Thornbury Voice August 2023 by Thornbury Voice

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August, 2023 Issue 75

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Carnival pulls in the crowds Praise for Manorbrook A THORNBURY primary school has been praised by Ofsted for the way its values are "woven into school life". PAGE 9

Church wants to grow THORNBURY'S Baptist Church is planning a major expansion, so it can increase its works in the community and provide an improved hub for its activities. PAGE 7 The view from the stage at the Mundy Playing Fields, where around 4,500 people attended this year's Thornbury Carnival. Picture: George Collett. Report and pictures: Pages 4 & 5

Bin strike crisis deepens THE union representing South Gloucestershire bin crews says that "chaos will worsen" after a court ruled that agency workers cannot be used to break its strike. Unite was among a group of unions that challenged a government decision to allow companies to bring in agency staff during strikes, and won their case at the High Court. It means that from August 10, council waste

contractor Suez will not be able to hire substitutes to do the jobs of the 150 workers who have been on strike since the end of June. The union has also rejected an increased pay offer of 9% from Suez, as negotiations to try and end the strike continue - and reports of residents burning rubbish on bonfires come in. Turn to page 3

School bus saved

A BUS taking pupils from villages to Thornbury's Castle School has been saved by South Gloucestershire Council. PAGE 11

Police 'too slow' on traveller camps

AVON & Somerset police chief constable Sarah Crew has defended the force’s response to unauthorised encampments following residents’ complaints that it is too slow. PAGE 14

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Local information South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

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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

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August, 2023

n NEWS

Bike race returns TOP bike race the Tour of Britain will pass through South Gloucestershire - a year after being cancelled. Stage seven of the race on September 9 will start in Tewkesbury and finish alongside Gloucester Docks. The stage was originally due to be part of last year’s Tour of Britain, but was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Details of timings will be The route will pass through revealed closer to the time but Rangeworthy, Cromhall and the race route will pass through Charfield Rangeworthy, Cromhall and Charfield. South Gloucestershire Council leader Claire Young said: "The event is a great way to bring communities together to spectate as the riders pass through our countryside, towns and villages and will also showcase our wonderful area to its global audience of millions. The excitement of the race has the potential to inspire more people to get out on their bikes in the local area and enjoy the benefits of cycling and travelling sustainably." Race director Mick Bennett said: “We know how much people in Gloucestershire were looking forward to our planned stage in 2022, so, a little later than expected, we’re excited to be heading to this beautiful part of Britain!"

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Bin strike 'chaos will worsen', warns union From page 1 Suez has declined to say how many agency workers it has hired during the strike, but confirmed it was reviewing their use. Days before the ruling, council service director Mark King had told the cabinet Suez was "trying to get more agency staff in to support the service". Recycling, food waste, green bin and bulky waste collections have been suspended since June 26, as fortnightly black bin rounds, keeping three Sort It centres open and new 'deposit points' for food waste and recycling are prioritised. The six 'deposit points', open between 8am and 2pm every weekday, are mainly south of the M4: the only one to the north is at Yate Park and Ride, in Badminton Road. The council's Sort It centre in Thornbury, along with those in Mangotsfield and Yate, have extra facilities to take more recycling and black bin waste, but long queues have been reported. A council spokesperson said: "Fortnightly black bin collections continue to be prioritised to ensure the disposal of waste such as personal hygiene items, medical waste, nappy sacks and pet waste. "Please put your black bin out on your normal scheduled collection day. Please do not put any other containers out." Union members rejected an initial 8% per cent annual pay offer from Suez, calling it a "significant real terms pay cut" because of inflation. Suez believes its offer was "fair and competitive", and increased it to 9% during negotiations during the strike, but said on July 18 that Unite had rejected the new offer. The contractor says the 15% Unite wants would mean an overall pay rise of 22% over two years. Unite, which says the strike will last until September 3 if not resolved, says Suez made profits of £80.8 million in 2021. The company’s South Gloucestershire bin loaders earn £11.53 per hour - equivalent to around £460 for a five-day week at eight hours per day, or just under £24,000 a year. Unite regional officer Ken

Council leader Claire Young and co-leader Ian Boulton at a deposit point. Picture: South Gloucestershire Council Fish said: "Our members’ resolve remains rock solid and they will strike every day throughout the summer if necessary. “The impact of the strikes, which are entirely the fault of the company’s greed, will worsen. "Suez can afford to table an offer our members can accept and that is what needs to happen.” A Suez spokesperson said: "We are continuing discussions with the union over the coming weeks and hope to progress negotiations with the aim of coming to a positive solution." She said that following the High Court ruling, “we’re reviewing our use of agency staff and we will work with the council to keep residents informed of any updates to the service”. Council leader Claire Young and co-leader Ian Boulton wrote an open letter to Unite and Suez calling on them to "sit down to resolve their dispute now". They said they had "no legal or contractual power to force Suez or Unite to the table", but it was "not fair or reasonable for the council or local residents to be held hostage".

Suez strikes, some residents have started incinerating waste at home and promoting it on social media as a suitable way of disposing of rubbish. “We know some residents have taken to burning waste in their garden or other places during the strike period in order to dispose of the rubbish.

“What measures are you planning to take to minimise any adverse impacts on our climate due to the burning of waste?” Council cabinet member for communities Leigh Ingham (Labour, Kingswood) pointed out that fortnightly black bin collections had been maintained and recycling was still being collected from communal bin stores for flats, and said the authority would "continue to seek opportunities to improve service provision and ask residents to engage with the services that are available wherever possible". Tory group leader Sam Bromiley posted pictures of dumped rubbish at two sites which have been opened 24/7 for people to deposit cardboard, paper, glass, cans and plastic for recycling, in Warmley and Barrs Court, which he says have been "left to overfill" with rubbish. Meeting report by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Fed-up residents start bonfires SOME residents have started setting bonfires in their gardens to get rid of uncollected waste during the bin crews' strike, it has emerged. Councillor Sanjay Shambhu (Con, Charlton & Cribbs) told a council meeting on July 19: “As a result of excess waste being created during the current

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n NEWS ORGANISERS of this year's Thornbury Carnival say around 4,500 people attended this year's event. Residents and visitors headed to the Mundy Playing Fields on June 30 and July 1 to enjoy a weekend of entertainment. Kicking off on the Friday evening with Swing in the Park, people wrapped up against the damp and windy conditions to enjoy performances from the Panache Steel Band and Thornbury Swing Band. Although a planned balloon ascent could not take place due to the weather, balloonists lit their burners 25 times in tribute to a young Worcestershire balloon pilot, who had died aged 25 in an accident, before lighting them in time to a piece of music. Saturday's Main Event saw the weather improve dramatically, as crowds headed to the playing fields. Kicking off with a local community variety show, people were treated to performances by Northavon Academy of Performing Arts, Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, Bristol Academy of Live Performing Arts and McClennan Irish Dance Academy. Entertainment on the main stage continued until past 11pm, with tribute acts including Elton John, Dua Lipa and Kylie. A surprise set from local DJ KitKat and DJ Bowl got the crowd on their feet ready for headline act Hairforce 5, who performed a high-energy set of ‘80s rock favourites. Elsewhere there was a Show ‘n’ Shine car show with 80 vehicles from sports cars and American classics to electric vehicles. Among the stalls and entertainments were activities from local charities Krunch, Phase and JIGSAW, with a ramp for skateboarders and BMX riders and a graffiti artist. Thornbury Carnival’s volunteer committee chair Liam Williams said: "It was a fantastic weekend! "The committee work hard all year round to organise the event but seeing so many happy faces and people enjoying themselves, made all the time and effort worthwhile. "We really appreciated all the lovely comments and feedback we received over the weekend and afterward, and we’d like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported us to make the event happen.” Dates for next year’s event have already been fixed, for July 5 to 6.

