thornburyvoice
Moving on up
Marlwood School leavers Riley Wood, Tom Powell, Jasper Aghaei, Adam Mancey, Jed Roberts and Alfie Bradburn were among the thousands of GCSE students preparing for new challenges at new destinations after collecting their results. Exam round-up: Pages 4 to 7
New dawn for Armstrong Hall
THORNBURY'S Armstrong Hall complex will be refurbished and reopened "as quickly and as effectively as possible," it has been announced.
The Armstrong Hall Trust, which is responsible for the complex in Chapel Street, has decided to carry out the "refurbishment and renewal" of the existing buildings, including the smaller Cossham Hall, over an alternative option of selling the site and creating a new theatre space at Turnberrie's Community Centre.
The reopening plan has been helped by the "generous donation" of £350,000 offered by Maggie Lansdown, the wife of billionaire businessman Steve Lansdown.
Both the Armstrong Hall and Cossham Hall have been closed since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
New head at Marlwood
A NEW head teacher is taking over at Marlwood School this month.
PAGE 4
Health
centre plans
PLANS are being finalised for Thornbury's new health centre ahead of a planning application.
PAGE 10
Violence arrest
A CHARFIELD man has been charged with violent disorder in connection with disturbances at anti-immigration protests in Bristol.
PAGE 12
Blood drops
A THORNBURY woman who receives eye drops made from blood to treat a severe condition has thanked two of the donors who help her to see properly.
PAGE 11
Please contact Rowena Moncrieffe for further details…
The trust, which holds the site on behalf of the people of Thornbury, carried out a year-long appraisal process, involving three volunteer working groups.
Turn to page 3
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'Spiritual home' for arts
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A
member of the
Many
THE decision to reopen Thornbury's Armstrong Hall complex has been welcomed by arts groups in the town.
Before its closure in 2020 the Armstrong and Cossham halls regularly staged a variety of events, from talks and exhibitions to concerts and theatre productions.
One of the groups that called the Armstrong Hall home is the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group.
Chair Andy Hunt said: "We welcome the potential return of the Armstrong Hall – we do regard it as our spiritual home and it should be the beating heart of Thornbury for the arts.
"How quickly we can get back in there depends on the phased opening.
"We would like to do a concert to support the opening – we usually do one in May.
"If the Cossham Hall is open next year it would be wonderful to do it in there.
"We're speaking to people from other groups, orchestras, theatres and schools, about how we could celebrate together and bring the arts back into Thornbury.
"We're also acutely aware that because of the growth of Thornbury there's an outer belt that doesn't even know about Armstrong Hall and the history of the arts here.
"We need to tell the people of Thornbury, the Armstrong Hall is your venue – grab it, take ownership of it, tell the trust what you want and help make it work."
Thornbury Arts Festival has
been particularly hard-hit by the closure of its traditional home, where it ran events in both the Armstrong and Cossham halls, and hasn’t been able to run over its usual nine days ever since.
Problems in finding alternative venues mean organisers now have to put on events over fewer days in halls, schools and churches – some in Thornbury but others in surrounding villages.
Most of the venues are also smaller, meaning fewer tickets can be sold, and often lighting and sound systems have to be hired.
The festival committee said: "We have been very limited in recent years on what we can offer, as the venues constrain what we can do.
"We are very grateful to those running those venues for all their help and support, but a new chapter is hopefully opening and we are looking forward to having the Armstrong Hall complex functioning once again.”
Jill Dimond helped found the Armstrong Hall Action Alliance, a group dedicated to reopening the hall, which started in 2021.
Jill, who is also a member of TMTG, led the working group examining the refurbishment option for the trust.
She said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Thornbury now has a way forward.
"Everyone involved is excited at the prospects, and working really hard to realise long-held aspirations for benefiting the whole community in all kinds of ways."
members of Thornbury theatre and arts groups were at a meeting to discuss the hall's future in July
Hall will reopen 'as quickly as possible'
From page 1
During that time the option to demolish and completely rebuild the Armstrong Hall was ruled out on financial grounds, after the estimated cost was found to be up to £10 million.
The same concerns led to the scaling back of plans to build an entire new standalone theatre at Turnberrie's in Bath Road, which could have cost up to £9.6m.
That left the trust with a straight choice between two alternatives: reopening the existing site and carrying out a "phased refurbishment" at an initial cost of around £350,000 – or building a new "flexible performance space", with 300 retractable seats, on the side of Turnberrie's at a cost of around £2m.
This would have involved taking over the lease of the whole community centre and selling off the Armstrong Hall complex to fund the project.
Armstrong Hall Trust chair James Murray said refurbishment and renewal was "the right option for the town given the current economic climate".
It will involve three phases of work to "reinstate the town’s main arts asset as quickly as possible", with the Cossham Hall reopening in the second year of the project; the Turnberrie's option would not have been ready before 2027.
Mr Murray said: "We are confident that the chosen option will provide the best facility for the town, in the shortest space of time."
The promise of a £350,000
donation from Maggie Lansdown, whose husband cofounded financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown and owns Bristol City FC, was conditional on the trust choosing the refurbishment option.
During a meeting in July to discuss the options, an email from Mrs Lansdown, whose family has links to the town, was read out.
It said: "Just to be clear, this is only for the Cossham/Armstrong Hall Complex."
Mrs Lansdown also said: "After a suitable time and hopefully positive outcome we will be keen to consider further funding going forward."
The refurbishment option had
safeguarding facilities and procedures in place".
Mr Murray added: "Once this due diligence is complete, our hope is to sign a lease with a user group-led charitable organisation who can take the facility to new heights."
The opening phases of the refurbishment, involving the reopening of the Cossham Hall and foyer area during the first year, followed by the Armstrong Hall in the second year, would
Concept picture of the reopened Armstrong Hall complex by Steve Dimond
GCSE students celebrate 'fantastic' results
YEAR 11 pupils in schools across the Thornbury area were among more than 600,000 people across the country picking up their results in August.
This year's GCSE candidates were in Year 7 at the start of the pandemic, but are the first year to see no adjustments made to their results to take lost classroom learning into account, as part of plans to "return to normal".
Nationally, the number of GCSEs at grade 4 or above was down slightly – 67.4% compared with 67.8% on last year.
The percentage of GCSEs awarded at grade 7 and above –equivalent to an A or A* under the old marking system – was 21.7%, up from 21.6%.
At Marlwood School in Alveston, 74% of students successfully achieved the key measure of passing GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above –an increase of nearly 8% on last year.
The school said results overall had been "fantastic".
Among those whose performances were highlighted was Jamilla Bullock, who achieved 11 GCSEs at grade 9: a feat achieved by just 145 students in England this year.
Jamilla said: "I’m really happy with my results, and pleased that I beat my brothers!"
Sophie Evans gained seven grade 9s, Natasha Richardson achieved five grade 9s and
Jazmine Webb secured all 8s and 9s.
Beth Aubrey, Eleanor Baxter, Ben Chappell, Adash Gorkiewicz, Bettina Gimba and Lexi Milburn each achieved a series of top 9-7 grades.
The school said there were many other students "who have made exceptional progress and achieved grades to be very proud of".
They include Imogen Bevan, Oliver Blanch, Alfie Goard, Ava Green, Isabella Harraway-Sharp, George Jay, Adam Mancey, and Harvey Musgrove.
