Thornbury Voice February 2018

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February, 2018 Issue 11

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Re-build plan up for debate at Armstrong Hall public meeting A THIRD option for the future of Thornbury’s Armstrong Hall complex has been proposed ahead of a public meeting about to take place.

The town council has organised the meeting as promised in the wake of opposition to two other options put forward.

One involved refurbishing and extending the hall, while

the other would see the site redeveloped to help fund an extension to the Turnberries community building for use as a performance space.

But there was criticism that Turnberries wouldn’t be big enough and a refurbishment of the Armstrong Hall was not sufficient.

An extra proposal to rebuild the Armstrong Hall on its

current site has now been added and will form part of a new consultation to start on February 16.

The public meeting will be held in the Cossham Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 1 and a decision on which option to pursue is set to be taken on March 20.

Full story, Page 2.

Have your say Community survey launched for Thornbury PAGE 3

Fancy a good read?

Literary festival coming to Thornbury PAGE 7

New homes for Falfield 85 houses approved despite protests PAGE 15

Handy around the house - 4th Thornbury Brownies have been honing their DIY skills as part of new activities on offer. More in our community section, page 11

School open after clean up Vandals target Castle School PAGE 23

Backhand compliment Tennis club serves up awards PAGE 29

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February, 2018

n NEWS

Date set for meeting on Armstrong Hall’s future after extra proposal added to options There were also calls for a third option - to rebuild the Armstrong Hall on its current site.

That has now been added to the list with a proposal to have increased facilities, as well as retaining the Cossham Hall and town museum on the site.

It means a new period of consultation will be held in order to get people’s views, as well as holding the meeting in the Cossham Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 1.

An earlier consultation exercise took place last autumn and drew hundreds of responses, with concerns voiced about insufficient space available for performances if the Turnberries

plan was pursued.

The town council said it had listened to the views of local people expressed at the time, leading to the further proposition.

It said: “The council and Armstrong Hall trustees are therefore considering three options on which we would like further views and feedback from the community.”

Work will continue to be done on plans and information ahead of the consultation starting on February 16. People will have until March 9 to make comments and a decision on which option to progress is anticipated to be taken on March 20.

A PUBLIC meeting to discuss the future of Thornbury’s Armstrong Hall will be held within the Chapel Street complex on March 1st 2018.

Town leaders pledged to hold a meeting after local people called for a debate on the building, which has been Thornbury’s main performance venue for many years.

The premises are in need of significant refurbishment to allow its continued long-term use.

But two options put forward after talks between Thornbury Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council, along with trustees of the Turnberries community building in Bath

Road, were criticised.

One plan was to refurbish and extend the Armstrong Hall to provide changing rooms and extra multi-purpose meeting space.

The second involved building a large hall extension onto Turnberries to create a performance area with stage, changing rooms and extra community meeting space.

Under option two, the Armstrong Hall site would be sold for redevelopment, with the proceeds used to part-fund the Turnberries’ extension.

A number of user groups and residents feared option two was a “done deal” and pressed for the public meeting.

Rate relief scheme

Sea cadets appeal for help to replace ailing minibus

AN estimated 100 small and medium-sized businesses in South Gloucestershire could be eligible for rate relief for the coming financial year.

Those which might benefit from Government-allocated funding are being contacted by South Gloucestershire Council, which will administer the scheme over the next four years, to apply for the support.

Small and medium companies make up the majority of businesses in the area and the aim of the discretionary relief scheme is to help them adjust to and absorb increases to the rates.

South Gloucestershire will receive £752,000 of funding over the four-year period and it hopes that £438,000 will be distributed in the first year.

THORNBURY’S sea cadets need to replace their 25-year-old minibus so they can continue to go on camps, courses and competitions.

Their current vehicle is invaluable to the unit, based just off Gloucester Road, but has been described as “ailing” and in need of replacement.

Cadet leaders are now asking shoppers who use one of the town’s supermarkets to consider supporting the unit through a token scheme.

The Tesco store gives tokens to shoppers at the checkout, which customers can drop into one of several collection boxes for the local community project of their choice.

Grants of different amounts, from £1,000 to £4,000, are then given

Some of Thornbury's sea cadet unit at its annual awards evening. to the projects depending on the number of tokens they receive.

Meanwhile, anyone between ten and 18 who is interested in

joining the sea cadets should email thornburyscc@gmail.com or call 01454 411105. The unit meets on two evenings a week.

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February, 2018

n NEWS

Training day for volunteers to help out at heritage project events A HERITAGE project is recruiting volunteers to help run its events, with a training day planned for Thornbury.

The Forgotten Landscape scheme aims to conserve and improve the lower Severn Vale levels - the foreshore and coastal floodplain of the River Severn that includes areas such as Oldbury-on-Severn, Shepperdine and Hill.

The event management training will take place on the morning of Saturday, February 24, at the Turnberries community

centre in Bath Road.

Volunteers are needed by the project to help out at events ranging from bird walks and history talks to the Severn Festival and although the training is free, places must be booked.

Anyone interested should email emma.cross@southglos. gov.uk or call 01454 864265.

By visiting the project’s website www. aforgottenlandscape.org.uk details of other events can also be found.

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Neighbourhood plan survey opens for comments on town’s future development A TOWN-wide community influence over building and survey has been launched so development in the town. people can have their say on Although likely to take the future development of two years to complete and Thornbury. be approved through a local The aim of the survey is to referendum, it will have statutory collect local views on what is weight in the planning process. regarded as most important in Thornbury mayor, Helen areas such as development and Harrison, said: “The views of the housing, services, facilities, the local community are central to town centre, employment, the the development of Thornbury’s environment, open spaces and neighbourhood plan, so it really getting around. is important that local people A neighbourhood plan participate and have their say. group facilitated and funded “Our neighbourhood plan

by Thornbury Town Council needs to reflect Thornbury so we but led and made up of local can make sure that, as our town volunteers started work last year grows, we don’t lose its character on developing the plan. and identity and that we provide The survey builds on the homes, services and facilities consultation work undertaken the town needs.” during the past six months and Visit www.thornburyplan.

Oldbury’s will be used to help shape and co.uk tonew takereactors part or will get abepaper thecopy samefrom as the forhall.

Horizon’s develop policies that will give theone town The proposed inFebruary Wales 26.

Thornbury more of a say and survey new runssite until

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thornburyvoice March deadline

Our March edition will be going to print on February 19. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by February 14. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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Richard Drew

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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

Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

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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

February, 2018

n NEWS

Panto box office opens as drama group celebrates golden anniversary A BOX office has opened ahead of the four-night run of the pantomime Dick Whittington and his Cat in the Armstrong Hall.

Thornbury Musical Theatre Group is staging the show in its 50th anniversary year and has already been selling tickets online.

But anyone wanting to see the panto can now also buy tickets in the office of Lisa Costa Residential Sales and Lettings in High Street.

The panto takes place at 7.30pm from Wednesday, February 14, to Saturday, February 17, with 2.30pm matinees on the Friday and Saturday.

Online booking is continuing at www.tmtg.org.uk and tickets can also be bought by phoning 07516 270140.

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February, 2018

5

n NEWS

New Thornbury Jazz Festival selling tickets for debut event TICKETS have gone on sale for the new jazz festival to be hosted in Thornbury in early March.

The programme for the event has been finalised, with performances in a cafe setting in the Armstrong Hall running from early evening through to a late night session.

Now jazz enthusiasts can get their tickets either by calling into the town hall in High Street or phoning the box office on 01454 412272.

Organisers have pledged concerts of varied jazz to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes at the inaugural festival on Saturday, March 10.

Thornbury Swing Band will open the evening at 6pm with a line-up featuring saxophones, trombones, trumpets and vocalists, all supported by a rhythm section of bass, guitar, keyboard and drums.

