Downend Voice November 2013

FREE EVERY MONTHfor people and businesses in Downend, Mangotsfield, Staple Hill & Bromley Heath

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Speed dating, pages 8 & 9 | Business of the month, Page 36

November, 2013 Issue 8

Craig AnthonysH A I R D E S I G N E R S

1 Willow Centre Downend Road Downend01179 571551www.craiganthonys.co.uk

It’s never too late,says Muriel, 99Muriel Perry, who will be 100 next year, has signed up on a computer course.

Page 4

Astonishing rushto join new WIMore than 350 women turned up for the launch of Bromley Heath Women’s Institute.

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Decision closeron cricket clubThe future of Downend Cricket Club members will vote on the future of the ground.

Page 7

Motorsport aceMatt takes titleDriver Matt Parkes, 28, from Downend, has won a motor racing championship.

Page 54

What’s for dinner Mum?

Page 19

Shaun to walk 11 miles withheavy pack forRemembrance EX-SERVICEMAN Shaun Paddison has become the face of this year’s Staple Hill Poppy Appeal after pledging to walk 11 miles carrying 111lbs on Remembrance Sunday.

Shaun, 43, attended the launch of Staple Hill Royal British Legion’s 2013 poppy appeal in Fountain Square last week.

The former member of the Royal Logistics Corps has been in training with his heavyweight backpack since July and will embark on the challenge from 6.30am on Sunday November 10.

He will be walking an 11-mile route from Chipping Sodbury to Staple Hill where he will join the parade to the Cenotaph at Page Park for the 11am service.

To sponsor Shaun please visit www.justgiving.com/Shaun-Paddison or text RBL C73 with your amount to 70070.

Support our Poppy heroes

www.downendvoice.co.uk November, 2013T: 0779 9461169

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Downend 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. Downend 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 Gary Brindle On 0117 907 8585 or [email protected]

Gary BrindlePublisher0117 907 8585 / 0779 [email protected]

Linda TannerJournalist0777 [email protected]

Jayne TaylorJournalist0788 [email protected]

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Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Downend Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

Our December edition will go to print on Monday November 25. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by Thursday November 21. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

South Gloucestershire Councilwww.southglos.gov.uk

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Policewww.avonandsomersetpolice.uk

general enquiries: 101Emergency: 999

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General enquiries: 0117 926 2061Emergency: 999

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Josie is just oneof many starsLOOK who’s reading Downend Voice – none other than Big Brother star Josie Gibson.

She might feature in the celebrity mags and tabloid papers, but Josie, who lives just down the road in Fishponds, like to keep grounded and find out what’s going on in her local area,

And where better than our community paper? We have plenty to offer to people whatever their age or status, as this month’s edition proves yet again.

From the gorgeous babes that inspired mum Jackie Novels-Prior to start a cookery school to the admirable nonagenarians Jim Cullimore and Muriel Perry, who are forging ahead on the internet, those featured on our pages reflect the richness of the community in Downend, Bromley Heath, Mangotsfield and Staple Hill.

Who would have believed that nearly 350 people would turn up for the launch of a new WI?

Or that so many senior citizens would dare to try speed dating?Of course, some might prefer knitting, but that will soon be

catered for too!Downend Voice continues to expand its circulation area month

by month and now produces 10,000 copies. The vast majority are delivered to homes in Downend and Mangotsfield every month. Hundreds more are available at pick-up points such as libraries and shops.

You can also read the magazine online at www.downendvoice.co.uk

If you log on to our website in between publication dates, you will find the latest news and views. You can also keep in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter.

If you have a story for us, please email [email protected]

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: [email protected] Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.ukNovember, 2013 E: [email protected] follow us on Twitter @downendvoice 3

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A BADMINTON Road resident is calling for action at a bend where a car lost control and crashed into the wall of an elderly people’s complex.

Racheal Monaghan, 47, was just dozing off at around 1am when she heard loud screeching and a bang.

Fearing the worst, Racheal looked out the window to discover a car had mounted the pavement at the corner near Badminton Walk and smashed into a garden wall.

As Racheal has first aid experience she hurried to the scene but found the car’s occupants had abandoned the vehicle and ran off.

She said: “The car has come round the corner, hit the kerb, gone across a small green area, miraculously missed a lamppost and a tree and then went straight through a garden wall into the old people’s bungalow.

“I have lived here for seven years and as far as I’m aware there have been at least four accidents.

“On most occasions all the

vehicles have mounted the pavement before hitting a wall and ending up in someone’s garden. It’s mostly boy racers who are speeding at night and taking the corners too fast.

“It’s only a matter of time before some innocent person walking home is mowed down by one of these idiots.”

Racheal, a legal secretary, had a narrow escape herself.

“Last year myself and my partner were walking home and just before we got there a white van came tearing round the corner too fast, hit the kerb and managed to right itself.

“If it hadn’t done then there’s no doubt we would have been hit by the vehicle.”

Racheal said she believed the best solution to the problem would be traffic calming measured like speed humps.

Angela Hocking, clerk to Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council, said the issue was discussed by the council’s traffic committee where a decision was made to refer the matter to South Gloucestershire Council.

Skid marks show the route of the car before it crashed into the wall

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YOU’RE never too old to learn something new, says Muriel Perry - and she should know. At the age of 99, she is the oldest recruit on the first Downend Connect computers for Beginners course.

Mrs Perry, who lives in Charnhill Drive, told the Voice she decided to sign up after seeing and talking to her niece in Spain via a laptop last Christmas.

“I thought how nice it was to be able to see her and speak to her. I feel a bit dumb not knowing anything about computers, especially when I see little children who are so confident with them.

“I heard about this course and thought it was worth a try. It’s not too late, is it?

“It might take me a bit longer than some people but once I have a laptop or computer of my own I shall practise.

“As well as talking to my niece, I might be able to contact my sister in Australia, who has been ill.”

Mrs Perry, a trained nurse who will be 100 next June, said she used to love gardening but had not unable to do so much since she had surgery last year.

“It is because I am unable to do some of the things I used to that I am at a bit of a loss what to do – so I hope this will help,” she said.

Downend and Bromley Heath parish councillor Martyn Poole, who was instrumental in setting up the course, said many older people wanted to be able to go on the internet to keep in touch with relatives.

“A lot of them just want to use Skype to see their grandchildren.” He said. “Others might want to shop online or send emails. But they don’t know where to start. We have set up this seniors course for absolute beginners, starting with switching on the machine!”

Tutor Tim Ball began by showing the class of 13 some simple basics on a desktop personal computer. In the second session, participants had the chance to try out iPads and other tablet devices.

“These can be good for older people and they are more affordable,” he said. “If people

just want to surf the web or send the occasional email, there is no point in forking out hundreds of pounds.”

Harold Bridgeman, 85, of Sutherland Avenue, was using an iPad to search out race meetings at Chepstow via Google.

He said he had never bothered with computers before and was completely ignorant “but I have learned to turn the computer on now,” he said

The course, established in response to demand from retired people who have responded to the Downend Connect initiative launched by the parish council and South Gloucestershire Council and backed by Downend Voice, was quickly filled up, as was a second at Staple Hill Library.

The parish council has now agreed to fund two more courses at Downend before March.

Downend and Emersons Green libraries already run beginners’ computer courses with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College at Filton but these are bespoke courses for older people.

Councillor Poole said: “We have clearly identified a need. We have a waiting list of more than 50. Most people said they read about the course through Downend Voice.”

Downend Connect aims to reduce isolation among the retired population of the area by bringing people together to take part in activities.

CONNECTDownend

Muriel, 99, joins the silver surfers

Muriel Perry

“We have set up this seniors course for absolute beginners,

starting with switching on the machine!”

Councillor Martyn Poole



November, 2013 E: [email protected] follow us on Twitter @downendvoice 5

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FORMER councillor Jim Cullimore is testament to the power of the web to open up a new window on the world for older people.

Since he turned 90, Jim has traced the sister he had not seen for 72 years and has been to visit her an her family in New Zealand.

He got in touch with Norah after finding her via the internet with the help of staff at Downend Library. Jim, now 93, then bought his own computer and is in contact with Norah, her husband, their sons and daughter and their families several times a week.

Jim, who lives in Westerleigh Road, Downend, has told the story of their reunion in a book called The Spider’s Web, a tale of interwoven families.

It is a sequel to his first book, There’s One Born Every Minute, which chronicled his unusual start in life.

He was born in 1920 and baby Norah eight years later. Each weighed little more than 2lb at birth.

Jim – as he was always known, although it is not his birth name – and Norah were brought up as cousins. It was not until he was 18 and the man he though was his father died that Jim found out he had been brought up by foster parents.

The war came, Jim met and married Barbara Annie, and they lived in a flat in Clifton until they moved to Downend after 15 years.

Norah, meanwhile, grew up, served in the Army married a Polish man Boleslaw Roberto Niemic, known as Bob and moved to New Zealand.

After his wife died in 2009, Jim, of Westerleigh Road, decided to find his blood family. His first planned trip was cancelled when he had to go into hospital but he finally went out to Gisborne in 2011 where he received a fantastic welcome from his family and their friends.

“It was out of this world,” he said. “It is all thanks to the library staff. I should never have found my family otherwise.”

How the web really isworldwide for Jim

DOWNEND Connect's next project – following the runaway success of Computers for Beginners – aims to make community links plain (and purl!).

Many of those who responded to the question about what activities they would like suggested knitting.

As a result, a group is set to begin at Downend Library on Monday November 18.

Sessions will be held weekly from 10am to noon and will include tea and cake in support of a charity called Fish and Chip Babies

Participants can bring along their own knitting or they can join in with a community project to knit blanket squares for babies in Africa.

Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council is backing the group by buying the first batch of brightly coloured wool for the knitters.

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IT all started as a casual remark on Facebook – ‘A Bromley Heath WI. Anybody up for it?’

But it certainly caught the imaginations of women living in the area.

A staggering 350 ladies turned up at the inaugural night of the Bromley Heath branch of the Women’s Institute.

Queues at the church hall in Quakers Road snaked around the entrance and spilled into the street as women were eager to get inside and party.

Promising to put the emphasis on the word fun, organisers meant business from the word go.

The theme for the evening was 1950s-style tea party and many chose to pop along in fancy dress, showing how determined they were to have a good time.

As champagne corks popped, ladies helped themselves to cake and had a good old natter about future plans.

Attractions included a dressing up photo booth, raffle and film reel highlighting future plans as well as profiles of inspiring local women including breast feeding counsellor Ann Watts, educationalist Lucy Fletcher, Rainbows leader Gaynor Powell and Faye Kitchen, head of Bromley Heath Junior School.

A total of 205 people signed up on the night, meaning the group has now reached capacity.

However the group is hoping that other ladies will start up other branches locally.

Diane Flower, one of the founding members, said: “We didn’t know what to expect really but guessed that maybe 50 to 130 ladies may come to the launch.

“We lost count of how many came but there were at least 350. They queued outside in the cold to come into the hall and then queued patiently to sign up.

“The number of ladies who

joined on the night totally exceeded our expectations.

“A whole team of local ladies put in a huge amount of time, effort, coordination and talent into setting up this group and organising the launch and making it such a success.”

The idea was the brainchild of resident Sam Burch who put a message on Heathboard, a local

Facebook group, asking if anyone was interested in setting up a WI in the area.

If you are interested in finding out more about Bromley Heath WI or would like support in setting up another branch, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Bromley-Heath-WI/581327638579611

Amazing! 350 at WI launch



E: [email protected] follow us on Twitter @downendvoice 7November, 2013

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THESE are testing times for Downend Cricket Club, as it tries to balance present and future needs with its sporting heritage.

The direction of the club for the 21st century could become clearer this month when members hold their annual general meeting.

Two years after they voted to look at the possibility of selling the WG Grace Memorial Ground to potential developers, they will receive an update on the options being considered.

Officials say the club is at a crucial point in its history but have pledged that any decision on the future of the historic site will be decided by a members’ vote.

This follows a members-only meeting last month, which heard from the company that has been looking at the possibilities as well as from some of the club’s cricketers.

A notice on the club’s website before that meeting said: “Due to a combination of ageing facilities and a lack of significant

investment opportunities from private or grant funding, the cricket development that should be achieved by a club with Downend’s heritage is at risk.

“Accreditation as an ECB(English Cricket Board) Focus Club means that DCC has a commitment to cricket development; yet in the current position the youth offer is stretched and there is no capacity for girls’ and women’s teams.”

A club spokesman told Downend Voice: “ The recent information event was to update the club’s members on the research under way into a possible club move. This was an information event only and no decisions have been made.

“Members will continue to be kept informed throughout the research process. The decision to research a possible move was made by a membership vote in 2011. Any final decisions will be also made through a vote by the club’s members.”

It was revealed following the vote two years ago that a

potential developer wanted to put flats and shops on the four-acre site in the centre of Downend, between Downend Road and North Street.

But as yet it is not known whether any developer has drawn up detailed plans for the ground.

The club is considering a possible sale of the ground both to secure its finances and to fund a move to a bigger ground with space to develop cricketing activities.

But opponents say that moving out would betray Downend’s history as the home of one of the sport’s greatest players. Downend Cricket Club, which has 120 adult members and 70 juniors, runs three senior teams, a Sunday team, and six junior teams.

The club was founded in 1893 and has owned the WG Grace Memorial Ground since 1920.

The legendary cricketer William Gilbert Grace was born in 1848 in a house overlooking the ground.

He played 44 seasons in first-class cricket, only retiring at the age of 60. WG, as he was affectionately known, notched up 54,896 runs as a right-handed batsman and also took 2,864 wickets as a medium pace bowler.

Grace was also a qualified medical practitioner, a 440-yard hurdling champ and an amateur footballer.

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DID you know men and women who are married or in committed relationships live longer?

While for some solo living is their choice, for many others, who perhaps find themselves divorced or bereaved, the pain of loneliness can be devastating.

Last month Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt shocked the nation with statistics claiming as many as 800,000 people in England are “chronically lonely”.

He warned loneliness was as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and worse than obesity because of the risks of blood clots, heart disease and dementia.

Aware of these frightening statistics, one Bristol organisation is hoping to change all that.

As part of South Gloucestershire Council’s Discover Festival, housing association Merlin hit upon a novel idea to help combat loneliness and boost life expectancy - speed dating for the over 55s. I had to admit I was intrigued. Wasn’t that best left to the young ‘uns? Was there a

demand from men and women in their 60s, 70s and even 80s? What sort of people would turn up? Would anyone turn up for that matter?

The urge to find out more was too strong so I decided to go along, not to take part (I’m precluded by several years!) but to meet the people there and find out what their motivation is.

The event, which took place at Grace Court sheltered housing in Dial Lane, Downend on October 18, attracted people from across South Gloucestershire and Bristol.

