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July, 2019 Issue 28 FREE EVERY MONTH IN THORNBURY AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES
Tribute to a brave girl CHILDREN, staff and family have come together to remember two young pupils of a Thornbury school. Great British Bake Off star Briony May was among those at a memorial day for Alba Kippen, whose brother Coupar is pictured in Briony's arms. Full story, page 3
Crackdown on nuisance mopeds POLICE are warning moped riders they face losing their vehicles if they annoy Thornbury residents. Officers have stopped a number of riders after complaints that bikes were being ridden on footpaths, back lanes and walkways. Those that have been caught have been given formal notice that if they are found riding in an
anti-social way again police will use powers to seize their bikes. Police have also seized a stolen Honda bike fitted with number plates from another stolen vehicle in the town, after reports it had been ridden on lanes in the middle of town. Turn to page 2
Carnival is back
THORNBURY Carnival returns this month with a new start time for the parade and a host of attractions at Mundy playing fields. PAGE 5
Ambulance station under threat
CONCERNS have been raised over the future of Almondsbury ambulance station after claims that it could be shut in a review by South Western Ambulance Service. PAGE 5
Help for veterans
A NEW initiative will help forces veterans, personnel and families tackle feelings of isolation. PAGE 10
Science donation
PUPILS at a cash-strapped school had to watch science experiments on YouTube before a donation bought them new equipment. PAGE 11
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July, 2019
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Police warning to nuisance moped riders From page 1 Avon and Somerset police Thornbury beat manager PC Paula Manos said four warning notices had been issued and two more were pending using legal powers under section 59 of the Police and Reform Act. Known as section 59 notices, they warn the owners of vehicles being driven or ridden “inconsiderately or carelessly and causing alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public” that their vehicles will be seized and removed if it happens again during the next year. First used against “boy racers” driving cars in an anti-social way, owners of a vehicle seized and taken away have to pay a sum to get their vehicle back, plus a bill for every day their vehicle is in storage. PC Manos said: “All the section 59 warnings that have been issued so far have come from members of the public
reporting mopeds using the lanes, pathways and pedestrian walkways as short cuts, or being seen riding with a pillion passenger or not wearing helmets whilst driving around car parks. “All of the reports get looked into and consideration firstly in all cases is whether there are
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other road traffic act offences that need to be dealt with or put before the court.” PC Manos said all officers need from anyone reporting nuisance riders is the time, date, place and registration number of the vehicle being used. Further information such as a description of the rider, photos or CCTV is also very helpful. People reporting incidents are also asked if they would be willing to support the police if the matter went to court, but PC Manos said: “The beat team have found that issuing the section 59 warning does work. “In almost all cases, it has stopped the individual doing the same or similar things again, as they are fully aware that the warning is just that and the next time their vehicle will be seized.” The stolen Honda, above, was found parked in the town in June. It had registration plates stolen from a different moped
a few weeks earlier, which had been reported to police. The bike had a key snapped off in the ignition and the unique vehicle identification number on the frame was not readable. It was later identified as a bike that had been stolen in Bath in April. Residents had reported seeing it ridden along lanes and paths near Bath Road and the Turnberries Community Centre. Thornbury town councillor Maggie Tyrrell urged residents to keep reporting incident to the police. She said: “The town council is concerned to hear about this anti-social behaviour and the affects on our residents, we are keen that the community support the Police in addressing this behaviour by reporting incidents using the registration number and description of the person driving and their helmet as this will enable the police to take action.”
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School celebrates lives of two young pupils A SCHOOL community has come together to celebrate the short but happy lives of two young pupils. Alba Kippen was just under three years old and Shelbie Williams was 19 when they died. They both went to New Siblands School, which is for children aged between two and 19 with severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. It has the expertise to support children with lifelimiting conditions and holds celebration days to help other pupils if they pass away. Head teacher Carrie Osmond said: “It has been so hard to lose two much-loved pupils. The celebration days have helped everybody to show support to the families and to demonstrate how much we have valued being able to share their lives.” On Alba’s celebration day all the children wore green, as this was the colour which she responded to most. There were lots of activities including icing biscuits with Briony May, the semi finalist from the Great British Bake Off, who has a connection with New Siblands through one of the school’s parents and is a disability ambassador who has raised money for Jessie May, the Bristol based charity which cares for terminally ill children and their families. Staff from the charity came in to do some finger painting, as it has been supporting Alba’s family and will continue to do so for another five years if they wish. Charlotte Baker was one of Alba’s Jessie May nurses and described her as a “very special and brave little girl”. Charlotte said: “On the day
we did a fingerprint tree with all of the children and staff from the school. This was inspired from activities we did with Alba, we would use her hand, foot and fingerprints and make them into cards and pictures for her family. “We used several shades of green paint to form the leaves of the tree from everyone’s thumb prints. The picture will now be framed and displayed at school to remind everyone of the lovely celebration day.” Each pupil donated £1, and a cake sale and raffle raised nearly £350, which was split between the two charities which supported Alba, Jessie May and the Rainbow Trust. The family were delighted to receive two gifts which are now permanent features at the school; a bird table from West Coast Properties and a plaque from Thornbury firm Lee's Mend a Shoe. Deputy Head Margarita Steer described Shelbie Williams as “loved by everyone”, with an “amazing smile and fighting spirit”. She said: “Shelbie touched so many people who came in contact with her, with her zest and love for life. She will remain a real inspiration to us all in years to come.” On Shelbie’s celebration day children wore red and pink, as she liked these colours. Pupils brought in £1 and enjoyed a cake sale. At a special assembly her friends talked about their memories. A total of £200 was raised, which was divided between the Bristol Children’s Hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit and Ronald McDonald House, both of which supported Shelbie’s family. When a child passes away
Alba Kippen's parents Rozalyn and Adam, and brother Coupar, unveil a bird table dedicated to her memory. at New Siblands School, all the pupils are deeply affected. They are informed by experienced school leaders who have had training from the educational
psychology service. They also have the expertise to support individual pupils and their families.
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Shelbie Williams, a New Siblands School pupil who has died, aged 19.
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July, 2019
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Sex offender arrested after 3 days on run from Leyhill A SEX offender who absconded from Leyhill Open Prison spent three days on the run before he was arrested more than 130 miles away. Ronan Korby, right, failed to return to prison near Thornbury after leaving to attend a work placement in Bristol on May 31. He was last seen in West Street, Bedminster, at 10am that day. Police issued an appeal for sightings and information about the whereabouts of the 50-yearold, who is also known as Lee Watersworth. He was sighted in Rhyl, North Wales, two days later and was arrested the following day along the coast in Bangor. An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "Police are grateful to everyone who shared the appeal to trace him."
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
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Thornbury Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Thornbury Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Richard On 01454 800 120 or contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
Complaints Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Thornbury Voice, contact the publisher using the details above. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.
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Sporting theme for Thornbury Carnival THIS year’s Thornbury carnival has a sporting theme, with visitors invited to have a go for themselves. A Sports Village and demonstrations organised by Thornbury Rugby Club will form part of the activities on Mundy Fields, under the theme Sport for All. The event, which takes place on July 6, will start with the annual parade down the High Street, starting from Castle School at 11am, and events in the arena will carry on until around 8pm. First staged in 1935 as part of King George V’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, the event regularly attracts more than 8,000 people. Run by a small committee of volunteers and supported financially by Thornbury Town Council and Thornbury Football club, with two main sponsors, Horizon, and Old Down Country Park, the event aims to make a profit to be shared amongst local groups and charities. Previous CONCERNS have been raised at reports that Almondsbury’s ambulance station could be closed. South Western Ambulance Service has launched a review of its performance and says it will spend an extra £12 million to improve response times, employing more than 240 extra frontline staff. But the move staff have claimed it could see the station at Oaklands Drive shut, along with those in Soundwell in Bristol and Keynsham. The trust has declined to confirm which
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Last year's Thornbury Carnival parade beneficiaries include Jigsaw Thornbury, Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, the Memory Café and Thornbury Litter Busters. The main stage will have a mixture of professional and
amateur acts, and this year’s headline band for the evening is the Adele tribute Rolling in the Deep. There’s also a new community stage. The area dedicated to
children known as the Kids Zone is free, with lots of activities, and the annual carnival staples are back again, including arena displays, classic cars, donkeys, funfair, stalls and bars. Carnival committee chair Paul Caddick thanked Thornbury RFC for its “invaluable” support in setting up the sporting displays and the town council for supporting the new website, thornburycarnival.co.uk, which includes details of tickets and early bird offers. Paul said: “The committee are now putting the finishing touches to the arrangements for the day. “Along with the marching bands, walking groups and vintage vehicles on the parade, this year we are hoping to have three traction engines, plus there will be some street entertainers to occupy the younger children. “We are also conscious of cost and this year there are numerous attractions which are free of charge.”
