a happy staff team, and leave us heading to school, happy confident learners."

Staff and children at Natural Choice Nurseries in Alveston

Thornbury Market returns

THORNBURY Market is returning to the High Street after councillors granted permission.

Green Top Events’ street trading licence application for the fourth Saturday of every month until next February was approved by South Gloucestershire Council licensing sub-committee.

A nearby business objected saying it would harm local shops’ income, while one resident wrote in support.

The artisan craft market moved temporarily to St Mary Street car park a year ago while work took place to partially pedestrianise the High Street and make it one way.

It was set to return to its former home on April 27 from 10am to 3pm, having already obtained the necessary road closures for the next year.

Green Top Markets managing director Gareth Osullivan told the licensing hearing at the end of March: "We know the need for the market.

"We do support the small businesses. We know the increase in profitability they get from the market with the added footfall.

"We work closely with businesses to know there is no conflict of interest with the traders and what they sell, so we’re hoping we’re going to get back there.

“It helps to regenerate the High Street and brings more customers in.”

South Gloucestershire

Council senior licensing officer Emma Pain said: “The market has previously been held in the High Street with no complaints received by this licensing authority.”

A report to the sub-committee said as well as the road closure there would be a possible use of disabled parking bays to accommodate market stalls, and acknowledged that alternative bays in council car parks on St Mary Street, Castle Court and Rock Street "do not give immediate access to the local shops, amenities or a market taking place in the High Street".

The report said the organisers were made aware that they must not block dropped kerbs in the

Dimming lights lessens cuts to libraries

COUNCIL leaders have defended cutting library hours to save £273,000 from South Gloucestershire’s budget.

Thornbury Library is among those that will close earlier each day as staffed opening hours are limited to 10am to 5pm, plus three hours on Saturdays.

Another eight, including Filton, Patchway and Winterbourne libraries, will be staffed for half a day less than before.

Cabinet member for communities Sean Rhodes (Lab, Kingswood) told a council meeting on April 15 that original proposals were to cut library spending by £473,000, but a £200,000 annual saving from dimming street lights meant that less needed to be taken from the library budget.

Lights will be dimmed to a quarter of their normal brightness from 11pm to 6am each night to cut electricity costs.

Cllr Rhodes said the budget for books would go down by only half of the £50,000 initially planned and that all branches would have longer staffed hours than first anticipated.

But Conservative Frenchay & Downend ward councillor Liz Brennan criticised the Lib Dem/ Labour administration for cutting library services in "priority neighbourhoods" with higher levels of deprivation.

Cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Maggie Tyrrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) said: “We’re putting in more managed hours than originally proposed which is a really good thing because the amount of benefit children get from visiting

our libraries is enormous.

”It’s not just about collecting books, it’s about the whole educational process that goes on with the activities in libraries that are there for children.

“The response to the consultation just shows we have listened to what people said, and although none of us wanted to have to make cuts, we have probably got the best out of it that we possibly could.”

Cllr Rhodes said the Open Access scheme, which enables residents to use libraries when they are not staffed, worked well but a quarter of people responding to the budget consultation were not aware of it.

The plan to dim street lights received broad public support –69% – during consultations, and trials over the winter led to only one complaint, that lights should be turned down further.

However one in 10 of the 783 respondents said the change would make them feel more vulnerable.

Cabinet member for climate and nature emergency Louise Harris (Lib Dem, Dodington) said dimming street lights was good for wildlife and people.

She said: “Sleep disorders, depression, diabetes, heart disease and indeed cancer are linked to artificial light at night. It affects our diurnal and nocturnal activities.”

It will take engineers two years to reprogramme all 31,500 street lamps individually to dim between 11pm and 6am.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Thornbury high street

n ADVERTORIAL

ELIGIBLE people are being invited to have a top-up Covid-19 vaccination this spring. The NHS is offering Covid-19 vaccines to people who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus – including those aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2024), residents of care homes for older adults, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system.

Eligible people can make an appointment at a GP vaccination clinic when invited. People can also book an appointment at a GP clinic, a local pharmacy or at a community vaccination clinic in the following simple ways:

• Download the NHS App and make an appointment

• Visit www.nhs.uk/get-vaccine to use the online National Booking Service

• Call 119 for free if you can’t get online (translators are available)

The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) NHS area is also offering walk-in vaccinations in community clinics. For details

Top up Covid-19 vaccination on offer for high risk people

and more information about the spring campaign, visit www. grabajab.net.

Vaccinations for people living

in the community began on 22 April 2024 and local GPs have also started visiting adult care homes. Spring vaccinations will be available until 30 June 2024.

Bristol GP Dr Hyunkee Kim said: “Protection against Covid-19, either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination, can fade over time and the virus can change, so if you are at higher risk of severe illness it is important that you top up your protection.

“For some, particularly older people and those with a weakened immune system, Covid-19 can still be very dangerous and even lifethreatening. If you or your child are entitled to a spring top up vaccination, I strongly encourage you to take up the offer. It’s quick and easy to recharge your immunity and will give you the

protection you need for the months ahead.

“Covid-19 vaccines provide protection against the virus and help reduce the risk of serious illness. The vaccine has saved countless lives, prevented thousands from needing to go to hospital and helped us to live with the virus without fear or restrictions. For local vaccination information, visit www.grabajab. net.”

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.

Dr Hyunkee Kim

n NEWS

Father and son jailed for hand sanitiser scam

A FATHER and son from a village near Thornbury have been jailed for fraud after selling a hand sanitiser during the pandemic which was described as "useless"by an expert.

William Irving, aged 69, and his son Alexander, 35, both of Woodend Lane in Hill, were both given prison sentences of two years and two months at Bristol Crown Court by a judge who condemned their "callous profiteering".

The court heard that during March 2020, at the start of the lockdown, the pair started to produce and sell a product called Shield Hand Sanitiser for up to £10 per 100ml bottle, from their business Aquatic Chemicals Limited, based at a unit at Woodlands Farm, near Berkeley.

The labels claimed the liquid had an alcohol content of 70%, could "kill 99.9% of germs", was "effective against Coronavirus" and had been laboratory tested by the World Health

Organisation.