Pupils leave Marlwood after Year 11, and are heading to a variety of destinations for post-16 study, training or apprenticeships, including Castle School Sixth Form, South Gloucestershire College, Hartpury College, Boomsatsuma and Bradley Stoke Community School.
Executive head teacher Joe Docherty said: "I am really proud of the outstanding achievements of so many of our Year 11 students.
"I also want to thank the Marlwood staff for all of the hard work, care and support which they have given to students to help them achieve these grades."
"We at Marlwood are proud of each and every one of our students and wish them the very best for their future endeavours and the next step in their journeys."
New head starts at Marlwood
MARLWOOD School welcomes a new head of school this month.
Helen Simmons joins from Broadlands Academy in Keynsham where, as interim principal, she helped secure a recent 'good' Ofsted rating and accreditation as a High Performance Learning School.
She said: "I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have been chosen to continue to develop this fantastic school and lead it on its next stage of development.
"Being a mother of two girls, I am very much aware of the scale of responsibility of ensuring that the highest standards of teaching and learning is achieved to secure the best possible outcomes for the young people at Marlwood.
"We have a hugely committed and highly skilled staff team working hard to support our wonderful young people in both their academic and pastoral needs.
"By working together – staff, students and parents – it is my absolute belief that we have a unique opportunity to establish our school as one of the finest.
Ms Simmons said that she and the team at Marlwood would "continue to work together in achieving excellence, ensuring that all of our students fulfil their dreams and live happy and successful lives enabling them to go onto the highest performing and most well respected colleges, universities and worldclass employers".
Helen Simmons
Owen Wake and Isabella Harraway-Sharp with their results
Jamilla Bullock, who gained 11 grade 9 GCSEs, with Lily Turner
'Incredible' number of top grades at Castle
THE head of Thornbury's Castle School has hailed the "incredible feat" of GCSE students who gained more than 570 top grades between them.
Jessica Lobbett said 25% of all GCSE grades awarded to Castle students were at 7 or above – an A or A* under the previous system.
Ms Lobbett said pupils had achieved "an excellent set of GCSE results," with 52% of candidates achieving grades 5 and above including English and Maths.
She said: "I am immensely proud of all our students, and it has been wonderful to see the school community celebrating together this morning.
“We are proud that, across the cohort of 264 students, a total of 577 grade 7s, 8s or 9s have been achieved which is an incredible feat.
"As a result, our young people are all set to progress into our Sixth Form or colleges and apprenticeships of their choice."
The school's highest achievers included William Spacey, who sat 11 GCSEs, achieving ten grade 9s and a grade 8.
Mara Alexandroaie gained nine 9s and one grade 7, while Jorge Rey-Santiago sat 12 GCSEs, achieving eight 9s and four 8s.
Ben Edis gained seven 9s and four 8s, while Bailey Redman gained eight 9s, two 8s and a 6, and Naomi Bevan secured four 9s and five 8s.
Ms Lobbett said: "It is important to note, however, that the highest grades are certainly not the only measure of success, and for many of our students their results show an incredible personal achievement and significant progress.
"For example, staff were delighted by the results achieved by Drystan Lemoir, Izzy Rudrum, Fleur Hill, William Hinze and Lucas Imaguire Kretchek; in each case we are sure that their families and friends will be just as proud as we are of their achievements.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, and to parents and family members who have joined us in our educational endeavours.
"I wish the students every success for the next stage in their lives."
Jamie Dennis, Max Varney and Matthew Eastman pick up their results
Shannon Demmery with her results
Cookie Lau, Alanna Chan, Yulia Lau and Natalie Lau celebrate
Mara Alexandroaie takes a peek at her grades
n EXAM RESULTS
Castle students 'excel' in A-levels
LEADERS at The Castle School Sixth Form say this year's leavers achieved a set of "impressive" A-level results.
The school said 48% of all grades awarded were at A*-B, with a fifth of all grades at A*-A.
This year's students were the first to sit GCSEs after the pandemic, and their A-levels took place under the same system of grading that was in place in 2019.
Some of the top achievers highlighted by the school were Aron Saunders with, with four A* grades, Tamsin Shaw with three A*s, Zac Stowell, who gained four A grades and a grade A EPQ, and Rylan King, with four A grades.
Both Zac and Aron have won places at Oxford University, where Zac will be studying politics, philosophy and economics, and Aron will be studying maths.
Rylan is heading to Bristol University to study biology, and Tamsin will be studying dentistry at Manchester University.
The sixth form also highlighted students who made "significant progress" to secure places on their dream courses.
Felicity Whiteway and Yasser Nibouche will study medicine and computer science respectively at Bristol University, while Isobel Dennis will study art and design at SGS, and Niamh Lunny will study early childhood education and care with Norland Nannies.
The school said "vast majority" of students who applied had secured a place at their first-choice university.
Other students have secured apprenticeships, including Braden Hill, who will train in quality design engineering with GKN Aerospace.
A number of students are also moving into employment or training, including Bradley Duke, who is set to train at an estate agency, and Caitlyn Anning, who is joining the police.
Castle School head of sixth
form Catherine Cheese said: "We are proud of all students receiving their results this year; they have shown great commitment to their studies and dedication to their future goals.
"We wish the students the very best for their future endeavours."
Head teacher Jessica Lobbett said: "I am hugely proud of all of our students, both for their hard work and individual successes.
"They have not only excelled academically but have also become well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that
lie ahead.
"I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts in shaping the future of our young learners, and to parents and family members who have joined us in our educational endeavours.
"I wish the students every success for the next stage in their lives."
Across England, the government said top grades had risen from 26.5% at A* or A last year to 27.6% this year – also above the 25.2% recorded in 2019.
(Above) Adam Eastman, Zoe Vollborth, Rosie McLaren, Olivia Lomax, Jeanne Veron and Jenna-Lee Sherwell collect their results.
(Below) Harvey Elliott, Cole Parker, Callum Cain, Thomas Ford, Isobel Lambie and Lucy Evans
SGS celebrates 'impressive' results
STUDENTS at SGS Sixth form have achieved an "impressive set" of A-level, T-level and BTEC results, say tutors.
The college in Filton says 75% of learners attained grades A*-C in their A-levels, with 70.6% achieving an A* or A in maths, 77.5% achieving A*-B in psychology and 89.5% gaining an A*-C grade in biology.
The college described overall pass rates as "strong", with 97.3% of candidates achieving a grade in all of their qualifications.
The first T-level students, who studied the new qualification combining classroom learning and workplace experience, achieved a 100% pass rate.
Performances on BTEC courses were described as "excellent", with all students achieving pass grades and 60% of learners being awarded distinction or distinction* profiles.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud college has six main campuses from Bristol to Gloucestershire, with around 3,800 learners aged 16 to 18, the same number of adult learners and 900 apprentices.
Among those celebrating was T-level learner Kayla Date, of Patchway, who was awarded a distinction in early years and childcare and is heading to Bath
Spa University to study primary education. She hopes to become a primary school teacher.
Kayla said: "I am really happy with my results. I had such supportive teachers which helped me throughout my course and I am now really looking forward to going to university.”
Isaac Lee received an A* in A-level maths, and As in further maths and economics. He will study economics at Bristol University.
Isaac said: “I am very happy with my grades. I would really like to become a financial advisor and this is the first step in my journey.”
Ahmed Elhjaje will study sociology at the University of the West of England after achieving Bs in sociology and law, and an A in philosophy.
He said: “I have been stressing out so much but I am so happy. The teachers have been amazing and I don’t think I could have done it without
them."