Concern over ambulance station stations, if any, are under threat, but a petition has already been launched to save the Keynsham station. A service spokesman said: “The demand on the ambulance service and the nature of the calls we receive has changed significantly over time and some of our stations are no longer located where we need them to be.
“There will be a small number of changes to stations linked to the implementation of this plan, including changes to existing facilities that need updating because we have outgrown them, but there will not be significant numbers of station closures.” South Gloucestershire councillors Keith Burchell and Matthew Riddle, whose Severn Vale ward includes Almondsbury, said: “We are very
concerned if the Almondsbury ambulance station did close, as it serves our local residents. “We are calling on the ambulance service to give assurances that the response times would be the same, if not better, under any new arrangements for the Severn Vale. We represent a very rural ward, where homes and businesses are very spread out.”
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July, 2019
Nominate staff who make a difference
N
OMINATIONS are open for Sirona Care & Health's annual Awards for Excellence – and your help is needed. Sirona is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing high-quality NHS and local authority-funded community health and care services across South Gloucestershire, parts of Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset. It was founded on October 1, 2011, and holds an annual ceremony to recognise the achievements of staff close to its birthday each year. Sirona chairman Simon Knighton, pictured, said: "We have always said our staff are the most important part of Sirona and recognising their achievements is really close to my heart. “From the thousands of compliments and letters which we receive each year from people in the communities we serve, we know our staff deliver high quality services, day in, day out. “They all give care as they would want for their own loved one, which is part of our Taking it Personally ethos. "While the majority of award categories are for internal nominations, we have one called ‘I think they deserve it’ and we are looking for the public's help to find a winner or winners.
“We want to hear about the person who brightened up your day because of their welcoming smile or who made a difference to your care in the way they tailored the service to suit you or something else. “Last year, we had so many nominations we gave two awards, with the Hanham district nursing team scooping one and the staff at our extra care facility at St John's Court in Bath the other. People told us about the hard work and dedication of both teams, with the nurses described by one individual as her ‘safety net’, while the team at St John's were praised for making a difference to a tenant's life by encouraging her independence.” If you want to nominate someone, please send details to communications@sirona-cic. org.uk by August 1. Please include as much information about the person you are nominating as possible and include your details too. Registered office: Sirona care & health CIC, 2nd Floor, Kingswood Civic Centre, High Street Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9TR. Company Number 07585003
Join our team We look after adults and children at home, and at school and provide residential and nursing care. We are NHS and Local Authority funded with hundreds of our staff working across South Gloucestershire, parts of Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset. We are always on the lookout for great people and this is an opportunity for you to find out what is available, clinical and non-clinical. Flexible working patterns will always be considered (so long as our services can support your requests). Equally, we have a proactive Bank Team. We offer a wide range of benefits and Agenda for Change terms & conditions for some of our roles. Please submit a short supporting statement or CV as your application via recruitment@sirona-cic.org.uk, call us on 0300 124 5444 or take a look at our current vacancies here www.sironacic.org.uk/work-with-us/ You can also find us on Facebook @SironaCIC or on Twitter @SironaJobs We look forward to hearing from you
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July, 2019
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Charity's 'outstanding' work recognised by Queen A THORNBURY-based charity is celebrating after being awarded the highest accolade given to volunteer groups across the UK. Brain Tumour Support helps thousands of patients and their families across the country. It is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which recognises outstanding work in communities. Chief executive Tina Mitchell Skinner founded the charity 16 years ago after losing her husband to a brain tumour. She said: “We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team of volunteers. They give up their time and skills so generously and with such commitment to help out in the office, at support groups and at fundraising events. “We always knew that they were outstanding, but this is external recognition at the highest level. It really does indicate the huge contribution they make to enable us to support brain tumour patients and their families.” Every year more than 16,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours. Although many can now be successfully treated, even low-grade or nonmalignant tumours can have life-changing effects on people’s lives. Brain Tumour Support runs 23 local support groups, an online forum and can offer one-to-one bespoke support for individuals and families for as long as they need it.
Staff at Brain Tumour Support celebrate after receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Sue Swift, from Bristol, is one of the charity’s many volunteers. She said: “I started volunteering for Brain Tumour Support after the charity supported me and my family following my meningioma diagnosis. After several operations I am now partially sighted. “Volunteering is uplifting and keeps me positive.” Later this summer representatives of Brain Tumour Support will receive the award officially from the Queen's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie. Two of the charity’s longestserving volunteers, John Stuart and Kieran Widdowson, attended a royal garden party last month as part of its recognition by the Queen. Created in 2002 to
celebrate the Golden Jubilee, the recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service are announced every year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. The awards’ independent
committee chair, Sir Martyn Lewis, said: “The record number of nominations for this year’s Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service proves that volunteering at a grass roots level continues to thrive.”
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July, 2019
Cadets dedicate boat to captain THORNBURY Sea Cadets have recommissioned their Rigiflex 400 boat so that cadets can gain power boating qualifications. It is named after a former Captain of the Sea Cadets, Captain Peter Grindal CBE RN, who lived locally and recently passed away. A naming ceremony was performed by his widow, Julie, during a training night. The Rigiflex 400 is a tough, weather-resistant and easily-transportable boat powered by an outboard engine. The unit also has a new minibus, funded entirely by donations. Unit chair Simon Cottam said: “The unit has aspired to offer the cadets a power boat experience and I wish to thank all our supporters who have made this a reality. It is a great honour to name the boat after Peter Grindal, who was an outstanding naval officer who cared so much for the development of young people. His name lives on.” Thornbury Sea Cadets is an independent charity, open to young people aged between 10 and 18. It meets on Monday and Thursday evenings behind Castle School Sixth Form Centre on Gloucester Road, Thornbury.
Planning blueprint under scrutiny THE number of people wanting to attend the public hearing sessions of the region’s new planning blueprint has been described as “possibly unprecedented”. The West of England Joint Spatial Plan will set down policies for the sustainable development that is required to meet the area’s needs for the next 20 years, for housing, jobs and transport. It involves four local authorities – South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset – working together and acknowledging the impact of developments across boundaries. In a letter sent to people who have expressed an interest in attending, programme officer Helen Wilson said that the number of requests had been “even higher than anticipated”, and “possibly unprecedented for a local plan examination”. The hearings will now be held at the Guildhall in Bath, starting on July 2. The hearings are divided into specific areas, with some examined in July and others in October.
The first hearings will concentrate on the scope of the plan, strategic development locations and the greenbelt, the requirement for housing, and the spatial strategy. Inspectors will probe the evidence already submitted to them and contributors will include developers, landowners, unitary, town and parish councils, campaign groups and residents. Among them will be the North West Thornbury Landowner Consortium, the campaign groups Trapp’d (Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development) and VALID (Villagers Against Local Intended Developments), the CPRE, Bloor and Barrett Homes, and South West Strategic Developments. Hearings examining specific potential developments such as Buckover Garden Village and a proposal by Bloor Homes at Coalpit Heath are scheduled for October. For local politicians, the hearings are also an opportunity to put their case. Claire Young, the Liberal Democrat group leader on South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“The plan is over-reliant on massive developments in just a few locations. “Rather than doing a proper review of the Green Belt they have chosen to remove some of the narrowest parts, risking our towns and villages merging into one another. They have done little for the more deprived areas and not enough of the housing is affordable. They cannot explain how they are going to fund the transport infrastructure needed to stop our area grinding to a halt.” Labour group leader Pat Rooney said: “We are concerned with the lack of focus on disadvantaged areas, with little mention of the biggest problem facing South Gloucestershire – affordable housing provision – and the omission of a coherent transport infrastructure. Our roads will only become more congested by the increase in houses proposed over and above the original number forecast originally and held back from public knowledge until after the local elections." The Conservative-run council’s cabinet member for planning, Steve Reade, said:
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“This is the culmination of a large amount of work to get to this stage and testament to the way the four unitary authorities have worked together on strategic planning and transport matters. “With regards to the greenbelt, any proposed reduction has been very carefully considered and assessed. Proposals for appropriate additional greenbelt designation are included in one of the policies. “The JSP is the first of its kind and we know many other city regions are following this very closely. The running of the examination is now the job of the independent inspectors. We need to respect this and work with them to help secure a successful examination.” A previously suggested development of 500 homes near Almondsbury on the site of Woodlands Golf Course and Country Club may not now materialise. Owners the Golf Group have recently sold their Shortwood Lodge course near Mangotsfield and say they intend to continue to run Woodlands as a golf venue.