August, 2023

Thousands enjoy tw

Panache steel band. Picture: Carriad EH Photography

Young dancers take to the stage. Picture: Mike Ashfield

Balloonists light their burners on Friday evening. Picture: Mike Ashfield.

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August, 2023

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wo days of carnival

Children enjoy a show. Picture: Mervyn Reed. Irish dance. Picture: Carriad EH Photography

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August, 2023

Legal moves to return bus services to High Street LEGAL moves to ensure bus services can return to Thornbury High Street are underway. South Gloucestershire Council has published notification of changes to the traffic orders underpinning the controversial ban on through traffic and part-pedestrianisation of the street, with a short threeweek consultation published at the end of June and expiring on July 22. The changes add exemptions to the controversial ban on through traffic on the High Street to allow buses, funeral processions and wedding cars to use the street. They also include Soapers Lane in the scheme's driving and parking restrictions, and move the boundary of the restricted parking zone at the northern end of the High Street. Other changes include moving boundaries of the area's restricted parking zone "for good sign visibility", changing the boundary of some disabled

Work has been taking place overnight on changes to Thornbury High Street bays to fit the new road layout, revisions to double-yellow lines and waiting bays, The council said plans were being substituted for disabled people's parking places and limited waiting areas. Explaining the changes, the council said: "As the final layout has changed in response to engagement since the vision was announced, some amendments will need to be made to the existing permanent traffic regulation orders in order for the restrictions to match the final street layout."

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Work has been continuing at night on the High Street. At a meeting of the Thornbury Community Engagement Forum on July 3, South Gloucestershire Council's head of regeneration, Jon Severs, said changes to the scheme had been made after the authority took on feedback from residents. He said the work on the controversial changes, which were opposed by 72% of the 2,568 voters who voted in a parish poll on the issue last year, was "continuing pretty much to programme" and were expected

to be finished in the spring of next year. Residents attending the forum raised concerns over the way the works were being carried out, in particular the amount of space left for pedestrians to walk around barriers put up by council workers and the uneven paving surface. Forum chair Dan Budd said: "The whole length of the High Street seems to be bordered with ridged textured slabs for visually impaired people - somebody with mobility issues said they felt they were going to trip over as soon as they got there - it's a bit of a nightmare for people with mobility scooters and wheelchairs." Town councillor John Reynolds, a John Reynolds - a committee member for the Thornbury Town and District Residents Association - said he had found several trip hazards from new pavers which were already chipped.

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A sketch showing how the new church could look

Church wants to grow THORNBURY'S Baptist Church is planning a major expansion, so it can increase its works in the community and provide an improved hub for its activities. The church in Gillingstool has applied for planning permission for a two storey extension, re-worked entrance and solar panels. It is already open seven days a week for community use including a food bank, a before and after school club for Gillingstool School Pupils, mothers and toddlers group, coffee shop with soft play for toddlers, a youth club, and a lunch club for the elderly. Church project manager David Baker-Falkner said the building is so busy, it need to be updated. He said: "The church is growing – we are fortunate to have new people coming to the church. It happened during lockdown, at first virtually when we streamed services and now in person. “It means we have a capacity issue, not enough space for all the youth work we do, and other community work.” The church has been on the site since 1789, and over the years it has been adapted and modernised several times to meet changing needs. The old chapel building was extended in 1834, but services ceased in 1988, when the adjoining schoolroom was demolished to make way for a new church on the site. Since the 80s the chapel has been used for the youth hub on both floors, for the food bank preparation and storage, and also contains toilets and rooms used by the pastoral care team. The latest plan started with proposals to modernise the 1980s parts of the building, but soon other changes were added. David said: “We want to make the church more permeable. "It is not bad for an 80s design, but we are trying to open up the front to make it more accessible into the foyer. “It will make the church more welcoming, more visible and more permeable so people can feel comfortable coming in through the front door, so we can keep growing.” In its planning application the church says its elders want to expand the support that they offer to their congregation and community by increasing food bank provision and holding additional prayer and community events. The application says: "These alterations are respectful of the listed building and the stone boundary walls that make up the setting of the church." The detailed application includes improved access to the front of the church, new windows, a larger welcome area in the foyer, improved toilets, larger kitchen and improved access to the garden, with a sheltered area for buggies. The new two floor extension will become an extension of the youth and after school clubs, providing additional storage, a larger and fully accessible toilet and multi-use space. More details can be found by searching for application P23/01534/F on South Gloucestershire council's planning website.

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LUKE HALL MP Working hard for South Gloucestershire Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street Chipping Sodbury BS37 6AH luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk lukehall.org.uk LukeHallThornburyandYate 01454 311267 Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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n NEWS

August, 2023

Patients happy with Thornbury surgeries MORE than eight out of ten patients have a good experience with their GP surgery in the Thornbury area - well above the national average. The latest annual NHS GP Patient Survey, published in July, found that 81% of patients at Severn View Family Practice at Thornbury Health Centre in Eastland Road said they had a good experience, up from 75% last year. At neighbouring Streamside Surgery 85% of patients had a good experience, up from 82% last year. At St Mary Street Surgery 90% of patients were happy with their experience, up from 85% in 2022, and at Almondsbury Surgery the number was 87%, although this was down slightly on last year's 93% satisfaction rating. Patients at three of the surgeries reported improvements in reaching practice staff on the

phone. At Severn View the number who said it was easy to get through rose from 49% in 2022 to 59% this year, while at Streamside the percentage rose from 83% to 88% over 12 months. At St Mary Street 65% of patients reported no problems getting through, up from 62% last year. The number of people who could get through easily to Almondsbury fell from 89% to 72%, but this remained higher than two of the other three practices. The survey found a mixed picture when it came to booking appointments. At Severn View 44% of patients were offered a same-day appointment, down slightly from 46% last year, with only 14% of patients having to wait a week or more to see their GP. At Streamside only 28% of patients were offered same-day

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appointments, with 25% waiting a week or longer. More people faced a longer wait at St Mary Street, where 40% of appointments were a week or more after booking, down from 41% last year, and the number of same-day appointments offered was down from 27% to 25%. Almondsbury Surgery was able to offer more than half of its patients a same-day appointment: its figure of 53% was up from 39% last year. The number of patients waiting a week or more was also up, however, from 13% to 16%. Other patients who filled in the survey waited more than a day but less than a week, or could not remember how long they waited. Nationally, 71% of people said they were happy with their surgery, down from 72% last year, while 50% found it easy to get through on the phone and 33% were offered same-day

appointments, with 25% waiting a week or more. The survey was carried out by Ipsos MORI with NHS England, based on just under 760,000 responses to questionnaires sent out nationwide between January and April. A spokesperson for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which funds GP services, said surgeries in its area "are above the national average in many areas of the survey", including overall experience of appointments and the performance of healthcare professionals. The spokesperson added: “We also recognise there are areas for improvement. We are continuing to share learning between practices about what works well, and are working to support practices to deliver highquality services to patients."

