Thornbury Voice April 2022 by Thornbury Voice

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April, 2022 Issue 59

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Thornbury stands with Ukraine School sleepout

PRIMARY school children held a sleepout to help homeless people and learn about sleeping on the streets. PAGE 12

Banks to close

THORNBURY is to lose two banks this summer as branches in adjoining buildings are closed. PAGE 5

Bus service axed

THE T2 bus service which links Thornbury to Bristol and Cribbs Causeway is being withdrawn after operator First said it was "no longer commercially viable". PAGE 4

High Street fight goes on

Staff and volunteers with a van loaded with aid at the Swan pub in Thornbury PEOPLE in the Thornbury area have come together to send help and show solidarity with Ukrainians after the Russian invasion which has claimed thousands of lives. Hundreds of parcels of aid have been collected at pubs, including the Swan and Butcher's Hook in Thornbury, and the Swan at Tytherington.

And one Thornbury woman has left home and headed to Poland to help refugees arriving over the border from Ukraine with nothing after fleeing from the war, helped in her work thanks to more than £2,000 crowdfunded online. Full story: Page 3

RESIDENTS opposed to South Gloucestershire Council's changes to Thornbury High Street discussed staging a protest march or legal challenge at a packed public meeting. PAGE 9

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

Complaints Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Thornbury Voice, contact the publisher using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

April, 2022

n NEWS

Gold jewellery in stolen safe POLICE are trying to trace gold jewellery stolen during a burglary in Alveston. A safe containing cash, personal documents and jewellery including gold necklaces, earrings and bangles, was stolen from a house in Thornbury Road, some time between 9.30am and 5pm on February 26. The occupants of the house were out when the burglars forced their way in. Police are calling on anyone who has information about the burglary or has seen the jewellery in the pictures since it was stolen to phone 101 or contact them online and quote the Some of the stolen gold crime reference number 5222 047 jewellery 764. The raid was one of seven in the Thornbury area, including Olveston and Charfield, reported at the end of February. PCSO Sheryl Drewitt told a meeting of the area's community engagement forum that further burglaries had taken place in early March, with cash and jewellery also taken. She said in most cases burglars were targeting houses which were clearly unoccupied, and advised residents to use lights on timers and ask neighbours to check on their homes while they were away. Residents were also warned that two muggings had taken place in the Bath Road area, targeting people in unlit areas late at night.

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April, 2022

n NEWS WHEN Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, Alison King was just another regular at the Swan in Thornbury. But after the pub started receiving donations to help refugees displaced by the war, Allison, who works in logistics for oil and gas companies, decided she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. Within days she was en route to Poland, to help in the relief effort on the border. Alison, who is 60, said: "It started when I took my grandkids out for tea and we were chatting and I thought 'our kids have got everything and the kids over there have got nothing'. "So I started a JustGiving page and chatted to Sandra Davies at the Swan, who was receiving donations, and between us we organised things. "I shipped everything out to Ukraine and went out there for eight days. In that time we managed to house three different families. It all happened so quickly it was bizarre really.” As she spoke to the Voice,

Ukrainian refugees in Poland helped by Alison King

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Thornbury people reach out to help Ukrainians Alison was busy preparing for a second open-ended trip taking more aid and money to help those in need. Her initial fundraising produced over £2,400 but Alison used her own money to fund the first trip to Warsaw, where she met up with refugees at West Central Station, which was the initial stopping-off point for those travelling across the border by train. She said: "I then went to the border but couldn’t go into Ukraine, because you need a visa to get back out again. "One young girl was in a terrible state, with a 15 month old and her mum, and they didn’t have a penny to their name - they had nothing. She was in such a state that I couldn’t walk past her. "I didn’t go there with any set ideas. I just wanted to see what I could do. "I worked for a bit in a distribution centre sorting out donations into the right areas, nappies at one end and sandwiches at the other, and got chatting to people about how I could help.” Back home in Thornbury, the Swan has supported Alison by collecting items from local businesses staff and the public, and boxed donations up ready for transportation. The staff have encouraged people to give to the donation page at justgiving.com/

Volunteers waiting to load aid donations collected at the Swan at Tytherington onto a lorry bound for Ukraine. Picture: Wesley Hawkes crowdfunding/alison-king-229 so that Alison can go to local markets in Poland each morning and buy fresh fruit and other supplies, or use the money to help refugees find accommodation. Nearby pubs the Swan at Tytherington and the Butcher's Hook in Thornbury have been working with Gloucester councillors Justin Hudson and Jaro Kubaszczyk to send donations to the Poland/Ukraine border. They say they will continue to collect for as long as aid is needed. Back in Poland, Alison says that the most important thing

is to provide refugees with money to enable them to pay for somewhere to stay. She said: "There is nowhere left in Poland to rent but they need to find a home wherever they decide to settle, so the need is definitely more financial than it was a few weeks ago, when they just needed items to clothe and feed themselves. "Most people don’t want to go too far from the border because how on earth will they find their family or partners again, if some members are still in Ukraine?” Alison has an open return ticket so does not know how long she will stay in Poland for the second time around.