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July, 2019
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Bunting goes up NEW red, white and blue bunting for Thornbury’s High Street has been paid for by the town’s Rotary Club. It was up in time for the Thornbury Arts Festival and will be in situ for the judging of Thornbury in Bloom’s floral contributions, hanging baskets and flower troughs, as part of this year’s Britain in Bloom competition. The aim is that the bunting benefits all the events hosted by the town. Rotary president Derek Baker said: “I’m delighted that Rotary has been able to sponsor this replacement for the old bunting. It offers up a bright and colourful aerial decoration, predominantly used when there are major events being held in the town.” The different organisations which host events work together to make sure that Thornbury looks its best – Thornbury in Bloom volunteers sometimes get involved with putting up
the bunting, Paul Morrish is involved with carnival as well as with the Christmas Lights, the Arts Festival Committee plays its part too. Thornbury in Bloom’s Sue Aitken said: “It’s great that all the groups are able to work together like this for the benefit of the town. Having the bunting up further enhances the look of the High Street.”
Thornbury in Bloom, Rotary, carnival, arts festival and Christmas lights representatives Gill Dunkley, Rex Davis, Sheila Forsythe, Gordon Brown, Judith Payne, Paul Morrish, Barry Williams, Gill Page, David Ridge, Chris Saich, Sue Aitken, Paul Caddick, Graham Cook with the new bunting.
We Help people to live active, healthier, happier lives The move it or lose it programme of exercises are scientifically proven to improve muscle strength leading to better balance to reduce falls risk. This can help older adults to enjoy the activities they always loved and stay physically active which is so important to health. We are currently running group sessions around South Glos with the First one being at Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road Thornbury bs35 2bb which will run every Monday at 10am. Please contact Shelley for information regarding other venues We also come to you on a 1-1 basis in the comfort of your own home The programme is accessible to all whether you are seated, standing with support or able to stand without support, its purposeful movement your way. On Group sessions the first one is always free
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July, 2019
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Helping veterans and families overcome isolation
A NEW initiative has been set up by Thornbury’s branch of the Royal British Legion to help forces personnel past and present and their families who may feel isolated. For the first time, a monthly coffee morning is being held to bring people together who have had similar experiences. Visitors will be brought in from other organisations, such as the Changing Lives charity and the CAB, to give advice. The idea is part of a national project called Building Connections, set up by the Royal British Legion in response to its own research. Its study received 4,900 responses from veterans, serving personnel and their families, with 1 in 4 saying they feel socially isolated. John Black, from the Thornbury branch of the RBL, was in the forces himself from 1961 to 1970.
He said: “If you’ve not done it, there’s no way that you would understand some of the stresses and pressures, not just for the serving personnel but for their families. “When I was posted abroad for 18 months, I left my pregnant wife alone in Plymouth with no friends, family or support. It was hard for me – but much harder for her”. It’s the transitions in life which are unique to forces’ families: moving house, moving post, moving children frequently to new schools, trying to integrate into already tight-knit communities or leaving the forces for civilian life. Sometimes the consequences of managing these changes are tragic. RBL research shows that in 2018, 71 military personnel and veterans took their own lives. That is more than the number of battlefield casualties in 11 out of the 13 years that British troops
Thornbury Royal British Legion's coffee morning at Hawkes House. were in Afghanistan. John said: “The other issue is that the culture of the forces is about building independence, self-reliance and strength of character, so there is a perceived stigma attached to asking for help. “In Thornbury, our first step is to try and open up the coffee morning. We don’t know who
these people are – it’s about opening the door, shouting from the rooftops and saying ‘hey guys, we’re here’.” Thornbury’s branch of the Royal British Legion has 50 members and is growing. Its next coffee morning is on July 11 at Hawkes House from 9.30am until 11.30am
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July, 2019
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Car boot raises cash for Castle A SCHOOL supporters group has raised nearly £600 to buy equipment for the secondary school by staging a car boot sale. Castle School Friends association brought together 40 carloads of items for sale and pupils taking part in an expedition to South East Asia with the company ‘True Adventure’ ran a car wash to raise funds towards it. CSF wants to repeat the event but says it needs more volunteers to run it regularly. Fundraising efforts have been galvanised by BBC 2 documentary School, shown last year, which highlighted the financial pressures facing the school. Earlier, a group of volunteers worked hard to refurbish the
student centre, which was very run down after cuts to the school’s pastoral care budget, The volunteers put in a new sick bay, donated by the Willow Brook Clinic in Bradley Stoke, installed new medical cabinets, and painted and replaced the swing entrance gate with a new one. Outdoors, Thornbury Litterbusters helped parents collect 11 bags of rubbish. CSF is now looking for more helpers for its next DIY Day on July 13, when a barbecue will also be held for people who have helped out over the year. To help out CSF or ask for an invitation to the BBQ email cas-enquiries.tcs@cset.co.uk or visit the Castle School Friends Facebook page.
Friends bring in grants for Marlwood PUPILS at Marlwood School will now be able to carry out experiments they previously had to watch on YouTube due to equipment shortages. Fundraisers working to support the school in Alveston have secured grants worth more than £2,000. The first, for £1,000 worth of science equipment, was awarded to the Friends of Marlwood School by the Armourers and Brasiers’ Gauntlet Trust for a Van der Graaf generator, a wave machine, a visualiser projector and new electrical circuit equipment. FOMS says that before buying the equipment, pupils were being shown wave experiments on YouTube. The Armourers and Brasiers Company offers grants to schools to encourage pupils
Assistant General Manager of Cox Automotive Bristol, Rob Gale, presents the company’s donation to Marlwood head teacher Del Planter. to take up science careers in addition to university grants for the study of materials sciences, and grants for small charities for a wide range of uses.
A second grant was from Cox Automotive, which has a fund employees can apply for, and will be spent on equipment including notebook computers and tailors’ mannequins. A parent of a pupil at Castle School works for the company’s Bristol section. Staff had watched the BBC2 programme School and decided to support schools in area. Melinda Evans from FOMS said: “We are very grateful to both organisations for their support of schools, their generosity will make such a difference to Marlwood pupils.” *Marlwood School has confirmed that Del Planter has been permanently appointed to the role of head teacher. Mr Planter has been in the role on an interim basis since last September.
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July, 2019
n NEWS
Beer lovers praise pub conversion
A THORNBURY pub has won national recognition for its sympathetic conversion from a derelict building to a welcoming venue. The Butcher’s Hook, which is a Grade II-listed building, was highly commended in the Pub Design Awards held by the Campaign for Real Ale. Chair of the judging panel Andrew Davison said: “The simple presentation of the interior uses original features in a way that attracts the eye. The landlord, Peter Tiley, with the owners Sir George and Lady Joanna White, have resisted the temptation to overelaborate, with the result that the conversion is very sympathetic to the Grade II-listed building.” The building was originally a butcher’s shop and dates back to the mid-17th century. Since then it has been an antiques shop and an Indian restaurant, before being left empty in 2016. Two
years later it was derelict. The building needed structural improvements before any interior decoration could be done. An extension was also added at the back. Work revealed historic features, such as an old flagstone floor and the butchers’ meat rails and hooks. Mr Davison said: “It is apparent that great care has been taken to retain original features, such as the screen partition between rooms two and three, original flooring, a sunken wall cupboard, and the meat hanging rails on the ceiling and hooks on the walls from the butchering days.” Mr Tiley, who also runs the Salutation Inn at Ham, a former winner of CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, said he was “thrilled” that the Butcher’s Hook had been recognised. He said: “I consider myself extremely privileged to have the opportunity to create and run a
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Butcher's Hook landlord Pete Tiley at the bar of the pub with its award from CAMRA. brand new pub in such a historic building. “I'm very grateful to the owners George and Joanna for allowing me to do so and for sympathetically renovating and re-designing the Butcher's Hook to enable it to be used in a way which serves the community and brings a new lease of life to a very beautiful old building.
“Huge credit is also due to my partner and designer, Lizzie Hammond, who was instrumental in the final design and fit-out stages in which we decided to allow the building's historic features to shine through.” The Butcher’s Hook became the first ‘new pub’ to open in Thornbury in 150 years last year.
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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July, 2019
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n NEWS
WI celebrates 100 years of history MEMBERS of Alveston WI have been celebrating its unique history after the group reached its centenary. The group has received a letter of congratulation from the Queen and held a centenary celebration at the Jubilee Hall, including a three-tiered cake and a vintage tea party for members past and present. The venue was decorated with balloons, flowers and memorabilia, and the minutes of the first meeting were read out. To mark the occasion, members had created an embroidered banner with their names stitched onto the back, showing all the areas the Alveston WI is involved with today, 100 years on. It was in May 1919 that a group of women first met at the Jubilee Hall to form a Women’s Institute. At the first meeting a vicar called Mr Pugh gave a talk on his work in the Church Army
in Belgium and France. Poultry keeping was one of the items on the agenda. Much has changed in the ten decades which have passed since then. The year’s June meeting featured a talk by Emma Britton, a BBC Radio Bristol presenter. The early records of the WI in the 1920’s are filled with news about plays, garden parties, singing and fancy dress events. Members made a tapestry for a competition held by the National Federation of Women's Institutes at the Imperial Institute in London in October 1927. It depicts King William Rufus hunting in the forest of Alveston. The tapestry became known as ‘Rufus’ and still exists, stored away carefully with photos on show at the Jubilee Hall. During the war years one evening meeting featured a talk about salads, and eggs were frequently donated to the Almondsbury Maternity Home.