Unsurprisingly, the number of women outnumbered men threefold. It meant the odds were pretty good for the guys to find the woman of their dreams but not so good for the ladies. Would it be handbags at dawn?

Lorna Giles, Merlin’s senior

activities manager, hosted the event, placing the four men on tables in the lounge while each woman took it in turns to spend just five minutes talking to them.

The aim was to see if they liked each other enough to meet up again. If the conversation should run dry, Lorna had placed a set of questions on the table.

And should anyone take a shine to someone, they could write their contact details down and this would get passed on to the relevant person via Lorna.

I wasn’t rude enough to sit in on conversations but the participants told me all manner of subjects were covered, the most popular being holidays, family, divorce, occupations and hobbies.

Margaret Beavis, a retired care worker from Warmley, looked far too young to be there

but insisted she was 62. With youthful looks and figure women half her age would envy, surely it was easy for her to meet people?

“My marriage split up and for the last 12 years I’ve been involved in the singles scene in Bristol,” she explained.“There are lots of dances to go to and I’ve been out with a few people but I don’t really want to meet anyone from those types of places.

“It’s hard to find someone with the same interests. There are so many things I do but I do of lot of them on my own so it would be nice to have someone to share that with.

“I don’t go by looks; it’s more important to have someone you can talk to and be good friends with.”

Barry Robbins, 60, of Fishponds, divorced 10 years ago. He said: “I like to network. You can never have too many friends. It’s nice to broaden your horizons.”

Would he speed date again?

Loneliness is bad for you

Barry Robbins meets Margaret Beavis. Hugh Steele gets to know Christine Fox.

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“Yes, it’s been fantastic!” he tells me.

“Loneliness can be a great problem but it can be difficult to meet people so this is a great way to meet people in a relaxed manner, in an informal setting and with no pressure.”

Retired lecturer Barbara Webb, 82, from Winterbourne, told me she turned up after being dared by some of her friends.

“I almost didn’t go but I didn’t have anything else on. It’s been nice to get out of the house and have a chat. It’s been fun and I’ve met some nice people with some interesting stories to tell.

“I’ll have to report back to my friends and wind them up.”

I jokingly advised Barbara to tell them she had met a millionaire and was off to the Caribbean.

Barbara, an immaculate looking woman widowed a year ago, confessed she wasn’t looking for romance.

“For me it’s a chance to meet to likeminded women and perhaps go out to lunch because

you can’t lunch on your own, can you?”

Hugh Steele, 70, a retired BBC engineer who lives in Longwell Green, has been single for six years after splitting with his partner.

“I went there not at all seriously, just to see what it was like. I’m generally nervous about meeting new people and going somewhere I don’t know anybody but it wasn’t as bad as what I’d thought it would be. It certainly wasn’t a cattle market!

Courage“They were fun people who,

like me, made the effort to get there. I had no difficulty in talking to any of them and I don’t think any of them had any difficulty either. I don’t think five minutes was long enough; it wasn’t even time to scratch the surface.

“I would go again and take it a little more seriously next time.”

And Hugh’s advice to anyone wishing they had the courage to try speed dating?

“Go for it! You’ve got nothing

to lose.”Sue Woodland, 66, from

Westbury-on-Trym, perhaps best summed up the essence of the event. She said: “It’s all about getting out, doing something different, socialising and having fun. If you meet someone, then that’s a bonus.”

And would I, the fly on the wall, have any hesitation in recommending a future speed dating event?

Absolutely not. I met some smashing people in those couple of hours and I wasn’t even taking part!

Most of the men and women came on their own, fighting off whatever nerves they may have had, and, by virtue of lives well lived, each had a fascinating story to tell.

You see, youth might be a splendid thing but it’s certainly wasted on the young.

*If you would like to be kept informed of Merlin’s future events you can sign up to their mailing list by emailing [email protected] or calling 01454 821080.

— so why not try speed dating?

We know older people can become socially isolated and are at greater risk of becoming lonely, so activities like this are great for bring-ing them together. Research shows that having a partner in later life can improve your health and wellbe-ing, which fits with our aims perfectly. Who knows, perhaps we might even see some romance blossom.Lorna Giles, senior activities manager at Merlin

“

“

www.downendvoice.co.ukT: 0779 9461169



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News in brief . . .A STAFF member at Quakers Road Playgroup in Bromley Heath has been honoured for her achievement in gaining a Foundation Degree in Early Years.

Grace Hopkins, who until the summer was working at a pre-school in Fishponds, is now the playgroup’s special educational needs co-ordinator.

She attended a ceremony at City Hall in Bristol last month to celebrate the work of Early Years teams and received an achievement award.

Deputy manager Sarah Clark said: “Grace is an enthusiastic member of our team. We are very proud of her.”

n n n

GIRLS from Downend School have been chosen to take part in a new project to encourage more females to consider careers in engineering.

The school is one of 16 in the country taking part in the Girls Engineering the Future programme.

It started with a day to introduce the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – delivered by the Smallpeice Trust. The girls, aged 14 and 15, were set a creative challenge of building a new-generation loud speaker to use with a mobile phone or MP3 player.

This will be followed by the opportunity to take part in a weekly STEM club in which they will be mentored by female engineers from Rolls-Royce.

In the second year of the programme, the girls will be given careers advice and will be made aware of apprenticeships on offer.

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CHRISTMAS cards featuring Bristol’s unique ‘Knitivity’ scene have gone on sale in St Peter’s Hospice shops in Downend and Staple Hill.

The life-sized tableau was created last year by a group of six women who called themselves the Knutty Knitters.

The cards, showing the characters in front of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the snow, cost £4 for a pack of 10 and are available in all 46 of the charity’s shops.

St Peter’s Hospice head of shops Janet Loud said: “The Christmas cards we sell in our shops always go down a storm with customers and we’re expecting the special Knutty Knitters cards to be even more popular this year.”

St Peter’s Hospice, now in its 35th anniversary year, cares for more than 2,670 patients every year, as well as supporting family members. It costs £6.8 million to run the hospice yearly.

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PARENTS with babies and toddlers are invited to come along to Happy Days, a fun play session for tots open twice a week.

It takes place at Hillfields Park Baptist Church and offers toys, musical instruments, books and dressing up activities. A cafe is open during the sessions offering hot and cold drinks, sausage/bacon sandwiches, jacket potatoes, paninis, children’s meals and snacks.Happy Days is open on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm and Fridays from 11am to 3.30pm.




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A ‘friendly and funky’ new fitness studio opened in September at the Tower Lane Business Park, Warmley.

Fresh Fit is a vibrant and funky open plan space, but with a relaxed homely feel so that you can exercise in a stress free environment.

The studio offers 1 to 1 or small group sessions with experienced personal trainers as well as regular classes.

Freshfit has a reception and coffee area with magazines and hot and cold drinksand a personal trainer consultation area for nutrition advice and for routine planning.

Lockers and sweat towels are also provided. Entry is via a key fob system. You can plug in your own phone or ipod and listen to your own music whilst you train.

Classes are run throughout the week with sessions like Bootcamp, boxfit and Intensity training with experienced personal trainers. All new members receive a free taster session as well as an induction.

There is no fixed contract as well as no joining fee.

Following a very successful open day in October to mark the launch, places are now limited for membership due to the large uptake on that day.

The studio has all the latest equipment from TRX to Space Hoppers, 20 metre sprint track, and climbing ropes.

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www.downendvoice.co.uk November, 2013T: 0779 946116912 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk


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Thank you for your support!

Resound FoodbankMangots�eld, Emersons Green,Downend and surrounding areas.

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THE generous people of the Downend area have already collected nearly three tonnes of supplies for the new food bank.

Stocks have been boosted by harvest festival contributions from a number of schools and churches as well as donations from individuals and continuing support from Sainsbury’s at Emersons Green.

Now the challenge is to keep up the collections for the foodbank, which is based at Resound in Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield, because although a lot of food has come in, a lot has also been given out.

In its first seven weeks, the service has fed about 15 to 18 people at each Friday session. Each person received about ten kilos of food.

Foodbank co-ordinator Claire Collins said: “The support has been incredible, We are so

grateful for people’s generosity. Many local residents have brought in food and some have also given financial support, which is most welcome.”

The food collected is taken to a warehouse in Yate for processing and storage before being retu/rned for distribution to people in need. The Resound foodbank team is in the lookout for somewhere close to home to use for storage of some of the supplies.

Among the schools that donated harvest gifts are Barley Close, Bromley Heath Infant and Junior, King’s Forest, Mangotsfield CE, Tynings, Blackhorse, Emersons Green and Crossways preschool.

The foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust, which runs more than 350 across the country. They provide emergency help for people in short-term crisis.

Supplies pour infor foodbank

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STAFF from Emersons Green Primary School had a star-studded trip to London for the teaching profession’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The school was in the finals of the Pearson Teaching Awards 2013 after winning the regional title of School Team of the Year.

Although Emersons Green did not come away with one of the top prizes, the 31 staff members who were able to make it to the capital said they felt privileged to be there as one of only 66 winning teachers and schools in the audience, shortlisted from 24,000 nominations.

“The day was fabulous from start to finish,” said school administrator Julia Dunn.

Head teacher Jan Isaac and her team watched at the glittering ceremony at the Theatre Royal hosted by Clare Balding as the ten gold Plato

awards were given out by celebrity presenters including Mo Farah, Sir Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett and Dame Doreen Lawrence.

The event was shown on BBC2 on Sunday October 27.

The judges who visited Emersons Green Primary praised the atmosphere, enthusiasm,

teamwork and commitment at the school.

“The opportunities provided for pupils through the caring ethos and total inclusion which infuses this school is inspirational. Pupils leave Emersons Green with a life-changing and life-long sense of respect,” they said.

School team brushes shoulders with the stars

Share your memories of Dig for VictoryMEMBERS of Downend Horticultural Society are looking forward to embarking on the club’s 70th year.

The organisation was formed in November 1943 as part of the country’s Dig For Victory campaign to encourage an interest in gardening.

At one time the club boasted more than 100 members. In recent years however numbers have fallen to around 30 so the society would love to see some new faces.

The first meeting of the club’s 70th year takes place on November 14. The second meeting is on December 12 with garden question time.

The club runs two shows a year in spring and summer. Meetings are every second Thursday of the month from 7.30-9pm at the Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, Downend. To find out more call Viv Brake on 956 0178 or Roger Davis on 957 1703.

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A BRISTOL butcher shop is celebrating today after its bacon was crowned the best in the west.

Don Hayes Butchers, in Staple Hill, took the top prize at the annual BPEX Awards (British Pork Executive) for their mulled wine bacon, as well as striking gold for five other products too.

Butcher Tom Mooney, who created the bacon, said: “It is really overwhelming, I knew we had a chance of winning a few gold awards but never dreamt we would take the overall regional prize as well.”

The BPEX Awards, held annually in Exeter, are a major fixture in the calendar for all independent butchers and Mr Mooney’s creation fought off competition from 200 other entries to take the regional title.

He said: “I am always trying to come up with new ideas. Not all of them are successful - I once tried a chocolate orange bacon that was truly awful.

“But I got the idea for the mulled wine bacon when I was making a spiced gammon for dinner at home one weekend. So I tried out a bacon cured with a mix of whole spices, some red wine, sugar and orange peel. I thought it may be a bit of a gimmick but when I tried it I knew I was on to something.

“We gave some away to some of our best customers and the feedback was really good, so I thought I would enter it in the show.”

Don Hayes Butchers is owned by Mr Mooney’s mother and father, Jackie and Eamonn, and this year celebrates its 50th anniversay.

As well as triumphing for the mulled wine bacon, the butchers also won gold for three varieties of sausage -traditional pork, pork and spiced plum and ploughman’s.

Mr Mooney, 27, has only been in the meat trade for one year, since leaving a career as a newspaper journalist to join the family

business. He added: “I might have only been in butchery for a year but much of that time has been dedicated to developing bacon. It has become a bit of an obsession - I think my work colleagues and my wife have got fed up with me making them try my weird and wacky combinations!”

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BROMLEY Bear will switch on the lights on Downend’s Christmas tree outside the Horseshoe public house in Downend Road, on Friday November 29.

Father Christmas will arrive at 4pm at the event, which promises to be fun for all the family.

Children from three local primary schools will sing Christmas songs and the Downend School Concert Band will play seasonal tunes and carols from 6pm.

Further entertainment comes from the Red X Dancers and Cleeve Singers from Lincombe Barn.

The Happy PlayBus and Kidstime magic and balloon modelling offer fun for the youngsters and Downend Business Community, which is supporting the event, is arranging a children’s treasure hunt.

Many shops and businesses will stay open late for the event – and there will be free mince pies for all.

A seasonal scene of Christmas past in Downend centre by Bernard Higgins of Lincombe Barn Camera Club

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THOUGH

T

FO

R T H E M O N

TH AS newcomers to Staple Hill with four

children, my family is sure to be drawn this year to Bristol’s biggest family fireworks display at Downend. Of course, what we are really commemorating at events like this though, was not a ‘fun charity evening for all the family’!

The treason, potential mass murder and destruction, and the gory execution of the guilty over 400 years ago are things we prefer today’s entertainment to gloss over for us. Maybe even further removed from our thoughts are why the gunpowder plot was devised and how life in England would have been different, even today, had Guy Fawkes lit the taper.

However, the build up to another cherished celebration has begun that dwarfs bonfire night. The shelves are filling up, the adverts are out, and no doubt your lists and plans are being made. Whilst YouGov expects the nation to spend £386 million on bonfire night, the Financial Times has recently reported forecasts for Christmas spending at £40 billion.

What do you remember, remember on the…25th of December? Have the sparkling lights, the festive foods, the parties and presents actually blocked out any real consideration of the historical event that the day commemorates? And if we do recall the baby in Bethlehem, do we go any further and inquire about his significance? Who was that baby? Why has his birth (and indeed his life, death and resurrection) been remembered across the nations for over 2000 years? What was so special about him? How did his life change history? Does his life have relevance for today and for me?

Myself, and everyone at Pendennis Evangelical Church wish you a safe and enjoyable bonfire night. We hope too that as you prepare for and celebrate Christmas you will be drawn to contemplate the real meaning and significance of that wondrous first Christ-mas day. The exuberant burst of festivities will fade like the fireworks but Jesus came to give that which grows brighter with everyday and lasts forever!

Remember, remember the fifth of November?