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n NEWS A BUS service from Thornbury to Bristol is being scrapped by operator First. The company says it is axing the T2 route, which links the town to the city centre via Cribbs Causeway and Bristol's Gloucester Road, as it is not commercially viable "as a result of low passenger numbers that pre-date the pandemic". First will continue to run the T1, which uses a route along the M32 and through Bradley Stoke to link Thornbury and Bristol. There are currently eight T2 services from Thornbury to Bristol and seven in the opposite direction, running from Monday to Saturday. T1 services run more than 30 times in each direction on weekdays and also run on Sundays. The end of the T2 is among a number of cuts to be introduced on April 24, which were announced two weeks after the government said it would spend an extra £150 million nationwide to support local bus services until October. First West of England managing director Doug

April, 2022

Bus service axed as it is 'not commercially viable' Claringbold said: “Despite the Government extending emergency funding for another six months, ongoing issues with driver availability mean further action is necessary beyond the changes we made at the end of January, to ensure we can operate services more reliably for our customers. "A number of services will see temporary reductions in frequency, whilst passenger and driver numbers are constrained, but unfortunately there are a number of services that are not commercially viable even at prepandemic passenger levels." The move has been criticised by Thornbury Town and District Residents Association, who said bus services had been vital in maintaining access to Bristol for essential workers and hospital outpatients during the pandemic.

Secretary Rob Galpin said: "The reduction in income to the bus operators from fares and funding for buses comes just at a time that people are regaining confidence to travel and are returning to the buses "The T1 and T2 routes were only introduced a few years ago, replacing other routes, and provide a vital transport link for Thornbury. "South Gloucestershire Council are proposing to spend millions on 'improvements' to the A38 for a bus lane and cycle lane. Surely this is not joined up thinking, cutting bus services at the same time as providing bus lanes?" The cuts have sparked a political row, with South Gloucestershire's Conservative councillors and MPs accusing the West of England Combined

Doug Claringbold Authority, led by Labour Metro Mayor Dan Norris, of "passing the buck on whose responsibility it is to keep buses running". But a spokesperson for the Metro Mayor said WECA had not yet even been told by the government how much money it would receive from the £150m Bus Recovery Grant, and Mr Norris said the Tories had "created the current system that is seeing cuts and service reductions".

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Two banks to shut THORNBURY is set to lose two banks this summer, with both HSBC and TSB pulling out of the town. HSBC will shut its High Street branch on August 25 - one of 69 branch closures nationwide announced in March. TSB's branch around the corner, in the St Mary Shopping Centre, will close on June 9. Both banks have declined to reveal how many people work at each branch but say no jobs are at risk and staff will be "redeployed". The closures will leave Lloyds and NatWest as the only major banks in the town, after Barclays left in 2019. HSBC said that over the past five years the number of customers using its branches had fallen by a third, with nine in ten customers contacting the bank by phone, smartphone or online. But a "closure impact analysis report" it published showed 35% of customers at the Thornbury branch "rely on branch only banking and no other methods". It also found 13% of "vulnerable" customers do not use alternative banking methods and said it would be offering them support. HSBC is transferring

accounts from Thornbury to its Filton branch seven miles away. Customers are also being advised to use the nearby post office for paying in cash or cheques, withdrawing money and checking balances. A spokesperson said: "No jobs have been put at risk as a result of this announcement. We aim to redeploy all affected colleagues to other roles within the bank." TSB says 70% of its personal and 89% of its business customers in Thornbury also use another branch or method of banking. A spokesperson said: "We have not taken the decision to close our Thornbury branch lightly, but we have to respond to declining branch use and increasing numbers of customers switching to digital banking services. "Customer transactions at the branch have fallen by 49% since January 2019 and we see no prospect of branch transactions returning to pre-covid levels. "There is also the Post Office on High Street and multiple ATMs within a mile of the closing branch. "There are no planned job losses as a result of these changes."

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Builders start Marlwood School revamp WORK has started on a multimillion pound refurbishment programme at Marlwood School. New classrooms for art, design technology and science, as well as new student toilet areas, are being built as part of the work at the Alveston secondary school. It is part of an £18.1 million revamp for both Marlwood and the Castle School in Thornbury, first announced in 2020, which is being jointly funded by the Castle School Education Trust and South Gloucestershire Council. The trust says the work will community. also include upgraded insulation "The creation of new to the main school building's classrooms within the main roof, with new glazing and a new building, which will be fullyefficient heating system added. resourced with new equipment, Head teacher Seema Purewal will be a huge advantage to said: "We are delighted to be our students’ learning, and our starting work on this important science and design technology and much-needed project to offering will become a strength of upgrade our facilities and make the school when complete. our school more sustainable, "By closing the old which in turn will help us buildings which previously continue to serve our local WB Essentials AW.qxp_Layout 1 09/02/2021 15:56 Page 1 and housed these classrooms

How Marlwood School is expected to look at the end of the project. Picture: Quattro Design Architects making significant thermal improvements, we are working towards low energy-use standards. "We understand that there may be some disruption caused to students and the local community while we undertake the work, but we are committed to ensuring the project is completed as soon as possible and hope that the end result will outweigh the inconvenience."

Marlwood School is one of seven schools run by CSET, and the poor physical condition of its buildings was highlighted in a BBC documentary on the trust in 2018. CSET chief executive Will Roberts said: “This project enables us to replace temporary buildings, improve the condition and configuration of the school site and provide an inspiring learning environment for current students as well as future generations.” The new buildings were designed by Quattro Design Architects and are being built by Speller Metcalfe, whose pre-construction director James Speller said: "Having completed many education projects over the years, we know first-hand what a positive impact this will have on the school and its local community." For more information about Marlwood School visit www. marlwood.com.