South Gloucestershire Council said almost immediately, its trading standards department began to receive complaints from businesses and consumers who were "suspicious about the effectiveness of the product", with many complaining it was "fake and did not smell of alcohol".

Samples of the sanitiser were analysed by experts for their alcohol content, with what the council described as "startling" results: most contained less than 1% alcohol and the highest found in a sample was 14.69%, well below the minimum of 60% needed for a sanitiser to be effective against bacteria or viruses.

Leicester University associate professor in clinical microbiology Professor Primrose Freestone concluded that the product "would be useless as a hand sanitiser and should never

have been marketed as such."

A council spokesperson said the Irvings refused to engage with trading standards officers, who launched a criminal investigation and contacted customers including shops, wholesalers, a charity and a housing association to remove bottles from sale.

In July 2020 trading standards and police raided ACL's premises and found evidence that during two weeks in March 2020 they made minimum sales of 24,515 bottles of Shield Hand Sanitiser, bringing in a recorded income of about £95,000 plus an unknown amount of cash sales.

The council prosecuted the Irvings for fraudulent trading and they both admitted the charges in January last year, before applying for permission to withdraw their pleas, claiming they had been under pressure to plead guilty.

However their applications

were rejected in February this year by Judge Michael Cullum, who also sentenced them on April 8.

The judge said the Irvings clearly knew the product was not what it purported to be but persisted in "preying on public fears of an unprecedented national emergency."

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be held in July to recover money and assets gained by the pair.

After the case, council trading standards service manager Shaun Fudge said: "William and Alexander Irving have been imprisoned for a large-scale fraud, which deceived the public at a time of national crisis.

"They blatantly profiteered from a ‘useless’ product that was sold at a premium price, due to unprecedented demand for hand sanitisers.

"The importance of this case in bringing such actions to justice cannot be overstated."

Jaunt is a grand fundraiser for charity

A THORNBURY-based charity received a boost of more than £1,000 from a group of supporters who went on a nighttime walk around the town.

JIGSAW Thornbury held its first ever JIGSAW Jaunt, a sponsored walk around a 5km loop around accessible paths in the town, with the option of a second lap for more adventurous walkers, at the end of March.

A total of 19 supporters and members of JIGSAW took part, raising just over £1,250 to date for the charity, which supports children and young people under 25 with additional needs or disabilities, and their families.

The walk was supported by local gym Elite Fitness, whose owner Russell Knight helped design the route and provided marshals on the night.

Fundraisers outside JIGSAW's base on the jaunt

JIGSAW chief executive Hattie Clayton led a Super Marioinspired warm-up before the walk started, on a cold evening.

Organiser Lisa Straccia said: "I am so proud with how the event turned out - it was so lovely seeing people chatting, making new friends and sharing their stories.

"I want to thank everyone that

took part, all those who sponsored us and a special thanks to our marshals who braved the cold and kept us safe and sane!”

Donations are still be collected online at justgiving.com/ campaign/jigsaw-jaunt-2024

JIGSAW's next fundraising event is a community dog show on May 4 from 10am to 4pm outside the charity's base in the St Mary Centre Thornbury, alongside the Love Thornbury event happening on the High Street the same day.

Inspired by the charity's own dog Albus, the show will include classes for best puppy, rescue dog, rounds of "musical sits" and a fancy dress competition.

After that a concert by Thornbury Orchestra will raise money for the charity.

Taking place on June 8 at 7.30pm in St Mary's Church, Berkeley, tickets are available at www.thornburyorchestra.org.uk or on the door, at £10 for adults, with children and concessions free.

The orchestra was founded in 2002 and draws players from across South Gloucestershire and beyond.

Acton Court ready to open its doors again

An historic Tudor manor house is set to re-open to the public for the summer.

Acton Court in Iron Acton will be open for a month from the end of May and visitors will be greeted by a re-vamped front of house display. There will also be a new guidebook with fresh content and illustrations.

Gardeners will be available on Wednesdays and weekends to show guests around the garden. On Sunday 16 June, Merchant’s House early music experts will be on site with a collection of Tudor instruments. The week after, Tudor and medieval plant expert Mary Macdonald will be on hand to explain the meaning and usage of Tudor plants and herbs.

Other events include a workshop by Organic Blooms on 26 June and a talk and demonstration by the King’s Herald, Dr. Dominic Ingram, on 27 June.

Tudor costumes associated with Henry and his six wives will be on display throughout the summer season.

On the closing weekend, ‘Tudors, Magic and Music’ has performances by magician Greg Chapman, who specialises in the history of magic and a visit from Owl Occasions with their birds of prey

Acton Court’s Artist in Residence will re-visit an art project from last year which re-imagined the famous Acton Court Tudor Frieze using modern elements and colours. Two panels were finished in 2023 and this year the intention is to paint the last panel and complete the triptych. The next project will be to make a modern rendition of the medieval floor excavated on Acton Court’s grounds.

Visiting times: Tours – 29th May to 30th June, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Tudors, Magic and Music – 29th June and 30th June. Booking is required: For details: www. actoncourt.com, social media, 01454 228224, or email info@actoncourt.com

ACTON COURT

Children’s book award pioneer remembered

AN Alveston librarian whose love of literature helped create a popular children’s book award, is to be remembered at a special celebration in May.

Sheila Waller, who worked at Marlwood School, was one of a group of librarians who came up with the idea for the Concorde Book Award.

She has died, at the age of 72, after a long battle with dementia.

Her husband, Peter, said the award was close to her heart.

He said: "Shelia was very keen on it and they ran it in several schools as well as Marlwood.

"It was a small thing to begin with. They just asked the children to write down the name of books that they had really enjoyed, and they totted up the scores….they actually wrote to whoever it was who had won this little competition and they were quite tickled by it, so they did it all again the next year.”

Peter and Sheila were married for almost 50 years after they met at Loughborough University.

He said: "She was very intelligent. As far as I was concerned she was the cleverest, wittiest, kindest and most beautiful girl on the campus. I felt I’d hit the jackpot when I found myself leaving university with her on my arm.