WithPaul Donovan (Pastor)Pendennis Evangelical

Church

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St. Augustine’s Church Hall, Boscombe Crescent, Every Tuesday, 9.30am or 11.30am. 5.30pm or 7.30pm. Call Angela on 07971818141 or 01173778905 MangoTsfielD

The Sport’s Pavilion,Pomphrey Hill Playing Fields Tuesday, 5pm or 7pm.Call Sylvia on 07540706908or 01179071993

wednesdayeMersons green Emerson’s Green Primary School, Guest AvenueWednesday’s, 7.30pmCall Debbie on 07966322370

sTaple Hill The Salvation Army, 21 Broad StreetWednesday’s, 5pm or 7pm or

friday9.30amCall Anna-Marie on 07854 177308

Delight for Paula afterJack’s playroom opensMUM Paula Banks has seen her vision come to reality. The playroom and conservatory that she is funding at Bristol Children’s Hospital in memory of her son Jack has been opened.

It forms part of a new children’s cancer unit on the seventh floor of the city centre hospital where the oncology ward is now alongside the bone marrow transplant unit.

Paula has been raising money for the project for five years since Jack died and the fund has now reached £71,842.

She is determined to continue until she hits her target £100,000 and is appealing to both her loyal supporters and new helpers to come up with some new efforts in 2014.

Paula said she had been delighted to see the playroom and conservatory.

“I believe the move was a little earlier than planned but it’s a hospital so nothing ever stops and the children need a playroom,” she said.

“ It was very emotional and I found it quite overwhelming to think that it will be in Jack’s memory. I was absolutely thrilled with the playroom and what has been achieved with the space. The conservatory is just the icing on the cake - the views over Bristol are amazing and the children love it. It’s taken five long years getting to £70k and I just need to keep going to get that last £30k.”

Two events are planned for next year so far - a clairvoyant evening and the annual fancy dress party.

Paula, who lives in Chesterfield Road, said: “If anyone is interested in taking part in any planned events like the Bristol 10k, Bath or Bristol half-marathon or skydive please let me know – it would be lovely to put together a ‘Team Jack’ at one or more of these events.

“I am very tempted to register for the Bath Half, which is on March 2, two days before what should have been Jack’s 15th birthday – only four months to train so does anyone fancy joining me?”

To support Jack’s Fund, visit www.justgiving.com/jackbanks

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DO you ever get confused about the often conflicting advice about weaning your baby?

Would you like to serve up nutritious meals your little ones will love?

Now Downend parents can get help with weaning their babies at a new cookery school.

Launched this month, Meals for Squeals cookery school in Badminton Road aims to teach parents to whip up tasty, healthy meals for their baby or toddler.

The school is run by Jackie Novels, formerly of Good Housekeeping magazine, who grew up in the area. She set up Meals for Squeals after devising numerous new recipes while weaning her baby twins, Alex and Sam, onto solid foods.

The cookery school runs three-hour courses aimed at all stages of baby weaning, from first tastes right up to meals for toddlers.

Jackie, 36, said: “There’s a lot of pressure on parents to give their baby a good start in life, but much of the advice out there

about weaning is conflicting.“Meals for Squeals is about

making easy recipes that your baby will enjoy – not about trekking to a specialist shop to buy ingredients you’d never normally have in the house.

“Our cookery courses are suitable for everyone, from absolute beginners in the kitchen to experienced cooks who’d like some new ideas for what to feed their children.

“We hope to give parents the confidence to serve up some home-cooked meals to their children, and have fun in the process. And students will take away the recipes we make on the day to put in their freezer at home.”

Parents can pick a Meals for Squeals cookery course to match the weaning stage their child is at: first tastes of vegetables and fruit; introducing their baby to meat and fish; moving on to lumpy textures; finger foods for their baby to feed himself; or toddler meals to keep them fuelled once they’re on the move.

The school also offers courses on baby-led weaning, where your baby feeds himself right from the start.

Jackie admits it was a huge learning curve when she and her IT consultant husband Lee were faced with not one hungry baby but two.

“Alex was happy to eat anything given to him from the start as long as it was on a spoon. He was more wary about things he needed to feed himself, particularly if they felt squidgy in his hand such as banana or cucumber. He used to squeeze out the juice then throw it on the floor - he still does sometimes if he’s in a grumpy mood.

“Sam was the opposite - he was always happy to try things that he could pick up, but sometimes clamped his mouth shut for other foods. I needed to find a middle ground that worked for both of them - for example by changing the order of meals so sometimes we did finger foods first to ease Sam into it, and sometimes we did purees first

to ease Alex into the meal. They both hated potato for the first few months - the only food I’ve found that they haven’t liked. Their favourite recipe is a prawn curry that I now teach on the Lumps & Bumps cookery course at the cookery school.”

Jackie said Lee has been a great support, introducing his own tweaked dishes to their now one-year-old boys.

“Lee’s had to be a very hands-on dad from the start because we’ve always needed to look after a baby each,” she said.

“He’s enjoyed adapting his favourite recipes to make them suitable for babies - the boys love his chilli. And he steals some of the food meant for the boys - particularly when I make them rice pudding!”

The cookery school also runs cookery parties for groups of friends with babies of a similar age, such as antenatal groups and postnatal groups.

For dates and times of the cookery courses, go to www.mealsforsqueals.co.uk

Solid advice on tasty food for tots

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Alex and Sam look forward to meal times with mum Jackie

Jackie at her cooking school in Badminton Road

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November, 2013

Avenue Veterinary Centre LtdPendennis Avenue, Staple Hill, Bristol BS16 5DWTel: 0117 956 9038 Fax: 0117 970 2077www.avenue-vets.com

VA C

Providing a Personal, Caring and Compassionate Service

THE team at Avenue Veterinary Centre are very excited to introduce a new small animal physiotherapy service being run by chartered physiotherapist Becki Drewitt.

Canine and small animal physiotherapy involves the assessment and treatment of a variety of conditions affecting the muscles, joints and nerves, in order to make pets more comfortable. Physiotherapy can be a very beneficial addition to conventional veterinary treatment to aid rehabilitation of animals following accidents and surgical procedures, in addition to helping animals with more chronic mobility problems.

Unlike the title ‘veterinary surgeon’, the title ‘animal or veterinary physiotherapist’ is not protected, so anyone can call themselves an animal or veterinary physiotherapist regardless of their qualifications. However, the title ‘chartered physiotherapist’ is protected by law and can only be used by physiotherapists who have achieved a high level of academic and practical training in all aspects of physiotherapy.

Becki Drewitt is one of the few chartered physiotherapists in the UK who has also undertaken considerable training in animal physiotherapy, including a masters degree in veterinary physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College in London. We are very excited to have her on board the AVC team so that she can offer her specialist care to our own clients, and also offer a referral service to clients registered at other veterinary practices.

Just as human physios work alongside doctors, animal physios work closely with vets to ensure the best and safest treatment for our patients.

After an initial discussion and examination of the patient, Becki will put together a list of problem areas, which might include muscle tightness,

pain, restricted movement or movement dysfunctions. These are treated with a variety of methods including manual therapy, ultrasound, laser therapy and electrical muscle stimulation; in order to help control pain or improve muscle function. Owners may also be shown some exercises that they can carry out on their pet at home between appointments.

As with human based physiotherapy treatments, there are many conditions that respond well to physiotherapy in animals. Physiotherapy can be very beneficial to help get your dog up and running again after an injury, surgery or accident, or if your dog has recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, or a degenerative muscle or nerve condition.

Physiotherapy can also be beneficial if you have noticed that your dog is having difficulty in getting up or lying down, if he/she is having difficulty getting in and out of the car, is reluctant to play or seems stiff or is sensitive to being touched or patted.

Physios can also help overweight dogs by designing an exercise program, as many obese dogs are too stiff and sore to exercise comfortably.

We are introducing our physiotherapy service by holding an informal client evening on Monday November 11 at Mangotsfield Football Club at 7.30pm. Our new physiotherapist, Becki Drewitt, will be there, in addition to members of the AVC team, who will all be able to answer any questions that you might have about the new physiotherapy service and how it might be able to help your pet.

Please contact AVC on 0117 9569038, by Friday, November 8, if you would like to attend

Pendennis Avenue, Staple Hill, Bristol BS16 5DWTel. 0117 956 9038

V

ETS ADVICE

Avenue Veterinary Centre LtdPendennis Avenue, Staple Hill, Bristol BS16 5DWTel: 0117 956 9038 Fax: 0117 970 2077www.avenue-vets.com

VA C

Providing a Personal, Caring and Compassionate ServiceAvenue Veterinary

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Check out our new small animal service with Becki

THE OPENING ceremony for a £240,000 Youth Hub in the heart of Downend is now just weeks away.

It follows 18 months of building work to the parish hall in North Street on behalf of Christ Church, Downend.

The new-look centre will be revealed during a special opening ceremony on Sunday November 17. The Youth Hub will provide a focal point for young people aged 11-19 to meet and take part in activities and games.

As well a new weatherproof insulated roof, the hall has had a complete makeover inside.

The old stage area has made way for the rear of the hall to be partitioned off to form a separate facility for up to 60 young people.

The Youth Hub boasts:coffee bar facilities • games area • large video screen • meeting

room • cloakrooms and a toilet adapted to meet the needs of disabled people.

Initially volunteers will run activities for young people on Thursday evenings and Sundays, but if the demand is there more helpers will be enlisted to open at other times.

Although the hub will cater for up to 60 young people, the main hall area can be used to cope with extra numbers.

The hall will be officially opened with a special dedication following a 10.30am church service at Christ Church, Downend.

The congregation will walk to the parish hall for further hymns and a celebration of the completion of the project.

Rev Paul Peterson said: “Over 1,000 local people use the parish hall every week including the church’s own youth activities. It is true to say that Christ Church really is at the centre of the community which it serves.

“The improvements and repairs to the parish hall became critical in the church’s mission to serve the local community. Through expanding the programme of youth and community activities Christ Church will continue to play a central part in the life and work of the Downend community.”

Vicar Jonathan Vickery said: “The Youth Hub is coming together and is looking great.

“It’s a place not just for young people from the church but a centre for the wider community.

“The young people at Christ Church have a real passion to connect with other young people in Downend. There’s a real sense of them wanting others to share in the life that they’ve found through their faith and be part of a community that celebrates that life. The Youth Hub will provide a base where they can do that.”

Most of the project has been financed from donations from the congregation but nearly half has come from grants from organisations including SITA Trust; Ibstock Corey Landfill Trust; Downend & Bromley Heath Council; South Gloucestershire Council; All Churches Trust; Mazars; Roger Vere Foundation; Garfield Weston Trust; and the Beatrice Laing Trust.

Christ Church hall ready for relaunch




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KAREN Coles from Bromley Heath was only too delighted to join her 12-year-old daughter Grace in answering the call to Stand Up To Cancer.

The pair were among dozens of adults and children from across the Downend area who took part in a Zumba event for the charity last month.

For them it was personal as Karen was treated for cervical cancer in 2007 at the age of 38.

“I had major surgery four weeks after diagnosis. Grace was six at the time and my son Michael was two,” she said.

“I found out I was ill through a routine smear test. It shows

the importance of having regular checks and of supporting research into the disease.”

Karen was already a supporter of cancer charities and has taken part in the annual Race for Life for the last 15 years.

“The only time I missed it was when I had my surgery; my twin sister ran it instead,” she said.

These days she is joined by Grace and her friends, with whom she also attends regular Zumbafreak classes run by Debbie Griffin.

“Thanks to Cancer Research UK I am here today wiggling and a moving with my beautiful daughter Gracie. All these amazing women here tonight are helping people just like me,” said Karen.

Debbie said: “Many of the ladies who attend my classes have either been touched by cancer themselves or know someone who has and they all wanted to do their bit to support this fantastic event.”

But it was not only the women from the classes in Downend, Mangotsfield, Bromley Heath and Hanham who were involved in the fund-raiser, which was held at Blackhorse Primary School.

Debbie and Karen Davis also run after-school Zumba clubs at Blackhorse, Bromley Heath Infant and Christ Church Junior and Infant Schools and children from those classes showed off their Zumbatronic moves at the event, with all proceeds being donated to Stand Up to Cancer.

The first Stand Up to Cancer event in 2012 raised £8 million towards cancer research.

Let’s Stand Up To Cancer, says survivor Karen

Debbie Griffin and Karen Davis Christchurch school join in

Grace and Karen Coles take part in a Zumba class for the charity

November, 2013


www.downendvoice.co.ukT: 0779 946116922 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk

NO ONE quite knows why Keith Walker chose the name Trez-Ann for the hair salon he opened with his wife Ann in Staple Hill back in 1969.

But there is no doubt that he backed a winner with a business that has been in the family ever since.

Daughter Lisa Franklin took over Trez-Ann in Victoria Street ten years ago when her parents moved to Somerset but Ann, who is now a widow, still returns to work at the salon two days a week.

Meanwhile Lisa’s daughter Courtney is keeping up the tradition, working as a Saturday girl and doing spray tans.

Ann, 61, said she and Keith bought the salon, which came with a two-bedroomed flat, shortly after they married.

They extended the property as they brought up Lisa and her brothers Neil and Mark. Lisa started working in the salon 26 years ago and Neil also did a stint there as a youngster.

Over the 44 years, many clients became close friends and shared birthday and Christmas celebrations with the family.

When Ann and Keith decided in 2003 that it was time to take a break, Lisa and her builder husband Paul took over. He reonovated the property into a

seperate flat and shop and then made the salon bigger.

Now Lisa, 42, has given the salon a makeover to mark her decade in charge and to reflect the more modern image of Trez-Ann, which these days offers eyebrow shaping and gel nails as well as hairdressing.

She said: “I did think about changing the name as well as the

sign – but everyone knows it as Trez-Ann.” The salon has many loyal customers, some of whom have been coming there since they were small children.

Pauline Gough has been a regular since Ann and Keith started. Mrs Gough, said: “This is a lovely, friendly salon. It is more like going to a local club. You are always made welcome and it is an

enjoyable experience to have your hair cut here. I wouldn’t trust any other salon to cut my hair.”

Trez-Ann inspires loyalty in its staff as well as clients. Stylist Claire Rothnie loves her job so much that for six years she has been travelling every week from her home in Combe Martin, Devon, to work two days at the salon.

Permanent wave of affection forsalon from loyal staff and clients

Trez HairdressersAnn̴T E L E P H O N E 0 1 1 7 9 5 6 6 6 0 0

45 VicTOria STrEET, STaPLE HiLL, BriSTOL, BS16 5JP

come and visit Lisa and her team at Trez ann in Victoria Street, where you are sure of a warm welcome, all the team have over 10 years experience.

and this modern light hair salon now offers Unisex cuts as well as eyebrow tinting and shaping with OPi gel colour nails as well as Sienna X spray tanning.

Full range of hair styling available including perms and all aspects of colouring.

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DOWNEND mums Sue Evans and Ruth Poole kayaked 400 miles in the Amazon for charity. Here is their report.

It’s difficult to believe that after 2 years of planning, learn-ing to kayak and training over the winter on frozen canals that it’s all over. But yes we did it, kayaked 545k in the Amazon crossing over into the Amazon River on day nine of our epic adventure.