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April, 2022

Funding scientists Ready for referendum of the future GRANTS from engineering firm Renishaw and the National Grid are helping the next generation of science, technology and engineering students learn at Thornbury's Castle School. The Castle School Friends group applied for funding for ten new microscopes and a trolley, which have been delivered to the school's science department. The friends' fundraising drive continues with a family quiz night on April 1, which takes place at the school from 7pm and also includes Teachers and technicians from the Castle School science a raffle raising money for the Disasters Emergency Committee, department with the new microscopes which is running a Ukraine humanitarian appeal. The friends are asking anyone who can offer a prize for the raffle to bring it to the sixth form reception or email enquiries@ castleschoolfriends.org and we will help out. Tickets for the quiz night are available at the main school reception, priced £5, with teams of four to six welcome. On May 8 the friends will hold a car boot sale at the school from 9am.

THORNBURY voters are being asked to approve the town's neighbourhood plan in a referendum. Polling cards were sent out ahead of the vote on March 31, with electors being asked to agree or disagree with the question: "Do you want South Gloucestershire to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Thornbury Neighbourhood Planning Area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?" The plan has been around five years in the making and was produced by volunteers after several rounds of consultation, with the aim of making sure local voices get a hearing in the planning process. A similar vote is taking place in Oldbury-on-Severn. Once a plan is approved, all planning applications in the area have to be checked against its policies on housing types. Thornbury’s plan covers the type and design of housing, employment and opportunities for businesses, protecting the town's character and identity, the provision of services and facilities in the town centre, green spaces, protecting the environment, tackling the impact of climate change, transport and access. One key area the plan cannot cover is how much development takes place, which will form part of South Gloucestershire's local plan. Encouraging people to vote, Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan Supporters Group said: "The plan aims to make sure that any future development does not mean the loss of the things residents want to preserve. "Future development must make sure it fits in with Thornbury’s character. It must make a positive contribution to our area. "Voting ‘Yes’ in the referendum will mean that the Plan must be consulted before any future development is permitted to ensure that the views of residents are taken into account." For more information on the plan visit bit.ly/3wpQygn.

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Residents' fight goes on over High Street changes RESIDENTS could stage a protest march or legal challenge as their fight against South Gloucestershire Council's changes to Thornbury High Street continues. A complaint to the local government Ombudsman, a referendum or a new consultation are also among the measures discussed at a packed public meeting at the town's leisure centre. Around 300 people attended the meeting called by the Thornbury Town and District residents' Association (TTADRA) on March 16 - the maximum seating capacity for the centre's conference hall. The council secured almost £4.6 million in funding to make permanent changes introduced in 2020 to the High Street, including a ban on through traffic, widening pathways and dedicating more space to seating and planting, as part of a partial pedestrianisation of the road. South Gloucestershire says it is delivering a "vision for a welcoming and attractive destination for all" and supporting the town's prosperity. But residents say the changes have "ripped apart" the heart of the town, making the high street less accessible, hitting trade and making traffic and pollution on other roads worse. After its outline business case was approved, the council now needs to draw up a full business plan for the scheme. But TTADRA members John Reynolds and Malcolm Best told the meeting they had

Thornbury residents packed the latest public meeting to debate the High Street changes. Picture: Gil Gilmore. spent several days trawling through the council's outline business case and believe it contains "serious and significant errors, miscalculations and misrepresentation of facts and data". They said some of the methods used to assess the impact of the scheme were "totally inappropriate for use in the context of the proposed High Street development" and as a result the council's 'value for money statement' for the scheme had been "vastly overstated". An initial survey carried out in 2020 was "seriously flawed", residents were told. TTADRA secretary Rob Galpin said: "The residents association believes that the outline business case needs to be started again from scratch. "As John and Malcolm went broke down their findings in detail explaining the problems, there were gasps of astonishment, laughter and several bursts of applause, as the hall began to understand the depths of the problem which SGC had created for themselves

in preparing and publishing this document as a source of funding." TTADRA invited council leader Toby Savage, Thornbury & Yate MP Luke Hall and town mayor Jayne Stansfield to the meeting, but they had all sent their apologies. Rob said: "They would have learnt a lot about the problems South Gloucestershire Council are causing and the depth of public feeling, first hand, that remains even after two years since the High Street was first closed." Those present at the meeting voted overwhelmingly in favour of proposals to reopen the High street to through traffic, either in one or both directions. They also called for the "immediate return" of bus services to the High Street. The council announced last November that buses would be able to return but no date has been set for this to happen, with an announcement that the new design for the High Street would "accommodate buses", and that discussions with operators were

ongoing, made the following month. The meeting also heard calls for new "full, fair and respectful consultations with the community" over the future of the High Street, as previously suggested by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who was present at the meeting. In the meantime, TTADRA urged residents to attend the latest series of face-to-face meetings on the changes being held by South Gloucestershire at Thornbury Library from 10am to 3pm on March 28, March 30 and April 4. The council says the meetings are "to talk through next steps following the successful bid for extra funding from the Economic Development Fund", adding: "The team will have the latest plans of the High Street including the Plain, bus stop location and some of the materials pallet for the high street improvements." Rob said: "The Residents Association requested that the public attend these the face to face sessions in strength, listen to the council’s proposals and then inform the council representatives as to how the proposals do not fit the community’s needs and then inform them what is really required." People can also ask questions or ask for more information from the council by emailing highstreets@southglos.gov.uk. For more information on the residents association visit the website thornburyresidents.org.