"People remember her as being really enthusiastic about books and particularly about getting children who were already reading, but getting them to read for life.

"The joy of reading for life was something she really loved.”

Marlwood School's head of humanities Paul Helliker remembers working alongside

Shelia.

He said: "I knew Sheila as a dedicated and meticulous librarian.

"As a new teacher back in the 1990s –pre-internet days – Sheila was always willing to help a new teacher out, finding sources of information, preparing resources and helping pupils use the library for research.

"She ran a tight ship and was instrumental in helping children's literacy develop and trying to install a lifelong love of reading.

"I'm sure many former pupils of Marlwood will remember her fondly, as will the staff who worked with her."

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said Sheila was among a group of school and public librarians who founded the Concorde Book Award, with the first ceremony being held in 2008.

Each year, secondary school students in South Gloucestershire are invited to nominate a recently-published book for the award longlist, with a panel of librarians selecting a shortlist of six that children vote on.

The spokesperson said: "It is a popular and much-loved event, and respected by all involved."

A celebration of Sheila’s life will take place on May 9 at 2pm, at Bristol Memorial Woodlands.

Your Outstanding Care Home in Thornbury Your Outstanding Care Home in Thornbury

Sheila Waller

Reform UK unveils Thornbury & Yate MP candidate

POLITICAL party Reform UK has announced its candidate to contest the Thornbury & Yate constituency at the next general election.

IT engineer Andrew Banwell will stand in the seat currently held by Conservative Luke Hall at the election, which must be called before the end of this year.

Mr Banwell is a parish councillor of 12 years' standing, who has been living in the constituency since 2008 with his wife of 37 years: before that he lived in Whitehall, East Bristol, for 22 years.

He said: "I am a 60-yearold IT engineer with a diverse background in various roles, from bus and lorry driving to technology.

"My experience as a parish councillor for Dyrham and Hinton Parish Council has deepened my commitment to community and local issues.

"Outside of my professional life, I am a family man, proud of my two grown-up daughters and three grandchildren.

"I believe in making a difference one step at a time and am dedicated to bringing positive change to our community.

"I was born and brought up in Southmead, where I lived until I

was 23 and got married."

Reform UK was first formed as the Brexit Party in 2018, by Catherine Blaiklock and Nigel Farage, following a split from UKIP. The party renamed itself Reform UK in 2021.

The party did not stand a candidate in Thornbury & Yate at the 2019 general election, after Mr Farage, who has been the party's leader and remains its honorary president, said it would not contest seats held by sitting Conservative MPs.

UKIP last stood a candidate in Thornbury & Yate in 2015, when it came third, ahead of Labour, and received 10% of the vote.

Mr Banwell is the third challenger to Mr Hall to be confirmed.

Last month the Green Party announced that Alexandra Jenner-Fust, who grew up in the Severn Vale and has lived near Thornbury for 14 years, had been

selected as its candidate.

The Liberal Democrats confirmed last year that South Gloucestershire Council leader Claire Young would contest the seat for the party, for a third consecutive time.

Current MP Mr Hall has held the seat for the Tories since 2015, when he beat Liberal Democrat Steve Webb, a minister in the Coalition government who had held the seat and its predecessor, Northavon, since 1997.

Mr Hall – who was made an education minister in March following the resignation of Robert Halfon from Rishi Sunak's government – had a majority of more than 12,000 over the Lib Dems at the last two general elections.

Thornbury & Yate is a top target for the Lib Dems, who topped the poll in every council ward in the constituency in last year's local elections.

Andrew Banwell, the Reform UK candidate for Thornbury & Yate

n NEWS

Full carnival line-up announced

ORGANISERS of Thornbury Carnival have revealed the full line-up for this year's event.

The carnival will take place over two days on July 5 and 6 on the Mundy Playing Fields, with Friday's Swing in the Park evening event being staged for the third time, while Saturday's Main Event will be an all-day and evening event, running for 12 hours from 11am to 11pm.

But a new innovation for this year is that people who only want to come to the evening part of Saturday's show can buy a special evening-only ticket, valid from 6pm onwards.

Carnival committee chair Liam Williams said the new ticket was the result of listening to feedback from carnival-goers.

As well as the new, cheaper ticket type, prices to attend all day on Saturday or on Friday night had been held at last year's levels, with the online booking

Tribute act Maximum Robbie is Friday's headliner

fee absorbed.

The Main Event programme will begin with a variety show co-hosted by Thornbury Radio DJ Nigel Lane, with a range of amateur talent from the town and surrounding area.

Local band Tattsyrup will perform a range of ska classics, followed by professional Ed Sheeran tribute Christy Bullen.

Foo Fighters tribute the Fore Fighters will perform ahead of a "high energy" DJ set before

Family Tree

headline act Disco Inferno take the stage.

Liam said the headliners have been described as "a spectacular all singing, all grooving celebration of everything D.I.S.C.O."

Earlier in the day the KidZone will run from 11am and 5pm, with much of the entertainment included in the ticket price.

Circus Sensible will be running two shows in the carnival's big top, as well as a variety of circus skills workshops.

Liam said: "There will also be two face painters and a children’s craft tent, which we hope will keep little hands and minds busy, creating mementos of their day!”

Friday's Swing in the Park concert will be hosted by Thornbury Radio breakfast show DJ Chris Criddle.

The headline act is ‘Maximum Robbie’, a tribute act with singer Scott Borley, who will perform

Robbie Williams’ array of swing hits.

Liam said: "Scott has actually sung live with Robbie in the past and you can see a video of that on our website – we challenge you to spot the difference! Maximum Robbie will be supported by the much-loved Thornbury Swing Band who’ll perform swing jazz instrumental and vocal numbers from the 1930s right up to modern times."

A hot air balloon ascent, organised by Western Region Air Balloon & Airship Club, is planned for the Friday evening event and Liam said he was keeping his “fingers and toes crossed" that weather conditions allow the balloons to get off the ground.

For more information and tickets, visit the Thornbury Carnival website at www. thornburycarnival.co.uk.

He is buried under an Oak tree and there is a memorial stone set in the grass.