Quite honestly we have never done anything as tough as this before. The kayaking day after day was tiring and could have become monotonous without the

fantastic scenery, support of the team, singing and silly games which kept us all motivated and on track. The really tough part was the environment. The mos-quitoes were relentless, biting through clothing and invading our tents. We all had hundreds of bites and survived on anti-histamines, anti-inflamatories, anti-malarials and bucket loads of Deet insect repellent, which didn’t seem to deter the bugs for a second. The toilet and washing facilities were non-existent as we

were wild camping every night on beaches, in remote riverside villages or in the jungle. Bathing in the river became the norm, bearing in mind there were pira-nha and stingray lurking in the murky depths.

Our guides, who were profes-sional kayakers and the Peruvian equivalent of Crocodile Dun-dee, admitted on day two that even they had never faced such adverse conditions. Given our

lack of experience as kayakers and all things outdoors plus the enormity of the challenge we had undertaken they truly believed that we could not achieve our goal. It took six tough days for us to win their respect and ac-knowledge that these determined and tenacious Brits were going to succeed.

What a fantastic adventure despite the discomforts. So what’s next? Watch this space….!

Our Amazon adventure

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: [email protected] Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

November, 2013T: 077 99 46116924 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk

www.downendvoice.co.uk

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Autumn at lastWE may have had one of the mildest Octobers for years but these photos of Downend show that autumn is well and truly here.

The images were taken by Bruce Gibbs from Lincombe Barn Camera Club. Members meet Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm and welcome new members. Events include external speakers, competitions, question and answer sessions,

demonstrations, instruction evenings and outings.Club secretary Mr Gibbs said: “We are a very friendly club and our members

have varying photographic abilities so don’t be put off from joining if you are a beginner.

“People are welcome to come as a visitor for a few meetings to see if they like what we do before joining.”

To find out more visit www.lincombebarncameraclubbristol.org.uk

November, 2013

Call Gary on 0117 907 8585 or 0779 461169 to book your space




174 Burley Grove, Downend, Bristol BS16 5QQ

Telephone 07830648063

Latest CoursesMONDAYS10-12:30am Knit and Natter. £5 drop in for coffee/

tea and homemade cake.1:30-15:30 Traditional English Patchwork course,

resuming in January 2014

TUESDAYS 10-12:30am Crochet for Beginners

Course, learn to read patterns in 6 sessions, resuming

November 5th.

TUESDAY 5th NOVEMBER 14:00-16:00

Spinning & Needle Felt.

WEDNESDAYS 10-12:30 Knitting for

Beginners, learn to read and follow patterns in 6

sessions 13:30-16:00 Jewellery, beading and threading.

Make a new design every session.

THURSDAY 7th NOVEMBER 14:00-16:00

Card Making.

FRIDAYS 10-12:30 Embroidery and Hand Sewing

Techniques. 13:30-15:30 How to make Rag Rugs

(recycle your unwanted t-shirts).

Please contact Hazel for further

information and to book your place

Cafe

Gift Shop

Home made cakes, a variety of sandwiches, Panini, pitta, flatbread and wraps.All baked locally and freshly made to order.

Unique and traditional items hand made by local crafts people. A fine selection of textiles, greetings cards and papercraft, jewellery, and upcycled items. Supporting the Brandon Trust a wide selection of garden ceramics are available all year round.

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News in brief . . .A 19-YEAR-OLD Special Constable helped check whether licensees in Staple Hill were taking enough care not to sell alcohol to under-age customers.

Wearing plain clothes, he went into 61 licensed premises in Kingswood and Staple Hill to see whether they would ask for identification before selling him drink.

The operation aimed to encourage premises to adopt the trade’s own ‘Challenge 25’ scheme to help prevent sales of alcohol to under-18s. All but three premises did ask him to prove he was 18, and those three were given advice.

The action was part of a wide-ranging week of activities to raise awareness of the part alcohol plays in crime and disorder in South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset. Police worked with council licensing and Trading Standards officers and taxi marshals.

Superintendent Mike Carter said: “Alcohol is behind much of the crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour which is reported to the police. Across South Gloucestershire we have many well-run pubs and clubs offering people a safe and enjoyable night out as well as many responsibly run off-licences, and that’s the way we want to keep it.”

n n n

TURBULENT 12th century England and rural 16th century Somerset are the worlds recreated by the two authors appearing at Emersons Green Library this month.

Historical fiction writers Stewart Binns and Jane Borodale will speak about their work on November 21.

Binns’s series of novels, The Making of England, are set in the time of Henry II, and tell of Harold of Hereford, one of the Knights Templars. The latest in the series, Anarchy, was published in June. Borodale is the author of The Book of Fires, which was listed for the Orange prize. Her latest work , published in paperback this year, is The Knot, a story of a 16th century botanist.

The event, which begins at 8pm, is free but please book a place at www.southglosevents.eventbrite.co.uk.

T: 0779 946116926 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk


November, 2013

A ROYAL visit marked the second birthday of The Bristol & Bath Science Park in Emersons Green.

The Duke of Gloucester formally marked the anniversary at a celebration in the Forum – the park’s glass atrium – next to a display of three glass virus sculptures by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram.

Just two years after opening, space at The Park’s Innovation Centre, which is for early stage and high growth businesses, is now 89 per cent let, with 32 companies based there. The Grow On Centre, which accommodates more mature businesses, is 75 per cent let.

Bonnie Dean, chief executive of the Bristol & Bath Science Park, said: “It’s been an exciting and rewarding two years, and the lettings figures are just one indicator of the park’s success. The South West has all the ingredients for a vibrant science and technology eco-system and the park provides a collaborative space that brings organisations and ideas together.

“The interest in the park over the last two years goes to show

that this sort of hub has been needed for a long time in the region. It’s an important part of the region’s economy, helping to stimulate growth and create new opportunities for companies based here.”

The park provides a professional and supportive environment for collaboration between universities and businesses. The latest company to have taken space is Altair – a leading global provider of engineering technology and services.

The park has hosted several high profile people since opening, including Will Hutton, chair of the Big Innovation Centre at the Work Foundation and Government ministers including Nick Clegg, Vince Cable, David Willetts and Michael Fallon. It has also hosted major events including The Manufacturing Summit, organised by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Venturefest – an event for early stage technology businesses.

The Duke of Gloucester was taken on a tour of the

park as part of the anniversary celebrations, which included introductions to tenants and representatives from the University of Bath and the University of the West of England. It was followed by a tour of the National Composites Centre, which is based at the science park.

As part of his visit, The Duke was presented with a gift from the Science Park – a Crookes radiometer, which is a glass bulb containing metal paddles that

spin when powered by sunlight. A five metre high chandelier, created by artist Luke Jerram, made up of 700 Crookes radiometers is suspended from the ceiling in the Forum at the park.

The Duke of Gloucester is the youngest grandchild of George V and cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is particularly interested in architecture and conservation and is a corporate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Royal visitor marks park’s second anniversary

The Duke of Gloucester and Richard Pitkin

Project1_Layout 1 24/10/2013 08:52 Page 1

Win a family trip to see Father Christmas

Avon Valley Railway’s Santa Steam Specials start on Sunday November 24 and you could be aboard.Father Christmas, accompanied by his helpers, will make his way along the train, stopping to talk to the children and, providing they have been good, give them each a present. Parents are not neglected as everyone will receive a delicious Anstees’ mince pie or festive biscuit.The Santa Special Experience takes approximately one hour during which time all the family can enjoy the views of the Avon Valley on a six mile round trip from the old fashioned carriages and experience the unique sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age when steam was king.The trains are running every weekend in December plus Sunday November 24, Saturday November 30, Monday December 23 and Christmas Eve from the railway’s headquarters in Bitton.Train times range from 10.30am to 4.45pm depending on the day with prices ranging from £9 to £12. Children under one year £5.For more information or to book your trip to Santa visit www.avonvalleyrailway.org or call 0117 932 5538

To win a trip for two adults and two children on the 10.30am train on November 24Simply name Santa’s reindeer with a bright red nose.

Send your answer with your name and address to Wendy Best, Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath

Road, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6HD, by Friday November 15

CleeveSingers

�e Red XDancers

Programme4.00 pm Arrival of Santa to the Horseshoe, Downend

Followed by seasonal singing from - Christ Church InfantsBromley Heath Infants

St Augustine’s Primary School 5.00pm Red X Dancers

6.00pm - 6.50pm Downend School Concert Band

6.30pm Switching on of the Christmas tree

lights by Bromley Bear7.00pm - 7.30pm Cleeve Singers7.45pm CLOSE

HappyPlay Bus

DownendSchool

Concert Band

Kidstime magic & modelling

balloons

DownendChristmas Lights

FatherChristmas

ChildrensTreasureHunt

BromleyBear

3 localPrimary Schools

singing

Join Downend &Bromley Heath Parish Council outside

the Horseshoe Public House,Downend Road,

Once again, theDownend Business Community

is supporting the event withmany of the shops and

businesses staying open foryou to browse and buy!

They are arranging a children’sTreasure Hunt – so please take part,

you could be a winner!AND there will be mince pies foreveryone - do come with yourfamily and friends to join us in

all the festivities with yourParish

Councillors.

Friday 29th November

Shops &

Businesses

open

Please Note - that from 2.30pm – 8.30pm Westerleigh Road

will be closed at the Horseshoe junction, down to

Buckingham Place, with diversion signs in operation via

North Street, Salisbury Road and Buckingham Place.

The parking spaces in Downend Road

(outside the banks) will be suspended –

but the bus stop will remain in use.

See you there

DOWNEND BROMLEY HEATHPARISH COUNCIL

T: 0779 946116928 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk

www.downendvoice.co.uk November, 2013


RAINBOW-STRIPED Roger brought crowds to Staple Hill in the summer – but few realised that the area had another link with Bristol’s spectacularly successful Gromit festival.

Local mum Nicola Maybury was a winner in a design-a-Gromit competition organised by Visit England and had the thrill of seeing her ideas brought to life ready for what was billed as The Greatest Dog Show on Earth.

The contest was for designs embodying favourite places in England. Nicola is from a town called Washington in Tyne & Wear and retains strong links with the North East of England, where her family live.

Her North East Gromit, featuring Geordie landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge and the Angel of the North, was painted on to a Gromit ‘pup’ that went on display at the Newcastle Gateshead Visitor Centre in August before being brought to Bristol to go on show alongside the other five competition winners and the 81 hounds that made up the trail.

Nicola was invited to a private viewing of the Gromit exhibition in the former Habitat store ar the top of Park Street and was able to see her North East Gromit “in the flesh” for the first time

She said: “The evening was wonderful and we got to spend lots of time looking round the exhibition, listening to a presentation by Nick Park and Gavin Strange, of Aardman Animations, and of course seeing North East Gromit, which was on display in the window of the exhibition. “

The only downside was that she could not take her three children, Sam, Archie and Elizabeth with her because the

evening event was for over 16s only. “They were all desperate to see North East Gromit so we had to spend six hours queuing the following day (Saturday) so that they too could see the exhibition and North East Gromit. It was exhausting but they were very well behaved and all thought the

wait was worth it!”The family followed the

auction night and watched as Gromit after Gromit sold for astounding amounts of money.

Nicola said: “I had planned on bidding a few hundred pounds on North East Gromit but when the opening bid was £10,000, I just sat back and watched in amazement. North East Gromit sold for £14,000! I was absolutely thrilled that my creation had raised so much money for the Bristol Children’s Hospital.”

As yet, the buyer of North East Gromit has not been revealed. Following Nicola’s competition success, her son’s class teacher at Christ Church Juniors in Downend, Mrs Knott, encouraged children to come up with their own Gromit designs, which are on display at the school.

“The whole experience was such a fantastic thing to be part of,” said Nicola.

Dog on the Tyne is all mine How much they sold for:1. Patch - £36,0002. Grant’s Gromit - £36,0003. Fish Tales - £20,0004. Five a Day Dog - £22,0005. Gromitasaurus - £24,0006. Zodiac - £24,0007. Lancelot - £22,0008. Blossom - £24,0009. Canis Major - £26,00010. The Snow Dog - £32,00011. Hound Dog - £28,00012. Collarfull - £22,00013. Why Dog, Why? - £18,00014. Sugar Plum - £22,00015. Dog Rose - £20,00016. Salty Sea Dog - £32,00017. Carosello - £16,00018. The Secret Garden - £44,00019. Butterfly - £20,00020. Bark at Ee - £20,00021. Bumble Boogie - £20,00022. May Contain Nuts (& Bolts) -

£30,00023. aMazing Gromit - £24,00024. It’s Kraken Gromit! - £18,00025. Lodekka - £28,00026. Roger - £29,00027. Astro - £21,00028. Gromit-o-Matic - £26,00029. Doodles - £34,00030. Malago - £24,00031. Creature Comforts - £19,00032. Bushed - £24,00033. Sir Gromit of Bristol - £28,00034. The King - £25,00035. Gromberry - £32,00036. Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion -

£26,00037. Jack - £36,00038. Poochadelic - £25,00039. Bristol Bulldog - £26,00040. The Green Gromit - £26,00041. A Mandrill’s Best Friend (* proceeds

to Bristol Zoo Gardens) - £18,00042. Hero - £26,00043. Grosmos - £28,00044. Stat’s the Way to do it, Lad! -

£29,00045. Watch Out Gromit! - £50,00046. Harmony - £23,00047. Paisley - £21,00048. Vincent van Gromit - £25,00049. Antique Rose - £30,00050. Steam Dog - £26,00051. Blazing Saddles - £21,00052. Bunty - £31,00053. Oops a Daisy! - £22,00054. Golden Gromit - £30,00055. Newshound - £50,00056. The Wild West - £22,00057. Nezhualcoyotl - £20,00058. NewFoundLand - £30,00059. Gromit - £35,00060. Feathers - £25,00061. Where’s Wallace? - £30,00062. Isambark Kingdog Brunel - £36,00063. Groscar - £28,00064. Being Gromit Malkovich - £21,00065. Gromit Lightyear - £65,00066. Fiesta - £28,00067. Grrrrrrromit - £26,00068. The Grommalo - £26,00069. National Treasure - £28,00070. Eldoradog - £28,00071. Grom Voyage! - £20,00072. Two Eds are Better than One! -

£23,00073. Hullaballoon - £26,00074. Gnashional Gromit - £28,00075. TutanGromit I - £24,00076. Poetry in Motion - £35,00077. A Close Shave - £24,00078. Gizmo - £32,00079. Sheepdog - £23,00080. What a Wind Up! - £25,00081. A Grand Day Out - £24,000Gromit Pups (smaller Gromits)82. Franz - £12,00083. Bromit - £14,00084. Bristol Gromit - £19,00085. Countryside Gromit - £12,00086. London Gromit - £14,00087. York Gromit - £15,00088. Seaside Gromit - £17,00089. North East Gromit - £14,00090. Lytham St Anne’s Gromit - £15,00091. Blackpool Gromit - £13,00092. Bristol Children’s Hospital Gromit -

£21,000

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MYSTERY surrounds the whereabouts of one of Staple Hill’s most popular and famous former residents.