In 1947 a woman called Mrs Sage is recorded as having spoken to the WI about lorries tipping waste on the proposed playing field site. The WI as a national network is known for campaigning and this started as early as 1921, with the first urging women to
take part in jury service. More recent campaigns have had themes including Keep Britain Tidy, a WI resolution from 1954 which led to the formation of the national charity of the same name, and this year’s Don’t Fear the Smear about cancer screening.
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Your Local Business IT Specialists Orchard Computer Services
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Tel: 0800 091 32 52
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July, 2019
n NEWS
Summer flower show on its way THORNBURY Horticultural Society is inviting exhibitors and visitors to its annual summer show. Tracing its history back to a grand dahlia exhibition held at Thornbury Castle in 1838, the society has staged a show every year except the war years. This year’s show will take
place on August 10 from 2pm. There will be classes for vegetables, flowers, pot plants, floral art, photography, cooking, crafts, children’s classes and there will be tea and cakes available. The show will take place at the Armstrong Hall Complex in Thornbury.
Show schedules are available from the Garden Shop, T & J Owens, Town Hall and the society’s website at bit.ly/31AAk1W. Right: Some of last year’s exhibits at the Thornbury Horticultural Society summer show.
Festival Players members with Dame Judi Dench
Much Ado in Thornbury A RENOWNED outdoor theatre company is bringing its production of Shakespeare’s classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing to Thornbury this summer. Festival Players, whose patron is Dame Judi Dench, will visit Thornbury Chantry garden on August 25 as part of a national tour. Artistic director Michael Dyer, a former director of Cornwall’s Minack open air theatre, has brought the play to a manageable two hours’ length. He said: “Our shows are an amalgam of energy, entertainment and colour and we aim to make them clear and transparent, as well as keeping them short for the comfort of our patrons, many of whom will see a performance in the open air. “We set out to take audiences of all ages on a journey and make them feel very much part of the production.” A cast of just six actors from the traditional all-male company plays multiple roles in the tale of sparring wit, devious plans and the course of true love never running smooth, demanding quick costume changes, as well as performing as singers and musicians. The show takes place at the Chantry in Castle Street on August 25 at 2.30pm. For more details see the advertisement, left, or call 01454 414268.
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Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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July, 2019
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n THORNBURY CLINIC
What is McTimoney Chiropractic? Chiropractic Council, who regulate all registered chiropractors, Diversified and McTimoney alike. As the term “chiropractor” is a protected title, you must have trained to a minimum of master’s level at university to use this title.
Fleur Cradock is a senior McTimoney Chiropractor working at The Thornbury Clinic with over 8 years experience. Fleur is known for her effective but gentle approach to treatment and has worked with international horse riders. She also works as an animal chiropractor treating high level horses. THERE are a myriad of health professionals out there who can support and help recovery from injury or pain, so sometimes it can be difficult to decide who is best to help. As a McTimoney chiropractor, I am always met with a lot of questions about what we do. So I thought it would be helpful to outline what it means and when you would seek our help. What qualifications does a Chiropractor have? To become a McTimoney chiropractor takes time, between four and six years. Courses are studied at undergraduate masters level and regulated by the General
What is McTimoney Chiropractic and how can it help you? Chiropractic is a drugless and non-invasive form of healthcare. Chiropractors are concerned with the framework of the bones and muscles that support the body and protect the nervous system. We aim to reduce pain and disability by restoring normal movement and function, reducing neural, muscular and other tissue impediments with the help of fast interventions or adjustments to the misaligned joints. These adjustments are commonly known as manipulations. McTimoney Chiropractic uses light and dexterous techniques that are gentle and versatile, and is regarded as a very safe treatment for patients. It blends a plethora of different gentle and effective techniques to enable us to help you with your issue without the levels of discomfort that can be felt with other treatments. Chiropractors like to look at the whole picture and not just the symptoms: what caused the pain the in the first place? The chiropractic treatment also includes advice on how to tackle the cause of pain to help improve long-term health and well-being.
Do McTimoney Chiropractors just crack backs? There are in fact two types of chiropractic care. The diversified technique involves something called HVLA or high velocity low amplitude adjustments; these are often learnt by physiotherapists and sports therapists in postgraduate courses and can often produce a ‘cracking’ sound. The McTimoney technique is quite different: it is light and gentle, and focuses on the whole body and not just the area of pain or concern you present with. The form of manipulation we use involves a very fast movement with a low level of force. Who is McTimoney Chiropractic suitable for? A variety of patients, both young
and old, come to me with a number of different concerns. Many come with what we term ‘non-specific’ low back pain. It can be a gradual onset or something that occurs due to your day-today activities, that you have come to ‘live with’. That is simply not necessary: no one should accept pain or discomfort as normality. There has been research to show that chiropractic is a safe, evidencebased and effective care for back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions, such as acute and chronic back pain, headaches due to neck problems, prevention of migraine and generalized joint pain and tension. It has been known to help reduce pain caused by existing sports-related injuries and speed up recovery by enhancing skeletal, muscular and neural functions.
4 Castle Street, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 1HB
Facilitating Recovery, Preventing Injury
FREE HOM VISIT E S
Single & mirrored wills Lasting powers of attorney Prepaid funeral plans Property trust wills Graham Southorn Bristol will writer
Call Graham on 0117 440 1230 graham.southorn@maplebrookwills.co.uk
To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120
Treatments we offer include: Sports injury treatment Injury assessment & treatment Sports massage • Relaxation massage Pregancy massage • Clinical Psychology
Tel: 01454 838 366
info@thethornburyclinic.co.uk www.thethornburyclinic.co.uk
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July, 2019
n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS
Saved from the tip – sold for £6,000 'CHECK what you've got before you discard it' has always been the mantra of the auctioneers and valuers at Stroud Auctions. There are legendary tales of people popping into the Bath Road rooms on the way to the tip and discovering they were just about to throw away something valuable. This advice proved to be particularly good for one fortunate vendor: what she thought was a small worthless painted plaque, which was about to be thrown away, was immediately recognised by jewellery expert Alexandra Bowkett as a Georgian/Victorian micro-mosaic. It went on to sell at the June auction – for £6,000. The moral of that story is always take your items along to be checked, even if you believe them to be worthless. This applies to everything from silver to stamps and bijouterie to books. Why would you throw things away when there's an army of valuers waiting to appraise them free of charge? Jewellery was the sparkling star of the June sale, with antique pieces in good condition or set
with rare gemstones the best sellers. A beautiful Art Deco ring set with diamonds went under the hammer for £3,600, with a Georgian suite of garnet jewellery making £1,200 and a Victorian topaz brooch with a stone of a rare colour selling for £1,000. The specialist jewellery sales at Stroud Auction Rooms have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with much of that success down to Alexandra's
wide-ranging knowledge and ability to give confidence to both vendors and buyers alike. It is well worth going along to speak to her if you have jewellery you are thinking of selling. You can go along to one of the regular weekly valuation sessions on Fridays (9am-5pm) or Saturdays (9am-12.30pm) or ring the office on 01453 873800 and make an appointment to call in and see her. These are no-strings-attached
valuations: you can either leave your pieces to be entered into the next jewellery auction or take them back home with you. If you find it difficult to get to the saleroom, you can photograph your jewellery and email the picture with a brief description to info@ stroudauctions.com. Watches are also selling well at the moment and there were more than 200 to choose from in the June sale. A Patek Phillippe 18ct gold ladies bracelet wristwatch took first place in the list of top lots, selling for £7,400. Others making good prices included a Lemania Royal Navy nuclear submarine gentleman's single button chronograph wristwatch (£4,100) and an Omega Speedmaster gentleman's chronograph wristwatch (£2,900). Watch specialist Stuart Maule says there are always buyers for top-quality watches. For more information or to make an appointment to see a particular expert, see the contact details on the advertisement below.