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n NEWS

School's values are woven into daily life

A THORNBURY primary school has been praised for the way its values are "woven into school life". Manorbrook Primary School, in Park Road, has been rated as 'good' in all areas following a recent Ofsted inspection. The regulator's report said leaders at the school were ambitious for all pupils, that children behaved well and learned from a "well-sequenced curriculum". Inspector Sarah O’Donnell highlighted that pupils with special educational needs or disabilities learn well, and with support follow the same curriculum as other pupils. The inspector said: "At Manorbrook, the values of respect, responsibility and resilience are woven into school life. "Leaders and staff clearly demonstrate these values. "Everyone treats each other with respect, trust and fairness. "Leaders are ambitious for all pupils. They want them to have the knowledge and skills they need to make the most of life." All pupils behave well, enjoy learning new things and want to do well, she said, adding that they had "high expectations of their own behaviour". The inspector said: "Pupils take their responsibilities, such as being house captains or school council members, seriously. "They are proud of the contributions they make to school life, such as helping to reduce waste at lunchtime by recycling and composting.” The report said that leaders at the 200-pupil school have developed a curriculum which identifies what pupils need to know to help them learn new things and understand them well. The inspector said: "The well-planned and interesting curriculum, along with skilful teaching, mean that pupils engage in their learning." Phonics was well taught, with teaching closely following an "ambitious" scheme and Reception children quickly learning the sounds they need to begin to read, with good support. Reception children also make a strong start to learning about numbers through “well-designed activities”.

Children at Manorbrook Primary School The inspector said: “Pupils regularly practise new skills and revisit previous learning. This means that pupils become secure in their mathematical understanding. "By the time they are in Year 6, pupils are competent mathematicians. They can solve problems and explain their reasoning. They use mathematical vocabulary accurately.” The report concluded: “Pupils at Manorbrook develop into well rounded young people with respect for others and their views. “The curriculum gives them the skills they need to be successful in later life, and to stay healthy and keep themselves safe. “Governors share leaders’ vision for the school. They challenge, as well as support, school leaders.” The arrangements for safeguarding were found to be effective. To improve further the inspector said school leaders needed to complete work to identify the essential knowledge pupils needed to know across the curriculum, as this had not been completed for all subjects. School head Darren Stanley said he and the staff were pleased with the report. He said: "We are delighted that the inspector appreciated all our efforts to give the children the best possible start to their education.

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“Having seen the effort the school had put into successfully developing the curriculum, the inspector identified how this good work should now continue into the remaining foundation

subjects so the children can continue to build on previous learning.” The full report can be found online at reports.ofsted.gov.uk/ provider/21/130978

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August, 2023

New calls for change on the buses A NEW petition has launched demanding buses in South Gloucestershire and Bristol be brought back under public control. The petition was signed by almost 2,000 people in its first two weeks and organisers hope it will provide evidence of the “huge public support” for bus franchising. Reclaim Our Buses is urging West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris to formally begin a legal process exploring how franchising could work in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset. Mr Norris has said the option was “on the table” but is "not a magic bullet", and the bigger issue was a shortage of bus drivers which WECA has been trying to address by helping to train new ones. Maria Carvalho, from Reclaim Our Buses, said franchising would help solve the shortage of drivers, as contracts set down by WECA could include working conditions and

Protesters on College Green call for public control of bus services standards for drivers. Ms Carvalho said: "That’s a key difference with the system that we have now and the franchising system, in a way that would benefit bus drivers." The petition can be found on the Megaphone website at tinyurl.

com/3bpanw75. It comes as hopes that part of the region's £105 million Bus Service Improvement Plan money could be diverted to subsidise routes were dealt a blow. The Department for Transport recently announced it was relaxing the rules on spending BSIP money, originally reserved for new "innovative" projects. West of England Combined Authority interim acting chief executive Richard Ennis told WECA's audit committee in July: “The DfT has made it quite clear that value for money is a significant consideration in making any decisions to undertake that support and we have to go back to the DfT to move money within that BSIP programme across to supported services, so there are a significant number of hurdles for us to get over." By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Pensioner's warning over bus card scanner BUS passengers have been warned to watch their payment cards, after a Thornbury pensioner was charged for journeys that should have been free. Barbara Twining, who is in her 80s, spotted the unexpected payments on her bank statement. A bus card reader took payments from her bank card in her purse, instead of reading her pensioner’s Diamond card, which entitles her to free travel. First Bus say they are mystified, but say it’s a timely reminder to all passengers to be aware of “card clash” by keeping payment cards apart when buying bus tickets. Their buses use a scanner similar to other contactless card readers – so it only picks up details of cards within one or two inches of the machine. Barbara says she took her Diamond card out of her purse to scan it when travelling on the T1 and M1 on journeys into Bristol and

The Mall chopping centre in April and May. She said: “I am baffled, because it happened twice, and when I presented my bus pass I took it out of my purse. The bank card stayed in my purse the whole time. “I very cautious and discovered it when I checked my bank statement. They had charged me £2 each for two of the journeys. I just cannot understand why it happened. “I am in my 80s, and I know older people can lose confidence on new things - but I was very careful. I think other travellers need to be careful and check their bank statements.” Barbara has been told she can get a refund – which neighbour Vic King is helping to arrange. Vic said: “It transpires that many of their customers scan their Diamond Travelcard while it is still in their purse or wallet. The scanner for the bank card is situated either directly above or below the scanner for the Diamond Travelcard and is powerful enough

to scan both cards in the purse/wallet at the same time.” A spokesperson for First Bus said they had not had other reports of the problem, adding: "Like lots of other contactless readers, whether that is on parking meters, in supermarkets or on public transport, we urge all customers to be aware of card clash. “If more than one card or device is near the reader at the same time, we may end up charging the wrong card, so we urge all passengers to make sure they keep the card or device they want to use separate when paying. “We wouldn’t be able to tell specifically how someone has experienced a possible card clash, as that is down to individual circumstances and behaviours." The company says passengers can check how much they have paid online at firstgroup.uk.littlepay.com/first-group.