Other students are set to start degree apprenticeships with major accountancy and building firms.
Head of SGS Sixth (academic) Becky Riddell said: "I am delighted with the achievements of each and every one of our learners.
"The grades they have achieved and the distance each learner has travelled is testament to their hard work, dedication and commitment to their studies at SGS.
"It is important to acknowledge our fantastic curriculum teachers and wider support teams, including our heads of year and well-being team, who have contributed to the academic success through their 121s, consistent and unwavering support and their extensive and exceptional subject expertise and pastoral care.
"Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
OPEN DAY - Tuesday 24 September
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Ahmed Elhjaje celebrates his A-level results with his mum
Hike in housing targets
NEW planning targets that will force a 30% rise in housebuilding in South Gloucestershire are a "fairytale" and a "disaster" for the area, critics say.
The new Labour government has announced what it calls “radical” changes to how many new homes each local authority should be required to find land for.
In South Gloucestershire it means an increase from 1,317 to 1,717 new homes every year over the next 15 years – a total of 6,000 more than currently planned.
Other authorities have also been told to allocate more land for housing, but Bristol’s target, like many urban areas, will fall by 10%, from 3,378 to 3,057 a year.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which underpins the planning system, in the House of Commons on July 30.
The reforms, subject to eight weeks of consultation, change the method used to calculate how many homes should be built in each area, with targets increased depending on how much higher property prices are than earnings.
Some existing Greenbelt land deemed to be low quality, such as disused petrol stations and car parks, will be redesignated “grey belt”, with less protection from development.
The reforms have been blasted by planning campaign group Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development (TRAPP’D).
A spokesperson for the group said: "Not only will this be a planning disaster for South Glos, and a return to the bad old days of 'planning by appeal', but this initiative is sure to fail in its fundamental aim to massively increase the number of new houses built, thereby making home-owning more affordable.
"The reason lies in the difference between planning for new houses – which must be done by local authorities – and actually delivering those houses, which is done by the
A protest against the latest Local Plan was held outside council offices in Kingswood in July
private sector, who will never build out sites at a rate that will see house prices fall."
TRAPP'd said the reforms could force South Gloucestershire to take other areas' shortfalls if they can't meet targets produced by a "mutant algorithm".
However the group believes "a significant expansion of Thornbury is extremely difficult to justify," and development would be more likely in the south of the district.
Ex-council leader and now Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young branded the proposals a “fairytale”.
She said: “I know how important it is that we see houses built – especially smaller, more affordable homes that young people and new families can afford to buy or rent.
“But seeking to simply jack up the topdown targets without addressing concerns about supporting infrastructure or protecting our green spaces is not the way to make this happen.
“Here in South Gloucestershire, we’re already struggling to meet current targets –never mind having to also locate space for
6,000 extra properties. It’s frankly a fairytale."
South Gloucestershire opposition
Conservative councillors have criticised the plans as an “attack” on the district’s countryside and promised to fight them.
They say the changes come on top of plans already being pursued by the council’s Lib Dem/Labour administration that would see the “wholesale destruction of large swathes of greenbelt land”, particularly on the eastern fringe of the district.
Group leader Cllr Sam Bromiley said: "These new rules are yet another attack on South Gloucestershire’s precious green spaces and we will continue to fight them every step of the way."
In July campaigners held a demonstration outside a council cabinet meeting, as Lib Dem/Labour coalition members approved the next stage of a 15-year blueprint for the district’s future.
It added a further 17 sites, nine in the greenbelt, to those already identified, potentially allowing the development of 22,241 homes from 2025 to 2040.
That would represent almost 1,500 new homes a year, which is more than in previous blueprints but still short of the new government target of 1,717, which could require the council to go back and find even more sites for housing.
A council spokesperson said the authority would "evaluate the impacts" of Ms Rayner’s announcement of proposed reforms as part of its current Local Plan consultation, as the changes "have implications across our Local Plan".
The council is inviting comments on the latest stage of its Local Plan until September 13 at southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplan.
People who are not online can call the council on 01454 868009.
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Health centre plans drawn up
PLANS are being drawn up for Thornbury's new health centre.
Funding for the new health centre on the former Thornbury Hospital site was announced by the outgoing Conservative government in May, shortly before the general election was called.
It included £1.3 million to fund a "business case" for the rebuild, as part of a £14.4m total award.
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which funds health services in the area, is working with South Gloucestershire Council, which owns the hospital site, to draw up designs for the new centre.
A planning application will be submitted for the building in the autumn, ahead of the submission of the full business case to the government in February next year.
The ICB, council and GP practices are now asking residents and patient groups to comment on them.
The new centre will provide a new home for Streamside Surgery and Severn Vale Family Practice, with 24 consulting rooms and three treatment rooms for communitybased health services.
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB chief executive Shane
Devlin said:
"We are pleased to be working closely with South Gloucestershire Council to bring forward the development of a brand-new health centre for Thornbury, which will form a key part of the regeneration of this site.
“Once finished, the health centre will provide both practices with the space and facilities needed to enable them to continue to deliver outstanding care for many years to come.”
Council cabinet member for corporate resources Adam Monk said: "We appreciate that the people of Thornbury have been waiting a long time for new facilities.
"We are pleased to be working in partnership with the ICB to take forward this work to design the new GP surgery buildings.
"They will complement the Extra Care Housing facilities we hope to deliver on the rest of the site. Combined, these programmes will bring the site back into use for the benefit of the health and wellbeing of the town."
Stephanie Celso, Practice Manager at Streamside Surgery, and Susan Bryan, Practice Manager at Severn View Family Practice, said: "We are really excited to be progressing towards the development of a state-of-the-art health centre for our patients."
The council announced that an information session would be held at St Mary’s Hall in Thornbury on August 29 between 3pm and 7pm, although the announcement was made after August's Voice had gone to print.
The plans are also available to view and comment on at tinyurl.com/ycn8cpnt –although only until September 4.
Patients happy with Thornbury surgeries
MORE than eight out of ten patients have a good experience with their GP surgery in the Thornbury area – above the national average.
The latest annual NHS GP Patient Survey, found that 80% of patients at Severn View Family Practice, at Thornbury Health Centre in Eastland Road, said they had a good experience, down slightly from 81% last year but above the national average of 75%.
At neighbouring Streamside Surgery 89% of patients had a good experience, up from 85% last year.
At St Mary Street Surgery 88% of patients were happy with their experience, down slightly from 90% in 2023, and at Almondsbury Surgery the number was 86%, down slightly on last year's 87% satisfaction rating.
Asked if they had problems getting through to their surgery on the phone, at Severn View 49% of patients said it was easy – down from 59% last year and below the national average of 50%.
At Streamside 88% found it easy – the same percentage as last year.
At St Mary Street 68% of patients reported no problems getting through, up from 65% last year.
The number of people who could get through easily to Almondsbury fell from 72% to 65%.
When it came to booking appointments, at Severn View 54% were offered a choice of appointment and 72% felt they waited the right amount of time to be seen, against a national average of 53% and 66% respectively.
At Streamside only 54% of patients were offered a choice, with 79% saying they waited the right amount of time.
At St Mary Street, 57% of patients were offered a choice of appointment times or days, with 74% saying they waited the right amount of time.
Almondsbury Surgery was able to offer 57% of its patients a choice, with 80% satisfied that they waited the right amount of time for an appointment.
The survey was published as GPs voted overwhelmingly to take 'work-to-rule' action, including limiting the number of patient appointments per day, as representative body the British Medical Association warned practices had reached a "desperate point" due to underfunding and extra pressures.