STROUD AUCTION ROOMS
Entries now invited for our upcoming auction on August 7th & 8th Including specialist sections of guns, weapons, medals, militaria, sporting, taxidermy, toys, scientific instruments, cameras & binoculars
Cameras
Guns & weapons
Contact Mark Rozelaar (BA Hons)
Contact Stuart Maule
Compass Jaeger- Lecoultre Hasselblad 500CM medium and Cie miniature camera. format camera. Sold for £550 Sold for £1,100
Winchester Model 1894 .32-40 underlever repeating rifle Sold for £1,300
Samuel Staudenmayer double barrelled over and under flintlock hammer action pistol. Sold for £3700
FREE valuations every Friday (9am-5pm) & Saturday (9am-12:30pm) at our saleroom, at your home by appointment or why not email us a photograph to info@stroudauctions.com We are currently ranked no 1 in the country for the number of online bidders
Unit J, Bath Road Trading Estate, Stroud, GL5 3QF
Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120
01453 873800 www.stroudauctions.co.uk
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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July, 2019
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n WHAT'S ON IN OUR AREA June 28 n Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company presents the Canterbury Tales, 7.30pm in the Armstrong Hall. An Armstrong Hall redevelopment fundraiser. Tickets available from Thornbury Town Hall, High Street at £ 15 or £10 for students aged 14 – 18 (age guidance 14+) or ring 01454 412272. June 29 n Gillingstool Primary School, Gillingstool, Thornbury. Friends of Gillingstool summer fair, 11am2pm. Food and drink, music, performances and plenty of games. Free entry – all welcome. July 5 n Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, 10.15-11.45am. Stella and Ade entertain- Stella and Adrian. July 6 n Thornbury Carnival. Parade starts 11am from Castle School, along Castle Street and High Street to main event at Mundy Playing Fields from 12.15pm. Music on main stage, fun fair, Weston donkeys, free children’s activities, a variety of stalls, a selection of food traders and two fully-licenced bars. Entry to main event £8 for adults and £5 for children, on the gate. Early Bird tickets available from Surroundings in St. Mary Street or Thornbury Town Hall until July 3. July 7 n Open gardens event, from 3pm. Centred on the award-winning garden at Pound Cottage, Church Road, opposite St Mary’s Church. All-inclusive fee of £5 includes cold drink or wine. Just turn up at the gate from 3pm onwards. All proceeds will go to the Armstrong
Hall Redevelopment Project. Call 01454 412272 for information. July 9 n Cossham Hall, Thornbury, 7pm. Illustrated talk: North American plants we grow in our gardens, by Keith Ferguson. July 11 to 13 n Thornbury Musical Theatre Group Juniors present Cats at Armstrong Hall, 7.30pm each evening plus matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £11 for adults, £10 for OAPs, £9 for children or £34 for a family ticket – 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children. Available online from www.tmtg.org.uk or by calling 07305 222922. July 19 n Haven Memory Cafe, Thornbury United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, 10.15-11.45am. Good Afternoon Choir – the Choir and Ben England. July 21 n St Peters Hospice Severnside Support Group garden party at Grove House, The Street, Alveston, 2.30-5pm, by kind permission of Geoff and Carol. Entry £4, to include tea and cake. Raffle and stalls. Bring a picnic chair, listen to the music of the Standing Stones and enjoy the gardens. July 28 n Sunday Afternoon Concert at St Mary's Church Thornbury, 4pm. Organ recital by the director of music in residence, Malcolm Kittle. Malcolm began his career as an organist when just 14 years old and has studied at Canterbury Cathedral and Oriel College Oxford, where he was a choral scholar. Varied programme of
music followed by tea. Everybody welcome. August 10 n Thornbury Horticultural Society annual Summer Show, 2pm, Armstrong Hall. Classes for vegetables, flowers, pot plants, floral art, photography, cooking, crafts and children’s classes. Tea and cakes available. Show schedules available from the Garden Shop, T & J Owens and town hall. August 13 n Alveston Methodist Church, 7.30pm. Viola and piano recital: Brahms, Glinka and Britten. Entry Free. Retiring collection. August 25 n Festival Players International present Much Ado About Nothing at The Chantry, 52 Castle Street, at 2.30pm. Outdoor performance, gardens open at 1.30pm. Tickets £12 for adults, £7 for children, £28 for family of four with children under 16. Enquiries call 01454 414268 or email office@thechantry. org.uk.
REGULAR EVENTS
Monday n Armstrong Hall Cossham Hall World Dance 7-10pm n Belly Dance classes Beginners 7.00pm, Improvers 8.00pm, Methodist Church Hall (upstairs) with Anna 07971234236 or bristolbellydance@yahoo.co.uk term time only
We would love to publicise your event 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
n Yoga for beginners at Armstrong Hall, 6:30-8pm on Mondays. £6. All kit provided. Contact Moira 07703 536700 Tuesday n 11.00 am - 1.30 pm Armstrong Hall - Excell Room Recycled Teenagers Lunch Club n Sunbeams toddler and parent group Thornbury Methodist church hall Every Tuesday 1.15pm to 2.45pm in term time Time and space to share themed activities with your children ( 0 to 4 years) Contact janet_mann@ hotmail.com or margaretcrocombe60@gmail. com n Get Singing. A community
What's on at Thornbury Library Opening times Staffed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Open access seven days a week between 8am and 7.30pm. Summer Reading Challenge: Space Chase Launch day Saturday July 13 finishes Saturday September 14. Come and join in with the summer reading challenge. A chance to gain rewards for reading throughout the summer, with lots of space themed activities happening in the library. Storytime and Rhymetime for babies & pre-schoolers (term
time only): Storytime, Mondays 2pm-2.30pm. Rhymetime, Fridays 10.30am-11am. A great way to meet other local parents, new faces always welcome – and it’s free. No booking required, just turn up – we look forward to seeing you! Sight Loss – Information, Advice and Support: First Thursday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm. Vision West of England offers information, advice and support to anyone living with sight loss. If you, or anyone you know would like more information on services for people with sight loss, then drop in any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Craft Group and Repair Café:
To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120
Thursday July 4, 2pm-4pm. New members will always be made welcome by this friendly group. Share tips and ideas for your knitting, sewing or crochet projects. Bring your small items of clothing or soft furnishings for repair. Refreshments provided Carers Support Centre Drop In - Supporting Carers into Employment: First Wednesday of the month 9.30-11am, supporting unpaid carers and former carers who have been out of work for more than 12 months to move closer towards their employment and training goals. An advisor from Carers Support Centre will be here to give free advice and support. Computer Support Volunteers:
Please speak to a member of staff for dates and times. Vision West of England: Thursday July 4, 10.30am12.30pm. Support and advice for visually impaired people. Carers' back to work support: Wednesday July 3, 9.30-11am. Are you a carer who would like to get back to work? Get some advice and support specifically for you. For more information on any of the above please contact us: Telephone 01454 868006, email thornbury.library@southglos.gov. uk or visit our website to find out more: www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries. Find us on Facebook at South Gloucestershire Libraries or @ SouthGlosLibs on Twitter.
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA choir for anyone who loves singing. All abilities welcome. See www.getsinging.co.uk for more information. Turnberries, Thornbury. Tuesday 7.30 - 9.00pm (term time only). n Thornbirds, Thornbury W.I. meet on the third Tuesday of every month, 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Thornbury. We are a friendly group offering a range of speakers over the year as well as well as a variety of social activities. Visitors are always welcome so why not come along and find out about our programme for 2019. 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 Growing Ideas Garden Club meets at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month from September to June (with a break at Christmas) in the Watkins Room in the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury. Annual Subs are £15.00 and visitors pay £3. We are a friendly club and by no means all expert gardeners. We enjoy sharing what knowledge we do have and welcome visitors to any of our meetings. For more information come to a meeting or phone Naomi Gathercole on 01454 314476. n Support your Self-Care with Monthly Maintenance Shiatsu Clinic in Iron Acton every Wednesday between 3-8 pm. Naturally restore your energy levels and improve your overall health and lifestyle for just £35 per month.