It’s a lovely spot to visit, it helps us keep his memory alive and it’s a great feeling to support the creation of a nature reserve.

Susan, London

The only funeral director in the UK creating a 100 acre nature reserve complete with its own chapel and reception rooms. Just 15 minutes drive from Cribbs Causeway. A whole morning or afternoon costs about the same as a brief service at a crematorium. Burial or ashes interment. Complete burial service from £1,495.

We’ve got a family plot so eventually we can all be together under the trees. Visit www.memorialwoodlands.com or call 01454 414999

New health centre is closer than ever

WE are closer than ever to securing the much-needed redevelopment of Thornbury Health Centre.

Back in 2019, I asked the Health Secretary to instruct NHS England to work with our local health experts to put together a new and improved bid for an upgraded Health Centre.

It’s been a long journey from then up until the moment last Autumn, when I secured the first 10% of the funding that we need to get the rebuild underway.

Thornbury Health Centre remains at the top of my priority list. Our campaign to secure the rest of funding to redevelop our Health Centre has now reached its final stage, as the last remaining documents

have now been submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care.

My job now is to fight tooth and nail to ensure that we get the final cheque for the rest of the funding.

I want to thank all those who have signed my petition, supported the debate in Parliament, and continued to advocate for Thornbury Health Centre. Together, we have taken our campaign directly to the Department for Health.

Your support, with the thousands of signatures collected through my petition, and the feedback through my Health Centre survey, is helping me make that case that the Government needs to fully fund the £14 million which is

Loft Boarding & Insulation

required to rebuild the Health Centre.

Most recently, I have personally handed in a further letter to the Health Minister Lord Markham, arguing that a new Health Centre would deliver more primary care services, more GP services, mental health services and would be a key part of delivering modern health services for the growing community.

We all know that it has taken far too long to get to this point, but we have never been closer to getting our new health centre.

Very soon, I will be meeting with the Health Minister again, and will highlight the key proposals, and reiterate

Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice

the increasing need for these crucial health upgrades for our community.

They are not optional, but essential to deliver a modern local primary care offer to our community and relieve pressure on local hospitals and health facilities.

There are still hurdles in front of us, but I want you to know that every day, I am fighting to get our community the health care services it needs and deserves.

School's time capsule

STAFF and students at the Castle School in Thornbury have collected memorabilia of school life for a time capsule to be encased in the walls of their new maths and science building.

Every tutor group in the school organised a 'selfportrait' of themselves and their teacher for the cylinder.

They added a school tie, the programme from last term's school play, Dracula, and other artefacts and documents to give a future generation an idea of school life in 2024.

Building contractors Morgan Sindall provided the capsule and arranged a place for it to be placed, in a wall of a new laboratory at the top of the building.

The new building at The Castle School contains 11 classrooms and nine labs.

A new Post-16 centre is also

Castle School head students

Vicky Johnson and Jessica Mallet with project manager

Will Corry, facilities director Chris Hughes, development director

Andy Bethell, head teacher Jess Lobbett and operations manager Rachael Squire.

being created for sixth form students, with older maths and science being refurbished, in time for the start of the next school year in September.

Frank books a visit

AUTHOR and screenwriter

Frank Cottrell-Boyce visited The Castle School as part of a World Book Day tour.

Frank, who has written 12 children's novels, episodes of Coronation Street and Brookside and the scripts for the London Olympics opening ceremony and the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee tea sketch with Paddington Bear, met more than 200 Year 7 students and children from neighbouring St Mary’s and Manorbrook primary schools in March.

He read from his new book, Wonder Brothers, performed magic tricks and answered questions before spending an hour talking to individual students, signing books and posing for selfies.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce with Year 7 pupils Sophie Needs and Jiya Patel

Librarian Cindy Titcomb said: "We are really proud to see our students engage with fiction like this, and this represents a real trend where we’re seeing more and more students engaging and enjoying reading stories."

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Kumon Bradley Stoke Instructor Sarah Nutchey joins forces with Sonya Willman to open new Kumon centre in Emersons Green

Kumon Bradley Stoke Instructor Sarah Nutchey joins forces with Sonya Willman to open new Kumon centre in Emersons Green

Sarah Nutchey, a qualified teacher, began her Kumon career in 1998 with around 12 students, and over the last 25 years she has nurtured more than 1,400 students through the Kumon maths and English programmes.

Sarah Nutchey, a qualified teacher, began her Kumon career in 1998 with around 12 students, and over the last 25 years she has nurtured more than 1,400 students through the Kumon maths and English programmes.

Sarah has been awarded Elite status numerous times as Instructor of Bradley Stoke Study Centre. To earn the prestigious Elite status, Sarah has developed students who are able to study ahead of their school level, working independently with excellent study skills, and has also nurtured students who are able to complete both the maths and the English Kumon programmes.

Sarah has been awarded Elite status numerous times as Instructor of Bradley Stoke Study Centre. To earn the prestigious Elite status, Sarah has developed students who are able to study ahead of their school level, working independently with excellent study skills, and has also nurtured students who are able to complete both the maths and the English Kumon programmes.

Forming a partnership with Sarah is Sonya Willman, a Kumon parent and accountant. Sonya’s six children have all studied the Kumon programmes and she brings valuable experience from a parent’s perspective.

Forming a partnership with Sarah is Sonya Willman, a Kumon parent and accountant. Sonya’s six children have all studied the Kumon programmes and she brings valuable experience from a parent’s perspective.

Kumon Bradley Stoke Study Centre offers maths and English study, both paper-based and via KumonConnect, using a tablet. Classes currently run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school as well as Saturday mornings. Assessments are free, and without obligation.

Kumon Bradley Stoke Study Centre offers maths and English study, both paper-based and via KumonConnect, using a tablet. Classes currently run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school as well as Saturday mornings. Assessments are free, and without obligation.

If you would like your child to build confidence in maths and English and develop their study skills, book a FREE maths and English assessment today at www.kumon.co.uk/bradley-stoke or call 07808 720208.

If you would like your child to build confidence in maths and English and develop their study skills, book a FREE maths and English assessment today at www.kumon.co.uk/bradley-stoke or call 07808 720208.