Roger, the 5ft sculpture, who stood proudly in Fountain Square this summer, was last seen at the Gromit Unleashed auction on October 3.

The rainbow-adorned Gromit raised an incredible £29,000 for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

But as his buyer wishes to remain anonymous, Gromit’s current location is classified information but he is sure to have gone to a loving home.

Roger was sponsored by kind-hearted Top to Bottom owner, Frank Francis, who donated nearly £6,000 to have the privilege of putting Gromit outside his shop during the summer.

Frank, who has been delighted with the crowds Roger drew to Staple Hill’s shopping area, was hoping to buy the statue himself.

“I put aside £15,000 so the Gromit could return to Fountain

Square but the bidding went right up to £29,000,” he said.

“I was absolutely gutted but there was no way I was going to pay that especially with the risk he could get vandalised.

“Roger has been brilliant for Staple Hill and he is greatly

missed. The whole project has raised such a lot of money for Bristol’s Children Hospital. It’s been fantastic.”

The auction, which included 81 Gromits, some miniature varieties and some artwork, raised a whopping £2,357,000

for Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal to support sick children at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Sotheby’s auctioneer and TV antiques presenter Tim Wonnacott hosted the event which was broadcast over the internet.

Staple Hill’s Gromit was designed and decorated by Richard Williams, the animation director of Disney’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Roger was part of the Gromit Unleashed trail which saw 80 striking models of the famous animated dog hitting the streets of Bristol and South Gloucestershire this summer.

The figures had been designed and decorated by artists from across the UK and Europe including the renowned author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake.

Celebrities, such as Joanna Lumley and One Direction’s Zayn Malik, also painted Gromits with iconic designers like Paul Smith and Cath Kidston putting their own unique touches to the sculptures.

Has anyone seen Roger?

Alice Street, pictured with Roger this summer

EMERSONS Green Primary School’s mini Gromit came out as top dog in South Gloucestershire in the summer’s highly successful charity arts trail.

South Gloucestershire Council held a Facebook competition to find the most popular among the six full-sized and nine smaller Gromits, which were all decorated by primary pupils and put on display at various locations.

Council chairman Ian Boulton visited Emersons Green Primary to congratulate the pupils on their winning design and to welcome back the Gromit after his visits to the Bristol & Bath Science Park at Emersons Green and the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus.

EG = Excellent Gromit

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November, 2013 E: [email protected] follow us on Twitter @downendvoice 31

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: [email protected] Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

WE had a number of burglaries in the Downend and neighbouring Fishponds area during September and October.

I’m pleased to be able to tell you that after some dedicated policing work we were able to arrest and charge a man with three burglaries. He has appeared in court and been remanded in custody.

South Gloucestershire is a low crime area, but it’s still important for people to take their security seriously.

Many of the thefts we investigate are carried out by opportunist thieves who get into homes through open windows

or doors. Especially now that we’re seeing the darker evenings, it’s a good idea to follow a few simple tips to deter burglars:• Join or set up Neighbourhood

Watch• Always lock up and setting the

alarm at dusk as well as when you go out

• Keep your keys safely hidden away – never in the back of the door

• Use a timer switch to turn lights and a radio on if you’re not home before it gets dark

• Mark your property with your postcode and register it at www.immobilise.com

You can find much more advice on our website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

We’ve also had some burglaries where the thieves are searching for gold jewellery. Of course jewellery and watches often have great sentimental value above and beyond their cash value. If you have valuables please lock them away in a safe. Choose one which is accredited ‘Sold Secure’.

It’s also a good idea to take a photograph of your jewellery and keep the pictures and a description

somewhere safe, just in case.

Finally I’d like you all to know that Staple Hill Neighbourhood PCSO Dan Cowley was named as the North East Policing Area’s PCSO of the Year in the Avon and Somerset Community Policing Awards in October.

Volunteer Police Cadet Jemima Suffolk, who gives up her

own time to work with the neighbourhood teams based at Staple Hill Police Station, was also recognised at the event. She was one of the overall forcewide winners.

withDI Dominic

Graham

ON

THE BEA

TTake security seriously

Bunch Florist is based in The Square Broad Street, Staple Hill, - Opened February 2013 and since then has become busier and busier serving the local area and beyond.

Bunch stocks an abundance of fresh quality �owers, hand-made and locally sourced gifts and a wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants.Bunch will be starting to run classes for keen �ower arrangers or whoever would like a go!

Visit Bunch Florist for a friendly local shopping experience in a colourful relaxing environment!

F L O R I S T

www.bunchflorist.com | 0117 956 7475 | [email protected]

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For all yourprinting needsBusiness cards, flyers, posters,booklets or custom print jobs.

Inkhigh quality refilled and compatible inks available.

Computer RepairsSpeak to our expert Paul for a quote on all computer repairs

THE PORTCULLIS130 High Street, Staple Hill, Bristol Tel: 0117 907 7302

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRI, SAT & SUN

Sunday Lunchesserved 12-3pm — Choice of

Roast Beef, Pork, Lamb, Turkey, 1/2 Chicken or Lamb Shank

Weekday Lunchesserved 12-2.30 Tue - Sat

Boots Shoes and MoreVINYL SIGNS FOR

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T-Shirt Printing & Embroidery FacilityWe Offer a WHILE-U-WAIT Service on selected items

Leisure Wear Clubs & Associations - T-shirts printed from £7

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Sheen StudiosExpert Picture FramingInstant passport PhotosUK • Baby •Indian OCI • USA • USA Visa •

Blue Badge • Driving LicenceVast range of Photo & Picture FramesLimited Edition Prints, Silver Jewellery

Watch Batteries and Straps (fitted free)

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Home DeliveriesFri & Sat - 5.30pm-11.00pm3 mile radius • Min order £10 • Delivery charge £1

07586 457672 90 High St, Staple Hill, Bristol

Ackee & Saltfish £5.00Chicken, Rice & Peas £5.00Goat Curry, Rice & Peas £5.50Jerk Chicken & Chips £5.00Goat Curry & Chips £5.00Jerk Chicken Wrap £3.50Chicken Soup £2.00Jerk Sauce £1.50Patties £1.85Chips £1.50Cans 85pSlush Puppies Buy 2 get 1 FREE

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For more information Tel 0117 956 0805Kendall Road, Staple Hill, Bristol BS16 4NB

Poppy Dance Friday 6th Raising money for the Poppy £5.00 includes supper. Why not wear Red and join in the fun

Christmas on the Hill Victorian Fayre2.00pm to 3.30pm December 7th Free event with seasonal stall and entertainment Free Mulled wine.

Panto Party Night December 21st £8.00 including supper - Fun for all

Our Hall is available to Hire for Parties, Weddings and Gatherings

You are literally spoilt for choice and value for money atStaple HillShopping Centre


STAPLE Hill is set to benefit from a £50,000 bonanza to raise the profile of the area.

The welcomed cash injection will be spent on highlighting some of the area’s main attractions, helping increase visitors, boost trade and encourage cycling.

The money will be spent on signs directing people to Page Park and the bustling shopping area from the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.

There will also be improved signage in the park pointing out various attractions, as well as cycle storage near the entrance.

Plans also include creating a landscaped feature on the railway path at Signal Road.

The scheme is part of a £600,000 bounty from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) for various projects across South Gloucestershire.

The LSTF is a central government funded project running across the West of England to increase sustainable travel. The application was made on behalf of the Friends of Page Park in early September and has now been given the green light.

Staple Hill councillor Shirley Potts said: “The Bristol and Path Railway Path runs through the heart of Staple Hill yet few people have any idea of the excellent facilities available just a matter of yards away. With the help of the Friends of Page Park new signage will direct cyclists and pedestrians to our beautiful Page Park and our vibrant shopping area. It will also encourage people to use the path and make the most of the extensive network of cycle tracks around Staple Hill.”

Fellow councillor and chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, Ian Boulton, said: “I’m delighted that these improvements will help keep Staple Hill on the map.”

The £50,000 is being held by the council and works will be carried out by the authority’s community landscapes and traffic management departments.

The money will be spent in the 2014/15 financial year, with some design work and a project package made up by March 2014.

The Friends of Page Park will be invited to help input on the design of the project.

The maximum amount of funding that could be applied for was £50,000 for each single project. A total of 18 individual schemes have been awarded funds.

The projects, which have been suggested by communities, voluntary groups and schools, will be completed over the next two years. Many of them will benefit residents in South Gloucestershire’s six priority neighbourhoods including Staple Hill, Filton, Patchway, Yate and Dodington, Cadbury Heath and Kingswood.

Councillor Brian Allinson, chairman of the planning, transportation and strategic environment committee, said: “This funding comes as welcome news and will further improve sustainable transport facilities in South Gloucestershire.

This additional funding boost will deliver improved road safety around schools, better cycling facilities at a range of locations and adapted equipment for use by people with disabilities, providing a sustainable travel legacy for generations to come.”

Funding will help keep Staple Hill on the map


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Solo RendezvousOver 30s

Singles Social ClubWhere friendships really matter

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Every Wednesday 8pm til lateDownend Cricket Club BS16 5UE

Walking • Badminton • Cinema nights • Pub MealsTen Pin Bowling • Weekends & Holidays

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Dry CleaningOur Services:Dry Cleaning • IroningDuvet Cleaning Wedding DressesFree Delivery & CollectionOpen Monday-Friday 9.30-5 Saturday 9.30-4

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AN animal sanctuary in Staple Hill is bursting with bunnies after staging a major rescue mission.

Pet lover Bev Taylor and other volunteers last month took in 17 rabbits that had been running wild in a garden.

“We had to catch them free range. It was not an easy task,” said Bev.

The rescue brings the total number of rabbits being looked after by Bev and her team to about 60. The sanctuary is also caring for 30 guinea pigs.

Some of the animals are with Bev at her home, where she also runs a rabbit boarding service, others with Sharon Porton in Shirehampton, and many more in a network of “foster homes”.

Bev and Sharon, who run The Littlest Rescue sanctuary, are desperately seeking permanent homes for some of the creatures. They are also in continual need of funds for feed and vets’ bills.

All rabbits and guinea pigs are vaccinated, and neutered or speyed before they go to new homes.

“We are stretched as never before. We have had a number of animals handed in that needed a great deal of medical attention and we are feeling the strain of the big rescue. We are so grateful to our supporters,” said Sharon.

Bev, who has been an animal lover all her life and ran the Noah’s Ark in Downend from 1995-2005, said a large part of their work was trying to educate people about having rabbits or guinea pigs as pets.

“Some people see a rabbit almost as a throwaway pet . They don’t realise it is a long commitment. A rabbit can live as long as a cat or dog,” she said.

“Rabbits are sociable animals so we try to encourage people to take them in pairs.”

For more details about The Littlest Rescue, visit www.littlestrescue.org or call 0117 9561981

Animal sanctuary is stretched to the limit

BruceFozzie & Sidcurrently at the sanctuary awaiting new homes


We draw back the curtain to reveal Jason Spencer, of Webber and Spencer Limited, the fabric specialists

B

USINESS

BUSINESS

OF THE

MONTHOF

T H E M O NT

H

WEBBER & Spencer Limited is a small textile company in Cleeve Wood Road which was opened by Brian Webber in 1998 initially from his home in Downend.

Jason Spencer, his nephew joined him with a view to taking over the business on Brian’s retirement. Brian had built up a huge knowledge of the textile business after working in the trade for many years.

Brian concentrated mainly on contract work for schools, colleges, local authorities all around the Bristol area and further afield. Jason took to the business really well and was made a director when Webber & Spencer was formed.

The company moved to premises at Soundwell Road and then to the present shop in Cleeve Wood Road, where the business became part of the ‘retail world’.

The shop has been trading for the last seven years and has received much support from the residents of Downend and beyond as well as the other shop owners in Cleeve Wood Road.

This small shop really does have it all though. Made to measure curtains, all types of blinds, curtain track, bedding, pillows, duvets, towels, pet beds, wallcoverings . . . the list is endless.

Webber & Spencer stocks some of the leading UK fabrics from Harlequin Prestigious as well as quality German and French products.

One of the most popular and biggest selling products is the Perfect Fit conservatory blind, as well as the luxury multi shade roller blind (see picture above).

The shop has an extensive range of curtains/voiles as well as tracks, poles and accessories with fabric samples

available. You simply must also try the amazing Pocket Bamboo pillow for unrivalled comfort.

Jason prides himself on the service he provides and offer free consultations with quotations to ensure you get the best for your home.

For the commercial market Webber & Spencer supplies flame retardant material conforming to BS5867 – Part II – Type B & C – Source 0-5, to Schools, Colleges, Universities, Elderly People’s Homes etc.

Opening hours are Monday

to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturdays by appointment only. We give our customers, a friendly service and our prices are quoted “Just for you”.

Come and see us, we are sure we will be able to help you.

ABOVE: The Multi-Shade range of blinds supplied and fiited in this conservatory earlier this year at Abbots Leigh by Webber & Spencer

RIGHT: The shop frontage in Cleeve Wood Road

Pop in and arrange for a free consultationTo advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: [email protected] Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148


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FINGERS are being crossed that a revamped play area in Downend will open in time for the firework display at King George V Park.

Diggers moved onto the fenced play area off Sutherland Avenue on October 7 as part of phase one of a project to provide first class play facilities for children in the area.

As Downend Voice went to press the finishing touches were being carried out before the annual Downend Firework Show at the park on November 1.

Phase one of the project will feature a seesaw, climbing frame and slide unit, musical and non musical ‘springers’, speaking tube which allows voices to travel, toddler basket swing and ground level trampolines.

There will also be a roundabout which will be accessible to children with disabilities.

Further facilities include picnic benches, paths and landscape work.

Phase two and three will boast adventure-style play equipment aimed at older children but will require further fundraising and consultation. It will complement existing gym-style equipment at

the Westerleigh Road end of the park which includes a zip wire, table tennis table and a basket swing.

The project is being funded by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council which has set aside £25,000 for phase one with a further £10,000 donated South Gloucestershire Council through the New Homes Bonus Fund.

Parish councillor Mary Lewis, who chairs the council’s open spaces committee, said: “Part of the emphasis of the play area is accessibility for people with disabilities. There’s a roundabout which is flat to the ground so you can push a buggy or wheelchair onto it and a musical springer which tinkles when you move it.

“We’re hoping phase one will be finished in time for the weekend of the firework display so the thousands of visitors will get to see the new equipment.