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Contact Anna on 07487 511516 or email anna@wholehearted-health. co.uk for more information and to book your 1-1 treatment session. n Torn Paper Collage for Wellbeing: Turnberries Thornbury Wednesdays12.30-2.30pm. For more information or to reserve a place on these courses or other courses available throughout South Gloucestershire Please contact Jane Thomas, Community Learning Development Worker Tel: 07860 181352 Mob: 01454 864687 Email: jane.thomas2@southglos. gov.uk n South Glos Aspies, a weekly pub social for adults on the autistic spectrum, meets from 7-11pm at the Malthouse, Thornbury High Street. Friends and family of those on the spectrum are also more than welcome. Board games, skittles, darts, informal conversation and outdoor activities, weather permitting. More information from robert@ southglosaspies.org.uk, george@ southglosaspies.org.uk or at www. southglosaspies.org.uk. n Thornbury & District Townswomen's Guild meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Turnberries at 7.30pm. Varied programme of events and speakers. Pay a visit and perhaps join to celebrate 60 years of TG in Thornbury. Thursday n 8.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Ceroc Dance n Avon Harmony are a Ladies A Cappella / barbershop chorus. We welcome visitors for a no obligation taster session. We rehearse at the dance studio,
School is 50 MANORBROOK Primary School in Thornbury is urging former pupils to get in touch to help celebrate its half century. Past pupils who have contacted the school so far are spread around the world as far away as South Africa, enjoying a variety of jobs from midwifery to engineering. A map showing the countries where they live will be placed at the school’s entrance. Headteacher Darren Stanley said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed hearing from past pupils about the happy memories they hold of Manorbrook and of the important part it played in their childhoods. The fact that so many former pupils have chosen Manorbrook as the school for their own children shows the fondness with which they recall their own time here.” Current pupils are learning about what life was like 50 years ago, and celebrations peak with a 1960’s-themed fair on June 28, from 6-8pm, to which all current and previous pupils and their families are invited. People can get in touch by email at enquiries@manorbrook.org.uk or via the school Facebook page.
Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120
July, 2019
Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road, Bristol BS7 9NL. Every Thursday evening 7.30pm 9.45pm. Tel: Mary 07954170532. n Stokes Singers, a mixed voice community choir meet every Thursday during term time at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway BS34 5LP from 7.30 to 9.30pm. New members are welcome to try their first 2 rehearsals free of charge. For more information go to www. stokessingers.org.uk or phone Membership Secretary Liz on 01454 614148 n Scrapbooking for Wellbeing. Turnberries in Thornbury. Thursdays 12.30pm-2.30pm. n South Glos Art Appreciation Society meets every third Thursday of the month, 7pm for 7:30pm start, at Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Lane, Bradley Stoke. Lectures on fine art, sculpture, design, architecture and history of art. All welcome to simply come along to a meeting or for further details call Sally Kitching on 01454 774401 or email sallykitching@googlemail.com. n Royal British Legion monthly meeting point – coffee and a chat for Armed forces veterans, personnel and families at Hawkes House, St Mary Street, Thornbury. RBL volunteers, together with other organisations will be on hand to offer support and advice to those who need help. Second Thursday of the month, 9.3011.30am. Friday n 2.00 pm. Armstrong Hall Committee Room Canasta Club
n Folk Companions meet 7.45pm9.15 pm, term time only, at The Chantry, Thornbury. Call 01454 414952 or email iain.d.gray@ btinternet.com for more details. n 1.30pm Zumba Gold at Thornbury Leisure Centre n Weekly Hatha Yoga, The Chantry, Fridays 1.30-2.30pm. Improve strength, balance, flexibility, health and wellbeing through this transformational and healing practice. Drop-in basis, £8 (£6 concession) All Welcome. There's no need to be bendy! Contact Selina flourish@ selinaratcliffe.com Saturday 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 The Alternative Sunday Lunch, Butchers Hook, High Street We provide a smorgasbord of food and ask others to bring in homemade/homegrown contributions to share out with everyone in an informal, open-table style Sunday lunch. Suggested donation of £6 per person with all profits to charity. Every Sunday 1pm.
Give your views RESIDENTS are being asked to rate how satisfied they are with South Gloucestershire’s roads, bin collections and street lighting. The council is running a survey until July 7 giving people the chance to rate a wide range of services affecting quality of life in the area. People are being asked their opinions on pavements, roads, street lights, bus services, litter, environment, waste collection and recycling centres by South Gloucestershire Council’s StreetCare department. The council says taking part in the survey takes five to ten minutes and is offering people who fill in a form the chance to win a £20 shopping voucher. You can find the survey online at bit.ly/2IhIyED or you can ask for a copy at your nearest library or One Stop Shop and either return it there or send it to South Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, BRISTOL, BS37 5AF
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
July, 2019
n OUT & ABOUT FEATURE
Climate action at We The Curious IT’S all about action to limit climate change at Bristol’s science centre this summer, with a packed programme of workshops, storytelling, poetry and art activities exploring how we can protect our precious home. Families can be transported to some of our planet's most breath-taking but at-risk habitats in augmented reality experience REWILD Our Planet, create fantastical machines to harness renewable energy in the Tinkering Space and take their taste buds on a journey to discover the stories
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behind some of our favourite foods in the Kitchen. Artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent continue their quest to build a Martian house in The Box gallery, prompting conversations about how we can live more sustainably in the here and now, and various dates in August, poetry trailblazers Apples and Snakes will be inspiring visitors of all ages with some adventures in spoken word. The full summer programme begins 24 July. Visit wethecurious. org for more information, details of Planetarium shows and to book tickets. Open daily from 10am to 6pm during Bristol school holidays.
Set sail for the Summer Spectacular (at Brunel's SS Great Britain)! Set sail with Brunel’s SS Great Britain this summer to catch breath-taking performances from The Invisible Circus, every day from Saturday 20th July to Sunday 1st September. Witness exhilarating stunts and aerial displays as performers
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fling themselves from the rigging and passengers juggle luggage, telling the story of life-changing voyages on board the world’s first great ocean liner. For the entire holiday, The Invisible Circus will commandeer Brunel's SS Great Britain, taking over the historic dockyard. With five shows a day (11am - 3pm), the Summer Spectacular will bring the ship to life like never before. Spanning a breath-taking spectrum of performers, spectacles, stagecraft, storytelling and dreamscapes, The Invisible Circus have produced shows everywhere from regency theatres,
festivals and circus big tops to old fire stations and industrial facilities. During summer, while exploring one of the most important ships in the world, families can meet Mr. Brunel, get up close to objects from the archive and for those who are brave enough, climb the rigging 15 metres above the deck with Go Aloft! Tickets to Brunel’s SS Great Britain cost £17 per adult, £10 per child (5-16 years old) and under 4s go free - buy online for a 5% discount. Tickets are valid for unlimited return visits for 12 months.
we the curious Climate action
What if we could rewild our planet? Experiment, play, get involved. To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120
wethecurious.org Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
Saturday 20 July – Sunday 1 September Catch Bristol’s greatest show as The Invisible Circus take over Brunel’s famous ship, with amazing acrobatics and jaw-dropping feats. Plan your day and save on tickets at ssgreatbritain.org/summer Supported by:
July, 2019
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n OUT & ABOUT FEATURE A Stone Age Summer at Cheddar Gorge & Caves EXPERIENCE the Stone Age for yourself from 20th July to 1st September in the prehistoric landscape of Cheddar Gorge & Caves. Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors and learn about Cheddar Man, Britain’s oldest, most complete skeleton was discovered in Gough’s Cave. Watch the story of early man unfold with the caves walls as a canvas for the multimedia experience Dreamhunters at Cox’s Cave. Get into the cave man spirit with Stone Age dress-up, make your own thumb clay pot and brass rubbings of prehistoric creatures such as the woolly mammoth. Visit the Museum of Prehistory to view artefacts discovered in the Cheddar area, meet a huntergatherer in the Museum's Garden and see demonstrations and much more. All of this is included with your Day Ticket. Book online and save up to 15%.
A Stone Age Summer 20th July to 1st September Experience the Stone Age for yourself and meet a hunter-gatherer to learn how your ancestors lived thousands of years ago with live demonstrations. Get into the spirit of things with prehistoric dress-up and create thumb clay pots.
Included with your Day Ticket Book online and save up to 15% To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120
Email: contact@thornburyvoice.co.uk
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July, 2019
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n INTERCHANGE BLOG
Two wheels are better than none FANCY getting that all-important daily dose of exercise, while reducing your carbon footprint and having a ‘wheelie’ good time? If the answer is yes, then read on to find out why cycling is going to become your new favourite hobby. The benefits Cycling really is a fantastic way to get around, while maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Here are some of the top reasons you should be swapping four wheels for two: No pain, just gain – It’s a low impact exercise that still provides a fantastic workout for your muscles while also improving your strength and stamina. As easy as riding a bike – Once you learn how to ride a bike it’s a skill you’ll have for the rest of your life! On yer bike – Cycling is a brilliant mode of transport, as it’s good for the heart as well as the planet and your wallet! Stress buster – Cycling on a regular basis has shown to be amazing at reducing anxiety and depression. Get results – Whether you’ve got some stubborn belly fat you want to shift or you want to improve your posture, coordination and join mobility, cycling is a great way to increase your overall fitness, which will keep you healthy and happy. Family fun – Cycling isn’t just a solo sport! Getting the family involved will ensure your kids get that all-important regular exercise while having a great time. It will also help to build their confidence and instil a healthy lifestyle early on. Getting in gear When thinking about starting cycling it’s a common misconception that the bike is the be all and end all of your kit list – don’t get us wrong, it’s a very important part but your shopping list should by no means end with it!