It will be followed by the Bristol-based Mark Randall Six before singer Jessica Radcliffe returns to the town, in company with the Park Row Five, to perform a selection of original arrangements of a wide range of jazz classics, blues and ballads.

The Class Act Trio, led by John Huggins,

will bring the festival to a close.

Tickets range from £6 for the swing band concert alone to £18 for the whole event and hot food will be available for £5 throughout the evening. A bar will also be open.

The festival is part of the phase one fund raising efforts to improve the Armstrong Hall.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Thornbury Swing Band (above) and Jessica Radcliffe (left).

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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n NEWS

February, 2018

Polio campaign brings iron lung to Thornbury to highlight ongoing fight against disease AN iron lung will be on display in Thornbury to raise awareness of the continuing campaign to eradicate polio.

Although the disease has largely been eliminated around the world, it remains endemic in a few countries.

Rotary clubs internationally, together with the developer of the oral polio vaccine, Albert Sabin, began a campaign in 1979 to rid the globe of the infectious and serious illness by immunising all children - a move that is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

To highlight the work still going on to achieve that aim, Thornbury Rotary Club will display the iron lung outside Tesco in Thornbury on Friday and Saturday, February 16 and 17.

The iron lung was developed in the first half of the 20th century to help those with polio whose chest muscles became paralysed, resulting in them being unable to breathe.

They would be put inside an iron lung, which originally used vacuum cleaner engines to supply external positive and negative pressure to the patient’s chest,

thereby facilitating breathing.

Today the iron lung has been replaced by positive pressure ventilators that operate through a hole in the windpipe but the relic

serves as a reminder of many devastating diseases that could return if vaccination levels fall.

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February, 2018

7

n NEWS

Ambitious literary festival announced for South Gloucestershire BOOK lovers in Thornbury are set for a treat this summer after plans for a literary festival were unveiled.

The first Cotswold Edge Literacy Festival will run from 16-24 June. A full week of events are planned with some big names already booked for the event.

The novelist, journalist and commentator Will Self will be appearing as well as the writer of "The Boy with the Top Knot’, Sathnam Sanghera. Local best selling writer Susan Lewis has also been booked for the festival.

Children’s author and adult poet AF Harold has been signed up to provide inspiring sessions for schoolchildren and the owner of the Bristol Wine School, Tristan Darby will give people a taste of drink in literature through the ages.

More bookings will be

announced in the next few weeks, with Thornbury Voice an official partner to the festival.

The festival is the brainchild of Cotswold Edge Events, a company set up to provide entertainment in the South Gloucestershire area. They’ve already held sold out music concerts in the area and have the Acoustic Straws and Blues Band lined up for 2018.

Organiser Mark Lloyd said: “We’re very excited about launching the literary festival, with some big names already booked and more to come.

People in South Gloucestershire enjoy their share of culture and the idea of Cotswold Edge Events is to provide this on their doorstep, and not have to always travel into Bristol or Bath.”

Pictured right: Will Self courtesy of Chris Close

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n NEWS

Quiz night returns to raise funds for cancer research charity A POPULAR quiz night in aid of Cancer Research UK will be held this year at Manorbrook Primary School on Friday, March 9.

A fish and chip supper will be included for those taking part in the event, which is organised by the charity’s Thornbury and district committee. There will also be a licensed bar open and a raffle.

Starting at 7.30pm, quiz enthusiasts are asked to be at the venue 15 minutes before the questions begin.

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February, 2018

Make a splash at town swimming challenge to help local charities HUNDREDS of swimmers are set to take the plunge in an annual fund raising event at Thornbury’s leisure centre.

The Thornbury Rotary Club Swimarathon is a long-running feature in the town and last year alone more than 300 participants completed a total of 125 miles to bring in £21,200 for local charities and good causes.

This year’s event takes place during the weekend of March 2-4 and will again be a sponsored relay challenge for all ages in teams of up to six swimmers.

Details on how to be involved are on the club’s website www.thornburyrotary.org/ swimarathon and entry is free.

Organiser Stuart Hill can also be contacted by emailing Swimarathon@thornburyrotary. org or phoning 07913 241437.

The club said Berkeley Vale Motors would be the main sponsor of the event, while other

local businesses had pledged their support.

Castle School’s steel band Panache will also play at the poolside to help create a carnival

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Among charities to benefit fro the event will be the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Jigsaw Thornbury.

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February, 2018

9

n NEWS

Folk band hit the high notes with Rockhampton fund raising concert The band enjoyed a rewarding 2017, with several successes in folk festivals locally and nationally and raising more than £3,000 for the charity War Child.

Its Rockhampton concert alone raised £562, with other cash coming in from busking sessions in Bath, on the South Bank in London and in Brittany

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It’s a once a month commitment, so whether you are looking for some paid exercise or extra pocket money, we’d like to hear from you. You need to be reliable, as it’s important the paper goes to homes in the area every month. The minimum age for a round is 13 (with parental permission) - there is no upper limit!

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The eight-piece band is made up of musicians aged from nine to 17 from three local families.

During the hour-long performance, the youngsters played a variety of instruments ranging from fiddles and penny whistles to the guitar, double bass and even spoons and hooters.

Their set included several original compositions, as well as their own arrangements of traditional Irish tunes and songs, such as the serious Lark in the Clear Air to the comic Dinny O'Rafferty's motor car.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk 9/2/16 18:37:46

n MERLIN ADVERTISING FEATURE

Merlin announces partnership talks with Bromford Housing to deliver more for customers

“Both our organisations have ambitious development programmes. Working together these can be combined and expanded to deliver 14,000 new homes in the next decade.”

Bromford CEO Philippa Jones and Merlin’s CEO Robert Nettleton announcing partnership talks

South Gloucestershire-based Merlin is in formal talks with Midlands-based Bromford to create a partnership which will work with nearly 100,000 customers to achieve more of what they hope for and deliver the largest housing association-led new homes programme throughout Gloucestershire.

The partnership will see the organisations – with nearly 40,000 homes between them, a combined turnover of £250m and strong operating margin- join together to invest £1.5bn in 14,000 new homes over the next decade.

with a shared vision of enabling customers to use great affordable homes as a springboard to achieve more of what they hope for themselves, their families and their communities.

“Both our organisations have ambitious development programmes. Working together these can be combined and expanded to deliver 14,000 new homes in the next decade. This capability and a common passion to offer an exceptional customer experience, will help our combined business grow and deliver more of a difference.”

Over the coming months the organisations will seek feedback and consult customers and stakeholders on the vision for the In a joint statement, CEOs Philippa partnership which includes: Unlocking the ability to do more Jones from Bromford and Robert in communities the housing Nettleton from Merlin said: associations work in, especially “This is a partnership where each in coaching and empowering organisation brings expertise customers to build resilience and that complements the other and take control of their own lives. This service aspirations that fit really well. It brings together two forward partnership will allow Merlin and Bromford to share expertise to thinking housing associations

benefit the whole and enable them both to reach more customers than they can do alone.

Expanding existing ambitious development programmes to deliver 14 000 new homes in the next decade. This capability makes the aspiration of developing and regenerating new communities possible. Together the partnership will be able to deliver the largest housing association led development programme in its area of operation.

Transforming customer experience by developing automated digital services alongside the housing associations’ continued strong focus on local services and personal relationships.

Enhancing flexible working practices and a culture based on values and behaviours which will attract and retain the best talent, expand apprenticeships and create more graduate opportunities.

Merlin will be sharing more information with customers and carrying out a formal consultation in January.

