Knowledge Newsletter Issue 75 by Knowle West

THE

For the residents of Filwood, and parts of

Knowle & Windmill Hill

ISSUE 75 FEBRUARY - MAY 2017

Twenty years serving the community for Filwood Hope p 8 Plans revealed for Filwood Park p 5 New supermarket for Imperial Park p 3

www.knowlewest.co.uk

KNOWL DGE

elcome to the 75th edition of the Knowledge – it’s been going since 2001 now serving the local area. This seems to be an issue of anniversaries – with Filwood Hope p 8 and Knowle West Media Centre p 17 and 11 both celebrating 20 years in the community. Lee Abbey is also marking its Silver Anniversary p 8 with an event in April. It’s also been an issue of awards p 7, with several local people and organisations being recognised for their vital work. We’ve also updates on new developments in the area – with plans revealed for Imperial Park and Filwood Park. We’ve given information where people can view them and add their comments. With the new year well underway we’ve included two inspiring stories about people who tried something new to change their lives, p 14. This is the last issue funded by the Neighbourhood Partnership and we’re looking for sponsorship, donations and advertising so we can keep the newsletter going. See page 10 showing how you can help. Thanks for your support and all the contributions we’ve received over the past 75 editions – we couldn’t have done it without you. Sue Mackinnon Editor

Get in touch:

If you have stories and pictures you’d like included in the next edition or would like to write for The Knowledge: Call: 0117 903 0444 Email: sue@kwmc.org.uk Write to us at: Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue, Bristol BS4 1NL

Next issue Copy deadline: Friday 7 April Newsletter delivered from: Monday 15 May

The Neighbourhood Partnership office in Filwood could be closed in the spring - as part of Bristol City Council cuts. The office has been on Filwood Broadway since 2010 where residents can call in about local issues. The council says central government cuts, a growing population and increasing demand for its services means it needs to save over £100 million in the next five years. Decisions on Bristol City Council’s savings and budget will be made at a meeting of Full Council on 21 February.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “…Many of the proposed savings, including on Neighbourhood Partnerships, will be subject to further public consultation on the specific plans put forward by services, which will inform how they make the necessary savings for their areas.”

Cuts put pharmacies

at risk

Proposed government cuts to pharmacy budgets over two years as part of an NHS efficiency drive have concerned communities across South Bristol. Community pharmacies will see budgets slashed by 4 % to £2.7 billion in 2016/17, with plans for further reduction in funds by 3.4 % in 2017-18. Peter Badham is Managing Director of Badham Pharmacies, which has a branch in Filwood. He said: “… “Pharmacies like Filwood perform an essential function… It’s much more than prescriptions. In an area of need like Knowle West, these services are critical to patients’ health and wellbeing and reducing costs of the health service…”

Bristol South MP Karin Smyth said: “Research shows high percentages – around a third – of those who currently seek initial advice from a pharmacy would make a GP appointment instead if the pharmacy closed…” Full story www.knowlewest.co.uk

Wicketz Bristol hub to start in Knowle West With Bristol as the new European capital of Sport this year - free cricket sessions for children will start in Knowle West this February as part of the new Wicketz hubs. Run at The Park by local coaches, and funded by national sports’ charity, The Lord’s Taverners - the Wicketz Bristol hub aims to bring the community together by providing free and accessible cricket for eight – 11 year-olds. The hub is also looking for volunteers who have an interest in coaching or would like to help behind the scenes. The Wicketz programme provides a package of support and will equip communities with high-quality kit donated by manufacturers, clubs and members of the public. The free cricket sessions will run Tuesdays from 14 February at The Park in Daventry Road from 4.30– 6pm. For more information contact Crispin at crispin. shingler@glosccc.co.uk or call 0739 821 1596.

Another Environmental award for Green Business Park Filwood Green Business Park has won the Eco Environmental Building Award for the second year running. The achievement was honoured at the Bristol Post and Bath Chronicle Awards Ceremony held at At-Bristol Science Centre in November. Designed and built by local people and companies, Filwood Green Business Park is the first commercial development in the South West ever to earn a BREEAM Outstanding rating - the highest possible green status for a new building. This makes it one of the highest scoring environmentally-friendly buildings in the whole of Europe. Enterprise Support Officer Sarah Classick said: “We are really delighted to receive this for the second year running. It shows how much recognition we are getting for the great work of the Business Park.” See other community awards p 7. THE

THANKS TO: the Newsletter Steering Group (Ann Smith, Ken Jones, Denise Britt), Neighbourhood Partnership (Andrew McLean,Val Talbot) and Knowle West Media Centre (Sue Mackinnon - Editor and Community Journalism Tutor, Bart Blazejewski - Designer). All articles express the views of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Neighbourhood Management, Steering Group or KWMC.

A word from us

Neighbourhood Partnership Office could close

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‪@365Bristol‬‬‪ Bristol Named the Best European City Break Destination “Move over London! ”‬‬ http://365bristol.com/story/2017/01/

News

Developments at Imperial Park to include an Aldi supermarket

Local people and community groups had the chance to review proposed plans for the final stage of development works at Imperial Park in January. Owners Hammerson held two days of public exhibitions. The proposals mark the final phase of works to be undertaken - delivering new retail, catering and leisure units totalling around 7,250 sq m, including a small Aldi supermarket and a gym. The development represents a £15m investment and will provide over 225 new jobs. The site will be served by the new Metrobus. A planning application is due to be submitted to Bristol City Council later this year. Asset Manager at Hammerson, Lucy Price said: “The site was earmarked for development as part of the wider regeneration of the area following the closure of the former Imperial Tobacco factory in 1990s…” To view the plans visit www.imperialretailpark.com.