A spokesperson for NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which is in charge of funding surgeries, said: "“We welcome this valuable feedback on local GP services and are pleased to see that results across our area are above the national average in many areas of the survey, including people’s overall experience of their GP Practice, the trust patients have in their healthcare professional and how helpful our GP reception and administrative teams are.
"We also recognise there are areas for improvement, and we are continuing to work together with all our practices and wider partners to share learning and support each other to deliver high-quality services to patients."
The new health centre will be on the former Thornbury Hospital site
Carolyn thanks donors who help her see
A THORNBURY woman who receives eye drops made from blood to treat a severe condition has thanked two of the donors who help her to see properly.
Carolyn Frost, aged 75, can’t produce her own tears due to the condition, known as dry eye.
She said: “Severe dry eye is a horrible thing to have.
"I can feel it burning hot sometimes. My eyes get hot, red and uncomfortable. There’s a scratchy feeling and my vision is quite blurred.
“It becomes painful to use your eyes. It’s quite disabling. I really struggle to see.
“It’s amazing they can use blood to make eye drops."
Carolyn, who has three children and seven grandchildren, has had the condition since childhood, and started on the blood-based eye drops around a year ago.
The process of creating them starts with blood donors giving blood as normal, which is then allowed to clot.
After 48 hours, the clot is removed, and serum is separated and diluted to make eye drops.
After quality checks are completed, the drops are sent directly to the patients and must be stored in the freezer.
Each donation normally provides enough serum eye drops to last three to four months.
Carolyn thanked blood donors Martin Wilson, of Bristol, and Martin Darwin, from Warrington, when she met them at the Bristol Blood Donor Centre at Southmead Hospital.
She said: "It’s been amazing and fascinating to learn about the whole process.
"I would just urge people to give blood."
Martin Wilson, a retired Rolls-Royce engineer, has donated blood about 80 times.
He said: "It’s great to donate but to actually meet a recipient of your own blood and understand how much difference they think it has made to their life is incredible."
Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Omar Elhaddad, of UH Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Serum drops greatly improve life quality for most patients, like Carolyn, and can even be sight-saving.
"I am very grateful for blood donors. Their generous and valuable donations really can change people's lives."
NHS Blood and transplant consultant Dr Akila Chandrasekar said: "Serum eye drops can be made from the patient’s own blood, however around 80% of the patients who need this treatment rely on blood from volunteer donations.
"Blood is complex and can be used in many ways."
To become a blood donor, visit www. blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.
Your Outstanding Care Home in Thornbury Your Outstanding Care Home in Thornbury
Carolyn Frost meets donors Martin Wilson and Martin Darwin, along with staff at Bristol Blood Donor Centre 4
Garage shop raided
POLICE are appealing for witnesses and information after thieves broke into a shop at a Thornbury garage.
The raid happened at the Spar shop at Thornbury Motors, in Grovesend Road, in the early hours of August 7, and the thieves targeted cigarettes.
A police spokesperson said several people called 999 at about 12.15am, reporting the burglary.
The spokesperson said: "Officers attended just over 10 minutes later and found the door smashed. "The thieves had damaged fittings, smashed bottles of alcohol and set off a fire extinguisher as well as taking cigarettes.
"Up to four people wearing dark clothing were reportedly involved, and they made off in a dark-coloured car."
Police called on anyone who has information about the burglary or is offered tobacco products in suspicious circumstances to call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5224 206 225.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111, or online.
After the incident the shop's owners thanked residents for their support.
They said: "Much of the shop was left with a large amount of damage, including smashed alcohol and fire extinguishers being set off.
"We do know that there were four masked males who left in a car with one of the extinguishers following the break-in, which was found this morning down the road.
"Please if anyone has any information, get in touch – anything may help!
"On a slightly happier note, we want to say a massive thank you to all that have helped in the clean up effort, and are immensely grateful for all the continued support.
"Given everything going on currently, it is important to remember kindness costs nothing."
Man charged with violence
A CHARFIELD man has been charged with violent disorder in connection with disturbances at anti-immigration protests in Bristol.
Benjamin Tavener, aged 35, appeared before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on August 14, following a police investigation into violence in the city centre over several hours on August 3, firstly in Castle Park and then
Maria, Bristol “ ”
outside a hotel that houses asylum seekers on Redcliff Hill.
Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters were on the streets of the city, faced by antiracism counter protesters.
Tavener entered no plea to the charges and is due to appear again in September.
As the Voice went to print, 33 people had been arrested, 21 had been charged and nine sent to prison following disturbances.
Arrest after crash
A WOMAN has been arrested after a crash which left two other people injured.
Two people were taken to Southmead Hospital after the incident on Alveston Hill shortly after 8pm on August 9, a woman who suffered two broken wrists and a man with whiplash injuries.
Police said the incident involved two vehicles.
A spokesperson said: "A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of driving unfit through drink or drugs. She has since been released under investigation."
It was hard but I’m so glad we had that conversation.
It was hard but I’m so glad we had that conversation.
Officers have called on anyone who witnessed the collision or the events leading up to it to call 101 and quote the incident reference 5224 209 527.
It was hard but I’m so glad we had that conversation.
Together we planned a proper send off for mum, a whole morning to celebrate her life with the music and poetry she loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories.
Together we planned a proper send off for mum, a whole morning to celebrate her life with the music and poetry she loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories.
Together we planned a proper send off for Mum, a whole morning to celebrate her life with the music and poetry she loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories
Maria, Bristol
Reconnecting our rural railways
JULY was an interesting time to become an MP.
With just a few weeks before the summer recess, I arrived in Westminster to find Parliament awash with new MPs trying to find their footing.
With over 300 first-time MPs, there was a clamour to take part in those first few debates and I was fortunate to be one of those able to make my first speech in those early days.
A maiden speech is usually focused on introducing your constituency and yourself to other MPs – that’s why I chose to make mine during a debate about the future of our railways.
This is an issue I care deeply about, because I believe improving our railway connectivity can unlock huge potential for our area, and ensure that everyone is able to make the most of local opportunities.
In the debate, I highlighted
the many ways where the Government can act to make a real difference for local railway users.
In particular, I spoke about how redeveloping Yate station to improve accessibility, maintaining funding for halfhourly services, and opening new stations at Coalpit Heath and Thornbury, as well as the already planned one at Charfield, would help people get where they need to go.
I also spoke about the benefit
of fully reopening Pilning station, of protecting the Severn Beach line from flooding, and called for an immediate freeze of rail fares.
As the former leader of South Gloucestershire Council, I know just how transformative these steps could be – coupled with fixing the disjointed ticketing system and connecting bus routes up with train services.
I am concerned that the Government is, at present, too focused on who runs our railways rather than the actual services that are delivered.
Ultimately, most people I speak to just want to see a train service that runs on time, that they can afford, and which properly connects them with where they want to go.
That’s why I wrote to the Transport Secretary after the debate to further raise the need for these local improvements to urge them to focus on
reconnecting our rural railways – so we can ensure everyone is able to get around, make the most of opportunities to work and simply get out to enjoy our countryside.
For too long we’ve seen our public transport links run down and hollowed out. This is something I will continue to fight to reverse, and I promise to do all I can to see our area gets the investment and fair deal that we deserve.