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Appeal gets underway AN inspector was set to start hearing a developer's case for building 595 homes on the outskirts of Thornbury at the end of March. The appeal inquiry into Barwood Development Securities' application to develop land west of Park Farm was due to get underway at 10am on March 29 at the Ship Inn in Alveston and is expected to last at least a week. The developer has appealed on the basis that South Gloucestershire Council failed to determine its application within the legal time limit. A council committee decided that the council would have refused permission had it still had the power to do so. A total of 134 residents, Thornbury Town Council and Oldburyon-Severn Parish Council objected to the outline proposals.The plans include proposals for a primary school, a 'retail and community hub', open spaces including parkland, footpaths, allotments, play areas and roads at the site off Butt Lane. Among those due to speak against the plans at the inquiry are members of pressure group Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development (TRAPP'D). Co-chair Colin Gardner said: "We certainly hope that as many people as possible will come for the start of the inquiry to show the Inspector the strength of feeling in our town that we have simply had enough speculative development around Thornbury. "If approved, that will take us up to almost 2,300 new houses approved since 2011, which is equivalent to an increase in the size of the town by 45%, without any additional infrastructure. "No wonder we are facing constant congestion on the A38 and an impossible situation when it comes to getting a non-urgent doctor’s appointment!" The group is also involved in consultations over South Gloucestershire’s new local plan, which will define the number and major locations for houses up until 2042.

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Nicola is chosen for Commonwealth Games physio role A NEWLY-qualified physiotherapist from Thornbury is celebrating after being selected to work at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Nicola Crocker, 43, used to be a corporate trainer and also worked in the insurance industry before being made redundant in 2017, which helped her to refocus on her original ambition of becoming a physio. Currently she is working for the NHS as well as running her own company, Phoenix Therapies, which is based in Thornbury offering sports massage, therapy and Pilates. Nicola said: "Even though I am very busy, I am very excited about working at the Nicola Crocker Commonwealth Games. "I applied on a bit of a whim but thought I would put my hat in the ring and see what happened. I was shortlisted for interview last October and then was lucky enough to be offered a position." The Games start on July 28 and Nicola is now waiting to hear when she will join the volunteer support team. She said: "A lot of the sports teams will have their own physios, so volunteers like myself will be there to offer support and extra help when it is needed. I have previously worked in the Diamond League from an athletics point of view, although that was purely as a sports massage therapist and not as a qualified physio. "When I heard that I had been selected, I literally cried because it has always been my dream to go to the Commonwealth Games or an Olympic Games. TU R NB E R R I E S C O M M UN I T Y C ERoger NTRE "As a child I was into athletics and watching Sally Gunnell, Black and Kris Akabusi. Those were my idols and I thought one day I FED UP OF ACHES AND STIFFNESS? would be there and now I am - as a physio!” LIKE TO MOVE MORE

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Severn Vale Art Trail is back A FREE community arts event is returning to the Thornbury area. The Severn Vale Art Trail is a celebration of local artists and their work and is the visual side of Thornbury Arts Festival. Established in 2006 to promote the work of local artists and make art accessible to all, it will showcase 63 artists in 28 venues over five days around the May Day bank holiday, from April 28 to May 2. Each year artists and craftspeople exhibit their work in homes, studios, community halls and churches, with entry free to all venues. A spokesperson for the trail said: "All NEW flood defences installed next to the Severn Estuary have glass panels to stop them from spoiling the view. The 'hybrid glass' barrier, with panels on top of a concrete base, has been installed at New Passage, between the two Severn bridges, as part of the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area Ecological Mitigation and Flood Defence project. The design was chosen because the location is a popular viewpoint and birdwatching spot on the Severn Way footpath. Damaged panels can be removed individually and repaired or replaced without affecting the rest of the barrier. Work to build earth

A Jungle by Anne McAllister. (Trail map venue 15) work exhibited is original and made here in the Severn Vale. "There is a huge variety of contemporary and traditional art that shows a diverse range of mediums, from drawing and painting, ceramics, sculpture and stained glass as well as jewellery and textiles.

Bumble by Claire Gingell. (Venue 10) "It provides an opportunity to meet the artists, to talk about their work and processes, plus, have the opportunity to view and purchase original artwork." For more details about artists and venues, and a trail map, visit the website www. severnvalearttrail.org.

See-through flood defences The new 'hybrid glass' flood defences embankments, sheet piling, flood walls and gates continues along the ten-and-a-half-mile long line of flood defences, being created in a partnership between South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, and the

Environment Agency.   The agency's senior flood and coastal risk management advisor, Colin Taylor, said: "Not only will this help significantly reduce flood risk to the community here at New Passage from flooding in

the years ahead, but it will also preserve the stunning views of the Severn Estuary." *A new independent commission will look at whether the time is right to use the Severn Estuary to create clean sustainable energy. The commission, announced at the Green Growth in the Western Gateway conference in Newport in March, will have an "open remit" to explore a range of options for generating power. A spokesperson said that at this stage were "no specific proposals being put forward for what this might look like or where this might be".

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April, 2022

n NEWS

Children at Christ the King school ready for their sleepout.

School sleepout helps homeless CHILDREN at a Thornbury primary school held a 'sleepout' to find out more about the experience of being homeless. Pupils at Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Easton Hill Road bedded down outside in the winter weather, and also collected clothes, blankets and other supplies over the course of a week for people sleeping on the streets. Deputy head teacher Rosie Yemm said: "We try to 'make a difference' to everyone in our local community by helping others in whatever way we can. "Our Chaplaincy team decided to do a ‘sleep out’ for a couple of hours on the school field to experience, if only just for a while, what it must be like to sleep out on the streets. "We also did a whole school collection for the Blonde Angel Street Team and the generosity of our school community was incredible. We collected sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothes, hats, gloves, food, toiletries and dog food to give to those in need. "A number of our children also took the message home and helped the homeless in Thornbury by buying them food and donating clothes and blankets. "We collected a huge amount for the homeless and it was amazing to think that our actions made a big difference to those in need."