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

11

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Laura in bid for national Thornbury award after becoming a Lions Volunteer Centre Club young ambassador SIXTH former Laura Woodman is heading for the national final of a prestigious award scheme run by Lions clubs.

Laura, a student at Thornbury’s Castle School, won a district stage of the Lions Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Award, which recognises voluntary work in candidates’ local community organisations.

Laura was nominated by Thornbury Lions and she had to give a presentation about her volunteering work to judges at the district award phase of the competition.

She received a trophy from former Lions district governor Tony Buchan and will now go on to the national final in February.

As a finalist, she will also receive a bursary to help her chosen organisations - Incredible Kids and Little Acorns Nursery.

Laura volunteers at both, helping children develop social skills at Incredible Kids, which is a day care centre for children with a wide range of disabilities, and at the nursery, where she

helps with child development.

The teenager is also a member of Thornbury Sea Cadets, where she is a role model for the younger members, teaching them respect and responsibility.

Laura is currently working towards her gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, having already achieved her bronze award.

nnn DO you want to get outdoors during the long winter months? If so you may like to join the working parties at Filnore Wood. They meet between 10am-12.30pm on the second Sunday and the fourth Wednesday of the month and take part in woodland and grassland management - coppicing, scything, path building, hedge laying and bramble clearing. Training given. nnn MEET, greet and get to know the people from your community with this versatile volunteering role with the British Heart Foundation.

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Laura Woodman presented with her award by former Lions district governor Tony Buchan.

U3A group invites new members to carry on learning AN event to introduce the U3A - University of the Third Age - to potential members in the Thornbury area will be held in early March.

The organisation is an international movement for the retired or those approaching retirement who want to continue learning new skills and boosting their education.

Its aim is to keep people mentally and physically engaged and active without them having to travel too far or enrol on expensive courses.

Thornbury and District U3A already has more than 1,700 members, with some 90 different

DO you live in the Charfield area? If so would you be able to visit housebound service users who are unable to visit a library themselves due to either temporary or permanent disability and provide them with regular reading materials? Volunteering for South Gloucestershire Libraries, you would need a full DBS check and have access to your own transport.

groups meeting at various venues throughout the area.

Their interests range from archaeology to walking, crafts, board games and theatre, with some going on organised visits and others learning more about particular educational topics.

A welcome meeting will be held on Monday, March 5, at 3.30pm in St Mary’s Church Hall, Eastbury Road.

Visit www.thornburyu3a. org.uk or email membership@ thornburyu3a.org.uk for further information. The group can also be contacted by phoning 01454 858438 or 01454 415019.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

AGE UK South Gloucestershire based in Thornbury need volunteers to provide administration support to the volunteering team. This will involve extensive use of a computer as every contact they make with a member of the public needs to be recorded on a data base which also involves confident use of the internet.

For further information please contact Thornbury Volunteer Centre on 01454 413392 or mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk

Hammer time! Brownies brush up their DIY skills 4th Thornbury Brownies have been delving into the tool kit to learn DIY skills.

The brownies recently returned from their Christmas to try a taster activity on offer based on a new programme, which will start from summer 2018 with the switchover will complete in 2019.

The brownies chose to do a DIY activity which involved learning about tools, and practiced by screwing and hammering into potatoes to form shapes and letters.

The programme of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and The Senior Section is changing so

it continues to remain relevant for its members. A lot is staying the same but there will be more adventure, more technical skills (like DIY and bike maintenance) and more social action in line with what members are asking for.

There are going to be several new types of badges, awards and activities too.

We are always really pleased to have new volunteers join us.

If you can help in any way please go to www.girlguiding.org.uk/ joinus<http://www.girlguiding. org.uk/joinus> and register your interest.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

12

n NEWS

February, 2018

Turbines generating electricity after wind farm connected to national grid

A THREE-turbine wind farm in Alveston parish is generating power after being turned on by green energy company Ecotricity.

The site in Old Gloucester Road, Earthcott Green, was connected to the national grid technology as a result of the on target and, according to global take-up of electric cars has Ecotricity, will provide enough now made that possible. electricity to power more than Recently, Ecotricity was 3,000 homes for the next 30 granted permission to build one years. of the country’s first grid scale Work had started on the battery storage projects on the scheme at the end of 2015, with Alveston site, which it said would the turbine structures erected allow it to balance variations last autumn before being linked between supply and demand to the national grid just before every 30 minutes.

2017 drew to a close.

With the turbines running, Company founder Dale Vince a community benefit fund said: “It’s always great to build has been established by the another wind park and put it into company, to be managed operation.” through its charity arm, the Ecotricity now has 25 wind Green Britain Foundation. parks, between them operating Through the fund, nearly more than 70 turbines. £7,000 will be made available The company said one of every year for local community the obstacles to greater levels of groups to be spent on projects renewable energy on the grid was which meet the charity’s criteria the ability to store electricity, around sustainability in the which used to be commercially sectors of energy, transport, food difficult.

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High demand for foodbanks from people in crisis continues to rise TEAMS running foodbanks in Thornbury and Yate said demand for their services exceeded their worst forecast through December.

While expecting to be busy, the requests for help were even higher than anticipated.

The Thornbury foodbank in the town’s Baptist church is a branch of the Yate and Chipping Sodbury foodbank - and part of the Trussell Trust's UK-wide network.

Robert Vernon, who heads up the Yate centre in Station Road, said December was busy at all three centres - there is also a branch in Mangotsfield - but the volunteers did their best to help people and would at least have food for the Christmas period.

He said: “On the upside, the generosity of people in supplying us with Christmas goodies in addition to our usual items was overwhelming.

“We received so many thanks from donors for the work we do.

As a result, we were well able to cope with the demand in our usual generous manner.”

He said through 2017, food and other items were supplied to 2,534 people - a 12 per cent rise on 2016.

That equated to more than 25 tonnes in the food parcels but donations of 24.6 tonnes were received.

He said: “Sadly, we do not expect demand to reduce this coming year. As a result, we will need help and support to keep the warehouse stocked.”

Foodbanks provide emergency meals for three days to people in short term crisis, which can be the result of problems such as benefit delays or withdrawal, separation, unexpected bills, debt, bereavement or redundancy.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

13

n NEWS

Advisory group stalwart retires after building trust between Polish community and police

A FORMER lecturer in economics, who fled Poland as a child when her country was invaded, has retired from a police advisory role.

Lady Danusia TrotmanDickenson gave many years of service to the South Gloucestershire Police Independent Advisory Group (IAG), through which she represented the Polish community.

Chief Inspector Mark Evans, who described her as a stalwart of the group, said: “Her involvement has made a real difference and helped to build support and trust between the community and local police.

“She has offered practical support to many people who have come into contact with police, whether as victims, witnesses or offenders, as well as acting as a critical friend to officers, helping us to better

Neighbourhood Sergeant Darren Warr presenting a bouquet to Lady Danusia Trotman-Dickenson understand our community. She will be missed but we wish her well in the future.”

Neighbourhood Sergeant Darren Warr presented Lady Trotman-Dickenson with a bouquet of flowers in the red and white colours of the Polish flag.

Lady Trotman-Dickenson, who was born in Warsaw, was ten-years-old at the start of the Second World War and after fleeing Poland, eventually came to live in Britain.

Her education took her to Scotland and London, going on

to teach economics and public finance at Manchester and Edinburgh universities, before lecturing in Wales, where she lived for more than 30 years and became a professor. In 2010 she received the MBE for services to education.

On moving to South Gloucestershire, Lady TrotmanDickenson joined the AngloPolish Society and became a trustee.

She said: “I volunteered as an interpreter for the Polish community and found many were mistrustful of the police.

“It was great to be able to help build trust between the police and the community. I have very much enjoyed working with the local officers.”