Loft Boarding & Insulation
Claire Young MP writes for Thornbury Voice
Claire Young making her maiden speech
New hosts needed for Ukrainian families
UKRAINIAN children living in and around Thornbury tried their hand at pottery at workshops organised by supporters.
The workshops were held at Thornbury’s Methodist Church Hall to help keep the children, refugees from the Russian invasion of their country, entertained during the school holidays.
They were given tips by Derek North of Thornbury’s Flying Pig Pottery and Nick Ruff, a potter from Frampton Cotterell.
The potters gave their services and materials free for the event and the church did not charge for use of the hall for the events on August 12 and 19.
Barbara Ray, who helped organise the event, said: "None of the children who attended the workshops had previously had a chance to get such expert advice or the facilities to experiment with all the tools of the trade provided by Derek from his studio.
"A veritable menagerie of small clay animals emerged from all their efforts including tortoises, bears, cats, snakes, fish and even a mermaid, not to mention individual signs, plaques, mugs and unidentified monsters.
"A huge thank you to Derek and Nick.
"The workshops left the children in excited anticipation to see their handiwork in splendid shiny colours in a few weeks'
n LETTERS
See reason over lithium
I HAVE been following the discourse on the lithium battery storage plant planned for Alveston, and what is disconcerting is the quoting of incorrect facts from elected representatives who should be better informed.
Regarding the letter from Marion Reeve (Voice, August) lithium is not mined by fracking.
Fracking is the injection of high-pressure liquids into the ground to break up the rocks to release gas and oil.
When mining lithium, water is indeed pumped into the ground, but not at pressure, as there is no intention of breaking up the rocks. Lithium is contained in mineral salts, and the water is used to dissolve them.
The resulting brines are then put into evaporation pools to gradually extract the wanted metal compounds over time, and the environmental concern would be over the amount of water needed to do this.
One of the by-products from some fracking in the US is also lithium, as it is present in some of the fracked rocks and is dissolved in the fracking liquids. But this is a by-product rather than the main aim of the fracking.
The letter also referred to the toxicity of lithium, but it should be borne in mind that lithium is given to patients with bipolar disorder. As with many elements, small amounts are
Children try their hand at pottery
time, after Derek has individually baked and glazed all the items and animals."
The workshops were held as South Gloucestershire Council renewed its call for residents to offer accommodation to Ukrainians seeking shelter from the ongoing war.
So far 360 people in the district have opened their homes to around 576
Ukrainian refugees, but the council is preparing for at least 70 further arrivals in the coming months as the conflict continues.
Support for hosting is provided by Government funding, with the role of the council being to identify and prepare hosts and connect guests with the support they will need to adapt to life in the UK.
Hosts receive a comprehensive package of support, including financial assistance, practical and emotional support.
Organised by the council’s Resettling Communities team, we will arrange monthly ‘thank you’ payments of £500 for every host. This was increased from £350 per month in April this year in recognition of ongoing cost of living pressures, but also to recognise the tremendous contribution which our hosts make in supporting refugees.
Trevor and Eryl Daniels, hosts from Thornbury said: “Our intention in hosting Ukrainians was to help a mother and child, but we never thought how much they would help us by enriching our lives.
"We have gained so much from the experience and established a connection for life.”
To find out more about hosting, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ukraine.
needed by the body, but large amounts can cause toxic side effects.
Cllr Reeve finished the letter stating that there are alternatives. Perhaps the alternatives could be detailed, together with the positives and negatives, so that we can have an informed decision on what we need to do?
With the increase in electrification, we need new ways of capturing excess power for deployment when renewables cannot match demand.
Batteries may be one solution, whether lithium or otherwise.
But while we have ill-informed discussions, a properly reasoned debate and decision will not be arrived at.
Darren Galpin Thornbury
Thanks for donation
THE Thornbury and District Cancer Research UK Committee would like to thank the Tesoro Lounge, Thornbury, for their generous donation of £621, received from ticket sales and a collection from their Musical Bingo Event on August 2.
It’s a bit early to think about Christmas, but please save the date of our annual Autumn Fayre raising funds for Cancer Research.
It is taking place on October 19 at St Helens School, Alveston, from 10am-12.30pm.
Entry is free, with tea and coffee available and various stalls, including Christmas goods and cards for sale.
We look forward to having your support raising funds for valuable research into the many forms of cancer.
Try volunteering
THORNBURY Volunteer Centre invites you to join us at a volunteer fair this month.
It takes place on September 11 between 9am1pm in St Mary Shopping Centre.
There will be charitable and volunteering stalls who will be promoting their organisations, publicising volunteering opportunities and selling a wide range of goods.
Please visit us and find out how you can make a difference to your local community.
This event is sponsored by the St Mary Centre, Thornbury and South Glos Council.
Thornbury Volunteer Centre can be contacted via mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk
Thornbury Volunteer Centre
Lynfa Fisher Thornbury and District CRUK
n MESSAGE FROM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER
Violent few do not represent us
THE recent riots we witnessed nationally were deeply troubling.
We saw a small but violent group instil fear in our communities and bring chaos and disorder to our streets.
Since that Saturday night we have seen disruption reverberate across our area.
What took place was not a protest: what we witnessed were criminal acts, plain and simple.
These actions do not reflect the values of the Avon and Somerset area. We are known for our strong, diverse and vibrant community, where people from all walks of life live peacefully alongside one another.
The scenes we witnessed are a stark reminder of how a few can disrupt the harmony that so many work hard to maintain.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the police officers who were on the front lines, displaying professionalism and courage in the face of direct attacks aimed at them
individually.
Their dedication to protecting the public and maintaining order, while distinguishing between legitimate protest and criminal behaviour, is commendable.
The individuals involved are now facing the consequences of their decisions, with the whole criminal justice system recognising the need to respond quickly and firmly.
It is essential that we send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated and that those who engage in violence and disorder will be held accountable.
No one should feel they cannot live their lives as normal, living in fear of Islamophobic or racist attacks.
I want to reassure our residents that I will continue to engage with our diverse communities to ensure everyone feels safe and supported.
I also encourage anyone who is the target of attacks or witnesses them to report them to the police or Crimestoppers.
Our response to those that want
to divide us should be to find new ways to develop our understanding of each other and create connections, and build on existing work to bring people together.
We must focus on what kind of place we want Avon and Somerset to be.
I am deeply committed to using my role to achieve real, tangible outcomes.
One way I will do this is by developing a police and crime plan to guide policing priorities and strategies over the next five years.
I have spent the past few months listening to people across our area, and identified five key priorities that reflect your concerns: strengthening neighbourhood policing, reducing violent crime, preventing crime, supporting victims, and improving the standards of policing.
Your input is crucial in shaping this plan: you are best placed to speak about the needs and concerns of your area and identify changes that will really make a difference.
n NEWS
Will Writing
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With Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody
It’s important to me that your voices are heard, which is why I hope you will participate in a consultation underway until October 28.
The feedback I receive will directly influence how the issues that matter most to you are tackled.
You can get involved via my website at tinyurl.com/rxzaj6cw, where there is an online survey and details of public forum meetings.
If you are not online you can contact 01278 646188 for details of how to participate.
New schools trust forms
A NEW schools trust for primaries in South Gloucestershire is preparing to enter its first full academic year.
The Mosaic Partnerships Trust was formed earlier this year and comprises 12 schools across South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire that chief executive Andrew Best says were "already working in partnership, were seeing the benefits and wanted to formalise the relationship".