“But if there are hold ups because of the weather and safety checks it may have to open shortly afterwards.”

Cllr Lewis said she would hope phase two and phase three would be completed within a year.

“In recent years people haven’t bothered to go to the

park because the equipment was so tired and boring but when all phases are completed, it will be a top class facility which will attract people into the park.”

The parish council decided to spend the money improving local play areas following the community plan consultation in 2011 where a questionnaire was sent out to every household in Downend and Bromley Heath.

Residents felt there was a need for better play equipment,

especially adventure-type installations.

The plans have been drawn up in consultation with the Friends of King George V Park.

Anyone who would like to join the friends’ group to help with work on phase 2 and 3 and on other projects in the park should contact Mary at [email protected] or telephone the parish clerk on 0117 956 7001.

Revamped play area to open any day

Race against time for phase one of the King George V park



Wigs BristolWigs BristolWe have been supplying all types ofwigs and hairpieces for fashion andmedical purposes for 45 years.Wigs can be purchased off the pegor made to measure in hair orsynthetic fibre.We stock many styles and makes.Please book an appointment on:

0117 956 65560117 956 6556

LOCATED IN DOWNEND

The Cross Hands Fish Piewith Head Chef Ben Beach

Ingredients (Serves five)150g Tiger Prawns350g Skinned White Fish, chopped into bite size pieces350g Smoked Haddock, chopped into bite size pieces1 Small Onion, finely chopped1 Bay Leaf1 Pint Milk1k Maris PiperSalt and Pepper4 Free Range Eggs2tbs Chopped Parsley50g CheddarSauce25g Butter

25g Plain FlourSalt and PepperNutmeg

How to prepare• Place the fish in a pan with the milk, bayleaf, black pepper and onion and slowly simmer for 6 minutes. Remove the fish and discard the bay leaf. Pour the milk into a jug.• You can use the same pan to melt the butter, then add the flour to form a white roux. Slowly add the milk from earlier continuously stirring until a velvety Béchamel sauce is made.• Stir the fish into the white sauce and add the grated nutmeg. Season to taste.• Place the fish pie mix in an ovenproof dish and cover with slices of boiled egg.• Top with creamy mash and bake in oven

180 degrees for 15 mins. Top with grated cheddar and bake for a further 10 mins or until golden brown.• Serve Immediately with fresh buttered seasonal greens - Delicious!

RECIPE

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IT seems positively churlish to relay yet another column devoted to the subject of comfy trousers so soon after my last jegging-related tale and yet I’m finding it hard to resist.

It started off like any other day – in search of a pair of jeggings should my current pair go the same way as all my previous ones (severely perishing in the crotch area for those of you who missed this technical observation in last month’s Downend Voice) – and ended up, well, frankly, very badly indeed.

I had seen a pair of jeggings vaguely similar to my existing ones on New Look’s website. Dark navy, buttoned waistband and zip fly, like, well, proper jeggings. Except they had no back pockets so they weren’t quite The Don of all jeggings but I’d already scoured the high street and found these were the nearest I’d get. Could my rear end handle a lack of pockets? Would my VPL leave me open to ridicule? Would I have to go out and buy lots of longer length tops? Even if I did, had my bottom sagged sufficiently enough to render this completely useless? I had been mulling all this over for weeks before I decided the thought of life without a back up pair of old favourites was unbearable.

I whipped down to New Look in Longwell Green in the hope I’d find them amongst the racks and rails.

I found a shop floor assistant (fair play New Look – this never happens to me in Debenhams), described the trousers in

such enthusiastic detail that she was bound to want a pair herself, and asked her if she could lead me to my bounty. She told me she hadn’t seen any fitting the description but kindly offered to order me a pair.

I followed her to the till at the end of the desk where we perused the New Look website. Foolishly, she typed the word ‘leggings’ into the site’s search engine. “No, don’t do that!” I exclaimed. “You’ll get too many items come up. Type in the word ‘jeggings’.” And there they were. All 48 of

those bad boys. I was in jegging heaven. “Ooh, that’s them! The Denim-look Disco ones.”

And it was at that precise point things took a nasty turn for the worse. In my eagerness to get up close to the screen, I found myself practically behind the till, making myself vulnerable to loose-hinged cupboard doors which could fall on to my foot. And that, believe it or not, was exactly what happened.

The pain was so intense I’m not ashamed to admit a nasty word came tumbling from my mouth (a word that, had I been with my son, would have hastily been repeated as ‘rubber duck’). Next thing I knew I was sitting in a chair in the shoe area with the lovely store manager asking me lots of questions from a Health and Safety report sheet like ‘Do you feel you require hospital treatment?’ ‘Would you like a glass of water?’ To be honest, I felt quite pampered. I never get this kind treatment from my husband. Made mental note to slip on a sprout in M&S next time I feel starved of a bit of TLC.

Never one to miss an opportunity, a thought crossed my mind. I had the undivided attention of someone who would know all about jeggings. I quizzed her at length and she led me in the direction of the pair I had been searching for. On the shop floor all along. If only I’d been a bit more patient in my search I could have avoided a dented big toe, suspected metatarsal fracture and a painful bruised ego.

DIARY

OF

A M I D LIF

ER

‘The pain was so intense I’m not ashamed to admit a nasty word came tumbling from my mouth.

A word that, had I been with my son, would have hastily been repeated as

‘rubber duck’.’

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This little shop in Staple Hill is a veritable Aladdin’s Cave!Carpets, vinyls, laminates, beds, lounge suites, dining room tables, bookcases, desks, chairs of every size and shape possible, sideboards, wardrobes.




November, 2013

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Telephone 0117 9109464

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Two budding writers have submitted pieces to Downend Voice. Issy Packer sent us a book review and Tilly Brogan wrote about an event at a local food haven.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark HaddonIT has recently become a major theatre production but none of it would have happened without Mark Haddon’s genius in writing about an autistic boy trying to find out who killed his neighbour’s dog but discovering many secrets along the way.

Mark Haddon’s writing comes across as strong and fluent even with the delicate subject matter. Although some aspects of the book can get quite lacklustre, as Christopher Boone (the main character), strays off topic, you must stay patient with it as it’s definitely worth it.

Even though the book isn’t very descriptive which could be less interesting to some readers, the thought that goes into the book and the reasoning behind Christopher’s habits are very well considered.

Autism is a well known disorder that no one really understands and Haddon faces it with such delicacy that you really feel that he knows what the character might have been through. You can tell that Haddon has a keen understanding and interest in Autism because he creates a beautiful masterpiece that teaches every reader a lesson in life.

MELANIES Kitchen, a local deli and cafe on the Downend high street, piloted their first themed night, turning the cafe area into an Italian hideaway by using local produce and Mel’s own recipes to rustle up some delicious treats.

The one-off occasion was a sellout. Mel and Pete Scragg, with help from daughter Phoebe and a friend, served the 12 customers. The menu was an Italian and vegetarian sharer starter, a traditional Italian dish with a homemade twist for mains, and an intricate sharing pudding platter using some of the deli’s own home baked brownies and other bakes.

Mel and Pete began selling cakes and vegetarian savouries at farmers’ markets in 2005, following Pete’s redundancy from an educational sales job. Two years later, the once vacant shop was bought by the pair and they began to live their university dream. Melanie’s Kitchen is constantly evolving as Mel and Pete cater for the needs of the surrounding area, changing produce and listening to the locals’ interests and ideas of what to stock.

CALLING all former pupils of Stanbridge Primary. The school is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month and would like to see you there.

An anniversary tea party will be held on Monday November 18 at 2.30pm. The event is

invitation-only. If you would like to be invited, please contact the school on 01454 862000 or via its website.

The school will be opening its new library as part of the celebrations.

Stanbridge celebration

Join us for a sing songA COMMUNITY choir has launched in Emersons Green and meets at the village hall every

Tuesday from 8-9.30pm. The first taster session is free; after that it costs £5 a time.

November, 2013 www.downendvoice.co.ukT: 077 99 46116942 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk


Have you got an event you would like to publicise?Or do you run a club or society in the Downend area?

Send details of your events and activities to [email protected]

or call us on 07770 700579 / 07880 731148 and we will make sure thousands of people in the area know

about them.

November 1Tea Dance, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, 2-4pm. Pay at door. November 2Charity cake sale to raise funds for The Littlest Rescue in Staple Hill. 63 Quakers Road, 9am-12noon. To find out more about The Littlest Rescue visit www.littlestrescue.org/rescue-and-rehoming.Charity Quiz night in aid of the local Air Ambulance Charity 8pm start at The Beaufort Hunt Downend. Info Andrew 07860 241181November 6Downend Flower Club Our next two floral demonstrations will be at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, November 6 with Carole Evans “Dreams” and Wednesday, December 4 with Cynthia Bridges “Ho Ho Ho its Christmas” at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. November 8Raising money for Christmas on the Hill. Great night out playing skittles at the Royal British Legion. Tickets from Sheens photography Staple HillNovember 10Remembrance Sunday The parade will leave the Staple Hill Royal British Legion at 10.30 to be at Page Park for 11.00am. The service of Remembrence will then take place with wreaths being laid at the memorial. The parade will then march back to the Legion in Kendall Road.At 12.30 There is a Remembrance service at the memorial in

Mangotsfield where a service and laying of wreaths will also take place.In the evening there is a special service in St Stephen’s church Soundwell st 6.30pm specially for Remembrance and the Legion.November 12Talk with coffee, 10 for 10.30am, The Countryside Year by Mervyn Slade. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.Tickets at door £2.The Beefeater, Emersons Green are holding a monthly quiz night to help the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity appeal. Please support us & have some fun 8pm.November 15Nearly New Sale, 9am - 12 noon, St Augustine of Canterbury Parish Hall, Boscombe Cres, Downend BS16 6QR. Toys, books, shoes, nursery equipment, maternity wear, fancy dress etc. Admission £1. Refreshments available.November 16Christmas Market, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, cancelled due to local authority drainage works.Christmas and Craft Fair, Staple Hill Methodist Church, 10am-2pm. Variety of stalls.Downend School Craft Fair and Pamper Zone in on Saturday 16th November, at the school on Westerleigh Road, Downend. 11am to 3pm. If you are interested in having a stall yourself please contact Lisa Manning of 0117 9655781 or email – [email protected] 20Charity Quiz Night taking place

at the Cross Hands, Fishponds. Winning team will get a prize, your host Andrew will be starting at 8pm [email protected] 22Charity night to raise funds for the Royal British legion being organised by Debbie. Starting at 6.30 with a zumba session and then carrying on with family entertainment. There will be face painting, balloon modelling, music.November 23The Beaufort Hunt, Downend will be quizzing again for the Great Western Air Ambulance appeal. Come early to support them with your team. info [email protected] 24Lincombe Barn Wargames Society present their annual wargames show “Reveille” at Lincombe Barn, Downend. The show will include participation games, traders selling figures, vehicles, scenery, rules, books, dice etc etc, a Bring-and Buy, a raffle (proceeds to charity) plus our renowned burgers & sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and snacks. Doors open at 10.00a.m.November 29Cleeve Singers, the choir will be singing in Downend Village when the Christmas Lights are switched on (a Parish Council Event).

Pamper and shopping evening at Mangotsfield School 7-10pm organised by the PTA. Entry is £3 for adults and 50p for children.November 30Ladies Only Christmas Shopping Night, 37th Kingswood Scouts, are holding the event from 7.30pm

til 10.30pm. Their first shopping night. It’s just £3 payable on the door if you want to join in the fun, and you also get a free a drink. The venue is the 37th Scout HQ, Deerhurst, Off Sweets Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 1XH.

Festive Fair, All Saints hall, Grove Road, Fishponds 4-8pmDecember 3Talk with coffee, 10 for 10.30am, The Bristol Soup Run by Martyn Poole. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn. Tickets at door £2.December 7Blackhorse Primary School Christmas Fair 2p.m. till 4 p.m.December 13 & 14Cleeve Singers performing along with the Handbell Ringers at Lincombe Barn in aid of Macmillan Nurses.

Regular events in DownendMondayFamily History Group, newcomers welcome, Lincombe Barn, 10.30am-noon every fortnight.Poetry Circle, read and talk about favourite poems. New members welcome, Lincombe Barn, 10.30am-noon fortnightly.Kingswood Lacemakers, self help group of bobbing lacemakers, Lincombe Barn, 2-4pm except for the third Monday in the month when the meeting is held at 7.15pm.Marquetry Club to encourage an interest in marquetry, 2-4pm, Lincombe Barn.Whist Club, open to any association members, 2-4 pm, Lincombe Barn.28th Boys Brigade has spaces for boys aged five to eight, 6pm-7.15pm and aged five to 11, 6-7.30pm. Fun, games, craft and story time at Bethesda Independent Church Hall off Soundwell Rd, Staple Hill.Little Jems Parent Toddler Group, 10am-noon, Pomphrey Hill sports pavilion.Coffee drop-in, 10.30-11.30am, Emersons Green Village Hall.

Downend & Staple Hill Library What’s On

?WHAT’S O

N

November

Quiz NightStaple Hill Library is holding a Quiz night to raise funds for Christmas on the Hill, the annual community festival, proceeds of which support local charities.The Quiz will include rounds on current affairs, sport and history along with picture quizzes and music rounds. There will be spot prizes throughout the evening, as well as prizes for the winners and runners up. Open to teams of up to 6 people, it costs only £4.00 per person to enter including soft drinks and nibbles, though you are also welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages - glasses will be provided. The Quiz Night will be held on Wednesday 20 November at 7.00pm. Entry forms can be collected from the library; alternatively contact us on 01454 868006 or email [email protected]

Swashbuckling Author VisitReaders of swashbuckling tales of adventure are in for a treat when historian and novelist J D Davies talks about his work and research. Davies has written extensively on a wide range of historical subjects and is also the author of ‘The Journals of Matthew Quinton’, a critically acclaimed series of naval historical fiction set in the Restoration period. He is a former Chairman

of the Naval Dockyards Society and Vice-President of the Navy Records Society. This free event will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 14 November at Downend Library.