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August, 2023

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n NEWS

A Castle School pupil addressed the council meeting

School bus saved with new subsidy A BUS taking pupils to Thornbury's Castle School is one of two "lifeline" services facing the axe that have been saved with a £250,000 subsidy from South Gloucestershire Council. The 622 and another service, the 84/85, were both due to stop running in the next few weeks but have now received funding until next year. It means pupils who rely on the 622 to get to the Castle School from Almondsbury, Tockington, Olveston and Alveston will not face a major daily hurdle just to get to lessons. One student made an impassioned plea for help at a council meeting on July 19. The 16-year-old girl, from Olveston, told the council meeting: “When I first started we had a choice of two buses – the 411 school bus and the 622 public bus – but now we have neither. “The same number of children are travelling from our small villages to the Castle School. “The roads to all of them are unsafe and it’s not practical to walk or cycle because of the distance and the amount of things I have to carry. “Without the 622 the only bus I can reach independently is the T1, and to reach that I would have to walk 1.5 miles along roads without pavements or street lighting, where the speed limit is 40mph but cars often travel at 60mph. “When I was 10, I was hit by a car on one of these roads and I spent a week in hospital and six weeks in a wheelchair. If the skin graft hadn’t taken, I would have lost my foot. “The next time I might not be so lucky.” The 622 was ended as a public bus service, linking Thornbury to Cribbs Causeway and Yate, in April but continued as a schoolonly route until the end of the summer term, when it was due to be scrapped because it loses money. It will be renamed the 918 but with the same route and timetable, and will continue to be run by Eurotaxis, now until the end of the 2023/24 academic year, at a cost to the council of £60,000. The other service to be supported is the 84/85 from Yate to Wotton-under-Edge, which provides the only public transport link from villages including Cromhall and Hawkesbury Upton. It was originally set to end in April but was extended twice until August 27. The bus will be run by current operator The Big Lemon to a limited timetable, two hours in each direction, until Easter 2024, at a cost of £190,000, with some of the money coming from Gloucestershire County Council. South Gloucestershire cabinet member Chris Willmore said: “We have been doing all we can to keep bus services running so people can continue to get to their doctor appointments, their jobs, schools, and communities remain connected. “I would like to thank people for raising important issues around these services and speaking so passionately about the difference they make to their lives." By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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n NEWS

August, 2023

Andy's air ambulance art unveiled "create a more inviting and safer-feeling space for patients and their families visiting the GWAAC airbase" and increase its visibility to passers-by. Andy said: "Working on the mural was interesting on lots of different levels. "I’m pleased that I’ve managed to capture all the main landmarks within GWAAC’s region, and combining them with the structure of a helicopter has been a different direction for my artwork. "I also really valued my tour of the airbase and learning about the amazing work they do – my children have been inspired too!" GWAAC provides emergency critical care for the region from Gloucestershire to North Somerset and parts of Wiltshire. Its crews were called to help 1,808 people in urgent need last year - and average of five patients a day - either by helicopter or car. On average each call-out costs around £2,000 to attend, and

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the charity needs to raise more than £4 million a year to keep running, and has no government or lottery funding. The charity's strategic partnerships manager, Joe Hughes, said: "GWAAC gives everyone in its community the best chance on their worst day by taking the skills and equipment found in a hospital emergency The mural created by Bristol artist Andy Council department to the includes the Severn Bridge and ss Great Britain. scene of the most us. serious medical emergencies. We We want our supporters who save lives that would otherwise drive past the entrance or onto be lost and where lives can’t our airbase to feel connected and be saved, we give families the proud of what they’re doing.” knowledge that everything that Prints and cycle jerseys could have been done, was done. with the mural design We are immensely proud of can be bought online at what we do, but however skilled greatwesternairambulance. our crew is everything we do com/shop, with all money raised is only possible through the going towards funding GWAAC. community we serve, supporting Chepstow Agricultural show 2022 poster.qxp_Layout 1 16/06/2022 09:10 Page 1

A HELICOPTER made up of some of the West Country's best-known landmarks has been created to welcome visitors to Great Western Air Ambulance's base. The mural by Bristol street artist and illustrator Andy Council will also help raise money for the charity, as it has been reproduced in a series of prints and even a cycle jersey. Andy completed the spraypainted mural at the entrance to the charity's Almondsbury airbase in July. Best known for his Bristol Dinosaur illustrations, which uses pictures of individual landmarks from the city to make up a huge creature, turned his attention to the wider region for the helicopter work, which includes the Severn Bridge, Clifton Suspension Bridge, ss Great Britain and Bath's Royal Crescent among other wellknown regional landmarks. It took three days to paint, and the charity hopes it will

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August, 2023

n NEWS

Festival is highlight of holiday activities

production and sports, and more. Every session also includes a healthy meal. Activities are free for families in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, with a small cost to everyone else. More information is available at the link above, Krunch South West’s Facebook page and www. krunch.org.uk.

Children taking part in Krunch activities YOUTH charity Krunch South West is holding a festival to wall, graffiti workshop, face and a barbecue. celebrate its 10th anniversary. painting, crafts and music. Entry is free but there is a The Thornbury charity is The event is free to enter charge for BBQ food, which inviting the whole community but there will be a small charge needs to pre-booked online at to come along to the event for some of the activities and eequ.org/experience/3917. at Thornbury Skatepark on to participate in the skate The events are part of a full Saturday August 19. competition. programme run by the charity for Among the highlights will some of the events will move young people aged 11 and above, be a skate contest hosted by to Turnberrie's Community funded by South Gloucestershire King Ramps, which includes centre if the weather is bad. Council’s Holiday Activity and professional skateboarder Krunch is also holding a Food Programme. demonstrations, skateboard, family fun day at the Badger There are eight sessions BMX and scooter competitions Road Sports Pitch on August 1 taking place at Krunch's Pod at for under-13s and over-14s, from 11am-2pm. Vilner Lane, as well as two trips workshops and practice sessions The event is open to all the to Mojo Active and the West with the pros. family, although children aged Country Water Park. Other activities on the nine and under need to be Pod sessions include day,which runs from 2-6pm, will accompanied by an adult, and cooking, bushcraft, table tennis, WB Generic ads 2023 AW.qxp_Layout 1 14/04/2023 11:41 Page 7 include inflatables, a climbing will include inflatables, games graffiti art, circus skills, music

Dig in at sandpit THORNBURY Town Council has installed a sandpit at the Mundy Playing Fields play area for the summer holidays. Buckets and spades are provided, and visitors are being encouraged to leave them at the site, as they are intended for everyone to use. The council says the sandpit is designed to be "relatively temporary" and is there on a trial basis, with feedback from users due to be gathered at the end of the summer.

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n NEWS

Chief defends police response to travellers AVON & Somerset police's chief constable has defended the force’s response to unauthorised encampments following residents’ complaints that it is too slow. During monthly questions from Mark Shelford, the area's police and crime commissioner (PCC), Sarah Crew said police powers – beefed up last year by a law that also created a new criminal offence – should not normally be the first option. She said local authorities usually led a “multi-agency approach”, with support from the police, to sites occupied by travellers. The chief constable said that while a nomadic lifestyle was lawful and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities were protected, there was a set of clear circumstances where the constabulary might become involved when trespassers occupied land without permission - but that it was not always understood by the public.

thornburyvoice

August, 2023

Mr Shelford said: “One of the frustrations that people who get in contact with me say is that the police and the council are very slow to act, particularly when there has been proven criminality around these sites. “Why is it so slow, why does it take so long?” Ms Crew said the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act added to existing legislation on police powers over encampments but that this required there to be “significant damage, disruption or distress” before action could be taken. She told the performance & accountability board meeting on July 11: “The first thing I would want to do is acknowledge the challenges that are brought about by unauthorised encampments and that’s clearly why people are writing to you. “At the same time, moving people on to another area isn’t the solution to a problem – everyone has a right to live somewhere and there is a shortage across the country, as well in our area, of appropriate alternative accommodation." Ms Crew said officers "give equal balance to listening to the community and engaging with them to understand what the impact this encampment is having" but said "the first response should not necessarily be, or normally even be, the use of police powers.” She said the force could become involved in an eviction where an encampment