The IAG volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and advise officers on policing issues which may be of concern to local communities.

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21435News?

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22/02/2017 11:09 Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

n NEWS

Falfield to get 85 new homes after major campaign against development fails CONTROVERSIAL plans to build up to 85 homes in Falfield have been approved, despite opposition from parish leaders and residents.

The decision by South Gloucestershire Council means a planning inquiry for a bigger scheme for up to 115 homes on the same site has now been withdrawn by the developers.

The outline plan by Cotswold Homes for land at Heneage Farm, Moorslade Lane, also still includes a park-and-share facility for up to 100 cars.

Local people had fought the scheme on the same grounds as the earlier and larger proposal.

They said the reduction by just 30 houses made little difference and the reasons behind the refusal of the first application were still valid.

One of the reasons planners had rejected that scheme was because it was unsustainable due to Falfield’s location and the distance to schools, health services and employment, putting a high reliance on private cars.

Opponents said that had not changed and the scale of development was still too great for the size of the community.

They also said it would add to congestion problems at the M5 junction in the village.

The parish council said the increase in houses was disproportionate and would have an adverse impact on Falfield’s character.

It said: “This is not a sustainable location nor driven by local needs.”

15

NURSERY OPEN DAY Thursday 8th March 9:30am to 12:00pm

Village pub set for demolition in Alveston housing scheme THE Cross Hands pub in Alveston could be knocked down and replaced with four houses.

Hawkfield Homes has submitted a plan to South Gloucestershire Council to demoish the pub, which has been closed for some time, and replace it with detached homes on the corner plot of The Down and Strode Common.

Documents accompanying the application said there had been a high turnover of tenants during the past 15 years, indicating difficulties in making the pub viable.

Chris Dance, of planning consultants LPC, said despite comprehensive marketing, there had been no significant interest in the pub, with most interest coming from property developers.

He also said it was not suitable for alternative commercial uses.

A heritage statement said although the pub retained to a degree the external appearance of an Edwardian property,

albeit altered, the interior was “devoid of character having been thoroughly altered and modified”.

It described the building as “unremarkable” and retaining no historic architectural quality.

But there have already been objections to the proposal from people who used to be customers of the pub.

The application was submitted in the days leading to Christmas and after the Bristol Pubs Group within CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale - had already expressed concern about the pub being closed.

A decision on the proposal will be made at a later date.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

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Call 01454 613229 registrar@tockingtonmanorschool.com www.tockingtonmanorschool.com

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

16

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

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"The provider was exceptional in its responsiveness to people's changing needs and prevented unnecessary hospital admissions through its flexible service delivery” What is Live-In Care?

Receiving 24 hour care at home is a popular alternative to care homes for individuals with long-term health needs. Given the choice, many of us would choose to remain within our homes whilst receiving support. However when faced with the responsibility of choosing the type of care we would like our loved ones to receive, we tend to automatically assume care homes are the best or only option.

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Receiving care at home makes it possible to get the professional support you require without

leaving the comfort of your own home.

We know that independence, choice and dignity are important for both happiness and health. Our care services enable you to continue to live your life the way you wish to in the comfort of your own home and familiar surroundings. Our team of professional live in carers are trained to provide you with the

highest quality of compassionate care.

If you would like to find out more about livein care, call us today for a friendly and helpful chat with someone who really understands. We will provide you with full details of costs, which will vary depending on need and can talk to you about benefit and funding options to help you make the right decision.

Live life well at home “It’s not just about the care, it’s about the companionship” Our live-in care service offers great peace of mind to families as it allows your loved one to stay in the home they know, while receiving professional, round the clock care.

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

17

n REVIEW

Countdown starts to arts festival as programme finalised for nine-day event ONLINE booking is set to go live in early February for the 2018 Thornbury Arts Festival.

Comedian Jeremy Hardy will launch the nine-day event with a show in the Armstrong Hall on Friday, April 20.

Festival-goers can then enjoy a range of entertainment - from

music and drama to cinema and lunchtime talks - until Saturday, April 28.

Highlights of the packed programme include an audience with Baroness Shirley Williams, who recently retired from the House of Lords after 50 years in politics.

She was one of the “Gang of Four” Labour MPs who formed the Social Democratic Party in the early 1980s - later to become the Liberal Democrats.

TV wildlife presenter Simon King is also expected to be a big hit. Known to millions as a face of the BBC’s Springwatch and Big Cat Diary, he will take his audience on a journey of discovery, showing how everyone can talk to the animals in their own neighbourhood.

On the music front, the Remi Harris Trio will give a concert of gypsy swing, jazz and blues, while the baroque ensemble Passacaglia has chosen to

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

perform pieces by composers such as Vivaldi and Handel.

Flute and guitar duo Icaris and The Swinging Rascals described as a 21st century Rat Pack act with an 11-piece live band - will also be welcomed to the festival.

Meanwhile, drama comes from actor Rebecca Vaughan with her acclaimed Jane Eyre: an Autobiography, with award-winning author, poet and playwright Owen Sheers reading extracts from his film-poem The Green Hollow, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

Thornbury’s own TV food show producer Andy Clarke and Paralympian Kate Grey have also been included in the programme and the festival has teamed up with Thornbury Picture House to screen the children’s film Sing.

Topics for lunchtime talks include Lundy Island, village

life in the Berkeley Vale during World War One and the rise and fall of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Visit www. thornburyartsfestival.com for details of the performances and how to buy tickets. Brochures will also soon be distributed in Thornbury and surrounding areas.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

18

nW HAT’S ON IN OUR AREA January 25 n Avon Organic Group The local group for everyone interested in organic growing and organic foods. This month we welcome Mike Feingold, Bristol’s Permaculture Guru, talking about Ideas from Permaculture and leading a discussion on how to make growing easier and more productive. Thursday at 7pm – 9pm at The Station (in the Dance Studio), Silver Street, Bristol. BS1 2AG. All welcome.

Visitors £5 / Members £2. www.groworganicbristol.org / secretaryaog@gmail.com January 27 n Thornbury Welsh Society will present their annual choir concert on Saturday 27th January at the Armstrong Hall starting at 7 30pm. Guest choir will be the Pontarddulais Male Choir with soloist Charlotte Bateman. Tickets will be available from Thornbury Town Hall from Wednesday 3rd January, priced £12.

February 3 n Sodbury Vale Model Railway Club's 34th Annual Model Railway Exhibition will be held on Saturday 3rd February 2018 at St Mary's Church, Church Road, Yate. Open 10.00am to 4.30pm. Full details at

thornburyvoice

www.sodburyvalemrc.co.uk February 22 n Avon Organic Group The local group for everyone interested in organic growing and organic foods. This month Ben Raskin, Head of Horticulture at the Soil Association, will be giving a short talk on “Combining Trees & Crops for Higher Yields and Resilience” with some fascinating results from a current experimental planting programme at Eastbrook Farm (Helen Browning Organics), followed by our Seed Swap and AGM. Thursday, 22nd February 2018, 7pm – 9pm at The Station (in the Dance Studio), Silver Street, Bristol. BS1 2AG. All welcome. Visitors £5 / Members £2. www.groworganicbristol.org / secretaryaog@gmail.com February 28 n Alveston Methodist Church.

7-30pm. John Putley will talk about Barber Surgeons of the 14th and 15th centuries. Visitors welcome £2-50 at the door.

Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church n 10.15 - 11.45 am Friday 5th January: Bev Byrne, Sirona; and Bingo n 10.15 - 11.45 am Friday 19th January: Ukulele Band

February, 2018

Regular events

Monday n 7.00 pm Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall World Dance 7-10pm Tuesday n 11.00 am - 1.30 pm Armstrong Hall - Excell Room Recycled Teenagers Lunch Club n 6pm Zumba at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n 7pm Zumba Toning at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n 8pm Yoga-Lattes at Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com Wednesday n 2.00 pm Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall Tea Dance 01454 412060 n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall, Committee Room Lip Reading Classes n Wednesdays Bellydance Classes with SachaFrom 7.30pm . Contact Sacha on 07971 578151 or email sachabellydance@yahoo.co.uk for full details. Ridgewood Community Association, Yate BS37 4AF Thursday n 8.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Ceroc

01454 262818

to book

Venue for all events

for a Sunday Carvery at Get the family together every week from 12-2pm Eastwood Park, served

as well as , freshly cooked joints, An assortment of starters desserts us icio del of h a choice a vegetarian special, wit 8DA , Gloucestershire, GL12 Eastwood Park, Falfield 01454 262818 events@eastwoodpark.co.uk www.eastwoodpark.co.uk

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: contact@thornburyvoice. co.uk Dance Friday n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Committee Room Canasta Club n Alveston: Marlwood School Marlwood Folk Companions 7:45 – 9:15pm (term time only).

What's on at Thornbury Library Like us on facebook: www. facebook.com/sgloslibraries Follow us on twitter: @ southgloslibs Looking for opening times, service information or contact details? See our website www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries

Call us on

We would love to publicise your event

StoryTime and RhymeTime for babies and pre-schoolers (Term Time Only).

• Storytime Mondays 2.15pm – 2.45pm.

• Rhymetime Fridays 10.30am -11.00am.

Most suitable for ages 0-4 years, all activities free of charge, no booking required.

Craft & Chat First Thursday of the month 2pm - 4pm.

A chance for people who love crafting to get together and share inspiration. No charge and no booking required. Just turn up and bring your craft project with you. New faces welcome!

It’s Spring Again!

Free half-term holiday craft session for children. Drop in anytime between 11-12 noon on Monday 12th February for free family fun, aimed at primary school aged children.

Adult supervision required, no child under 8 years to be left unattended.

Computer Support Volunteers Drop-in without an appointment

on Monday mornings 10-12 to see Mike, our computer volunteer who can help with quick enquiries.

If you need more intensive support, book in to see our computer volunteer Chris on Thursday mornings at 9.30, 10.30 or 11.30. Sessions with Chris must be booked in advance – enquire in person at Thornbury Library or email thornbury. library@southglos.gov.uk Free E magazines with your library card!

Over 100 different titles to choose from including BBC Good Food, Amateur Photographer, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Homes & Gardens, Hello!, Vogue & Total Film.

Checkout as many editions as you like and download or stream them to your tablet, smartphone, PC or laptop.

To find out more information visit: www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries and select “Library e-resources” or ask at the library.

Can you Help?

We are looking for people who love books and have their own transport who could spare a few hours each month to deliver books to people who can’t get to the library.

Ask at the library for more details or email thornbury. library@southglos.gov.uk.

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA 01454 414365 Peter.sumner@ btopenworld.com n1.30pm Zumba Gold at Thornbury Leisure Centre Saturday n 10am STRONG by Zumba at the New Sports Complex, Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com n Thornbury parkrun is a free, weekly, 5km run or walk, organised entirely by volunteers and taking place every Saturday at 9am on the Mundy Playing Fields. Register once, print your barcode and just turn up. See www.parkrun.org.uk/

thornbury” Sunday n Thornbury Ramblers walk. See www.thornburyramblers.org.uk for details, or ring 01454 413924 n 10.30am Zumba at the New Sports Complex, Castle School www.zumbathornbury.com

Alveston Singers THE Alveston Singers raised £2,300 for charity during 2017 through donations from audiences at the choir’s concerts.

Money given at the spring and December events have now been shared between the Julian Trust, which helps the homeless, and Off the Record, a mental health charity for

young people.

The choir chooses two charities to support each year and has thanked all those who contributed to collections at the end of its performances.

The singers are now preparing for their 2018 concerts, the first of which will be in May, details of which will be announced later.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

19

n LETTER

Diabetes charity looking for swimmers

Dear Editor,

Diabetes UK is looking for people from South Gloucestershire to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22 February and 22 May. As a Swim22 challenger you’ll swim an incredible 22 miles – the equivalent of crossing the English Channel – in your local pool, while making a difference with each and every splash. You can take on the swim challenge alone or, better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved. You can even split the distance between a team to make it easier for everyone.

Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice.

Every day, around 700 people are diagnosed with diabetes. When diabetes is not well managed it is associated with serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. Every length you complete and every pound you raise will get us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

To sign up, just visit www.diabetes.org.uk/swim22. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

Annika Palmer South West Regional Head Diabetes UK

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

20

n MOTORING

February, 2018

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second hand Style A look at everyday cars on the cusp of becoming modern classics Peugeot 406 V6, 1997 - 2003: Six of the best THIS month’s article is as much a paean to an engine as it is to a car.

After Peugeot dropped the wholly underwhelming “PRV V6” (Peugeot Renault Volvo) motor, they still needed a large capacity six cylinder engine. The PRV had found its way into a staggering variety of utter sheds in the 70s and 80s, including the infamous DeLorean DMC-12, and the firm were keen to put this underpowered and thirsty problem child behind them. What they developed was an efficient, lightweight and smooth V6 that was placed into one of the best looking cars ever made – the Peugeot 406 Coupe.

It’s a bit rich of me to suggest the V6 coupe as a modern classic that won’t lose you money – they are already borderline worthless.

And try finding one, because I couldn’t. Instead I drove the considerably rarer V6 saloon, which does at least have total anonymity on its side. The Coupe, a Pininfarina-penned symphony in steel, has simply disappeared from our streets, and I can only assume badge snobbery and the rather down-market association with mundane 406 rep-mobiles has done for it. Once a car sinks below £2k in value, MOTs hoover them up and spit them out into the scrapyard. So why should you care, and why should you buy one today on sight?

I could write about the looks

all day, but instead know this: The 406 and the gorgeous Ferrari 456 were designed at the same time by the same man. And I prefer the Peugeot. Actually I think this was the last beautiful car the firm made, and therefore the last truly desirable car they made as well – modern Peugeots are dreary, overweight, underpowered and totally forgettable. How the mighty have fallen. Inside things aren’t so great; think turn of the century midmarket mass produced plastics and leather. It is simple though, which means less to go wrong in theory.

Behind the wheel the V6 never feels heavy (because it isn’t), and has that lovely AutoRoute ride that Peugeot have completely forgotten how to deliver. Soft yet

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obedient, sharp in corners but with suspension that is never crashy and all the while you’re pulled along by that silky, slightly rorty V6 that will sit comfortably at 110mph all day (in Germany, of course) and still hand you 30mpg. The engine delivers 210bhp and was tuned by no less than Porsche. The five speed gearbox is a bit long in the throw, the seats could do with more shoulder bolstering and headroom in the back of the Coupe is marginal. But for this money, and with this style, you shouldn’t care.

What goes wrong? Well at this age, almost anything could let go.

That said, the 406 was a genuinely well-made car, and the engine in particular is very strong. Cambelts need changing every 70k miles, electrics can go west without much

warning, and exhausts were made of very mild steel.

If I could find an ordinary Coupe in the right colour, I’d buy one just to sit and look at it. It’ll probably be cheaper than a TV after all. But if I could find a V6 Coupe with low miles and a manual gearbox, I’d drive it every day. And maybe in ten years everyone else will have woken up to what a fabulous car it really is.