The schools include Gillingstool Primary in Thornbury, Parkwall Primary in Cadbury Heath, St Michael’s Church of England Primary in Winterbourne, The Ridge Junior School and Broadway Infant School in Yate.
All of the schools are currently rated as 'good' by regulator Ofsted.
Mr Best said: "The Trust is overseen by trustees who have a wealth of educational, charity and business experience.
"The central team is responsible for all 12 schools and works with the headteachers and staff on areas from the quality of
education to school buildings.
"Education funding remains a challenge for the system as a whole but we work hard collectively to ensure we use our resources strategically."
Mr Best said the schools feel the value of working together in a multi-school trust.
He said: "The schools benefit from working together collaboratively and learning from the wealth of best practice that exists.
"As some functions such as finance and estates are managed centrally this allows staff to focus on the core business of the quality of education."
Chief executive Andrew Best
Show is a tribute to Geoff
THORNBURY Musical Theatre Group's latest production, Made in Dagenham, will be dedicated to the late Geoff Kitchen.
Made in Dagenham was the last production that Geoff, a much-loved and valued member who sadly passed away in May, had a hand in getting off the ground.
Working tirelessly to secure the theatrical rights, and also hoping to perform in next month's production as a Dagenham boy, the group thought it was rather fitting to dedicate the show to his memory.
Based on real-life events, Made in Dagenham follows the story of the women of the Ford Dagenham car factory and their fight for equal pay and equality in the 1960s.
Filled from start to finish with toe-tapping musical numbers, large ensemble pieces and
A Third Time Lucky ceilidh
CEILIDH band Third Time Lucky will lead the crowd at a charity barn dance in the town this month.
The band of siblings, who grew up in Thornbury and the surrounding area, raised more than £500 at their gig in March for WaterAid, which provides clean water, sanitation and hygiene around the world.
Third Time Lucky have performed at festivals across the UK and hosted several ceilidhs in the area before.
The band promises an evening
humour throughout, we promise this will be a show you do not want to miss!
Made in Dagenham will be performed from Wednesday October 30 to Saturday November 2 at the Olympus Theatre in Filton, with weekday evening performances at 7.30pm, and Saturday shows at 2pm and 7pm.
Tickets can be purchased via our website at www.tmtg.org.uk.
They can also be bought in person by visiting Lisa Costa Residential Sales and Lettings on Thornbury High Street, or over the phone by calling our Box Office line on: 07516 270140.
What are you waiting for? Come and join the strike!
Matt Spencer
Geoff Kitchen
of traditional dances, with their own callers and band.
They are at St Mary's Church Hall on September 7 from 7-9.30pm.
A spokesperson for the band said: "Whether you've never been to a ceilidh before, or are a seasoned dancer, everyone is welcome at our familyfriendly ceilidh.
"We'll play the music, we'll tell you the dances, all you need to do is turn up ready for a boogie!
Tickets are available at tinyurl. com/2k3njb2e priced at £10 adult and £5 for children, with a special rate for Ukrainian refugees.
For more information email thirdtimelucky303@gmail.com
Arts Festival countdown begins
THE countdown has started for this year’s Thornbury Arts Festival, which starts at the end of the month.
More events have been added to the programme, which features comedy, folk music and light opera, and venues and dates confirmed for the headliners.
Two Saturday afternoon talks have also been organised, as well as an expected sell-out guided walk led by local historian Meg Wise.
This year’s two-hour Sunday morning walk around the town is called God, Gossip, Scandal and Riot, and will take place on September 29.
Demand is always high for Meg’s walks, due to their popularity and limitations on numbers.
NHS anaesthetist, comedian and author Ed Patrick is a festival headliner, visiting as part of his debut Catch Your Breath tour, on October 4 in Olveston and
Tockington Parish Hall.
The show shares its title with Ed’s book, which follows his journey from bewildered medical student to unflinching anaesthetist on the NHS frontline, and will be for over-16s only.
It is one of several evening events, all of which start at 7.30pm.
These include a performance by folk duo Filkin’s Drift, who made headlines when completing an 870-mile tour on foot around the coast of Wales.
Musicians Seth Bye and Chris Roberts carried their instruments to nearly 50 venues during the 60day challenge last year.
They will perform at Thornbury’s Christ the King Church Hall on October 5.
The church will also host a concert version of The Pirates of Penzance by the Bristol Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society on September 28.
Armstrong Arts Group
MUSICIANS from the Bristol Ensemble will return to Thornbury for Mozart by Candlelight.
Violinist Roger Huckle will lead the musicians in a programme of enchanting movements from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Clarinet Quintet in A and Divertimento in F. Roger Huckle set up the musicians' collective in 1994. This prestigious orchestra performs classical, popular, jazz and contemporary concerts around the country. Their performances are stunning, uplifting and not to be missed.
The concert is on October 11 at 7.30pm in the United Reformed Church in Chapel Street, Thornbury.
Tickets include an interval drink and cost £20 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or 01454 850933.
Jane Parfitt
Drift
Saturday talks will take place in Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, including one on the conservation work of Bristol Zoological Society on September 28.
The second, on October 5, features Bristol designer and letterpress printer Nick Hand, who will talk about his two-wheeled project to travel the country in support of public libraries.
He is visiting libraries on a
special bike made to carry a small printing press that produces bookmarks, each design being inspired by the words and images of writers and artists.
Details of all events and tickets can be found on the website, www. thornburyartsfestival.org.uk, and on flyers distributed locally.
Lynne Hutchinson
Filkin’s
thornburyvoice
n WHAT'S ON
SEPTEMBER
September 2
ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION MEETING, Alveston Jubilee Hall, 7.30pm. Talk: The History & Restoration of Painswick Rococo Garden, with Dominic Hamilton.
September 3
THORNBURY ART CLUB TUESDAY PAINTING STUDIO GROUP, Every Tuesday, St Mary’s Church Hall, 1.30-4.30pm. Call 01454 414433 for more details. Also Thursday group, every Thursday in September at same venue and time. Call 0777 627 1010.
September 3
CIRCLE DANCING to music from around the world, traditional and modern. Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court, 6.308.30pm. Also on 10th and 17th. New dancers welcome, no experience or partner required. More details at vickislade1@outlook.com or call 07516 999384.
September 7
THIRD TIME LUCKY BAND CHARITY CEILIDH FOR WATERAID, St Mary's Church Hall, 7-9.30pm. Tickets £10 adult, £5 child available at tinyurl. com/2k3njb2e. More information at thirdtimelucky303@gmail.com.
September 7
ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP
PRESENTS Old Baby Mackerel, bluegrass music at the Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury, 7.30pm. Tickets £15 from AAGThornbury@gmail.com or 01454 850933.
September 10
EASTWOOD GARDENERS' CLUB MEETING, Turnberrie's Community Centre, Thornbury, 7.30pm. Nicola Webber will give a talk on 'Organic Blooms'. Visitors welcome.
September 15
SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT at St. Mary’s Church, Thornbury, 4pm. Rosie Evans (soprano) and Malcolm Kittle (piano), followed by refreshments. Free entry, retiring collection – proceeds to St Mary’s
Music Fund. All welcome.
September 15
GLIMMER OF LIGHT annual gathering to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Bristol Memorial Woodlands, hosted by Sunflowers Suicide Support, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free and all welcome. Booking essential – register at tinyurl.com/ yr8dtzcb.
September 24
THORNBURY ART CLUB September Club Night, St Mary’s Church Hall, 7.15pm. Demonstration by Paul Weaver: Alla Prima Flowers in Water Soluble Oils. Members free, non-members welcome - £6 on the door. More details at www. thornburyartclub.co.uk or call 01454 414433.