What’s On in Local Libraries on a regular basis?TuesdayPre-school Storytime, Emersons Green Library, 2.00 – 2.30pm (term time only)WednesdayRhymetime for babies and toddlers, Downend Library, 10.30 – 11.00amThursdayPre-school Storytime, Downend Library, 10.30 - 11.00am (term time only)Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Staple Hill Library, 11.00 – 11.30am (term time only)Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Emersons Green Library, 11.00 – 11.30am (term time only)FridayPre-school Storytime, Staple Hill Library, 11.00 - 11.30am (term time only)Coffee Morning, Downend Library, 10:30 -11:30am



Concorde Wheelchair Dancers, 7.15-9pm, Page Hall, Staple Hill.Stitch and Bitch, first Monday of the month, The Oak pub, 2-4 pm Staple Hill. Craft Group- Meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 1.30pm in the Church foyer, all welcome.Kingswood Winds is a mid-level adult wind band. It starts its new season on Monday 23rd ‘13. The purpose of the band is to enable adults to play with other like-minded people and to improve their playing. The tutor/conductor is Chris Harris who has over 35 years’ experience.The band meets in Kingswood library every Monday at 7.30 pm. Some instruments are available on loan. Anyone interested should go to the website at www.kingswoodwinds.com or just drop in at a rehearsal.TuesdayThe P & Q Club, patchwork and quilting skills, 10am-noon Lincombe Barn.Artists, oils, watercolours and pastels, drawing techniques and perspective, 10am-noon Lincombe Barn.Fellowship- Fellowship group meets on the second Tuesday of every month in the Parish Hall, North Street at 7.45p.m. A variety of speakers entertain us from a large spectrum of subjects – from theatrical make up to helicopter medical assistance – and with musical evenings for good measure! Each year we arrange a day-out to popular places – Country Houses, seaside, etc. and a weekend away.Bits’n’pieces, fun with fabrics, limited places, 1.30-3.30pm Lincombe Barn.Natural History Society we welcome people with an interest in nature and the countryside, 7.30-9.30pm, Lincombe Barn.Local History, aiming to give a broad view of history with emphasis on local topics, 7.30-9.30pm, 1st and 3rd weeks, Lincombe Barn.Downend Gardening in Retirement Club meets at Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, on the third Tuesday of the month at 10.30am. New members welcome. Call 956 0178 for details.Bottoms, tums and thighs, 8.15-9.15pm, for those seeking an energetic workout, Lincombe Barn.Art club for adults, 7-8.45pm, Emersons Green Village Hall.Girl guides, evenings, EmersonsGreen Village Hall.Youth Cafe, run by Guest Church, 8-9.30pm, Emersons Green Village Hall.Staple Hill Probus Club meets at Downend Cricket Club, Downend Road, on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The meetings start at 10.30am preceded by coffee from 10am. Interesting speakers and friendly atmosphere. Retired professional businessmen welcome - if interested please contact the president, Roger on 956 2777.Openchurch – The doors to Christ Church are flung wide open every Tuesday from 9am to 3pm. Everyone is welcome to drop in throughout the day. You

would be warmly received, served refreshments and offered a place to enjoy good company or simply just to rest peacefully, free.WednesdayLincombe Barn Book Reading Club, 9.30-11.30am, third Wednesday of each month, to discuss books which are collected from the local library.Machine Knitting Club, workshops held weekly, machines provided and previous experience not required, 9.45-11.45am, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Counted Cross Stitch Club, all levels of expertise welcome, beginners especially. We encourage cross-stitching techniques, 10am-noon weekly, Lincombe Barn.Cleeve Wood Artists, producing work of their own choice each week, 10am-noon, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Wednesday Bridge Club, come and enjoy a friendly game of bridge for all levels, 2-4.30pm, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Scrabble Club 1, for members who like a game in a friendly atmosphere, 7.15-9.15pm, alternate weeks with Thursday mornings, Lincombe Barn.Cleeve Singers need to increase the tenors and basses - interested! 7.30 - 9.30 pm weekly, Lincombe Barn. Camera Club, for enthusiasts of all abilities, 7.30-9.30pm, second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays, Lincombe Barn.Flower arrangement Society, basic principles of flower arranging, all welcome, 7.30- 9.30pm, first and third weeks, Lincombe Barn.Little Jems Parent Toddler Group, 1-3pm, Pomphrey Hill sports pavilion.Book club for adults, 10-11am, Emersons Green Village Hall.Rainbow tots, parent and toddler group, 10-11.30am, Emersons Green Village Hall.Buggy Walk, 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month all parents, grandparents and carers welcome. Meet at 10am outside Emersons Green library. No need to book and the walk lasts approximately 45 minutes.JaM- (Jesus and ME) Club meets from 5-6.30p.m every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month during term time. The venue is at Christ Church Parish Hall on North Street and is for children from 5-11yrs. Come and join in the fun of games, singing, art & craft, snacks, drinks and sweets.The Mothers’ Union is a worldwide Christian organisation which promotes marriage and family life. Our branch meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Parish Hall , North Street, at 2.15pm. We are a friendly group and everyone (men and women) are invited to join us.ThursdayScrabble Club 2, beginners welcome, 10am-noon, alternate weeks with Wednesday evenings, Lincombe Barn.Papercraft, for members to learn or improve their paper crafting skills, 10-11.30am fortnightly, Lincombe Barn.

Calligraphy 2, an enjoyable class for all levels, beginners welcome, 10.30am-noon, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Barn Bees, ladies new to the district come and enjoy a friendly group for a cuppa/chat/sew/knit for fundraising, 2-4pm weekly, Lincombe Barn.Hand Bell Ringers, persons with some music reading ability are welcome, 2-4pm weekly, Lincombe Barn.Gardening Club, 7.30-9.30pm, Lincombe Barn.Line Dancing, for beginners/improvers, keep fit and exercise your brain at the same time, new members welcome, no partner needed, 8.15-9.30pm, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Fishponds Probus Club,We meet regularly on the 1st. & 3rd. Thursday at Fishponds Conservative Club at 10am. Vacancies are available for retired professional/business gentlemen. If you are interested, please contact the secretary, Graham Hawkins, tel: 9561846. You will be assured of an interesting morning.Frome Valley Artists meet at Downend Folk House every Thursday afternoon from 1.30 to 3.30pm. New members welcome. No tuition given, but regular demonstrations held. For further information, call John Forster on 0117 9561010.Little Jems Parent Toddler Group, 10am-noon, Pomphrey Hill sports pavilion.Emersons Green Running Club, 7pm start, Pomphrey Hill sports pavilion.Christ Church under fives toddler group, 1 – 3 pm at Parish Hall North Street. £1 per week.Emersons Green Quilting Club, 7-9.30pm, Emersons Green Village Hall.Rainbows, evenings, Emersons Green Village Hall.Emersons Green Whist Club, 2-4.30pm, Emersons Green Village Hall.Rainbow tots, parent and toddler group, 10-11.30am, Emersons Green Village Hall.Scrabble club, 10am-noon, Emersons Green Village Hall.Senior citizens social club, 11.30am-2.30pm, Emersons Green Village Hall.Christ Church toddlers, 1.30pm, Church Hall.Downend Horticultural Society meets at Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, on the second Thursday of the month, 7.30pm visitors welcome. Call 9560178 for details.Bingo every Thursday 7.30pm Staple Hill Royal British Legion Kendall Road.Toddlers- Thursdays in term time 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm Parish Hall, North St A time for parents, grandparents and carers to bring their under 5’s to play, make friends and enjoy song time in a friendly atmosphere. £1 per session.Faith - Faith is a youth group that meets in the Church Hall on Quakers Road 7.30 – 9pm Thursdays in term time. We run a full programme packed with fun for all year 7s to 11s. Faith Youth Group is free.

FridayFun with fabrics club, 10am-noon, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Writer’s Circle, for people interested in the art of writing, 2-3.30pm, weekly, Lincombe Barn.Time for God: Ladies’ Bible Study: Alternate Friday mornings: 9.45 am to 11.00 am. Haven House, 133 High St, Staple Hill BS16 5HQ A chance to explore faith and life over a coffee or tea in a safe and friendly atmosphere, with under 5’s welcome. Toys for little ones.Contact: Anita Dobson [email protected] 0117 908 9868Music for enjoyment - programmes of recorded music, mainly classical, presented by members. Fortnightly 1.45 to 3.45 pm. Lincombe Barn. Check dates 0117 956 23 67”Please note change of time.Knit and Natter in the Poppy Lounge Staple Hill Royal British Legion Staple Hill 10.30 to 12.00.Badminton Gardens Friendship Club every Friday 4-530pm for a weekly dose of gentle exercise, socialising, and a cuppa! Badminton Gardens, Beaufort Road, Downend, Bristol, South Gloucestershire BS16 6FG. Phone Spencer on 07825 155954.Jigsaw- Alternate Fridays in term time 9.45 am - 11.00 at Christ Church At our Toddler Service under 5’s can learn to play and have fun while learning about God’s love for them. Parents, grandparents and carers receive a warm welcome, a chance to relax and feel at home, with refreshments and friendship. Puppet Monty Mouse enjoys meeting the children. Free. Contact: Anita Dobson [email protected] 0117 908 9868SaturdayWorld Wide Church of God, 11am-2.30pm, Emersons Green Village Hall.Free introductory Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes, come along to truly transforming meditation experience at Lincombe Barn, Saturday mornings 11a.m.-12p.m, starting September 14. Call Linda on 0117 9825987SundayEmersons Green Baptist Church, 10.30am-noon, Emersons Green Village Hall, Holy Communion, a traditional service, 8am, first, third and fifth Sundays.Christ Church Downend.Morning Worship, with special groups for children of all ages and young people, 10.30am, Christ Church Downend.Evening Worship, holy communion on the first and third Sundays, Celtic worship and service of prayer for healing and wholeness, second and fifth Sundays, 6.30pm, Christ Church, Downend.

Notice — Temporary road access closureThe junction at Rockland Road with Overndale Road will be closed from November 4 for several months due to local authority drainage works. Vehicle access to revised parking area at Lincombe Barn is via Cleeve Wood shops.

www.downendvoice.co.uk November, 2013T: 077 99 46116944 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk


With staff from Downend LibraryAdult Thriller FictionAdult FictionEye Contact by Fergus McNeill

There are not many novels that I know of which are set in South Gloucestershire. In fact, apart from the “Coroner Jenny” series, by M R Hall (also well worth reading) I don’t know of any. So I was delighted to come across this story, which starts off in Severn Beach. The writing is richly atmospheric with great detail about different locations. The story has a real-time feel to it, gathering pace and building suspense right up to the very end. A tense psychological thriller, the story is told alternately from the perspective of the killer and the cop.The storyline is built on an original and intriguing premise as there’s no motive behind these murders. Meticulously planned, the murders are just part of a self-devised game. When the killer decides it is time to kill, he patiently waits for the next occasion on which a stranger makes eye contact with him. Careful, calculating, there is no obvious connection between the victims and so

the killer is able to go about his business undisturbed. As his background is revealed layer by layer it creates a real understanding of what drives him, his need for power and his twisted view of reality. We have glimpses of a disturbed childhood but this murderer appears to be a real psychopath. How can he be stopped when no one knows why he is doing it? Believe me, this is a real chiller. The ending, when it comes, is completely unexpected. Do not read if you of a nervous disposition! The plot is frighteningly real. It must be difficult these days to come up with a new take on the crime thriller but in this, his debut novel, Fergus McNeill has achieved it. His second is out soon. I can’t wait!

Review by Joy

Adult Non-FictionThe Butterfly Isles by Patrick Barkham

This is a very well written book which goes beyond just butterflies. Barkham brings the English countryside to life with his detailed and lively descriptions, with a dash of reminiscence and romance along the way. Light hearted and witty and crammed full of amusing facts, the book explores many issues facing the natural world today.There are a few butterflies we can all recognise, Red Admirals, Tortoiseshells, Peacocks but in fact there are a staggering 59 species of butterfly native to Britain. Having spent many happy hours as a boy, butterfly hunting with his dad, the author decides to try and spot all 59 in a single year. His story begins on a freezing February day in some scrubby wasteland outside Bullingdon Prison with some fellow enthusiasts searching for eggs of the Brown Hairstreak, the adult of which will not emerge until August. Barkham then journeys around Britain in

pursuit of his goal, enlisting the help of both butterfly experts and his dad. We learn among other things about cannibalistic caterpillars, the amazing migration of Painted Ladies from Africa to Iceland and the less than wholesome diet of the beautiful but rare Purple Emperor. This book is a fascinating combination of travelogue, memoirs and natural history. A funny, informative and entertaining read with colour photos of all the butterflies, useful if you want to embark on your own butterfly quest! Review by Gill

Junior FictionTo Be A CatBy Matt HagueThis is a wonderful children’s book, best suited to 9-11yrs olds. The story is action-packed and features rapid chase scenes, twists and turns. Haig writes with brilliant humour as well as some classic one-liners.Barney Willow is a normal twelve year-old boy. But life has not been going well for Barney lately. His dad has mysteriously disappeared, the school bully has made Barney his favourite target, and his evil headmistress is making his life a misery. So when Barney sees a cat lounging outside his house, he can’t help but wish that he was one too. But when Barney’s wish suddenly comes true, he soon learns that you should be careful what you wish for and that life as a cat is a whole lot more dangerous than he could ever have imagined...The book is full of fantastic characters - his loyal friend Rissa, Guster the family King Charles spaniel who thinks he IS King Charles, the street cats, the evil bully Gavin Needle with the soft underbelly, the evil Miss Whipmire who keeps her pencils in a cat’s skull, and the amazing Terrorcat. It’s a story that shows that standing up to bullying and being happy with who you are is more important than anything.

Review by Debbie

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HUNDREDS of people across the Downend area tucked into tasty cakes and welcome cuppas in aid of the cancer charity Macmillan.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, which takes place every September, has a legion of supporters in our area.

Among them are school pupils, businesses, church groups and individuals who together raised thousands of pounds this year. Nationally, Macmillan was hoping to beat the £10 million the event brought in last year.

Among those who held coffee mornings were Christ Church, Downend, HSBC Downend and T-Shirt Printing and More in Cleeve Wood, which dubbed its event Downend’s Biggest Bristolian Coffee Morning.

DelightedYear 13 business students at

Downend School organised a coffee morning that raised £400 while the Portcullis at Staple Hill collected £320 with its effort and Staple Hill Primary School’s total was £469.

Bristol & Bath Science Park held an all-day fundraiser in its Cafe Friska.

Griff Holland, one of the founders of Friska, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. Members of the Friska team have had direct experience with the fantastic work that Macmillan do and it is a real pleasure to be able to help in our own little way” The ethical café will be donating 50p from every coffee and 50p from every cake sold to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The money raised from the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

is used to fund services in the Bristol area such as the welfare benefits advice services run in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Other local services that could benefit from money raised are the neurology speech and language therapist based at Frenchay Hospital, and the On Target teenage and young adult programme that is looking as the development of more appropriate cancer services for this age group.

Another possible beneficiary is the Macmillan One to One Support Service, a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and healthcare organisations in Bristol.

It is looking particularly at the way in which people are looked after as they move between treatment in hospital and then back at home.

The team of eight Macmillan professionals pride themselves on providing a tailored package of support for each individual they work with. This might be signposting to appropriate information about living with cancer, including rehabilitation support, benefits and grants. It might be helping with information about how to return to work or providing details of other local groups and services.

The team also helps people to recognise the signs and symptoms of a recurrence of cancer, and what to do if they suspect the cancer has returned.