Peugeot 406 V6, what to pay: £500 for the saloon to £1,500 for the Coupe (if you can find one) Next month: 8 cylinders

Fascinating Rhythm

Harmony Singing Workshbrouap ry 2018

35 1HT Saturday, 24th Fe rk Road, Thornbury BS The Castle School, Pa 7) e - Concessions: Cost: £12 per delegat ay, 29th December 201 ly Bird (Payment by Frid £10 per delegate for Ear es gat dele vious Workshop £10 per delegate for pre e people k bookings of 4 or mor £10 per delegate for bloc ry 2018 rua Feb h 16t ay, Frid Closing Date:

tact For a booking form con il.co.uk ma hot fr@ rts obe chloer 01 687 or call 077193

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

New year, new start

Stoke Gifford Retirement Village An ExtraCare Charitable Trust Village

Retirement living for the not-so-retiring Opening this year, Stoke Gifford Retirement Village will provide 261 comfortable new one and two bedroom homes for people over 55, with options for rental, shared ownership and outright purchase.

The Village is built around a superb range of social, leisure and well-being facilities including: Fitness Suite and Well-being Suite Bistro and Bar Shop Hair and Beauty Salon Village Hall Hobby and Games Room IT suite and Library Greenhouse and Landscaped Piazza Here you can relax in the knowledge that if you or your partner need care, now or in the future, it can be provided by a dedicated 24/7 on-site team.

The Village is a vision of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, a registered charity pioneering the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most innovative and exciting new retirement villages.

Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, Off Coldharbour Lane, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS16 1EJ For more information please call

StokeGiffordVillage

0117 321 5138

or email stokegifford@extracare.org.uk

or online at www.stokegiffordvillage.co.uk Charges will apply. Details of any costs associated with your home, care and village services will be provided as part of your application. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, registered charity number 327816, is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales as company number 2205136. Its registered office is at 7 Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SN. Copyright Š 2017 - The ExtraCare Charitable Trust

FREE day trips for the over fifties If you are over fifty and want to discover exciting new attractions as well as meet new friends, then SGS College has the course for you.

Held over a weekend, the Discover course will allow you to explore different locations and gain a qualification in English at the same time. The real fun begins on a Sunday, when you and your peers will be driven by coach to one of the exciting venues around the region. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a culinary connoisseur or a green-fingered gardener, you will find an experience that is right for you.

Booking is essential, as there are a limited number of places.

Locations and dates available: • Cardiff Castle, Cardiff - 24th/25th February • Longleat, Wiltshire - 24th/25th March • Ashmolean Museum, Oxford - 14th/15th April • Exeter Food and Drink Festival, Exeter - 5th/6th May • Malvern Spring Festival, Worcestershire - 12th/13th May

FREE COURSE AND DAY TRIP

• Stratford-upon-Avon/Warwick Castle - 16th/17th June • All Aboard! Watersports Centre, Bristol - 7th/8th July For further information please visit www.sgscol.ac.uk or contact Sarah Kopera on 0117 909 2327

50+ WEE KE OF L EARN ND ING, DISC O AND VERY TRAV EL

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

23

n NEWS THE Castle School was forced to close for a day after vandals daubed offensive graffiti across the main campus in Park Road.

Interim headteacher Angie Browne said disruption caused by the incident included having to re-schedule exams that some pupils should have taken.

But she thanked everyone who had given “unwavering and continued support” to the school.

The graffiti and vandalism were discovered on Monday, January 15, when the site team began unlocking the school at the start of the day.

Ms Browne said contractors had to be called in to remove the graffiti and repair damage to roofs and other areas, meaning the school could not operate safely with students on site.

She said parents had offered to help with the clean-up and staff began work on the task as soon as possible.

She said: “I can confirm that the vandals failed to gain access to the buildings and that thankfully the damage was confined to outside spaces and the front and rear elevations of the school.

“The vandalism consisted of large amounts of graffiti at ground floor and upper floor levels across the entire campus.

The graffiti was very offensive.”

But she said the efforts of the school team and contractors

Thornbury school targeted by vandals re-opened after graffiti clear-up

meant it had all been removed by the end of the day and the school re-opened the following morning with assemblies in every year group.

Ms Browne said: “The staff and I are extremely disappointed that the education of so many

children has been disrupted by the thoughtless acts of a small group of individuals.

“The cost of the clean-up and the incalculable cost of teaching and learning missed cannot easily be made up.

“We are doing everything we

can to support the police in their investigations.”

An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said officers had received a number of calls about the incident and appealed for anyone with further information to contact them.

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Time to retune your digital boxes MANY television viewers in the Thornbury area will need to retune their digital boxes at the end of the month.

Work is being carried out on the Mendip transmitter, which serves the whole of Bristol, resulting in changes to some Freeview channels.

Three dates have been set aside for the work, which is required by the watchdog Ofcom to allow changes in bandwidth for future mobile services.

The main date for this area is February 27. The others are February 7 and March 1.

Richard McKenzie, operations manager for The Aerial Man (Dan Grace) said: “We cannot predict what the fallout of this work will be but we can say most Freeview users will have to retune, some may have to re-position their aerial and an unfortunate few may have to have their aerials replaced.

“Naturally we are here to help with any issues people may have and we hope to have caught up with the current backlog of work to winddamaged aerials so should be able to respond to people’s needs very quickly.”

Further changes may be made to the transmitter late next year.

For information about digital changes, visit http://bit.ly/2mR2GSd

www.theaerialman.co.uk

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTATION

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24

February, 2018

n POLICE BLOG

Offensive graffiti

PC Natalie Jones

AS I write, we’re investigating after offensive graffiti meant Castle School was closed for a day.

This incident caused huge disruption to students, their parents or carers, and school staff and it’s simply not acceptable.

We’ve had a number of calls with information about this and are very grateful for the support of the local community.

This sort of community support is important in tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) – reporting incidents as they happen and passing on information about who is responsible helps us target our patrols and take appropriate

action.

If you’re a parent or carer please talk to your children about the effect of this sort of behaviour on the community, and the consequences they could face if they’re involved.

You may remember a shocking series of unprovoked assaults on strangers on Friday 22 September.

A man has now appeared in court and admitted assaulting a 26-yearold man at Thornbury Leisure Centre and a 75-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman in the High Street.

On Friday 12 January Bristol Magistrates ordered that the

35-year-old be detained in hospital for mental health treatment. They also imposed a restraining order banning him from Thornbury Leisure Centre until January 2020 and ordered him to pay compensation to the three victims.

Finally, downloading tracking apps onto your mobile devices really does help us recover stolen property. We seized an iPad on the day it was reported stolen from a van, thanks to such an app. There’s more information on keeping your property safe on our website, www. avonandsomerset.police.uk.

glory of this car, the 9 inch iPad like touch screen display. Unlike many other luxury cars, it’s moulded into the dashboard with elegance and ambition. It seems to control almost everything, and does it with the the intuitive ease of an iPad. Indeed there is the option to link your Apple device to the system.

Alongside a top class sound system and a well appointed interior, this is a car to savour. It’s built on the same platform as the XC90 SUV, and the similarities are striking. The inside looks identical and although the drive height is much lower it still feels very large when you are inching your way through the maze of narrow lanes in places like Frampton Cotterell, with proximity alarms sounding.

Although it has a familiar feel to the XC90 inside, it looks very different on the outside. This saloon has an attractive, aggressive

front. The back end is a bit of a throwback to the 60s in my opinion, and it took me a while to come to love it.

But this car overall is easy to love. The automatic drive is smooth with bags of power from the quiet diesel engine, and the engineers have succeeded in making it an easy and enjoyable experience. You might argue the lion’s share of the gadgets on offer can be found on other makes of car, but the price you pay for this Volvo belies its premium nature.

The S90 starts at £34,465, with impressive personal contract offers.

Perhaps there is something to say after all for cars full of features.