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Sarah Crew at the meeting deprived a community of local services, if there was a significant impact on the environment or disruption to the local economy. The chief constable said police could also move on groups who "have persistently displayed antisocial behaviour at previous sites and we’ve got a reasonable belief, which is stronger than a suspicion, that behaviour is going to be replicated at a new site". But she added: “The legislation is clear, the government guidance is clear – the mere presence of an encampment without any aggravating factors should not normally create an expectation that the police will use eviction powers." By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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August, 2023

n NEWS

Former mayor remembered

James is new town mayor

A FORMER Thornbury town mayor and rugby club stalwart has died at the age of 91. Charles Eardley-Wilmot was a well-known figure around the town and was still active until recently, taking part in residents' meetings called over the controversial High Street changes back in 2021. News of his passing was announced "with great sadness" by Thornbury Rugby Club. In a statement released on its website the club said: "Charles passed away quietly at home during the evening of Saturday June 24 with his family around him. "He had been ill for some time but had recently celebrated his 91st birthday. Our condolences particularly go to his daughter Jane Sprackman and her husband Geoff, Chairs of the Ladies Committee and Thornbury RFC respectively, and to Jane’s Mum Sheila. "Charles joined Thornbury RFC from Clifton when the club was founded in 1963. Such was the interest in the rugby club in those early days that a second team was quickly formed and Charles served as its captain, a role he repeated in the 1964/65 season. "After stepping down from playing Charles was a regular volunteer and was never afraid to voice his opinion and encourage the club and its committee. "He was actively involved in local politics and served as Thornbury’s Mayor from 1979 to 1981. His wife Sheila also served as Mayor in the 1980s. "But Charles remained a staunch follower of Thornbury RFC. He was a regular spectator and would encourage the players by constantly booming out 'come on Thorns.' He rarely missed a home game and it was only in his latter years that he chose not to venture to away games. "Charles was a unique individual, who will be sadly missed."

THORNBURY Town council's new mayor is businessman James Murray. Cllr Murray has lived in Thornbury for the last 10 years having opened Hawkes House café/bar in Thornbury in 2013. He said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my work as a councillor over the last two-and-ahalf years. "To be re-elected as a councillor in May and to subsequently be voted in as Mayor is a great honour. "We have a brilliant group of councillors James Murray who bring with them both a great deal of enthusiasm and expertise in many fields, which will be valuable as the Town Council works towards delivering its adopted 5-year Strategic Plan." Cllr Murray takes over from retiring mayor Chris Davies, who said: "I wish to thank the people of Thornbury for the warm welcome I have received as Mayor over the past year. "I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many residents and attending a wide array of community events. "Highlights for me have included the Remembrance Parade in November which was the first to take place since Covid-19 and, although tainted by sadness, the historic occasion of the announcement of the proclamation of King Charles III." Helen Ball becomes the Deputy Mayor and Council Vice Chair. Anyone who would like to request that the mayor attends a community event can email info@thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk for more information.

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n WHAT'S ON

August 1 n KRUNCH FAMILY FUN DAY, Badger Road Sports Pitch, Thornbury, 11am-2pm. Free entry, open to all the family (children aged 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Inflatables and games. Pre-book BBQ food online at eequ.org/ experience/3917. August 7 n ALVESTON GARDENS ASSOCIATION MEETING, Jubilee Hall, Alveston, 7.30pm. Talk: The Four Seasons, with Mandy Bradshaw. New members and visitors welcome. August 19 n KRUNCH SUMMER FEST, Thornbury Skate Park, 2pm-6pm. Celebrate Krunch's 10th anniversary: activities include inflatables, climbing wall, graffiti workshop, face painting, crafts and music. Skate competition, pro rider demonstrations and workshops. All welcome. Entry free but charges for some activities. August 27 n HOME-BAKED CAKES and ice cream afternoon for the Alzheimer's Society and United Reformed Church chair fund, 3-5pm at United Reformed Church, Rock Street, Thornbury. Arts and raffle. Contact: 0754 912 5296 or 0794 700 4031 for more details. September 5 n THORNBURY ART CLUB, Tuesday Painting Studio Group, St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road, 1.30-4.30pm every Tuesday. Call 01454 414433 for more details. A group also meets every Thursday at the same time and venue. September 8 n THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE presents Tell No One, based on Harlan Coben’s best-selling novel, Thornbury Methodist Church Upper Hall. Doors open 7pm. Members free, guests £5. For more information visit www. thornburypicturehouse.org. September 9 n HERITAGE OPEN DAY AT St Mary’s Church Thornbury. Church open to all, with craft exhibitions, tea/coffee and refreshments Church tower open for free tours - booking essential at by emailing thornburybenefice@outlook.com or calling 01454 281 900.

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.

thornburyvoice Tuesday n THORNBURY ART CLUB hosts live talks and demonstrations by established artists on the fourth Tuesday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30pm. Non-members welcome: £5 entry. For more information call Mary Drown on 01454 414433 or email mary.drown@ blueyonder.co.uk. n CITIZENS ADVICE South Gloucestershire sessions at Thornbury Town Hall Tuesday 10amnoon. No appointment needed. n JUST SEW IT SEWING CLUB, every Tuesday 6.30-9.30pm at the Chantry Community and Arts Centre Castle Street, Thornbury. Come along and sew with others bring your sewing machine & materials/ pattern. Call Carrie 07753 236095. n THORNBURY MEMORY CAFE is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (except August) from 10.15am until 11.45am. Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Thornbury. For information contact Sue Rowley on 01454 412941 or Louise Wright on 01454 260371. n SUNBEAMS TODDLER GROUP, 1.30-3pm every Tuesday in term time, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall (off Castle Court). All families welcome, no need to book, £2 per family includes snack and drink. Thursday n THORNBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, Thornbury URC, Chapel Street, 1-3pm. For info visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org, email gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk or call 01761 472468.

August, 2023

n LIBRARY NEWS THE Summer Reading Challenge - Ready, Steady, Read - continues at Thornbury Library until September 9. For all primary school-age children: read six books to earn a medal, with activities planned throughout the holidays. Ukrainian storytime sessions take place every Monday at 4pm - tell your Ukrainian family, friends and colleagues about Zoya, a Ukrainian teacher who will share stories, reading and more from Ukraine. The Have You Read book club meets on August 4 from 2-3pm no set novel, just drop in for refreshments and a chat about books. Lego club meets every Saturday from 9.30-10.30am - no booking required. Rhymetime takes place every Monday and Friday, from 9.3010am. A Sight Support West of England drop-in support and advice session for people with visual impairments will be held on August 21 from 10am-1pm. A computer volunteer is ready to help with your IT and online questions on Thursday mornings, with one-to-one sessions available from 9.30am. People can enjoy a free hot drink in the library every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 9.30am-4pm, use the computers or WiFi with your own iPad or phone, read a book, a newspaper, browse the shelves, enjoy a communal puzzle or just relax The library is open 9.30am-5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9.30am-12.30pm on Saturday. Open access is from 8am-7.30pm every day. For bookings and home library service call 01454 868006, email thornbury.library@southglos.gov.uk or visit the website www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries.