September 25
ALVESTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY meeting at Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Talk: Muller Orphan Homes, with Dr Kate Brooks. Visitors welcome.
September 28
MEET YOUR COUNCILLOR at Thornbury Town Hall, High Street, 10am-12.30pm. Meet your local town councillors and share your concerns.
October 4
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Our friendly legal experts are always on hand to provide practical, common sense advice at a fair price.
If you’re looking for help with any of the services here, we’re the people to talk to.
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, 10-11.30am. All welcome
Thursday
THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE presents Fallen Leaves, love story set in Helsinki. Thornbury Methodist Church Upper Hall, 7pm. Members free. Guests £5. More details at www.thornburypicturehouse.org.
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 10am-noon. No appointment needed.
n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the Chantry Community and Arts Centre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come along
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.
n THORNBURY LIBRARY
THORNBURY Library is inviting people to come and enjoy a free hot drink during staffed opening days between 9.30am and 4pm from September 9.
The library hosts Ukrainian storytime sessions 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 9.3010am.
Book group Have You Read…? meets on September 6 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.
You can 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.
n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR
n COMMUNITY NEWS Fun Palace returns
THORNBURY'S popular Fun Palace community event will return for a fourth year in October.
Fun Palaces are community events celebrating the skills, passions and cultures of local people.
It is an event run by, for, and with the community.
The event on October 5 is being planned by a team of co-producers representing our community and all of the activities at the event will be led by people and organisations volunteering to share something they love with local people.
Everyone was able to join in and discover something new at last year's event, with 22 fun, free activities happening across 12 locations around the town.
This year the event will take place at St Mary Centre, Thornbury Leisure Centre and the Pod by the Thornbury Skatepark.
We will see the return of popular activities from Thornbury Library, Panache steel band, Thornbury Leisure Centre and youth-led fun at JIGSAW Thornbury.
Thornbury Fun Palace is
New powers will bring more growth
THE new government has made economic growth its overriding mission.
That’s also been mine. Growing the economy is how we improve living standards for everyone and create the wealth we need to help get our public services back on track, and improve things like public transport.
You won’t be surprised to learn that I completely support this national focus on economic growth. As West of England regional mayor, I have a key role in helping the government to deliver this ambition.
Indeed, one of the very first meetings our new Prime Minister held at 10 Downing Street, just four days after being elected, was with all the regional mayors of England.
He wanted to make clear to us the vital role we have to help deliver the new government’s objectives against a backdrop of very, very tough economic circumstances.
Compared to the other regions outside London, the West of England has a very strong economy. We can take pride in that, and the major contribution we make to UK national wealth.
But our wealth is not spread widely or fairly enough locally.
If we harness our untapped potential, our
region can become an even greater economic powerhouse, raising living standards right across Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
We already have an important record of delivery across the West of England.
Just last month, the West of England Combined Authority Committee approved £9 million of investment into the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone.
When finished, this site will offer state-of-the-art facilities for new and growing businesses, and create up to 1,300 jobs for local people. Creating jobs outside of the most populated areas will also help ease congestion and shorten people’s commutes.
The Somer Valley is just one of the focussed growth zones that we have in the West of England, along with the West Innovation Arc in South Gloucestershire, Bath to Bristol Corridor and the Severn Estuary. All will be key to local and national wealth creation.
By focusing on our areas of strength, and taking a strategic approach to the infrastructure needs of the region, we can deliver greater returns on investment and attract even more money – private as well as government.
It is also essential that we give all our workforce
co-produced by a community planning committee, including representatives from JIGSAW Thornbury, South Gloucestershire Council, My Thornbury, KRUNCH Southwest and Thornbury Leisure Centre, with support from the St Mary Centre.
Come and enjoy fun, free activities aimed at the whole community and all age groups between 10am and 2pm.
Got a secret skill you would like to share with your community? Get in touch with the team at thornburyfunpalaces@ jigsawthornbury.org.uk.
the skills they require to make full use of the new opportunities.
Through services like Skills Connect, my mayoral combined authority has already helped thousands of local people find training and new jobs.
The government will give me as mayor more new powers over employment and skills, that will allow us to go much further and more quickly.
The progress we’ve made so far across the West of England is good, but I’m determined to use these new mayoral powers and responsibilities to bring about greater economic success in the future –something you, your family, and our region deserve.
Lisa Straccia JIGSAW Thornbury
Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice
Panache steel band at fun Palaces 2023. Picture: Rich McD
Thornbury Town Council
OVER the past few months Thornbury Town Council has been trialling a new management plan for its open spaces, aiming to make them better places for humans and animals alike.
Among these initiatives, the Town Council invited the community to help decorate hedgehog houses following Hedgehog Awareness Week, aiming to connect people with nature and foster a sense of stewardship.
Over 30 people turned up at the Town Hall and adorned six lovely hedgehog homes.
At the end of the activity, there was a lucky draw with a hedgehog house kit and hedgehog
wildflower seed bombs as rewards for the participants’ efforts.
With all the new habitats now in place, the town council encourages residents to explore their open spaces and keep a lookout for these adorable creatures, becoming their guardians in the process.
Looking ahead, plans are underway to construct more bug hotels in the autumn, further enriching the biodiversity of Thornbury.
To stay updated on these initiatives and learn how to get involved, residents are encouraged to visit the Town Council's website or sign up for their e-news.
Ming Yan Cheung Climate and Nature Officer
Thornbury and District League of Friends
THORNBURY and District League of Friends has now celebrated three very successful years of community grant awards and support to deserving health-related causes.
Since the closure of Thornbury Hospital at the end of 2018, we have also continued to support the outpatients in St Mary Centre.
Examples of grant recipients to date include Jigsaw, Haven Memory Café, Krunch, Phase, Great Western Air Ambulance, Thornbury Community Permaculture Project, lip-reading classes and St
Mary’s School PTA.
This year’s grant-giving programme encourages local organisations to apply for a grant towards any health-related project supporting our charitable aims for which they might need our financial assistance.
We welcome your interest and will consider all requests carefully.
This year's programme will start with a grant programme launch event on October 18 at St Mary’s Church Hall, at 7.30pm.
Applications will then be open, with the last date for grant application submissions on November 15.
On November 21 we will announce who grants have been awarded to at our AGM, at St Mary’s Church Hall, at 7.30pm.
If you need any further information regarding the programme, please email abates1101@msn. com.
We do need several more active members to help us put on future events, so if you are interested in assisting in any way, please contact me at the same address.
You can also find updates on our Facebook page.
We look forward to another rewarding year of supporting health and well-being in our local community.
Andrea Bates Thornbury & District League of Friends
The winners of the hedgehog house kit
Thornbury
Rotary Club
THE new Rotary year saw Guy Rawlinson hand over the presidency of Thornbury Rotary Club to Mark Wilkinson.
This marked the culmination of a very successful year for Guy, in which the club raised over £15,000.
These funds are being put to good use through donations to local charities and good causes,
including St Peter’s Hospice, Brace Dementia Research, Thornbury in Bloom, Mothers for Mothers, the Kids In event at New Siblands School and the international charity Butterfly Space, amongst many more.
Mark said: "There is an exciting year ahead for Thornbury Rotary Club. We will be continuing to support local community groups wherever we can.