Amy Perrin, Macmillan complex case manager at South Gloucestershire Community Health Services said, “When someone is living with cancer, they can have many support and

information needs and it can be difficult to know where to turn. Through the Macmillan One-to-One Support Service we are working with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals across Bristol, to offer additional support, and information for people as they cope with their cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

If you would like support from the Bristol Macmillan One to One Support Service for help and support please contact your existing hospital or community nurse/ doctor / healthcare professional and they can discuss your referral with you. The team can be contacted on 0117 323 2125.

Support around the area for World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

The Portcullis pub raised £320 with its effort

www.downendvoice.co.ukT: 077 99 46116946 downendvoicewww.downendvoice.co.uk


November, 2013

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WORK to improve an accident hotspot in Staple Hill could start as soon as March.

Teewell Hill railway bridge was built in the 1840s to carry traffic over the now Bristol and Bath Railway Path.

But the bridge is struggling to cope with the volume and size of today’s traffic, and vehicles are hitting the barrier walls and railings.

South Gloucestershire Council has put forward plans to improve safety at the site by widening the bridge and introducing footpaths at both sides.

The authority has asked residents and drivers for their views on the proposals.

The results of the consultation will be published in the next few days.

Staple Hill councillor Shirley Potts said: “Before the ring road we used to get the most enormous lorries go through there. It became quiet after the ring road opened but some of them have now started coming back again.

“It’s just very, very dangerous.“Lorries used to get stuck

because it wasn’t wide enough

and this would hold up the traffic.

“It also meant drivers coming in the opposite direction were afraid to move towards the side because of how narrow it was but this is an issue which the plans would resolve.

“For years I’ve been asking for something to be done and was told it would cost too much and they didn’t know whether they could do anything in engineering

terms anyway. However they have now found out that they can and they are doing something about it.

“Residents are very pleased and feel it will be a lot safer.”

A report issued by the authority states: “The existing railings and parapets are of a substandard design compared to modern standards which creates a risk to the public.”

Under the plans, the bridge

will be widened from 5.3m into two 3.9m lanes to enable vehicles to pass each other safely.

Engineers say the steel pedestrian footbridge alongside the bridge is in need of a complete overhaul as it is too costly to keep maintaining.

The authority proposes to remove the footbridge and provide 2.5m wide footways to both sides of the bridge.

The report says: “This will provide better visibility and an improved bend for road users from Teewell Hill to Station Road.”

The barriers will be made from tough aluminum, designed to withstand any collisions.

A dedicated right turn lane for vehicles travelling from Teewell Hill to Gloucester Road will be added for safety and improved traffic flow.

The bridge will look similar to the original as the walls will be clad in matching stone.

Road and railway path closures will be necessary while work is carried out.

Council officials say work is expected to start in March.

Plans to widen Teewell Hill bridge

Work on the bridge could start as soon as March 2014




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AUTUMN 2013

LETTERS

A short step to paying for binmenDear Sir

Reference the article about green bin collections being phased out next spring, I have worries about this. Surely the whole idea of council tax is to pay for services such as this? It may be pie in the sky but can we assume that when this decision is implemented that the black bins will be collected weekly next year once the green bin collection have been discontinued?

Probably not I fear, which to me means that the council is going to charge for a service which is paid for anyway. Having got away with that, how much of a step is it to make the rest of the collection and recycling services separately paid for items? And if that happens can we all expect a reduction in the council tax to compensate? I seriously doubt that.

This letter will no doubt be dismissed as the ravings of a lunatic, but surely if there is a black hole in the council’s funding is not the proper course of action to look at the level of council tax, or dare I say it remove funding from the parish councils (which we managed quite well without for years and years)? Food for thought no doubt!

Gerald Rees,Downend

Thank you for a great publicationTHANK you to you and your team for Downend voice and also its delivery to my house.

The publication seems to me to try and capture all activities within the area in an unbiased , inclusive and positive way.

Congratulations! Claire Ball

Downend

Shame on you, Mr SkidmoreIT has been reported in both the local and national press that Chris Skidmore our local Kingswood Constituency MP, in an unguarded moment at a fringe meeting of a “Thatcher Group” that the austerity cuts had been vastly over exaggerated and “they were not that bad, as there were no dead bodies left lying in the street”.

This is the same Chris Skidmore who purports to be a “local boy who cares for his residents”. However he has been once again caught out, and his true colours are shown once again. Ant Union, Anti NHS, Anti Welfare, but very much pro-big business and the free market, and all the other Tory principles which caused so much despair in margaret Thatcher’s reign.

Make no mistake, this young man has definite right wing tendencies that slip out, when he thinks no-one is watching. No

doubt he will respond with his stock response, often repeated, that he has been mis-quoted.

He can fool some of the Kingswood Constituency residents all of the time, and all of the Kingswood residents some of the time, but not all of the Kingswood residents all of the time.

R MacdonaldMangotsfield BS16 9BP.

Let us know your views — email us at

[email protected]

For further details visit www.sgscol.ac.uk or call 0800 0567 253.

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Open DaySouth Gloucestershire & Stroud College

Saturday 16th November10am - 2pm

Join us at our main OpenDay and find out about SouthGloucestershire & StroudCollege’s wide range of studyprogrammes, including thosestarting September 2014.

The Open Day includes the opportunity to:

- Speak with course specialists- Meet with current learners studying at SGS College and discuss how they are finding their time at the College- Try out activities relating to your subject of interest- Partake is a campus tour, plus much more.

SGS Filton, SGS Wise, SGS Stroud & SGS Queen’s Road Campuses open!




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DOWNEND has its own motorsport champion.

Driver Matt Parkes has sealed a title just two years after taking part in his first race.

Matt came out on top in the Marangoni Production BMW Championship, winning seven of his 14 races, finishing second once, third five times and fourth once.

The victories came on circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park.

Success was a dream come true for Matt, 28, of Coronation Road, who has loved cars since the age of three when he used to watch motor racing on the television.

He began his motorsport career in karting at the age of 13 with the support of his mum and dad Phil and Lin. His partner Katie Smith, who had no interest in the sport before she met Matt, is also now a fan.

“It is very much a family thing,” said Matt. “I am so grateful for all the support I have had from my family and my friends.”

These include former school pal Pete Underwood, who is his race mechanic.

Matt’s passion for racing led to him building his own race car. He was awarded ‘rookie of the year’ in 2011 and then finished fourth in the championship a year later.

It is an expensive hobby but one Matt, a plumbing and

heating engineer, clearly thinks is worth it.

“For the last couple of years we have been working to race – no holidays or anything like that. Nothing is cheap in motorsport.”

All competitors in the Marangoni Production BMW Championship drive identical cars with identical tyres and no modifications allowed, meaning success is all down to driver

ability. Now Matt is looking for a new challenge next season and is seeking sponsorship to allow him to compete in the Clio Cup, racing Renault Clio cars.

He has stepped up his fitness to help him achieve his ambition.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Matt can contact him through his Facebook page, Matt Parkes Motorsport.

Downend’s Matt Parkes wins championship in his second season

Another trophy for BlackhorseBLACKHORSE Primary School is keeping up its sporting prowess – its trophy haul now stands at 29 in two years.

These have been achieved in 12 sports and include three regional sports awards.

Last month the school won the South West Sports Award for Contribution to Sport in Education ast the West of England Sport Trust ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson.

It was also runner-up in the Olympic Legacy category.

Blackhorse won its first football trophy in more than 20 years when the school’s team were crowned champions of this year’s county football tournament, in which more than 30 schools competed.

Blackhorse won the group stage with victories in games against Christ Church Hanhan, Charborough Road, Crossways, Stoke Lodge and St Anne’s. After a 5-1 win in the quarter final over Hanham Abbots, the team beat St Anne’s in the semi final. The hard-fought final against local rivals Mangotsfield ended 1-0.



November, 2013ANSWERSFROM PAGE xx

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• Bang • Bonfire • Catherinewheel • Coats • Display• Excitement • Firecracker • Fireworks • Flames• Fountains • Gloves • Guy • Gunpowder • Hat• Night • November • Parliament • Plot • Remember• Rocket • Romancandle • Scarf • Smoke • Sparkles

Answers on page 54

STUDENTS from Mangotsfield School and neighbouring primary schools had the chance to meet members of The Cook Islands Rugby League players before the start of the World Cup.

The team made Bristol its headquarters for the tournament, which opened on October 26 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The Cook Islands was in a group with the United States and Wales and played its first match at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol on October 30.

A few days before, the team gave demonstrations and ran workshops at Mangotsfield School before leading an assembly for final year GCSE students.

The Cook Islands are a collection of fifteen small islands in the Pacific Ocean between French Polynesia and American Samoa named after Captain James Cook, who landed there in 1773. The population of the Cooks is just 20,000.

Mangotsfield School head teacher Richard Badley said, “We are really pleased to have

inspiring international athletes meeting our students, not only through sport, but by sharing their culture and commitment to excellence.

“The school is pleased that so many students choose to compete in competitive sports with local schools, regional competitions and, for some, on the national stage.

“Students often benefit from coaching and playing opportunities with local clubs including Rodway Tennis Centre, Mangotsfield Football, Cleve Rugby, Carson’s

Cricket and, most recently, Yate and District Athletics. “

“The school works closely with its partner primary schools, through the sports school soordinator Wendy O’Donnell, to support the development of Physical Education in younger students. It is great to have the primary schools here again to meet Cook Island players.”

The visit was organised by head of PE Gemma Shackleton and the visiting primary schools included Emersons Green and The Tynings.

Cook Islanders inspire pupils




CLEVE RFCThe Hayfields, Cossham Street,Mangotsfield, Bristol, BS16 9ENT: 0117 9575775E: [email protected]

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CLEVE RFC made it eight wins out of eight with a stonking 55-10 home win over Clevedon.

As the Voice went to press, they stood seven points clear at the top of the South West One West league.

Victories in the past month came at The Hayfields over Camborne (27-16) and Bideford (44-5) while the team notched up away wins over Bridgwater & Albion (27-32), Cullompton (19-27).

These added to the first three wins of the season against Weston Hornets, Thornbury and Wadebridge Camels.

It’s looking good so far for director of rugby Rich Pool’s ambition to take the club to a higher level.

Cleve in action in their home match against Bideford

Now Cleve are aiming forone or two over the eight!

Mangotsfield’s form on the upMANGOTSFIELD United moved up to tenth in the league table after an impressive victory at Bridgwater Town.

The Calor League Division One South and West win on October 26 ended the home side’s unbeaten run and was MUFC’s third away success in a row.

Mangotsfield got off to a dream start with Matt Sysum’s opener inside two minutes Ben Hunt added a second with four minutes of the first half remaining. The third came late on in the second half, Ben Hunt adding his second when making the most of a mix-up between goalkeeper and defender.

Manager Richard Thompson had picked the same side that beat Shortwood United 2-0 in the FA Trophy thanks to two goals from Josh Egan. That success earned them an away draw against Tiverton Town on November 2 in a match worth £3,250 to the winners.

The team were due to visit Evesham United for a league match on October 29, just after the Voice went to press.

Goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer was named Supporters Club Player Of The Month for September.

Meanwhile, Mangotsfield United’s youth team are going great guns, notching up an amazing goals in five games, which puts them well clear at the top of their league.

Their victory sequence goes: September 30, won 6-1 at home to Taunton Town; October 9, won 7-0 at home to Brislington; October 13, won 8-0 away at Gotherington (cup); October 16, won 6-1 away at Ashton & Backwell and October 24, won 6-1 at home to Ashton & Backwell.

During October, Mangotsfield Sports recorded a league win against Old Georgians, a defeat at hjome to Fishponds OB and a draw at home to Avonmouth as well as winning away to Totterdown POB in the cup.

Details courtesy of mufc-online



November, 2013

ANSWERSFROM PAGE xx

SudokuWordsearch

5

2

3

8

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9

2

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48

16

18

997

6

3

4

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P

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517986243

683452791

294371658

362714589

948523167

751869324

825197436

139645872

476238915

257869341

846132975

913754286

498375162

765921834

321648759

539286417

682417593

174593628

Answers onpage xx































• Bang • Bonfire • Catherinewheel • Coats • Display• Excitement • Firecracker • Fireworks • Flames• Fountains • Gloves • Guy • Gunpowder • Hat• Night • November • Parliament • Plot • Remember• Rocket • Romancandle • Scarf • Smoke • Sparkles

FROM PAGE 52

Need help with your backhand?CLEEVE Hill Tennis Club in Downend is running a six-week adult coaching course for beginners and improvers.

It starts on Sunday November 3 from 5.30pm. Each lesson lasts one hour, and offers the chance to learn the basics of the game including the serve, forehand, backhand, rally, volley and smash.

To enrol or for more details please contact Kevin Hamblin on 07971 475614 or email [email protected]

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AFTER the fun had at Wiscombe Park in September, I headed down to Castle Combe Circuit for the Autumn Classic to help put on a display entitled Essence of Dyrham, writes Andy Laurence.

This refers to when Bristol Motor Club ran rounds of the British Hillclimb Championship at the National Trust venue. A total of 70 cars were assembled representing the cars from 1960s

and a great day was had watching some classic motorsport.

On October 19, I attended the Testicular Ball organised by It’s in the Bag, a local charity promoting awareness of testicular cancer (www.itsinthebag.org.uk) whose logos adorn my car.

The highlight of the evening was a charity auction, and a passenger ride in my 440bhp/

ton sports racer was one of the lots.

By the time you read this, James Hurford will have competed in a NavScatter, driving for Yate navigator, Scott Boulton. Myself and a bunch of other Downend residents will meet Scott at Castle Combe the next day for Supercar Saturday to get rides in a variety of supercars on the race track and to get their first taste of competitive motorsport in the AutoSolo.

There are two teams of Downend drivers competing in the annual Karting Challenge at The Raceway in Avonmouth where all the local racing clubs have an end-of-season battle.

On Sunday November 10, the Roy Fedden Sporting

Trial - a round of the British Championship - is being held in Dyrham Wood at 11am and I will be attending to spectate on this most incredible of sports where cars drive up hills you would quite literally struggle to walk up. Spectating is free; drive up Tog Hill, take the first left and look out for the orange arrows.

Two weeks later, on November 24, the Allen Classic Trial will see cars travel 80 miles around Bristol, starting from The Bull in Hinton. Marshals are required for both events and you don’t need any experience to have a go.

Find out more at www.bristolmc.org.uk, facebook.com/BristolMotorClub and twitter.com/BristolMC.

Autumn classic at Castle Combe


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langford painted diningtruffle painted dining range with oak tops, bedroom and living room items available

vienna rustic oak diningextending oak table+ 6 oak chairs only £799

nevada oak diningextending oak tables from £239oak sideboards from £219

Documents

Downend Voice November 2013