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thornburyvoice

April, 2022

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Local tennis club opens up Pay-and-Play EVERYONE now has the opportunity to play locally at Almondsbury and Bradley Stoke Tennis Club via the brand-new Pay-and-Play facility. Just go online to the club’s website and follow directions to book your court at excellent rates. Club chair Bruce Barnard said “Numbers at the tennis club have really boomed since lockdown but they hope that pay-and-play encourages more people than ever to give tennis a go! It’s a sport that you can play all your life, all year round, and has so many health advantages. Also, it’s a lovely way to get to know more people.” The tennis club has many teams playing in the local leagues, with the ladies first and second teams winning their divisions. The junior teams have gone from strength to strength. Twelve have also been selected for Avon tennis county squads and six players selected for the 8&U AVON county cup team at the end of March. Between Nov 2021 and Feb 2022 four juniors

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n NEWS Six awards for Journeyman A THORNBURY theatre company has won six awards at the Avon Short Play Festival Competition. Journeyman Theatre Productions' new drama, Normal For, the story of teacher whose concerns for a child are ignored, won the best play award, best director for Phil Domaille, best actor for Calum Sharp, best actress for a third consecutive year for Sarah Wiggins, best supporting actress for Vicky Sharp and best original script for Tony Domaille - the second year running he has won the award. The group will now perform the play in the regional final of the All England Theatre Festival Competition at the Merlin Theatre, Frome, on May 7. Tony Domaille has published a collection of scripts on Amazon. Short Plays and Monologues is aimed at drama groups, workshops and classes, with performance rights free.

April, 2022

Calamity Jane delights sell-out audiences TWO years since their last production, Olveston Parish Players returned with a sold-out production of Wild West musical Calamity Jane. The show was staged during the February half-term and directed by Linda Evans, with Chloe Allsopp-Jones providing the accompaniment to the production’s songs including Windy City, The Deadwood Stage and The Black Hills of Dakota. The leading role of Calamity was played by Kate Coyle, opposite Paul Dimery in the role of Wild Bill Hickock. Amy Sunderland, as aspiring showgirl Katie Brown, and Paul Harrod, as dashing Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, joined them in a tangled tale of romance that finally found its happy ending. David Proud kept the audience laughing as music hall act Francis Fryer, winning the heart Susan (Cath Purchase), the niece of anxious saloon proprietor (Richard Newley).

Kate Coyle as Calamity Jane Sets at Olveston Parish Hall in Tockington were built by Andy Black, with dance routines choreographed for the final time by Jill Harris, who is stepping down after 19 years. Kate said: "The cast and production team have really

enjoyed bringing the show to life. The audience definitely added to the happiness and joy that were being felt on stage." Paul added: "It’s good to be back on stage after two years. This was a great production to get things going again."

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any of you have been reading about my experience of working with MBST over the past couple of years. We’ve successfully treated hundreds of patients who come to us with back, knee and neck issues caused by arthritic degeneration or long-term injuries. MBST uses magnetic resonance to energise and stimulate cells to heal. It is completely safe and gentle, and provides very targeted stimulation specifically to damaged cells and tissue. We’ve learned the limitations of the technology but are still astounded with the majority of the results we’re getting in conditions we never imagined would heal. Meet Sheilagh, who came to see me with debilitating, long-term lower back pain caused by wear and tear to discs and joints. Over time, she had made significant adjustments to her lifestyle and to relieve the pain she regularly felt in her back while standing, Sheilagh would often find herself sitting for long periods of time.

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thornburyvoice

April, 2022

n NEWS

Author's visit inspires children

A CHILDREN'S author gave pupils at a Thornbury primary school an insight on what inspires her books. Nizrana Farook, whose books include The Girl Who Stole an Elephant and The Boy Who Met a Whale began her visit to Manorbrook Primary School with an assembly where she talked about her books and their characters, and how Sri Lanka and its animals were her inspiration. She explained the research she does on the animals who star in her stories and ran a quiz on animal facts for pupils to join in with. Nizrana also gave the children a preview of her next book, which is published in April, reading them the first chapter. Afterwards the author held writing workshops for Year 5 and 6 classes where she helped the children with writing their own narratives, with descriptive settings and exciting action.

Nizrana Farook meets children from Manorbrook School. She also signed copies of her books and answered questions on her stories, their characters and how she came to be an author. Head teacher Darren Stanley said: “The children really enjoyed meeting Nizrana.

"They were buzzing after her assembly, and were keen to talk to her more. "The Year 5 and 6 children had lots of fantastic ideas for their writing. They were really inspired."

Library update THORNBURY Library is hosting Easter events for families this month. Spring into Easter story, craft and egg treasure hunt sessions take place on April 13 and April 20, from 9.30-10.30am each day. The library is also running its regular Lego club on April 9 and April 30, from 9.30-10.30am, and family story time, with simple activities, from 9.30am on April 2 and 23. Rhymetime takes place every Monday and Friday, from 9.3010am. To book a place on any of these activities, pop in or email the library at the address below. Sight Support West of England takes place on April 25 from 10am-1pm, providing support and advice for people with visual impairments. A computer volunteer also is ready to help with your IT and online questions. The library is open 9.30am5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9.30am-12.30pm Saturday.