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n BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR are recruiting new members. 7pm - 9.15pm, St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. A varied repertoire, no audition. No need to read music - our regular practices will get you in shape to sing at our regular concerts and enjoy the social vibe. www.bristolmvc.org.uk email secretary@bristolmvc.org. uk Telephone 07764447699. Friday n HAVEN MEMORY CAFE, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, first and third Fridays of the month from 10.1511.45am. More details from Stuart Hill on 07913 241437 or Sue Walton 07794 370903. Saturday n THORNBURY PARKRUN, 9am, Mundy Playing Fields. Free. Sunday n THORNBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION branch meeting, last Sunday of the month at the Black Horse, Gillingstool, Thornbury, noon.

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August, 2023

thornburyvoice

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Kids go free this summer at Brunel’s ss Great Britain THIS year marks 180 years since the SS Great Britain was launched into Bristol harbour – changing global travel forever. To celebrate, Brunel’s SS Great Britain are welcoming children 16 years and under for free this summer when you book tickets online. Highlights include an exciting new food trail – ‘Birthday Banquet Blunder’ – where families can follow a series of clues hidden throughout the ship. The trail will teach children about the food that passengers would have eaten on board. Iona Keen, Head of Interpretation at Brunel’s SS Great Britain said: “The new ‘Birthday Banquet Blunder’ family trail is a fun way of showcasing the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian voyage. And there’s a culinary twist to tie in with our 180th anniversary this summer – families can help solve party preparation blunders, all based on real life events that happened on board the ship.” Visitors can also step back in time by peering through a pair of augmented reality binoculars that will transport them to 1843. Created by Zubr, a leading augmented reality studio based in the South West, the experience will allow visitors to see the ship and the floating harbour as they were 180 years ago. Book a visit between 19 July and 3 September to redeem the ‘Kids Go Free This Summer’ offer. Terms & conditions apply. ssgreatbritain.org/summer

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n NEWS Appeal for absconder POLICE have issued an appeal for information after another inmate walked out of Leyhill Open Prison. Connor Mitchell, aged 26, failed to return to the jail near Tortworth after being released on temporary licence in Bristol on July 21. Mitchell (pictured) is described as white, 5ft 8in tall and of "bulky" build, with short dark hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a blue top, grey T-shirt, blue bottoms and white trainers and has a tattoo of a name on the right side of his neck and "smooth criminal" tattooed on his right arm. Police say he has links to both Plymouth and Cardiff. They asked people not to approach him if they see him but instead to call 999 immediately and give the reference number 5223 175 101. Another prisoner, 37-year-old Russell Pope, was arrested on June 27, a week after failing to return to the prison on a temporary licence.

Food vouchers restored SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says it is restoring the value of vouchers provided to families who receive benefits-related free school meals during term time to help feed their children during school holidays. The vouchers will be restored to £15 per week per pupil, following a 33 per cent cut brought in before Easter. The move will cost an additional £292,000, bringing the total allocated to this support to £1 million, with funding coming from the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF), which has allocated £2.82 million to the council for this year.

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n COMMUNITY NEWS

Friends fund school garden CASTLE School Friends are thrilled to have been part of a garden project directly helping students with special educational needs at the Castle School. The Friendship Garden has been funded by CSF along with parent Cheryl Jenkinson, who crowdfunded a part of Cheryl Jenkinson with Castle School Friends' the £5,000 needed to Justin Warr and Castle School's Andy Bethell at transform a patch of the official opening. scrub and brambles. The project was overseen by Castle School's special educational needs department. To officially open the garden, a brass plaque was unveiled by Cheryl, with representatives of Castle School Friends and the school's director of development Andy Bethell. The Friendship Garden is a quiet outdoor space which SEN students can visit under supervision. It includes seating along with a wildlife wall mural, bug hotels, vegetable planters, sunflowers and other colourful items of interest. Justin Warr Chair Castle School Friends

August, 2023

Volunteer advisers needed VOLUNTEERS are needed to help people struggling with debt, benefits, housing and employment issues. Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is looking for people to join its team of volunteer advisers, a rewarding role which includes training to help with a vast range of problems. The small, independent charity has seen demand for help with costof-living issues, including people not being able to afford energy bills and food, shoot up and is currently helping ten times as many people needing referrals for foodbank vouchers as it was before the pandemic. The charity is now looking to take on six new trainee generalist advisers to join an existing team of 20 volunteers and 17 staff. The charity is particularly keen to encourage applications from people with a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly from under-represented ethnic minorities. The role involves giving advice to people both face-to-face and over the telephone - initially based at our office in Yate. The service aims to provide high-quality advice to members of the public - and also to influence Governments and other organisations by informing them of the effect of their actions on the lives of clients. Volunteers should be IT competent and able to commit to two sessions per week for at least two years. Lead supervisor Emmanuelle Claverie, who heads the team of advisers, said: “It’s a very rewarding role. "The majority of our volunteers stay with us for years and really enjoy meeting other people in the office as well as supporting clients. “We really want to reach out to all communities to make sure we reflect the diversity of South Gloucestershire. It’s open to anyone, including those at university, on a career break or recently retired.” Anyone who would like to volunteer should email Amanda Wood at bureau@sgloscab.cabnet.org.uk to ask for an application form.

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August, 2023

n NEWS

Wildflower garden is a blooming great idea THORNBURY householder Esther Lambert dug up her front lawn – and turned it into a right royal wildflower meadow as a tribute to the King. Esther decided to dig up the grass and create something insect friendly on Earth Day in April, in honour of King Charles’ love of nature. A few months later, passers by can enjoy the fruits of her labour, as the wildflower meadow has blossomed into life. Esther says she had the idea when looking out onto her grass front lawn at her home in Windrush Court. She said: “We were trying to work out what to do that would be nice for us and other people too. We decided on Earth Day to give something back to everyone else. “Now the wildflowers are looking great. They are still growing but we have every colour of the rainbow already and our neighbours have all commented on what a difference they make.” Esther's friend Liz Cantle

Work started when turf was removed during the spring Esther Lambert with her garden in full bloom contacted the Voice about the garden. She said Esther's friends and family all helped dig up the turf which made way for the flowers, and was all re-laid on other people’s gardens. Liz said: “It looks amazing. "We're hoping more wildlife

will come and thrive in the years to come. "We had lots of people passing by asking questions, and they were very supportive." Esther said: “In order for the wildflowers to have the best chance, we needed to remove the grass, so it didn’t take all the

nutrients. "We took all the grass out and seeded with wildflowers, and then watered it during the dry spell. We were very enthusiastic and the plan for a small patch turned into something much larger. “We hope it will help bees and butterflies.”

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Free bus travel offer is up and running HAVE you applied for your free month of birthday travel? If yes - fantastic - and thank you! If not please head to www.birthdaybus.co.uk. There’s nothing to lose and lots to gain. So, what is Birthday Buses? In simple terms, I’m proud to offer all West of England residents the chance to ride the buses of our region for free throughout the whole of their birthday month. There’s no limit on the number of journeys you can make, or the time of day. So, what are you waiting for? Importantly, Birthday Buses helps your pocket during this frightening cost-of-living crisis. But it is also a serious plan to get our region moving and tackle the climate emergency. I’m very keen to see new people become bus passengers. The latest figures show that the vast majority of people who used to travel on buses before Covid are doing so again. But - and here’s the catch - they are making fewer journeys. If you think about it, it makes sense. People are working from home more; doing more online shopping and there are more virtual appointments for things like speaking to a GP.