It certainly makes life on the road a whole lot smoother. And if I fancy a trip back in time, I can always fire up my 1984 camper van.

n CAR TALK: VOLVO S90 Review by Richard Drew T’S funny how you don’t realise you need technology until it’s handed to you on a plate.

Back in the day, a visit to my grandmother would often see her bustling around her modest kitchen. There were certainly not many mod cons - no microwave, no gas hob and certainly no dishwasher (that was my job).

Monday’s washing morning was aided by the use of a Flatley to dry clothes. Those of a certain age will remember this relic of the 20th Century, a drying rack in a white metal box. It was needed because there was no central heating, and therefore no radiators to drape your clothes on. There was certainly no tumble dryer.

It was the same with cars. I bought my first car from my grandmother for the princely sum of £68. It was a Vauxhall Viva. The nearest I came to a mod-con was a radio I put in and which had a habit of re-tuning itself to Welsh radio stations.

Thing was, as a 17 year-old, I

was just delighted to have a car.

If it started in the morning I was happy. Pimping my ride wasn’t in the budget.

Nowadays I drive an old 4x4 most days. It’s certainly a quantum leap from my first car and very reliable but certainly not packed full of features. I’m still not that bothered about having a car crammed with features - at least I wasn’t until Volvo gave me the S90 to try.

Who knew you needed a heated steering wheel? It was blissful on a frosty winter morning.

You fear for the manufacturers of driving gloves. If you are a bit nervous about reversing, there’s not just a reversing camera, you can have a 360 degree experience, where you look down on the car like an out of body experience.

In this era when all the buzz is about driverless cars, Volvo tries to take as much of the work out of driving so you can concentrate on getting from A to B with ease. Pilot Assist has a bag of tricks, including automatic acceleration, braking and steering as well as helping to deal with the drudgery of stop start traffic. Lane assist, three drive modes and a heads up display all helps too.

Then there’s the crowning

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2018

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25

n NEWS

Questions over Thornbury Hospital site after more homes set for Frenchay CONCERNS have been raised that land at Thornbury Hospital could go to developers after a row erupted over the use of the Frenchay Hospital site for more housing.

There have been long standing assurances that both Thornbury and Frenchay will get community health and care facilities - Frenchay’s in light of the decision to centralise acute hospital services at Southmead.

But those pledges are being questioned after it was revealed that some of the land at the former Frenchay Hospital site that had been earmarked for a community hospital could instead be used by house builder Redrow.

Health chiefs claim that not all the land originally set aside was now necessary for the project to go ahead and the surplus could be used for housing instead.

As the remainder of the hospital site is already allocated for house building, local people are worried for the whole community hospital project.

Meanwhile, Thornbury councillors are concerned about the future of the Thornbury Hospital site.

Councillor Maggie Tyrell said: “We were told in November that the future requirements for health and care facilities at Frenchay and Thornbury were under review and that recommendations would be made by the spring.

“We know now that, by that time, North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) was already in talks with Redrow about developing housing across much of the Frenchay site.

“This planning application pre-judges the outcome of the review and raises the questions as to whether the Thornbury site will also be targeted for housing development.”

Councillor Shirley Holloway, said: “I have asked representatives from NBT directly if they intend to turn the Thornbury Hospital site over to developers, as appears to be happening at Frenchay.

“They assure me they have no such plans and that they

remain committed to providing health and care facilities at both Frenchay and Thornbury.

“However, we remain concerned that, with the local NHS so strapped for cash, at

least some of the Thornbury site may end up being turned over to developers.”

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26

February, 2018

n THORNBURY DISTRICT MUSEUM 4 High Street THE building that houses the recently opened Casa Italian restaurant in High Street has been home to many people in its lifetime, but it is not known exactly when the property was built.

It could date back to at least the 18th century, with its occupants ranging from a saddler and hairdresser to a chemist and teachers.

Documents from the 1820s refer to previous residents such as Thomas Richards, Susanna Ward, saddler Obed Pitcher and William Alway.

An indenture dated July 1820 showed a Samuel Penduck had bought the property, which he had “taken down and re-built” and also lived there for a time. But he ran into financial problems and was unable to repay a mortgage taken out with Jonathan Sainsbury of Tytherington, ultimately losing the property to Mr Sainsbury.

Later occupiers included John and Eliza Lane, who had married in St Paul’s, Bristol, in 1816. Mr Lane, a plumber, bought 4 High

4 High Street on the right with the post and chain fencing Street in 1828 for £421. His wife, a schoolmistress, used the premises to teach girls and two of the couple’s daughters, Lydia and Mary, also became teachers and were involved in running the school.

Mr Lane died in 1849, while it is thought Mrs Lane died in 1868, leading to a sale notice

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which described the property as “substantially built and commodious” with two parlours, two kitchens, two underground cellars, six bedrooms and offices.

Perfumer James Clutterbuck appeared to have lived in the building with his family while it was still in Lane ownership and later occupiers included chemist Walter Ellis, whose wife Emma ran a boarding school for girls.

It was then bought by tailor John Williams at an 1885 auction, when it was called Severn House.

Mr Williams owned a large number of properties in the town centre and after his death in 1897, the 4 High Street premises were left to his son, John Hodges Williams. It was still in the Williams family estate in 2012.

Plasterer Joseph Sainsbury and his wife, Mary, a china shop dealer, were among later residents, with Mr Sainsbury one of the town’s best known tradesmen,

Joseph Sainsbury as well as a deacon of Thornbury Congregational Church.

By 1918, the house was home to sweet shop proprietor Annie Pitcher and her husband, Ernest, but Rosina Hutchins also shared the house and ran a hairdressing salon in part of a front room.

World War Two saw several families sharing the house, including Kenneth and Gladys Reece, who moved into rooms above the salon after their home in Filton was bombed. They stayed on until 2000.

In 1954 the building was changed into two separate premises but after 2000 it was converted back to one property and took on a new role as a restaurant, with Casa the latest to open for business.

Information and pictures supplied by Thornbury and District Museum.

Please feel free to call us during office hours on 0800 019 4557 or email us at info@elm-online. co.uk

Standard single or pair of mirrored Wills £99 The cattle market taking place in front of 4 High Street

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

thornburyvoice

February, 2018

n SPORT

27

n NEWS

Donation helps Live music series club sail the Severn continues with visit of THORNBURY Sailing Club is set for an upgrade in 2018 thanks to a donation from local housebuilder David Wilson Homes.

The company, which is building new homes the Park Farm development, has donated £1,500 to help fund improvements at the club.

Thornbury Sailing Club is based at Oldbury Pill and helps hundreds of people get out on the water every year. It is an official RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training provider.

Rob Hudson, a member of Thornbury Sailing Club, added: “We’re thrilled with the donation from David Wilson Homes.

Usually we have to fund our projects from

membership fees so this will allow us to free up that money for even more improvements to the club in 2018.”

To find out more about Thornbury Sailing Club visit https://thornburysc.org.uk/

The Acoustic Strawbs

COTSWOLD Edge Events continue to bring live music to the area with The Acoustic Strawbs featuring in a first concert of 2018.

With hits such as Lay Down and Part of the Union, seven consecutive albums in America’s Billboard Top 200 and global sales in excess of three million albums, the Acoustic Strawbs have an impressive pedigree.

The band’s leading light Dave Cousins began his creative career by serving his apprenticeship in the world of British traditional folk.

In their previous incarnation as The Strawberry Hill Boys, they included vocalist Sandy Denny in the line-up. Decades on, the Strawbs are still going strong.

The Acoustic Strawbs are in concert at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Friday 16 March.

In June The Blues Band featuring Paul Jones will appear in concert at the Armstrong Hall in Thornbury and Clare Teal returns to Sodbury Town Hall on 30 November.