Furthermore, to celebrate the opening of the new Kumon Emersons Green Study Centre, you can save £50 with FREE registration at both centres until 30th June.

Car comes a cropper

POLICE issued a picture of a car which crashed on the Severn Bridge as a warning to drivers not to ignore closures during high winds.

The Avon & Somerset road policing unit published a picture of the car, which was damaged during storms at the end of March, saying: "National Highways closed the M48 bridge due to high winds, however this driver decided to ignore the signs and got caught out by a heavy gust.

"This action not only put their life in danger but also those of the responding emergency services. It’s closed for a reason!"

Fundraising hits £2 million

launched its £8m 'Project Home' appeal to transform the old Aust Services off the M48 next to the Severn Bridge last year.

Furthermore, to celebrate the opening of the new Kumon Emersons Green Study Centre, you can save £50 with FREE registration at both centres until 30th June.

A CHARITY fundraising to open a purpose-built leisure centre for disabled children at a former service station building has passed the £2 million mark in its campaign.

Bristol-based Gympanzees,

To find out more or donate to the appeal, visit www. gympanzees.org/appeal.

Kumon Bradley Stoke at The Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke, BS32 8EF.

Kumon Bradley Stoke at The Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke, BS32 8EF.

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n NEWS

Homes join plastic bag recycling scheme

HOMES in Thornbury, Almondsbury, Alveston, Charfield and Rudgeway are among 20,000 which will be included in an expanded scheme to take plastic bags and wrapping as part of kerbside recycling collections.

South Gloucestershire Council is expanding its participation in the FPF FlexCollect project, a national scheme to recycle soft plastics, to cover around one in every five homes in the district.

The scheme started in 2022 with pilot collections from 2,000 homes in Chipping Sodbury, Bradley Stoke, Olveston and Alveston.

A council spokesperson said that since then, more than 19 tonnes of plastic bags and wrappers – enough to fill more than 7,000 standard council wheelie bins – had been collected across the district and sent to several different UK facilities to test recycling methods.

Packaging that can be recycled includes sweet, crisp and multipack wrappers, sleeves from plastic bottles, cheese, meat and microwavable food packets, bubble wrap, cling film and plastic net bags for onions, oranges and other fruit and veg.

The authority said it could not share a full list of the streets involved in the extension of the project, as not all homes on some longer streets would be included in the trial.

Those households which are included in the expansion were due to be given information leaflets over the coming weeks, followed by blue plastic bags to put their waste soft plastics in. The bags will be hand-delivered, with residents encouraged to ask deliverers about the scheme if they have any questions.

The scheme does not affect the existing collections for plastic trays and containers.

The council aims to see how large-scale soft plastic recycling works, to help plan for future collections across the country. It plans to extend the service to all households in South Gloucestershire by 2026.

Another trial project, to collect grass cuttings and use them to generate energy, is being extended to Thornbury this year.

The project, called Greenprint, involves collecting grass cut from verges, parks and other green spaces, rather than leaving it on the ground.

It is then mixed with food waste collected from homes and taken to an energy plant to create biogas using a process called anaerobic digestion, where the waste is broken down in the absence of oxygen.

The changes come as opposition Conservative councillors call on plans to move to three-weekly black bin collections in South Gloucestershire, reported in last month's Voice, to be reversed.

Tory councillors have criticised the decision as “flawed” and “shortsighted” and say the local authority should instead work better with residents to help them understand what not to put in the black bin.

Future statutory guidance announced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in October would require local authorities to collect black bin waste at least once every two weeks.

But the council has told the Government that external legal advice stated this would not be compulsory as long as it had "cogent reasons" to move to three-weekly collections.

Blue bags will be used to collect the plastic for recycling

thornburyvoice

n WHAT'S ON

MAY

May 2 to 6

n SEVERN VALE ART TRAIL, 68 artists in 31 venues from Stinchcombe to Alveston, including paintings, photography, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, glass art, mosaics and more. Refreshments at some venues. More details and trail map at www.severnvalearttrail.org or local shops and cafes.

May 3

n THE SEVERN WHALERS

SHANTY GROUP at The Ship, Bristol Road, Alveston, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from AAGThornbury@gmail. com or 01454 850933.

May 7

n THORNBURY ART CLUB, Tuesday Painting Studio Group every Tuesday at St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, 1.30-4.30pm. Also Thursday group from May 9 onwards. Call 01454 414433 for more details.

May 11

n THORNBURY CHORAL SOCIETY concert of English music, conducted by Steven Kings, St Mary’s Church, Thornbury, 7.30pm. Tickets £18 pre-booked, £20 on the door, £5 students, available from members, Horders Stationers or by email

at tickets@thornburychoralsociety. co.uk. More information from www. thornburychoralsociety.co.uk.

May 13

n TANGO DANCING LESSONS, Hill Village Hall on Mondays leading up to the Rockhampton Folk Festival in June, 8.15-9.15pm. Suitable for all ages and levels, no skill, experience or partner necessary, just a sense of humour. More information from Nicki on 07973 796508.

May 14

n EASTWOOD GARDENERS

CLUB meeting at Turnberrie's, Thornbury, doors open 7pm. Talk by Nicola Hope: Tales of the Potting Shed. Visitors welcome.

May 14 and 21

n CIRCLE DANCING to music from around the world, traditional and modern. Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court, 6.308.30pm. New dancers welcome, no experience or partner required. More details at vickislade1@outlook.com or call 07516 999384.

May 16

n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP, Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Illustrated talk by Richard Box on Flowers in Art. More details from Sally on 07946

n THORNBURY LIBRARY

THORNBURY Library is hosting an afternoon tea event with Joanna Toye, best-selling author of The Shop Girls and The Victory Girls, on May 11 at 2pm.

Tickets cost £5 (non-refundable), with refreshments included. Book from a member of library staff or online at SGlibraries.eventbrite.com. Ukrainian storytime sessions take place every Monday at 4pm. Zoya, a Ukrainian teacher, shares stories, reading and more from Ukraine. Lego club meets every Saturday from 9.30-10.30am – no booking required. Create your own Lego masterpieces and display them in the library for your family and friends to see.