So, passenger journey numbers are down and that means less fare income coming in. That’s not sustainable. Birthday Buses is designed to encourage new people to hop on the bus and try it out - for a regular commute, to go to the shops, or to spend their weekends enjoying the amazing attractions of our region. Because I think if you try buses, you might like them. Other places in the UK have tried free bus travel for a day, or a weekend, but this is different. A day isn’t enough to make or break a habit. But a month? Hopefully. We have thought about this carefully. The month of your birthday seemed a great time to give you a free travel gift, but I’ve also worked closely with bus companies. The phased nature of Birthday Buses means you won’t face overcrowded buses. We also need to make sure it’s definitely you applying, so please have a passport-style digital photo ready to apply at www.birthdaybus.co.uk. A staggering 44% of our carbon emissions come from transport, and fewer than one in ten regional commutes are made on public transport. Worse, there are a shocking 300 preventable

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Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice premature deaths due to air pollution annually. Getting people to use the car less and use the bus more is key to reaching our ambitious 2030 net-zero target here in the West, and it will reduce traffic and delays that cost our local economy £300 million a year. Finally, I want to put our region on the map. Birthday Buses is doing just that. We’re the envy of England, with Bus Users UK calling it “brilliant”. So please sign up now at www.birthdaybus. co.uk and tell your friends, family and workmates. And may I wish everyone many happy returns - and singles!

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

n NEWS

August, 2023

Row closes popular micro-brewery

A MICRO-brewery and tap room in South Gloucestershire has closed amid a row with its charity landlord. The Three Engineers Brewery (3EB) was given three weeks’ notice that its lease at Winterbourne Medieval Barn was not being renewed at the end of June. The barn's trustees say it is because the Three Engineers refused to agree to a lease agreement not to sell wine. But 3EB co-owner James Shorney told the Voice he was shocked at the suddenness of the decision to cancel the lease, and is now seeking legal advice. The 3EB was started by three aerospace engineers who lived in the village. They rented space in the cow byres beside the barn for about five years, renewing after the barn and surrounding buildings

completed a considerable renovation supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2020. The brewery, a parttime venture run by real ale enthusiasts, brewed beer on site, which is supplied to a handful of local pubs and tap rooms, and opened two evenings a week to sell its own beers on site. James told the Voice the venture had always been a labour of love, and he and his partner Felicity had worked countless hours without drawing any income. But with popular evening opening, and increasing sales to other bars, there were hopes it had the potential to support an income. James said: “We have all worked for years for free to build the brewery up, so this has been a total blow. We are an

asset to the barn, and have had tremendous feedback from our customers, who are as shocked as we are.” He said they had paid the deposit for the new lease, and signed papers. James said the brewery had sold some wine as an additional offering to customers. They agreed to stop earlier this year – but asked the trustees to discuss this in the future. He said the brewing equipment remained on site, but the cost of moving it and finding another location meant the Three Engineers' future was in doubt. Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust has issued a statement calling the events “an unfortunate outcome”. The trust said beer brewing and cider making was regarded as an “artisan” business, in line with its charitable aims. They

brewery was allowed to open a tap room, and sell its own products, along with soft drinks and pre-packaged snacks. The trust said: “3EB then unilaterally added the retail sale of wine to their offer, breaching the conditions of their licence, and also without consulting WMBT as the premises alcohol licence holder. “When this became apparent to WMBT, 3EB were asked to remove this offer, and when the breach of the licence became persistent, a meeting was arranged for November 24, 2022 that re-stated the limitation of the licence agreement.” The trust said that in June, 3EB returned the agreement with a hand-written statement rejecting the wine restriction, so as no new agreement was reached, its lease had ceased on July 1.

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n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Changing the culture of policing LAST month, Chief Constable Sarah Crew made an announcement regarding institutional racism in Avon and Somerset Police. This is about vital work to change the culture of policing, following the results of many reviews and reports, including those conducted by Macpherson and Casey, which also looks at wider issues of misogyny, homophobia and general police conduct and standards. Culture change is not something that happens overnight: it takes a minimum of five to ten years and involves looking at many areas within the service. This includes improving our vetting and selection processes, retention, and progression of staff, how police complaints are handled and, crucially, the training given to the workforce within the wider police family. I have let the chief constable know I support her and have full confidence in her leadership. This is a challenging issue to face. However, through initiating

and continuing these uncomfortable and difficult conversations, the chief constable is demonstrating openness, courage and willingness to be held accountable by the communities that she and our police officers and staff serve. It’s important to note that institutional racism is not just about policing alone. Policing is one element of the criminal justice process and, as the chair of the Local Criminal Justice Board, this is about our joint work with the wider criminal justice system (CJS) agencies like the Crown Prosecution Service, courts, prisons and probation to tackle racial disproportionality within our respective organisations. Such work is already underway, with the recommendations in the Identifying Disproportionality in the Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice System report. I will continue to update you on this area of work and, as your PCC, support the scrutiny and accountability of the chief constable on these issues, as Avon and Somerset

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Police continues towards its vision to deliver outstanding policing for all of our communities. Moving on, Avon and Somerset Police has joined all five police forces and PCCs in the South West and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) as part of the region’s ongoing work to target and disrupt organised crime groups harming our communities through drug supply. Avon and Somerset Police is the top out of all forces for the number of operations focused on drug supply disruptions; all five police services in our region are in the top 10, and have been for the past two years. In Avon and Somerset, officers have seized over £3 million worth of cannabis and arrested 20 people in relation to crimes linked to the illegal cultivation of the plant. This operation continues to go from strength to strength. We collectively continue to make our communities safer by targeting the criminals bringing drugs and violence to our region, as well as protecting the vulnerable they seek to exploit, as

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford workers or as users of the drugs they supply. Taking a regional approach really does make a difference, so much so that the number of county lines in our region is decreasing, as criminals are having to change the way they operate. The message is clear: the South West is no place for drugs or drug dealers.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

August, 2023

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n ARTS

Octopus Drama Group needs you! OCTOPUS Drama Group has been entertaining the people of Thornbury and surrounding villages for 52 years. We have performed a pantomime and a comedy play every year and, until recently, a variety show to raise money for local charities. Our ‘home’ is Porch House on Castle Street where we have had a long lasting and beneficial relationship with Christ the King Parish ever since our humble beginnings in 1971. We are very aware, in the present climate, how lucky we are to have a regular venue that we can call our own and our thanks go to Father George and the parishioners for their patience and understanding when we periodically cause organised chaos in the church hall. However, like many other groups we are at a bit of a crossroads, because we need more people. With the influx of residents into Thornbury, we feel there must be many talented people out there just waiting for the call. Well, wait no longer! If you would like to join a hard working but fun- loving group of people to help us put on our shows, in whatever capacity, we would love to hear from you. We need actors but, just as importantly, we