"I’m particularly looking forward to the competitions that we will be running, which give the opportunity for local young people to demonstrate their talents in music, golf, public speaking and leadership skills.
"The first of the two main charities for my year as president is the Thornbury Stroke Support Group, whose aim is to relieve the needs and provide support for persons affected by a stroke through regular meetings, therapy and activities.
"The second is the Friends of Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, a charity which supports patients at Bristol and South Gloucestershire’s leading cancer specialist centre."
Rotary raises funds through its ever-popular duck races, quizzes and bucket collections.
The primary fundraiser is the annual Swimarathon and plans are underway for the next one on March 7 to 8 next year, at Thornbury Leisure Centre.
This is a great community event, with teams from schools, cubs, guides and scouts, local sports clubs and social groups all coming together to take part in the fun.
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If local charities need support for their work they are encouraged to get in touch with Thornbury Rotary Club.
For more information about Rotary in Thornbury and the Swimarathon email thornburyrotaryclub@gmail.com
Bernard Amos
Carers Support Centre
DID you know that Carers Support Centre Bristol and South Gloucestershire has a dedicated team working to help support unpaid carers?
Our GP carer liaison workers work with GP practices providing information, guidance and support for carers, including: helping you access services; offering emotional support and advice relevant to your caring role; helping you communicate needs or concerns to health professionals; helping you look at financial support and benefits for you and the person you care for; advice on whether you are entitled to a Carers Assessment and helping you to complete and submit one.
If you need our help or would like more information, please contact our GP Carer Liaison Workers team via our CarersLine on 0117 965 2200, email carersline@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or visit www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk.
Adrian Robson
Guy Rawlinson and Mark Wilkinson
Summer league success for tennis club
THORNBURY Lawn Tennis Club are celebrating a very successful summer league season.
The club entered six teams this year – three ladies’ teams and three men’s teams –with five of the six achieving promotion.
The Ladies’ Second and Third teams both finished top of their respective divisions and have been promoted whilst the Ladies’ Firsts narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing third in their division.
Sarah Hurley achieved the best results across the division, winning 18 of the 20 matches she played.
All three of the men’s teams have been promoted, with the Men’s Firsts finishing top of their division.
Tom Perren had the best results, also winning 18 out of 20 matches.
The Men’s Seconds and Thirds both finished second in their respective divisions and have been promoted.
The club celebrated its successes with a party at the club on August 2.
captain Linda
and men's captain Tom
were delighted with the performance of their teams, and thanked everyone who had turned out to represent the
club during the 10 weeks of the competition.
The late summer league, for mixed doubles teams, is now underway, and the club has high hopes for the three teams taking part.
Thornbury Tennis Club welcomes new members and, in addition to league competitions, there are opportunities for members to play tennis at morning and evening club sessions, to receive coaching, and to take part in various social activities: recent events have included a wooden rackets tournament, a quiz and a summer party.
For more information visit the club website, thornburytennisclub. co.uk, or email the club at thornburytennisclub@gmail. com
Fiona Wilkinson
Hockey club looks forward to challenges
THORNBURY Hockey Club's players had a short rest in August from summer league matches before the new winter season starts with a series of friendlies.
All four teams have games against South Gloucestershire on September 7, with the ladies' 1s playing Bristol ladies and Ladies 2s playing Stroud on September 14.
The following week, on Saturday 21st, Dursley and Bristol & West 2nds complete the friendly games.
League games start on September 29. The men's 1sts open their league campaign away to Yate 2nds, while the ladies' 1sts entertain Wotton-underEdge 2nds and the ladies' 2nds host Keynsham 3rds.
Harry Collins, the new captain of the men’s 1st XI, is looking forward to the upcoming challenges for his team.
The Rockhampton cricketer will lead his team into uncharted waters following their promotion
in only their second season.
The team will need to travel into Wales for three matches, twice to Cardiff and once to Cwmbran. Martyn Abrahams will lead the newly-formed men's 2nd team, who will play in a development league.
The Ladies' 1st team
consolidated their position in Berkeley 1 after two successive promotions, whilst the 2nd team will continue to develop under the guidance of captain Sarah Lally, with the experience of Lauren Lever, Mel Evans, Amy Long, Amy Bowman, Steph Staton and, when not required
by the senior side, Ella Clark.
The club junior section goes from strength to strength, with a number of games and tournaments aiding their development.
The teams will continue to use Castle School as their home base for both matches and training.
Club training sessions are on Monday evenings, with the club juniors training from 6-7pm and the seniors following, from 7-8.30pm.
New players are always most welcome at this friendly club, where enjoyment is important.
If you are new to Thornbury and wish to play hockey or make new friends, then either turn up at a training session or contact the club at thornburyhockey@ gmail.com.
If you are an umpire or would like to become involved as one, then please make contact – you also will be most welcome.
David Parry-Jones
Ladies'
Mantle
Perren
Last season's promotion-winning Thornbury's Men's 1st team
Thornbury Tennis Club members
Tough start to season for Thorns
IT has not been the best of starts to the new season for Thornbury Town.
Early season fixtures saw team selection hampered by unavailability due to holidays and injuries, with the team losing four out of their five opening league fixtures, three of them at home.
Manager Rich Joyce is confident that as players return and the side becomes more settled, results will improve.
He has been joined by a new assistant manager, Tim Wilkins, who has held the same position at fellow Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division side Brimscombe & Thrupp.
The opening game of the season saw Thorns lose 3-1 at home to last season’s play-off semi-finalists Highworth Town, with Luke Franklin scoring the Thornbury consolation.
This was followed by a disappointing FA Cup
performance at Lydney Town, where a 5-1 defeat saw Town exit the competition at the Extra Preliminary Round stage.
A second league defeat at the Mundys followed, this time 3-0 to Mangotsfield United.
However a visit to the GFA headquarters to play Roman Glass St George saw a muchimproved performance from the Thorns. Roman Glass took the lead with goals either side of the break, but a cross from Ash Fowler saw a Glass defender head into his own net. Despite a lot of pressure Town could not fashion an equaliser.
Thorns finally picked up their first win when newly-promoted Malmesbury Victoria visited the Mundys. Callum Chalmers scored all three goals in the 3-2 victory.
An impressive start to the next fixture at home to Royal Wootton Bassett saw Luke Franklin give Town the lead
after 10 minutes, but two late defensive mix-ups allowed the visitors to scrape a 2-1 win.
Thornbury will enter the FA Vase at the second qualifying round stage with a home game against Malmesbury Victoria or Longlevens on September 21, after a first-round bye.
In the FA Youth Cup, the under-18s lost their extra preliminary round tie 3-1 against Cheltenham Saracens at the Mundys. The young Thorns gave a good account of themselves and look forward to the start of their league season.
The Reserves' first season in the Bristol Premier Combination's Premier Division, following promotion, will begin in the first week of September.
A-team and U18s league fixtures will also start at the beginning of September, with details to be posted on the club website, thornburytownfc.co.uk, once they are known.
The club’s veterans side start their new season after promotion with a trip to face Yate Town Vets on September 1, while the newly-formed ladies team’s fixtures are still awaited.
Season tickets for the new season are now available for £70, which includes entry to all the club's home league fixtures and is a significant saving on the gate price.
The club is always on the lookout for match-day helpers to assist with the many tasks associated with staging a game at the Mundys.
If you enjoy your football and would like to help out at a friendly, local club, simply come down to a game and make yourself known to any of the club committee members, or contact club chairman Jake Shutler on 07713 750816.
Malcolm Carr