Tickets are now available. To book call 07733 898762 or email marklloyd56@virginmedia.com

Speedy Thornbury thrash Clevedon

By Dave Fox Thornbury scored ten tries and had the try bonus point in the bag before the end of the first quarter. Clevedon, who had targeted the match as one they should win, never recovered from the opening onslaught.

The pitch passed an inspection during the morning following heavy overnight rain.

The ground was shrouded by low cloud and light drizzle fell as Thornbury kicked off downhill.

Tom Williams scored first, powering through two tackles to score close to the posts.

Inexplicably, Jake Wood missed the conversion but Thornbury were 5-0 up with barely a minute gone.

Thornbury played at great pace and the handling of forwards and backs was remarkable, particularly given the conditions. Mike Beswick dived on to a kick forward for the next try. Jack Hussey picked up the ball and drove over for Thornbury’s third try.

The try bonus point was secured two minutes later when Evans crashed over close to the posts.

With tries coming thick and fast Thornbury were 40-0 ahead at half time.

The second half began with Clevedon briefly on top. Their forwards took control and the scrum, which had seemed strangely quiet in the first half, began to become a dominant factor, so much so that the visitors were awarded a penalty try.

Thornbury hit back with Harry Glew going over in the corner. Five minutes later Glew found space again and he raced through to score by the posts.

Clevedon were making a better fist of the second half, underlined when Harvey Russell scored their second try.

Thornbury didn’t let up though and Richardson broke clear to crash over by the corner flag, with another try from Poustie coming shortly after to leave Thornbury the clear winners 66-12.

Thornbury move up two places in the table to sixth. They travel to fourth-placed Newent for what is likely to be one of the toughest games of the season.

Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120

Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

28

n SPORT

thornburyvoice

Former Tockington Schoolboy makes the GB Judo squad A FORMER pupil of Tockington Manor School is celebrating after making both the English and British judo squads.

Alan England is now in his second year at Nottingham University where he has joined the University Judo squad under the former Olympian James Austin.

The news came after Alan became the junior British number one after competing in the Welsh Open under 81kg weight category and took gold at the British Junior Championships in Sheffield.

Alan joins Old Tockingtonians Rower Holly Hill, and Cross Country Runner Will Christophi in British squads.

Stephen Symonds Headmaster at Tockington

School said “We are immensely proud of the achievements of all our former pupils, but Alan, Holly and Will are perfect examples of the rewards of an early introduction to competitive sport.”

February, 2018

Anyone for tennis?

Tennis for Complete Beginners This tennis programme begins with equipping new players with the basic skills: hitting forehand and backhand shots, volleys and serving. It will progress to playing points and then games of tennis. In the second half of the course the players will join in with regular players and become familiar with playing a game of tennis. The next of these courses will start after Easter and will last for 13 weeks at Thornbury Tennis Club. Course members will be provided with membership at the club for the duration of the course.

Tennis for Rusty Racquets Rusty Racquet is a term used to describe a tennis player who hasn’t played for a while. There is a programme designed specifically to get lapsed players back into the sport. This is a seven week programme which will enable players to refresh the basic skills they once had and to put those skills into practice. The next course will start immediately after Easter.

Let us know how your team are getting on email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk

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February, 2018

29

n TENNIS

Tennis club recognises key players with awards THORNBURY Tennis Club has presented awards to some of its members for their outstanding performances both on and off the pitch.

Brian Jordan from the club tells Thornbury Voice about those who picked up some silverware: Adult Ambassador Gill Harrison Gill has raised the bar for social events at the Club. As Social Secretary, she spent many hours and considerable energy organising successful social events. She’s also a valuable member of the Grounds team and spends many hours planting beautiful pots and flower beds.

She plays a pretty good game of tennis too!

Junior Ambassador – Max Pearce Max is helpful and very likeable, and is a pleasure to coach. He’s someone the other

Carole Boulton (serving) was the Ladies Player of the Year. juniors refer to and has a great attitude to tennis - keen to play and enthusiastic.

Ladies Player of the Year – Carole Boulton During the 2017 season Carole played to a high standard wherever and whenever asked by the captain, and did so willingly and without complaint. She has played league tennis for the club for many years and has been a great asset for the club.

Men’s Player of the Year – Luke Johnson Luke played for the Men’s second team in the Summer League and was instrumental in helping them gain promotion. He played more games and secured more wins than any of the other members of this successful team.

Thornbury shines at Open Junior Tournaments

The tennis club is hosting a series of LTA sanctioned Level 5 (County) Open Junior Tournaments. These are attracting strong entries of talented juniors from across the South West, Wales and the Midlands. The most recent of these, an Under 12 Boys Tournament, was won by Thornbury’s Fenn Daunton. He won all his matches and gave a dominant performance in the final to win 4-0, 4-1.

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Luke Johnson with his Men’s Player of the Year award.

Max Pearce, recipient of the Junior Ambassador award.

Gill Harrison (left) receiving her Adult Ambassador award from last year’s winner Linda Mantle.

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30

n SPORTS

February, 2018

New season looms with the start of nets

IT might still be winter, but summer is on the horizon for Thornbury’s cricketers.

Thornbury Cricket Club starts indoor nets in February at the Castle school The 3rd and 4th teams start their sessions at 8pm on Tuesday 6 February, and they last until Tuesday 3rd April The 1st and 2nd teams have their sessions on Thursdays, starting on 8 February This year the teams will be playing in the following leagues: • 1st team - West of England Premier Cricket League Prem 2 Glos/Wilts • 2nd team - Gloucestershire County Cricket League Division 2 • 3rd team - Bristol & District 8th Division • 4th team - Bristol & District 14th Division The club is always looking to welcome new players of all abilities. Contact John Wormwell on 07974 191110.

Thornbury youngsters prevail in stormy game THORNBURY Town Under 18s entertained Tormarton at the wet and windy Mundy Playing Fields in what turned out to be a very combative game.

After 2 weeks without a fixture due to the bad weather Thornbury started the game in determined mood and nearly took the lead twice in side the first ten minutes through Ollie Thorne and Denym Di Mauro but both attempts were well saved by the visitors’ keeper.

Tormarton were playing with the wind behind them and this meant the Thornbury defence had to work hard to keep the visitors at bay. However it was the visitors who took the lead

when Thornbury gave possession away cheaply in midfield and Tormarton took full advantage to play the ball through to their striker who turned and fired his shot low into the net.

Thornbury responded strongly and soon drew level.

From a corner kick the ball fell to defender Rob Ashworth who’s attempt cannoned back off the cross bar with the ball falling to Denym Di Mauro who steered the ball home. The visitors were now struggling to get out of their half and as the pressure built Thornbury took the lead for the first time in the match as the ball fell to Charlie Exell who hammered the ball home to grab

his third goal in four games.

Tormarton responded well to going behind but they were kept at bay and Thornbury went into the break with a narrow lead after playing against a strong wind.

Thornbury made several changes at the break and were using the wind behind them to good effect. Thornbury nearly extended their lead when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, from the resulting kick Felix Brittain’s shot was well saved by Tormarton’s keeper.

Tormarton were looking to hit Thorns on the break but the home defence held firm to any danger. Tormarton were lucky

not to be to be reduced to 10 men when a ball up to striker Jacob Harper saw him spin and turn the visiting defender and just as he was about to break clear through on goal the defender brought him down.

Luckily for Tormarton the referee only produced a yellow card. As conditions deteriorated the game became a midfield battle with the only notable chance falling to Mike Tanner who saw his header from a corner kick go narrowly wide.

The win saw Thornbury move up to 3rd in the table with 2 games in hand on second place.

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February, 2018

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LOCAL SERVICES

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