Rhymetime takes place every Monday and Friday, from 9.30-10am. Book group Have You Read…? meets on May 3 from 2pm-3pm: a book group for everyone with no set novel to read, just an hour of chat and refreshments.

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

People can enjoy a free hot drink in the library every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 9.30am-4pm, use the computers or WiFi with your own iPad or phone, read a book, a newspaper, browse the shelves, enjoy a communal puzzle or just relax.

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

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

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

508316.

May 18

n THORNBURY IN BLOOM annual bring and buy plant sale, between the Town Hall and Costa Coffee, 9.30am-1pm. Bring plants to donate on the morning or to T&J Owen florists the week before. More information from 01454 413212 or thornburyinbloom91@ gmail.com.

May 22

n ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY meeting, Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Talk: The Blue Plaques of Bristol, by Gordon Young. Visitors welcome.

May 22

n T’HORNBLOWERS WIND BAND SPRING CONCERT, Thornbury URC. No booking required, free with a collection for church upkeep. New band members always welcome - call Heather on 01454 414711 or email platt_8@ hotmail.com.

May 28

n THORNBURY ART CLUB'S CLUB NIGHT, St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, 7.15pm. artist David Johnson on creating ‘Moody Seascapes’. Visitors and new members welcome, £6 on the door. More details at www.thornburyartclub.co.uk.

May 31 and June 1

n TMTG TIME-TRAVELLING CONCERT ‘JOURNEY BACK TO THE FUTURE’, 2.30pm and 7.30pm at Thornbury Methodist Church upstairs hall. Tickets £10 plus booking fee from www.tmtg.org.uk/tickets or Lisa Costa Estate Agent, 53 High Street, Thornbury, from May 1.

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 CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Thornbury 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 10.15-11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. More information from Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 07800 776998.

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 THORNBURY TOWN BAND Friendly community brass band, rehearsals at Thornbury URC Tuesday evening's 7.30pm-9.30pm. New players very welcome. www.thornburytownband.com. email: info@ thornburytownband.co.uk. Turn up or call Anna for more information on 07960008843

Wednesday

n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, Coffee and Chat, second Wednesday of the month, The Swan, Thornbury High Street, 1011.30am. All welcome

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.

Friday

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

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

n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION VETERANS Breakfast, second Saturday of the month, 9am at The Swan, Thornbury High Street. All welcome.

Sunday

n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION branch meeting, last Sunday of the month at the Wheatsheaf pub, Chapel Street, 12.30pm. All welcome.)

Octopus Drama Group

THORNBURY'S Octopus Drama Group will present the comedy play Birthday Club in June.

Written by Phil Olsen and directed by Abi McManus, Birthday Club promises to be a real hoot!

Five women, each with their own story, get together to celebrate their birthdays every year.

They celebrate, commiserate and support each other as they hilariously attempt to negotiate their way through their own respective issues with relationships, work, divorce, childbirth and kids and whatever else life throws at them.

After a member dies and a new one joins, each group member begins to reveal their own personal demons, before a revelation of an affair that threatens the group's existence.

This hilarious, poignant and heart-warming play touches on life struggles and situations with which anyone can identify – a real laugh therapy!

Birthday Club will be staged at Christ the King Hall in Castle Street from June 12 to 15 at 7.30pm each evening.

Tickets go on sale from May 4 at Rosie & Rex gift shop in Thornbury High Street, from 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, at £8 each.

The performance is suitable for over-16s only.

Sue Smith

Thornbury Musical Theatre Group

THORNBURY Musical Theatre Group is coming home!

TMTG is back performing in Thornbury for the first time since Covid struck.

Join mad scientist Professor How and his friend Arti as they Journey Back to the Future, on a time travelling quest to save musical theatre.

This musical adventure takes you back in time, as you experience songs from TMTG’s musicals past, from the 60s through to the 10s.

As Professor How and Arti journey back to the future, we are introduced to contemporary musicals exploring different genres such as Jukebox and Rock and Pop Musicals.

Our musical adventure features the voice of

Colin Baker, the sixth Doctor Who, giving some time-travelling advice.

From Calamity Jane to Cats; Fiddler on the Roof to Fisherman's Friends; Half a Sixpence to Hamilton; and Oklahoma to Only Fools and Horses, there’s a song for everyone to enjoy.

Come along with your friends and family to discover whether our duo can save Musical Theatre, and enjoy being entertained through song and dance.

Journey Back to the Future takes place on Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1, with 2.30pm and 7.30pm performances on both days at Thornbury Methodist Church upstairs hall.

Tickets £10 plus booking fee are available from www.tmtg.org.uk/tickets or at Lisa Costa Estate Agent in Thornbury High Street from May 1.

Folk Festival returns

ROCKHAMPTON Folk and World Music Festival will be staged on June 15 from 2pm.

Quality music, relaxed family friendly atmosphere and local food and drink – that’s what people tell us they love about the Rockhampton Folk Festival.

We have another fab line up this year –traditional folk from Tarren and Intarsia, joyous African songs from the Ganda Boys and the wonderful Tango Calor plus the Lochrian Ceilidh to finish the evening.

There’ll be kids' activities and free workshops for all ages with the musicians. It all happens in a small field by the church in Rockhampton and is simply about quality music and having fun in a safe, relaxed friendly atmosphere.

For more information visit rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk.

Chris White-Horne

Opera in a Box

ARMSTRONG Arts Group presents the magic of opera with Opera in a Box.

Join us for a delightful afternoon performance of Hansel and Gretel, written by Humperdinck, sung in English, and perfect for audiences of all ages.

First performed in December 1893 by Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel retells the timeless fairy-tale of two siblings lost in the forest who fall into the clutches of a wicked witch.

With a talented ensemble of musicians, artists and a top-notch production team, Opera in a Box delivers a fully staged experience.

The production takes place on June 16 at 2.30pm on Rockhampton Village Green.

Tickets cost £20 for adults £20, £10 for under-18s, with under-10s free.

For open air comfort, bring chairs and somewhere to put a drink!