Whether you’re cycling in bright sunshine or chilly rain – yep, you read that right, by the end of this blog you will be scrambling to jump on your bike whatever the weather – clothing is a very important thing to consider. Layers will not only help regulate your body temperature but they will also help to protect you from any adverse weather conditions such as sun, wind and rain. Local cycling specialists Giant Bristol (giant-bristol.co.uk), at the WillowBrook Centre, in Bradley Stoke, have an amazing selection both online and in store, from the bikes themselves to additional kit such as luggage, lights and locks that ensure your ride is as convenient as it is safe. Emyr from Giant Bristol is a massive advocate for cycling, saying: “I've been riding my bike for years and I can honestly say it's the best thing to happen to me. The health benefits you get are a massive bonus, alongside the
sense of adventure that comes with riding. The joys of riding are endless and there's a discipline for everyone, including casual weekend riders, long-distance roadies and die-hard racers and everyone in-between. If you're unsure, just do it, get yourself on two wheels and see for yourself!” Hit the road When you’re all kitted up and ready to get on that saddle, there are lots of sites out there to help you find the best routes on which to cycle, whether you’re off to work or wanting to enjoy a nice Sunday ride with the family. Sustrans is a UK charity that works hard to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. One of their longest running projects is the National Cycling Network (bit.ly/2IeWqzw), an impressive network of cycling routes around the country. Luckily Bristol is full of fantastic routes, including a predominantly road-based route
that circles around the whole of Bristol or a traffic-free route from Filton to Bath. James Cleeton, England Director South at Sustrans, said: "There are so many benefits to getting out on your bike, whether that's making a difference to your health and well-being or reducing your impact on the planet, not to mention the impact more people cycling would have on Bristol's congestion and air quality. "Replacing short journeys with bike travel is a really easy way to reduce air pollution and build some physical activity into every day.” North Bristol is full of possible roads and routes so if you’re in need of a good cycle path on which to get to work then Better By Bike is the place to go (bit. ly/31xB4EV) as they have an endlessly useful route planner that will help you get from A to B on two wheels with ease.
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July, 2019
n LOCAL MP
We must do more to end Christian persecution NEARLY a quarter of a billion people today are suffering persecution around the world, purely because of their Christian faith. It is hard to comprehend that as many as 80 per cent of all people globally who suffer persecution because of their faith are Christian. There are people on ‘death row’ in Pakistan for false blasphemy charges, stonings in Kenya and beatings in Vietnam. The current situation cannot go on. In January of this year, a bombing at a church in the Philippines saw 20 Christians killed, and dozens more wounded. In February and March, almost 300 Christians were killed in villages across Nigeria by Boko Haram terrorists, with many incidents of maiming by machete also reported.
This is an issue I have raised in parliament directly with the Foreign Secretary; raising the support and protection the UK Government is providing to Christians overseas, in the face of relentless discrimination and oppression for no reason other than their religious beliefs. That is why I was delighted to see that Jeremy Hunt had asked the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, to conduct an independent review into the UK’s response. We must gain an understanding of the steps the UK Government needs to take in order become world leaders in promoting global religious tolerance. We should be setting up a fund to help with legal fees and access to justice and protection for persecuted
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Christians. We have to take action to ensure British aid money actually reaches the people who need it. As the local MP, I am supporting this review, and am hoping that the outcome of this will be that the UK can gain a deeper understanding of what it can do. It is vitally important that the scope is sufficient in order to ensure that it can effectively inform the steps that Britain needs to take in order to tackle the problem. If you therefore have any personal thoughts on what steps you believe the Government ought to be taking to achieve these goals, I would be delighted to hear these views at luke.hall.mp@parliament. uk. It is vital that we tackle persecution of Christians all across
Luke Hall MP writes for Thornbury Voice
the world, and I look forward to following positive developments in these efforts closely in the future. following positive developments in these efforts closely in the future.
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July, 2019
25
n THORNBURY AND DISTRICT MUSEUM
Tragic story behind the Maclaine Fountain ON the February 3 1882, William Osborne Maclaine signed an agreement with the Guardians of the Poor of the Union of Thornbury
in their capacity as the rural sanitary authority for the town. It stated that a drinking foundation would be provided in the High Street. Behind the agreement lies a tragic story. The fountain was to commemorate the death of William Osborne Maclaine’s son, Lieutenant Hector Maclaine. The fountain bears the inscription: “Erected by public subscription in addition to a window in Thornbury Church to the memory of Lieut. Hector Maclaine, Royal Horse Artillery who was taken prisoner while trying to get water for the wounded after the battle of Maiwand and was afterwards murdered in the camp of Ayoub Khan, near Candahar on 1st September 1880.” The battle of Maiwand took place in the Second Afghan War, when fear of Russian designs on
Afghanistan led Britain to interfere in its affairs. The fund which was set up for the memorial window in the church was so well subscribed that the surplus money was used to provide the fountain. William Osborne Maclaine, who was mayor of Thornbury at least three times in 1852, 1865 and 1876, had already played a role in bringing water to Thornbury. Written inside the parish records is a note that a “91 feet well was dug in Bullseye Lane by William Osborne Maclaine in November 1859”. George Ford, who has spent some time researching local history, has told us that this well became contaminated after
the market was opened up close to Bullseye Lane and it could no longer be used as a water source. The original position for the Maclaine Fountain was in the High Street, between the Methodist church and the register office. When the fire station was built, the fountain was placed more or less in its original position, but between the doors of the fire station. Soon, however, bigger fire engines were used and the doors had to be made wider. In December 1956, the planning officer received proposals to move the memorial from the fire station to its present site on the top of Castle Street, near Latteridge Lane.
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July, 2019
n MOTORING
A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke
Second hand Style Le Mans special: Part 1 I’LL open with a disclaimer: There are no car reviews in this month’s article and there won’t be any next month either. Instead I bring you a two-part special on the subject of one of the pre-eminent motor racing events of the season: the Le Mans 24 hour. For reasons that are not clear, Le Mans is almost totally ignored by the mainstream British press. If you pick up Autocar or other generalist motoring magazines it will likely get a mention, but you have to delve into Motorsport to find proper coverage. And that’s all after the event has finished. The Sunday Times managed a paragraph whilst the race was still being run a few years ago, but last year I couldn’t find any mention at all. And that’s odd, given that the race (which will have already taken place by the time you read this) attracts
250,000 people over one weekend in June. That’s twice the number of attendees that Glastonbury manages, and you can’t escape coverage of that mud fest. So this year I decided to go to Le Mans for the first time. I’ll let you know next month if you should make the effort in 2020. Since 1923, Le Mans has hosted a race lasting 24 hours (non-stop other than to change drivers) around the 8 mile Circuit de la Sarthe. About 60 cars start, each with three drivers taking shifts at the wheel. In a good year, maybe 40 finish. Le Mans cars therefore have to be tough and efficient, as well as fast and agile. They have a roof and lights but the ‘LP’ class (Le Mans prototype) looks like nothing you will ever see on the road. Wikipedia can provide you with all sorts of trivia, which I must read
before I go. The history, glamour and expectation is all quite exciting, although the thought of camping for three days less so – please no rain. By the time you read this, starting on a Friday at ungodly o’clock, an old friend and I will have driven the Audi S6 from my April 2018 column, in strict observance to French Autoroute speed limits, from Calais to Le Mans. His 5.2l V10 is a good way to start any weekend, but it is quite different from the methods of transport taken by the last two members of my family to attend. My great-aunt Dorothy drove a 1 litre MG Midget at the 1937 race, finishing 16th with her co-driver Joan Riddell (just two drivers per car back then) at an average speed of 55mph. They drove the car to Le Mans, raced and drove back again. That’s her
refuelling in the pits in this month’s photo. Note the total lack of any safety equipment. The last British female driver to race at Le Mans was in 1978, so we’re well overdue another speed queen. The other connection I have to the race is the 1950 event, notable for being the first time Jaguar entered, rather unsuccessfully, with their new XK120. The conversation I had with my father about it very shortly before he died was fairly typical of his understated attitude to certain aspects of his life. Me: “I’m thinking of going to Le Mans this year.” Dad: “It’ll be busy.” Me: “Have you been?!” Dad: “Yes, in 1950. Bill (his brother) and I went on his motorcycle.” Me: “You rode on the back of Uncle Bill’s motorcycle all the way to Le Mans?” Dad: “No, of course not, we put the bike on the plane at Southend and rode down from Le Touquet.” Me: “Ok, how did you carry all your gear? You know, your tent?” Dad: “What tent? The plan was to sleep outside next to the bike. In the end some French people let us use their tent. Very nice of them.” And that was all I got out of him. The details of that trip remain with him and my late uncle. My upcoming experience of this year’s race will be very different, I know that, but it’s still cars racing round a track for 24 hours in France. I’ll report back with my own story. Next month: Part 2
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July, 2019
n NEWS THREE girls at 4th Thornbury Brownies have achieved their Gold award from Girlguiding, the highest award available under the recently-updated guiding programme. Leader Kim Walsh-Young said they had shown “great commitment and perseverance”. The girls had to complete their adventure awards from the original programme plus three interest badges at home from the new programme, and then had the challenge of running a whole evening of activities for their unit. They chose to fill the session with activities based on their interests. Madeleine Gill chose books and chocolate, encouraging brownies to take part in a book swap and designing and tasting their own chocolate bars. Lizzy Emery encouraged girls to bring in their recycling and do some junk modelling, turning it into animals. Sophia Jones, who had done her languages badge, gave the girls the opportunity to taste Dutch food and learn a few Dutch words.