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April, 2022

n THORNBURY CLINIC

thornburyvoice

Dealing with chronic low back pain

Erica Bonnici Mallia is a senior physiotherapist at the Thornbury Clinic, with a special interest in chronic back pain. LOW back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders, affecting more than half of the population worldwide. People may either experience it once or suffer a number of recurring episodes throughout their lifetime. European figures on chronic low back pain, which is defined as pain that persists for more than three months, show up to 75% of patients who have suffered it will go on to develop it again. Low back pain can be classified into two types: specific or nonspecific. Specific low back pain is caused by a condition that can be diagnosed from medical investigations. This usually includes spinal fractures, disc bulges and degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis. Non-specific low back pain

- the most prevalent - can occur with a variety of accompanying symptoms but no identifiable cause. Non-specific low back pain has been acknowledged in medical literature as a multi-dimensional process, where the sensation of pain may be prolonged, or intensified, by both physical and psychological factors. Physical factors that may lead to the onset of pain include being in the same position for a prolonged period of time, muscle weakness, the use of incorrect muscles during repetitive daily activities or lack of exercise. Some of the psychological factors closely associated with non-specific low back pain include high anxiety levels, avoidance of movements based on a fear of increased pain or habits such as self-harm, binge eating and substance abuse. Manual therapy is one of the most common treatment strategies for the management of back pain. It usually consists of a hands-on approach that makes use of joint mobilisation - moving back and forth to reduce stiffness - and manipulation, to help reduce pain and restore mobility between spinal segments. Research has shown manual therapy to be effective, in the short term, in reducing pain and

improving movement in people suffering from low back pain. Psychological factors may be targeted through both regular exercise and education about the origin of the pain and clarification of its true meaning. It is especially important to be aware of the fact that pain does not always imply harm. People who suffer from chronic pain tend to develop a more sensitive nervous system, meaning the brain loses the ability to distinguish between good and harmful movements, which means pain is also produced when there is no injury. Maintaining a level of physical activity during episodes of pain is also important. Exercise has been shown to reduce pain, disability and psychological factors, in both the

short and long term, in people suffering from chronic low back pain. In people suffering chronic pain, the deep muscles that surround the spine become inhibited or ‘switched-off’ during movement. These deep muscles act in a similar way to a 'corset' and are important in increasing the support around the spine. When inhibited, these muscles tend to generate greater forces on the spine and this may start off a vicious cycle of pain and inflammation, especially during repetitive movements. It's best to start exercise therapy with medical supervision, to ensure a better understanding of how to correctly activate these deep muscles, before going on to a home exercise programme planned to suit your needs.

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April, 2022

n LOCAL MP

Action is needed to repair our potholes LIVING in rural South Gloucestershire my entire life, I know the blight of potholes in our towns and villages, and understand how damaging and frustrating poor road surfaces can be for residents and commuters. Action is needed to improve road surfaces throughout South Gloucestershire, and that is why I am delighted that over £12 million has been announced in South Gloucestershire Council’s budget to fix potholes, repair our roads and improve surfaces along our key road networks and public footpaths. Over the winter, and exacerbated by storms earlier this year, several roads throughout the area have become cracked and damaged, and potholes have worsened in our most rural

villages. With this further funding now available, to directly target potholes and carry out road repairs, I have launched a survey asking residents for their feedback and thoughts on where there are potholes which need to be addressed in South Gloucestershire, including our rural villages of Thornbury, Alveston, Oldbury-on-Severn, Olveston, and our other Severn villages. I am pleased that there are already works scheduled for our area, including Cutts Heath Road, Alveston Road, Haw Lane, and Strode Common. However as a local resident and commuter, I know there are many more locations in need of attention, and with your help

and input, we can make sure these areas are known to South Gloucestershire Council, so action can be taken. You can complete the survey by visiting www.lukehall.org.uk. It’s vital that our roads are kept in good condition to ensure safety and comfort for road users. I welcome that the Department for Transport has invested £2.7 billion for the maintenance of England’s local highway network outside London over 2020-21 and 2021-22. As part of Road Investment Strategy 2, the Government is also providing £4.1bn for capital renewals on the strategic road network in England over the next five years. Investing in our roads and infrastructure is a key part of our

Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice

positive plan for transport, and will help us in our ongoing efforts to get South Gloucestershire moving. We in South Gloucestershire should not get left behind investment in the urban areas of our region, including Bristol, and so I am pleased the council’s budget will help us take further steps to ensure motorists and cyclists have the road network they deserve.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

April, 2022

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Help needed

Swimarathon success AFTER a two-year break, and with the help of Thornbury steel band Panache, the annual Swimarathon returned to Thornbury. Thornbury Leisure Centre Staff were very accommodating over the weekend of March 4 to 6 in amongst their very busy schedule to ensure the Rotary event was a success. Thank you to them. Despite many regular entrants being still badly restricted through covid, 34 teams swam over the three evenings and managed a terrific total of 4,587 lengths between them. This was a great effort and we congratulate all the swimmers! The two main charities were Made a Mark, represented on the evening by Karen Vizard, and Children's Hospice South West, represented by Viv Shorney. Special guest for the Friday opening evening was local TV celebrity reporter Sally Challoner. To the swimming, and the Castle School D team recorded 170 lengths, which was the most over the weekend, with all three teams from Tockington Manor School recording over 150 lengths each, an achievement matched by 2nd Alveston Scouts. Thornbury Stroke Support group recorded 224 lengths, but swam to a different format. At the end of the weekend an added bonus was made in the connection between the two charities.