For more information email AAGThornbury@ gmail.com or phone 01454 850933.

Severn Vale Art Trail

MAPS and an online guide are available for this year's Severn Vale Art Trail, which takes place from Thursday May 2 to Monday May 6.

The trail includes 68 artists in 31 venues, from Stinchcombe to Alveston, with a diverse range of work: paintings, photography, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, glass art, mosaics and more.

This is a great opportunity to support local artists and purchase original artwork and gifts, or simply to enjoy an inspiring day out.

Details of all the artists and venues, including accessibility, directions and opening hours, and a trail map can be found online at www. severnvalearttrail.org, updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Printed trail guides are available from local shops and cafes.

Lynda Knott

Collaborative Productions

WE are thrilled to announce that our production of Calendar Girls, performed at Rangeworthy Village Hall last September, has received two accolades.

We have been nominated for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association South West Award for Best Drama Production in 2023, and gained 2nd place in the Programme competition.

NODA is the national body that represents amateur theatre. The awards ceremony will take place on May 18.

We are so proud of everyone involved in this venture, and also for raising £6,000 which was split between Blood Cancer UK and BUST (Bristol Cancer Unit Support Trust) supporting the Bristol Breast Care Centre at Southmead Hospital.

Sue Smith

Jill Dimond

Members of Octopus Drama Group in rehearsal

Ink painting by Nic Driver

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Bee a par t of No Mow May

IF you peer over your garden fence this May, you might think your neighbour’s lawn is looking a little scruffy.

A few more dandelions than normal, or (horror!) patches of grass growing at different lengths. But don’t tut – that may be on purpose. And it’s a good thing!

Yes, it’s that time of year again – No Mow May, where people keep their lawnmowers and strimmers in the shed for 31 days, and give space back to nature.

It’s a simple idea. Giving the mower a breather means spring plants getting a chance to set seed before the first cutting.

This means your lawn becomes a haven for insects, birds, hedgehogs, and more.

And it allows wild plants to get a foothold in May, to feed bees, and other pollinators, through summer.

I’ve backed this campaign since it started in 2018 and every year, I’m always fascinated speaking with residents about the different plants they spot in their backyards.

I’m not just talking daisies or buttercups either, but plants we’d not often see in our gardens – one resident told me she’d even started growing wild strawberries!

Worryingly, future generations won’t see

these either if we continue down our current path. Tragically we’ve lost 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 30s.

That’s why I’m again urging readers to take part by doing, well, nothing! Leave the mower alone, and watch the flowers fill your lawn.

Check out plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay for more information.

If you can’t imagine allowing your entire patch to run wild, then how about leaving a circle of grass in the centre of the lawn to bloom? Or why not stagger it – so that you have one area that’s mown once a month, one area mown at the end of summer, and so on.

For those without a garden, fear not! I’m urging everyone to check in with their local church, school or anywhere with grass or fields, and ask if some space can be left for nature this year.

Ultimately, the momentum behind No Mow May shouldn’t stop with May, and thanks to the West of England Combined Authority I lead, it won’t.

An incredible 620,000 square metres of land is being transformed for the region’s pollinators thanks to bee-rilliant bee projects we’re funding.

This is double the target I set when launch-

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

ing a £1 million Pollinator Fund for projects that support bees, and other pollinator superheroes.

Projects like the creation of mini nature reserves in ten primary and secondary schools across the West, including in Coalpit Heath, Temple Cloud, and Bristol.

Alongside my annual Bee Bold Awards, we’re making the West the bee and pollinator capital of the country.

But I know we can go further.

So, this year, please give No Mow May a go. Who knows, you might like it so much you give the lawnmower a permanent shunning. The bees will certainly thank you for that.

Thornbury Town Council

IN an effort to enrich local biodiversity and community open spaces, the Mundy Playing Fields has recently received some new green additions.

Thornbury Town Council has planted over a hundred meters of wildlife-friendly hedges and six field maple trees to connect with the existing Biodiversity Ring.

These green corridors will serve as safe havens for local wildlife as they mature, providing habitats for birds, bees, and small mammals such as hedgehogs. Every creature, regardless of size, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance.

The idea of identifying a suitable route for the Biodiversity Ring to pass through the Mundy Playing Fields was originally raised last year by Sustainable Thornbury and Thornbury Town Council was happy to jump on board and take part! After careful consideration, the final route was decided upon based on both operational needs and the views of various interested parties.

The benefits of these newly planted trees and wildflower meadow at the playing field extend beyond biodiversity. They are not merely greenery but also pathways for leisurely strolls, offering opportunities for outdoor education and serving as inspiring venues for

community gatherings.

To find out more email climateandnature@ thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk, visit the Town Hall or call 01454 412103 during office hours.

Ming Yan Cheung

Thornbury Volunteer Centre

IF you have an hour or two to spare, Thornbury Volunteer Centre would love to hear from you. With summer approaching, we are seeing a large increase in the number of local volunteering opportunities available, all skills, interests, time availability and experience catered for.

Opportunities available locally include:

Home visiting volunteer – volunteers aged over 25 are needed to support families with children aged under five years old.

There is an initial five-week training course, and you will be supported throughout by a professional mentor. You must have parenting experience.

Maintenance/odd job person – A local village hall is seeking a practical person willing to undertake small maintenance tasks. There are annual tasks like arranging boiler services and ad hoc issues like a broken pane of glass. Training will be provided by the present incumbent. Attendance at four committee

JOIN OUR TEAM

We Are Hiring Now

• Competitive rates of pay

• 10% enhancement at weekends

• Up to £250 welcome bonus

• Up to £250 refer a friend bonus

• Discretionary annual bonus

• Excellent induction programme

• 24/7 access

• And much, much more...

meetings per year is required.

Refreshment server – can you help out for a morning or afternoon once a week or fortnight, serving teas and coffees and chatting to the customers at a busy central Thornbury charity cafe?

For further information and for details on how to apply please contact Thornbury Volunteer Centre at mail@volunteer-thornbury. co.uk.