Celebrating volunteers VOLUNTEERS and guests at Thornbury Volunteer Centre marked National Volunteers Week with a talk by Pauline Montgomery and Jane Marks from Thornbury Museum. They revealed some fascinating facts to their audience – that the oldest woman hanged in Britain came from Thornbury, and that the Cossham Hall was left to the community on the condition that no liquors or tobacco would be sold or supplied there. Following the organisation’s AGM, an afternoon tea was held for the volunteers to thank them for their hard work throughout the year. They were entertained by Taya Green, a student in the sixth form at Castle School who gave a piano recital. This month the centre is looking for volunteers to do gardening at Quaker Court, mentor prisoners preparing for release, visit families who need support in their own homes and to help out at Krunch Youth Club on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Anyone interested should call 01454 413392 or email mail@volunteerthornbury.co.uk.
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Thornbury Brownies receive highest award
Award winners (left to right): Lizzy Emery, Madeleine Gill and Sophia Jones.
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n SPORT
National win for Tockington Manor
THESE boys from Tockington Manor School rose to the occasion when they got the chance to compete in a national championship at the pool used in the London 2012 Olympics. Taking part in the Independent Association of Prep Schools national swimming finals at the London Aquatic Centre in Queen Elizabeth Park, the under 11 boys team produced personal bests to win the 8x25m relay, making the school national champions for the second year running. Their time of 2:17:67 at the contest on June 8 was also a new school record. Bernie Hinchliffe, head of swimming at the school, said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our swimmers who made it to the national finals. This is a really strong team and it was great to watch them all achieve their best under the pressure of competition, especially in the Olympic pool. Congratulations to our national champions”
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July, 2019
Runners out in force at Bradley Stoke THORNBURY Running Club’s runners were out in numbers for the Bradley Stoke 10k. With the added incentive of this race being the latest round of the club’s road running championships, Paul Saville scored top points for Thornbury’s men and was 17th place overall in 41:18 mins, and 2nd in the V40 age category. Behind Paul, there were 2 other runners in the top 30: Ben Foss finished 21st and smashed his personal best in 41:50 mins, followed by Adam Frontczak in 29th place in 42:14 mins. Kevin Wood and Hugh McPherson took top honours in their respective age categories, Kevin finishing 61st overall and 1st in the V60 age category, in a swift 45:01 mins. Hugh was 1st in the V65 age category and 146th overall in 50:27 mins. They were awarded their winning prize from one of UK’s finest long-distance runners and Bristol resident Nick Rose. Thornbury’s top woman was Clare Evans in 298th in 58:55 mins, followed by Kathy Willott in 430th and 2nd in the V65 age category in 1:06:19. Rachel Murphy was 447th, in 1:07:12. Mike Bennewitz's goal of completing a half-marathon every month in 2019 took him to the German city of Stuttgart at the end of May. Appropriately for the home of Porsche, the course was a quick one and Mike set his fastest time of the year, in 1 hour 55 mins. Pete Mainstone, Judy Mills and Chris Foley took part in the Cape Wrath Challenge, a week-long series of running and social events based in the tiny village of Durness on Scotland’s far northern coast. The event included a marathon taking in the lonely Cape Wrath lighthouse, a hilly half-marathon and a fancy-dress beach run.
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July, 2019
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n SPORT
Great start to season for Thornbury FOUR victories and two defeats in their first six games of the season have put Thornbury Cricket Club in second place in the West of England Premier 2 Glos/Wilts league. Convincing wins against Biddestone by 2 wickets, Trowbridge by 167 runs, Dumbleton by 114 runs and Stroud by 123 runs included some very positive and explosive batting performances, backed up by strong and consistent bowling. Highlights included a magnificent 185 not out and carrying his bat though the innings by Dan Davis, pictured, against Stroud off 156 balls, including 28 fours and 3 sixes. Yvan Grant smashed 114 from 88 balls against Trowbridge, including 12 fours and 8 sixes and also 97 not out in 71 balls against Biddestone, while there have also been 50s for Marc Lezar, Dan Lezar and Nick Stovold. With the ball, Luke Davis leads the way with 13 wickets so far this season, with best figures of 5 for 18 in 10 overs against Trowbridge
Off to a flier
After promotion last season, the second team have also started well, currently sitting in fourth place in Gloucestershire County Cricket League Division 1. The outstanding performance was 97 by Vishal Mamgai against Charlton Kings 1st team, followed by Marcus Wormwell’s 70 against Kingsholm 1st team and 60 by Josh Slade against Gloucester AWI 1st team. Alex Riggs has been the pick of the bowlers, leading the way with 10 wickets. The 3rd and 4th teams have also enjoyed great starts in the Bristol & District Cricket Leagues 8th & 14th Divisions respectively, with the 3rds second in the league after 5 victories and only one defeat. Outstanding performances include Colin Blick’s 101 against Hambrook 2nds, 103 from Simon Weeks against Carsons & Mangotsfield 1sts and 109 from Andrew Moffat against Bedminster 5th team, with some consistent bowling from youth players Alex Foulner and Rhys Price. Under 9’s training is also proving a massive success again this year, with over 100
Dan Davis leaving the field after his 185 not out youngsters signed on and playing cricket on Friday evenings at the club between 5pm and 6pm. Everyone is welcome – pop up
to TCC any Friday evening to get involved. John Wormwell
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AN exceptionally dry start to the season saw an unprecedented number of days cricket played at Rockhampton Cricket Club. Fixtures for all four senior sides coupled with numerous youth matches and the visits of England Development XI, Kent, Scotland A, Worcestershire CC u17s, all playing Gloucestershire CCC, meant that the club’s groundsmen were very busy. Although fixtures in the middle of June were hit by the rain, July promises to be very busy. GCCC will be playing Somerset 2nd XI in a three-day game from the 1st to the 3rd of the month, with a double T20 fixture between the same sides on July 17. This latter game is a warm-up for the national Vitality Blast competition, which kicks off at Cheltenham on Friday July 19. Rockhampton’s club sides have two local derbies, the 1st XI playing Painswick on July 6, with the 2nd XI playing Frampton on Severn 1st XI a week later.
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n SPORT
July, 2019
New manager pledges to move Thornbury Town forward has held been assistant manager and coach at Bristol Manor Farm and Chippenham Town. The club said Jason and Gary had been chosen after “an extensive selection process which attracted a wealth of impressive candidates from the local area”. They have a tough act to follow in Andy Davies, who announced he was taking a break from management at the end of last season after six years in charge, having overseen what has probably been the most successful period in the club’s history, winning four trophies and achieving the club’s highest ever level of non-league football. Thorns finished last season by winning the Hellenic League Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup, having narrowly missed out on a second successive
promotion, eventually finishing third in a tight Division One West title race. Jason believes that he can build on the club’s recent success and carry on their fortunes.
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He said: “These are exciting times at Thornbury Town and we are privileged to be given the task to move the club forward. Thornbury have a very strong group of players; our aim is to get the best from them, resulting in success throughout the club.” Vice-chairman Graham Smith said that he was impressed by Jason and Gary as a management and coaching team. He said: “Jason, an exThornbury player, arrived with his assistant coach Gary, showing they were a close team and both spoke well about their plans for the club. “They both have some experience with coaching and managing and are both local boys, who came to the interview well prepared.” Tom Shorey
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THORNBURY Town have unveiled their new manager – a former player for the club, who has gained a reputation for fluent passing football as a coach. Jason Rees, pictured, played for Thornbury in the early years of the millennium, achieving promotion to the Gloucestershire County League with the club in 2001. He has a track record of forging a clear pathway for youth players and, during his time as manager of Yate Town’s Under 18s, his side gained a reputation for playing fluent, passing football. Jason’s assistant manager/ coach is Gary Kemp, who is from Thornbury and had a successful career in semi-professional football, representing Gloucester City 371 times. More recently, he
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