TV presenter Sally Challoner with Rotary President Paul Glover and Children's Hospice South West representative Viv Shorney It appears that CHSW had been trying to contact Made a Mark to see how they may be able to use the memory boxes they provide for children who have lost a parent or sibling. Clemi Williams from CHSW said: "It sounds like an amazing potential partnership – thank you for enabling this connection." The Swimarathon weekend was a huge success, raising significant funds pledged – Thank you!

Pa rk way automobile engineering

Adrian Dennis Thornbury Rotary Club

THORNBURY Volunteer Centre is looking for people with an hour or two to spare to help a number of organisations. Recent requests include a Beaver Scout leader needed for a local troop to work with assistant leaders and volunteers to organise a programme for six to eight year olds, which could include weekends away, sleepovers and crafts. This role would suit a person who enjoys the outdoors, is confident and has good teamwork skills. Full training will be given. Other roles currently available include: a puppy parent for a canine charity helping people with physical disabilities, reading buddies at a local primary school to help children in years 3 to 6, stewards for the Berkeley Show on June 26 and drivers to take members of a stroke group to and from events, with expenses paid, between Bradley Stoke/ Almondsbury and the Thornbury area. For more information email Thornbury Volunteer Centre at mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk.

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thornburyvoice

n WHAT'S ON Easter n BRUNEL'S SS GREAT BRITAIN, the 'world's smelliest museum', already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells. However, this Easter, they're inviting visitors to rate the smells and help choose new ones! Experience the good, the bad and the ugly scents which wafted through the 19th century ship. Find out more and book your tickets at ssgreatbritain.org/easter

April 1 n CASTLE SCHOOL Friends family quiz night, Castle School, Thornbury, from 7pm. Teams of 4 to 6 welcome. Cash bar, tickets £5 from school reception. Raffle for

Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine appeal. April 2 n ARMSTRONG ARTS GROUP presents Peter Macqueen as Old Herbaceous, at the Methodist Hall, Thornbury High Street, 7.30pm. Tickets £12 from AAGThornbury@ gmail.com or 01454 850933. April 4 n ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION, Alveston Jubilee Hall, 7.30pm. Peter Holloway will talk about fuchsias. Visitors are welcome (£3). April 7-9 n THORNBURY MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP presents Back on the Boards, a spectacular revue. Tytherington Village Hall, 7.30pm plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets from tmtg.org.uk online or

April, 2022

call box office on 0751 627 0140. April 11 n SEVERN VALE FLOWER AFTERNOON CLUb open evening meeting, 7.30pm, Olveston & Tockington Parish Hall. Speech and demonstration from Pam Lewis. Tickets £12: call 01453 811089 or 01454 885213. For further information email ssjjtaylor@hotmail.co.uk. April 12 n EASTWOOD GARDENERS' CLUB talk with TV presenter and garden designer Nick Bailey on '365 days of colour in your garden'. Turnberrie's, doors open at 7pm. Tickets £10 for club members, £12 for visitors. Contact Carol on 07762 120 904. April 15 n THORNBURY CHURCHES TOGETHER Good Friday proces-

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sion, 10.30am. Start point to be announced on the TCT page of mythornbury nearer the time. All welcome. April 15 n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION drop-in social event for HM Forces personnel, veterans or their supporters, 6.30pm, The Swan, Thornbury High Street. Breakfast meet up at same venue on April 16, 9-11.30am. April 23 n OLDBURY ON SEVERN MEMORIAL HALL CRAFT FAIR, 10am-1pm. Stalls will offer a wide range of locally-made products from craftspeople and bedding plants for your garden or window box. Free entry, light refreshments available for a small charge. April 24 n ROYAL BRITISH LEGION THORNBURY & District Branch monthly meeting, noon at the Black Horse, Gillingstool, Thornbury. HM Forces personnel, veterans or their supporters welcome to drop in. April 27 n ALVESTON HISTORY SOCIETY, Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Memories of working the rivers Severn and Wye, with River Hobbler’s Apprentice Alan Butt. Visitors and newcomers welcome.

REGULAR EVENTS Monday n SEVERN VALE FLOWER CLUB meets on the third Monday in the month at 2pm in St Marys Hall in Eastbury Close, Thornbury for classes, demonstrations and competitions. For more information contact Sally on ssjjtaylor@hotmail.co.uk or Hazel on 01454 885213. Tuesday n THORNBURY ART CLUB hosts live talks and demonstrations by established artists on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30pm. Nonmembers welcome: £5 entry. For more information call Mary Drown on 01454 414433 or email mary. drown@blueyonder.co.uk. n CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, every Tuesday from 10am-noon. No appointment needed. Thursday n THORNBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, 1-3pm. For more information visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk 15/12/2021 10:01:07