Thornbury and District Cancer Research

A HUGE ‘thank you’ to all customers of Tesco Thornbury who donated to our bucket collection on April 6, raising £688 for Cancer Research UK.

This is the most we have collected in the store in one day, and we are most grateful for your generosity.

With over 200 types of cancer, valuable research is vital and is the way forward to treating this disease. Ongoing research is being undertaken in Southmead Hospital, The BRI and the University of Bristol, so your donations help fund this.

Lynfa

Fisher

Thorns in cup action after mid-table league finish

THORNBURY'S men's and women's teams finished their league campaigns in upper mid-table, with both sides reflecting that with better luck, they could have been in the mix for promotion at the end of the season.

The ladies finished their league matches with an impressive 52-7 win over Hereford side Greyhound, whilst the First XV dispatched Devizes 43-24.

The focus is now on the cup.

The First XV travelled to Southampton and returned with a fine 30-24 win over Tottonians in the Papa John’s Regional 2 Southern Plate.

Next they demolished Surrey club Farnham 71-24 at home in the second round, and were due to take on Drybrook in the quarter finals on April 27.

The Ladies have entered the inaugural Bristol Combination women's competition with hopes of making the final, scheduled for early May.

Thornbury Colts ended their league season as runners-up in the GRFU U18 league and, following an enjoyable colts tour to Spain and France, Charlie Shipp and Tyrese Redgers made their senior debuts in the cup match at Tottonians.

Other Colts are looking to do the same in late April playing for the Second XV.

Overall, it has been a season of highs and lows, with some good wins and frustrating defeats for all the senior teams, but the foundations are in place to move on to greater things next season.

League status preserved for Thornbury Town

THE final games of the season saw Thornbury Town successfully secure their step five status and a fourth consecutive campaign at the highest level of football in their history.

A trip to Fairford Town at the end of March saw Thorns earn a well-deserved three points against a side looking to make the play-offs.

However goals from Andreas Smolka and Jens Chigozie Ude saw Town end Fairford’s hopes and at the same time take a big step towards avoiding relegation from the Hellenic Football League Premier Division.

After another couple of postponements, Thorns welcomed FA Vase semi-finalists and champions-elect Worcester City to the Mundys on April 9.

The visitors' large following contributed to a crowd of 570 and what is believed to be Town’s largest ever attendance at a home game.

Worcester needed just one point to be crowned champions, whilst Thornbury needed a point to ensure safety.

A first half goal from Chris Knight proved to be the difference as Worcester clinched the three points they needed to win the title. A bright start saw Thornbury enjoy plenty of possession but the deadlock was broken ten minutes before halftime, when Knight scored the

goal that secured the win.

The Club finally got the all-clear to use the clubhouse extension for the Worcester City game, and with such a large crowd it proved to be a very busy evening for the club’s volunteers.

Regular supporters were pleased with the work carried out, and with other ground improvements in the pipeline, it is hoped that match day visits to the Mundys will be a muchimproved “experience” for all.

The first team’s final home game against fellow strugglers Longlevens was a bit of an anticlimax, with relegation issues already resolved. The visitors took a two goal lead in the first half and whilst Joe Guest pulled a goal back in the second half, Town couldn’t find an equaliser. Meanwhile the Reserves have

enjoyed a run of five wins on the trot, to maintain their outside chance of promotion, scoring 25 goals in the process.

A 5-3 victory at Chipping Sodbury was followed by a 4-1 away win at Nicholas Wanderers.

A trip to Old Sodbury saw the home side take a two-goal lead by half-time, but a transformed second half performance saw Town’s reserves score 5 without reply.

Chipping Sodbury Reserves were again the victims in the next fixture, as Town secured a 2-0 home win. A trip to bottom of the table AEK Boco A team saw Thorns run riot, scoring nine times without reply.

The A team look set to finish in a comfortable midtable position: having beaten Pucklechurch Reserves 5-2, an

unexpected defeat at Greyfriars Reserves ended their outside chance of promotion.

The Under 18s have pulled themselves away from the foot of the table, with two excellent victories. A 3-1 home win against Longwell Green Sports saw Callum Cain, Harry Gibbs and George Peacock get on the scoresheet. This win was followed up with a 4-1 victory against local rivals Almondsbury United. Callum Cain was again on target, this time with two goals with the others scored by Juan Mateus and Theo Woodward. With two games remaining the youngsters look set for a mid-table finish in the first season together.

Malcolm Carr

Dave Fox

Gez Asante dives over to score a try in the cup tie against Tottonians. Picture: Dave Fox

(Left) The Thornbury Town 2023-4 squad. (Right) The newly-extended clubhouse was open in time to serve a record crowd for the visit of Worcester City

thornburyvoice

n SPORT

Women improve as men win promotion

THORNBURY Hockey Club

finished the winter league season with the club's 2nd team entertaining a strong Lydney 3rds.

Although the young side lost 3-0, they were competitive throughout, creating a number of chances, but were denied by the visiting keeper.

Indeed it was a good day for keepers, as Thornbury's Lotti Webster pulled off numerous excellent saves to stop the visitors from scoring more goals.

The team has improved with every game, and the experience gained will leave the group ready for the new season.

Experienced heads Sarah Lally, Ella Clark, Mel Evans and Lauren Lever have guided the team's many promising youngsters throughout the season.

In the final game, Emily Board, Amy Long, Zoe Ashfield, Amelia Fitzgerald, Mati Evans, Rowan Bennett, Amy Stott and Beth Hunt all showed great promise for the

future.

After two successive promotions, Thornbury 1sts finished in a creditable 5th position in Berkeley 1,

the highlight being a 5-3 victory over eventual league winners Wick.

Thornbury Men’s side have gained promotion in their second season.

The team will have a new captain next season, following Pardip Bhogal's decision to step

down after two cracking seasons. The Thornbury junior section continues to flourish – more on this next month.

Hockey doesn’t stop during the summer: the ladies will take part in the summer league organised by South Glos Hockey Club at Bradley Stoke School, while the men will play in the Bristol summer league, with home games at Castle School. The club's mixed side will play games at Coombe Dingle, organised by Westberries Hockey Club.

David Parry-Jones

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