The cast of Octopus Drama Group's recent panto Aladdin: Jenny Dennis as Widow Twanky, Nick Baskerville as Ping, Astris Della Porta as The Genie of the Ring, Adrian Dennis as the Emperor, Abi Baskerville as Princess Yasmin, Peter James as Abanazar and Lucy Chippett as So-Shi

need scenery painters, costume makers, lighting and sound engineers, props, publicity and backstage crew. We are a friendly group and we have at least two social nights each year as well as a party after every show. Whether you are a newcomer in town or a well-established resident who is looking for a change, why not give our secretary Karen a call on 01454 413783 and ask for more information? Our pantomime readings will be held in September and we encourage adults and children to come along and take part. Our

rehearsal nights are Wednesday and Sunday. This year we are doing King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table, which has been written by Octopus member Peter James. There are lots of smaller parts in our pantos for all age groups, so even if you are not yet ready to take a leading role, you can dip your toe in the water. We can assure you of a warm welcome: visit our website www.octopus-thornbury.co.uk for more information, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Jenny Dennis

Hear how Jenner changed the world ARMSTRONG Arts Group presents a talk on how Berkeley doctor Edward Jenner changed the world by pioneering the medical practice of vaccination. Professor Gareth Williams will tell the colourful story of Jenner's life as a doctor, scientist, musician, poet – and a disorganised experimenter who took over 30 years to put his theory to the test. In 1796, Dr Jenner proved that inoculation with cowpox protected against smallpox, a terrifying scourge that killed one person in twelve. Vaccination has proved to be one of Professor Gareth Williams the greatest success stories in medicine, culminating in the complete extermination of smallpox in 1980. Professor Williams trained in medicine in Cambridge, London and Geneva, and was Dean of Medicine at Bristol University and Chair of the Trustees at the Edward Jenner Museum. His books include Angel of Death: the Story of Smallpox, Paralysed with Fear: the Story of Polio, A Monstrous Commotion: the Mysteries of Loch Ness and Unravelling the Double Helix: the Lost Heroes of DNA. He has appeared at the Hay, Edinburgh and other book festivals, on Radio 4's The Briefing Room and BBC World Service's The Forum, and in several TV documentaries including The Mary Berry Story. The talk will take place at St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road in Thornbury on Saturday September 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50, from AAGThornbury@gmail.com Jane Parfitt

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n SPORT

August, 2023

Brother and sister captains for Thorns THORNBURY Rugby Club has a unique leadership team on the pitch for the new season. The senior Men’s and Women’s teams are being led by brother and sister Luke and Laura Panting. With Sam Poustie stepping down at the end of last season, Luke was a stand-out candidate to succeed him as Men's First XV captain. It was his fellow players who put him forward for the position, which was unanimously confirmed at the club's July committee meeting. Luke has been a player with Thornbury throughout the juniors and, apart from a brief time at Old Patesians when studying in Cheltenham, has played for Thornbury as an adult ever since as well. Laura captained the Ladies to league glory last season with an invincible league season, and continues in that role.

Harry Woolf continues as Second XV captain, with Stuart Adams carrying on as the Third XV captain, where it is hoped there will be a significant amount of social rugby fixtures. The captains will be looking forward to the new season. The teams have returned for pre-season training with the men training at The Chantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the Women training there on Wednesdays. The Men’s First XV have three pre-season games, at Lydney on Friday August 11 followed by a home match with Lichfield on the 19th and an away game at Cheltenham on the 24th. Their league season starts with a trip to Devizes, on September 2. This is the same weekend as the Seconds begin their league campaign at home to Frampton Cotterell Seconds. The Women have a pre-

Luke Panting and Laura Panting season match with Supermarine, on a date to be confirmed, and have an away fixture with Aretians Ladies on September 2 before starting their league matches in Hereford against Greyhound Ladies on the 17th. Having secured promotion

to Women's NC 2 South West (North) there is more travelling involved, with matches in Oxford and Witney on the fixture list. More details are available on the club website at www. thornburyrfc.co.uk. Dave Fox

Coach Eleanor recognised for leading role ALL at Thornbury Town are delighted to report that club coach Eleanor Bush has been recognised for her work coaching the club’s girls section. Eleanor attended the Gloucestershire Football Association's 2023 Grassroots Football Awards at Forest Green Rovers' New Lawn stadium recently, and was awarded a 'highly commended' prize in the Young Volunteer of the Year category. Eleanor has played a leading

role in the girls set-up at Thornbury. She has spent many hours coaching, managing and running the girls section at the club to provide the opportunity for young girls to play football. Whilst the schools have only just “broken up”, for the summer preparations for the new football season are well under way, as Thornbury Town approach their third season at Hellenic League Premier Division level. First team managers Richard Joyce and Gary Kemp have

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been pleased with the way preparations for the new season have been going. With the majority of last season’s squad remaining and the addition of a few new faces, all at the club will be hoping for a much better start to the new season than they had last time around. Draws for the FA cup Eleanor Bush wither her commendation competitions have been made and Thorns face two difficult away fixtures. In the FA Cup they make a well attended, with 18 or more trip to Southern League players present each week. Bishops Cleeve on Friday August They have been entered into 4, whilst in the FA Vase, Town the FA Youth Cup and received have a shorter journey across a home draw against Fairford Bristol to Mangotsfield United. Town or Bridgwater United The Reserves' first season in in the Preliminary Round, the Bristol Premier Combination to be played week beginning starts on September 2, when September 4. Greyfriars Athletic are the Off the field, work on the visitors to the Mundy Fields. clubroom extension continues The A team have an away and it is hoped will be completed fixture at Made For Ever on the by the beginning of September. same day. There are also some other The club are pleased to ground improvements in the confirm that the U18 team has pipeline, as Thorns look to been reformed for the coming consolidate their place at this season and will be competing in level of football. the Bristol U18 Combination. Training sessions have been Malcolm Carr

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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August, 2023

n LETTERS

Thank you for the bunting THORNBURY Town Council would like to thank everybody who contributed a bunting flag to our Coronation Community Bunting Project, and those who volunteered their time to sew them all together. The response was overwhelming, and the finished bunting consists of 274 individual flags and is approximately 82.5m long!

The helpful team at St Mary Shopping Centre have displayed the Community Coronation bunting for all to see in the shopping centre, where it will likely remain until the end of August. Please do pop along to admire it and to seek out your own flag if you provided one. When it is taken down the Town Council will be loaning out the bunting for community events, so do get in touch if you would like to borrow it in the future. The bunting has been sewn into more manageable lengths of around

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12.5 meters. Thanks also go to Castle Crafts who kindly donated the binding tape. Kath MacConnachie Town Clerk

Do you remember Olive and Sid? I HAVE acquired a presentation plate and wondered if Voice readers have any knowledge of the couple it was given to.

The inscription reads: "To Olive & Sid Box from Thornbury Round Table. Presented on 14th October 1966." I would like to donate it to a family member if they are interested. Linda Hunt Editor's note: Anyone who can help reunite the plate with Olive and Sid's family can get in touch with Linda via the Voice, at contact@ thornburyvoice.co.uk

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“A safe and supportive environment for all residents. Staff are friendly and provide great care. Thank you for looking after my mother so well.” Jane, Daughter of Resident at Beech House (source: carehome.co.uk) At Beech House care home in Thornbury, the safety, care and well-being of our residents are at the centre of everything we do. If you are looking for a home or a home for a loved one, we would be happy to show you around our beautiful, family-owned home in Thornbury.

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