thornburyvoice

April, 2022

n SPORT

Town secure league survival WITH the Uhlsport Hellenic League season rapidly approaching its close, Thornbury Town have secured their Premier Division spot for next season, despite defeats to some of the division’s top teams. A 3-0 reversal against Roman Glass St George saw Thorns experiment with a Friday night fixture at the Mundy Fields for the first time. Despite the result, club officials were pleased with the attendance of 115 on a cold and damp evening. Two weeks later high-flyers Malvern Town were the visitors to the Mundys and despite Thorns playing with 10 men for the whole of the second half, the visitors struggled to find a way past a resolute Town defence. A goal 10 minutes from time saw Malvern travel back with all three points. The most recent home league fixture saw visitors Hereford Lads Club saw the visitors dominate the first half, taking a two-goal lead into the break. But a much-improved Thorns performance in the second half saw goals from Brandon Benjamin, substitute Finley Coombs and Luke Franklin complete a comeback 3-2 win. The final league game of the month was a 3-0 away defeat to second-placed Westbury United. Town reached the semi-finals of the Gloucestershire Challenge Trophy for the first time in their history following a comprehensive 4-1 victory against Lydney Town, with second-half goals from Elliott Gardner(2), skipper Tom Bradley and Joe Guest setting up a showdown with Toolstation Western League side AEK Boco at the Mundys on March 29 (7.30pm kick off) for a place in the final. Town’s Reserves continue to hold on to top spot in Division 1 of the Bristol & District League following impressive away victories, 4-1 at Sea Mills Park, with striker Harrison Young netting all four goals, and 5-0 at Tormarton. In Division 3 the A team continued their winning streak with 3-1 victories over Iron Acton and Seymour United A followed by a 4-1 win away at De Veys Reserves. The U18s followed a 9-1 win against Saltford Stars with a comeback 3-2 win at Rockleaze Rangers, having been 2-0 down at half time. Malcolm Carr

Rocks have Bristol Telephones' number IT may have been a cold, drizzly night when Tytherington Rocks played their postponed game against Bristol Telephones but these two teams always produce a fiery game. Tytherington started well and were on the attack from the start. Mike Johnson scored in the 20th minute when the keeper fumbled a catch from a corner and gave Rocks a 1-0 lead. They capitalised on this and Ethan McMahon went on to score the second goal in the 30th minute, from a free-kick taken by Matthew Hoare Action from Tytherington rocks' match which landed at his against Hengrove Athletic feet and allowed him to slot it in. Despite an exciting second-half battle there were no more goals and rocks won 2-0, with Connor Davey made man of the match for his persistence and work ethic. It followed an impressive but goalless draw with Hengrove Athletic, with both teams playing exciting, attacking football and both goalkeepers, Kyrees Johnson and Carl Bush, making exceptional saves. A number of yellow cards were also handed out in what was a quite physical game. A 3-2 away defeat to Lebeq United and a 2-2 home draw with bottom club Devizes Town saw Rocks slip from 9th to 12th in the league going into the final month of fixtures. Claire Smith and Will Primrose

Table-topping Thornbury thrash Chipping Sodbury BOTH Thornbury First and Second Teams faced challenges when they played matches with early starts in perfect netballing weather. Thornbury Firsts played local rivals Chipping Sodbury at Abbeywood, looking to stay top of the table and complete coach Steph Cogan's challenge of scoring 60+ goals. Despite shooting straight into the sun in the first quarter they raced to a 15-4 lead, only to put themselves under pressure by allowing Chipping Sodbury to force them into making mistakes. Timing was off at times,

Thornbury’s firsts are top of their league allowing a young, fit Sodbury team to get pass covered when the ball was ready to go and causing Thornbury to bunch. Things were also a little chaotic when Thornbury turned over the ball in a rush to move it up the court. But despite this Thornbury chalked up a

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huge win, 50-15, with Sadie Giles nominated player of the match. The coach’s challenge is carried forward to the next game! Thornbury Seconds had their own challenge in trying to stop top-of-the-table Hanham Hotshots, who had not scored less than 40 all season. Some amazing shots from the edge of the D, and the defensive end working together fantastically, meant by the end of the first half, Thornbury were only trailing by two points but the gap widened in the third quarter. The final score of 38-22 didn't, however, reflect how hard Hanham needed to work for the win. Steph said: "Compared with the last time we played these guys, we can see how much we’ve improved." Team captain Abi Symon was player of the match. Heather Stevens Gregory

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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n SPORT

April, 2022

Three more games to decide Thornbury promotion bid RUGBY in February and March was interrupted for Thornbury by the Six Nations Championship, which disrupted the First XV’s momentum. In mid-February they enjoyed their first league win over Cheltenham club Old Patesians, 42-10 on a pitch that resembled a paddy field, with patches of mud separated by puddles. It didn’t prevent Mike Priday scoring three tries though. A fortnight later Thorns triumphed 21-15 over Sidmouth, a side including former Exeter Chief Phil Dollman in their side. The key to Thorns win was outstanding defence, and the following week Thornbury had to defend for their lives at high-flying St Austell. Although they lost 29-8, they went down showing great spirit and commitment in the face of torrential rain and a powerful gale. Early April sees the First XV at the business end of the table, with the matches above leaving them fifth but only three points behind the third promotion place. They have a home match with Wellington on April 2 and then are away to Bridgwater and finish the season with a home game against league leaders Chew Valley on April 23.

Jak Evans launching an attack against Sidmouth. Picture: Dave Fox

There is everything to play for. Thornbury Seconds are now playing friendlies and only played once in recent weeks, but enjoyed a 66-12 win at Cleve. One of the successes of the season has been the resurgence of Thornbury Women – the adult Ladies XV. In late February they gave the unbeaten Bath Ladies III team a bloody nose before going down to a side that had several inclusions from a higher-level Bath side. It was a fine performance, and another followed the following weekend with a 55-0 win over Sidmouth Valkyries. They achieved

the double over Cheltenham North Ladies in mid-March, with a satisfying 29-15 win. The Seconds are planning a series of friendlies, but these haven’t been arranged yet, whilst the Ladies have a friendly at Yeovil and a home league match with Fairford to play. The Third XV play their second game of the season on April 2, at home to Bristol Saracens. The match is a significant one for Thornbury stalwart Jon Pullin, who will play his 600th senior game for the club. Dave Fox

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