Knowle West schools achieve some of best results in the country By Community Reporter Johnny Dadds

Ilminster Avenue and Greenfield E-ACT Academies have achieved some of the best Key Stage 2 results in the country. Pupils of the primary schools, both located in Knowle West, have ‘excelled’ in reading, writing and mathematics. Ilminster Avenue has been placed in the top 4% of schools in the country, with 84% of Year Six pupils reaching the expected standards. Greenfield managed similarly impressive results with 79% meeting the standards, the national average is 53%. Headteacher of Iliminster Avenue, Hilary Dunford, said: “We are obviously very proud of all our children, we go the extra mile all day, every day; pastorally as well as • A spokesperson for Knowle West Future which has been petitioning for a academically. supermarket in Knowle West said: “We are pleased to have a supermarket within “In Year Six, the preparation to enreach of the Knowle /Filwood area and trust that adequate transport will be sure they are ready for the next stage available to allow non-drivers access... in their learning at secondary school “We are very disappointed that they chose not to invest in Knowle West /Filwood is second-to-none, with many of them area. This area has a population many of which use public transport to Bedmincoming in for 8am lessons with breakster, Broadwalk or Hartcliffe to do their shopping often two or three times a week… fast, which they enjoy enormously!” “Plus there is also the regeneration of the Knowle West area which was based Rebekah-Leigh Payne (11), a pupil in part around the provision of a supermarket and other changes in Filwood at the school, also praised the extra Broadway, does this mean no supermarket - no regeneration?” effort the teachers go to. A spokesperson from Bristol City Council said the council had “commissioned a specialist consultancy firm to test the “viability of a supermarket” on Filwood Broadway. “Unfortunately, their work concluded that the type and size of supermarket being proposed was not viable and possible operators were not interested in occupying a site at this location. The council is still committed to regenerating Filwood Broadway but we need to consider the most viable opportunities and how we can encourage further growth in this area, which would then attract more investment...” Full story: www.knowlewest.co.uk

Influx of patients looking for new GP Thousands of patients have had to find a new GP – following the closure of a Knowle surgery. The 5,000 patients at St Martin’s practice in Wells Road were sent a letter from NHS England last November informing them owner Crest Family Practice was ending its NHS contract on 4 January. Crest has other practices at William Budd Health Centre and St John’s Lane where patients could register – but there are fears local practices may not cope with the influx. Bristol South MP Karin Smyth urged constituents to get in touch and let her know their concerns.: “…I have been

pressing NHS England to make the transfer as straightforward as possible but I know there are still a large number of people unregistered…” A spokesperson from NHS England said there were five practices within a two -mile radius which had said they could take on some of the patients and over half of the 5,000 patients had registered elsewhere. She said around 1,000 new patients had registered at the Crest practice at William Budd because they wanted “continuity of care”. “We made a specific arrangement with Crest to help the transfer of patients to other practices to make the process easier for patients… We made sure vulnerable patients and people with long-term health conditions had priority and were looked after…”

@AndyLHoward‬‬‪ The school in Knowle West, #Bristol which is one of the most successful in the country. ‬How? @bbcpointswest 1.30pm.‬‬

Bristol’s Lord Mayor Cllr Jeff Lovell with pupils from Ilminster Avenue.

She said: “…The teachers also provide us with extra clubs like homework and maths club in the mornings and at lunchtimes. These are some of the reasons why the teachers, staff and pupils are so great here.” Acting Head of Greenfield, Paul Tooth, said the results were “fantastic” and “the Year Six teachers worked extremely hard” to help pupils achieve them. “But it is important to remember that it is a collective effort throughout our pupils’ time at Greenfield… so I would like to thank each and every teacher and teaching assistant for what they do for our children every day.” Greenfield ranked the highest in Bristol and sixth highest in the country for progress in writing.

wo local groups have expressed serious concerns about Bristol City Council’s plans for a walking and cycling route from Hengrove to the city centre. The proposed £2.3 million Filwood Quietway will cut through the Northern Slopes and Victoria Park. The aim is to provide an alternative to car use to help tackle the city’s congested roads. Consultations took place in both areas last year. But the Northern Slopes Initiative (NSI) and the Victoria Park Action Group (VPAG) feel these are not the best routes for the new path and it could have an effect on wildlife and safety. Now Bristol City Council has withdrawn the Victoria Park proposals to “allow further consultation with the community”. VPAG started a group called Filwood Quietway Objection Group (FOG) and produced a leaflet outlining concerns. They feared the plans would “encourage faster through cycling”; cross a pedestrian and school walking route making it unsafe and the planned width of the path would “feel like a road rather than a path”. If the park entrance barriers were removed they were worried there could be “significant problems with motorbikes and anti-social behaviour”.

Ten months of Metrobus work on Hartcliffe Way Changes made as a result of public concern Ten months of work on the Metrobus route in Hartcliffe Way started in January – with the South Bristol Link opening at the same time to help traffic flow. This followed concerns from local residents and businesses about traffic problems at a meeting in December at Filwood Green Business Park with Metrobus. The new South Bristol Link which opened on 16 January is a 4.5km express bus route and roadway that runs between the A370 in Long Ashton and Hengrove Park. On the same day a temporary one-way restriction was put in place on Hartcliffe Way. This means: • Light vehicles, buses and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) travelling north will use Hartcliffe Way as normal. • Light vehicles travelling south will be diverted along Novers Hill and Novers Lane. • HGVs over 7.5 tonnes travelling outbound (south) will be diverted from the Parson Street/Bedminster Road gyratory

Cllr Mark Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Transport at Bristol City Council said: “We have listened very carefully to the concerns of the community we have received so far through the planning process and we now want to develop options and ideas to ensure any enhancements we make address the local aspirations for this space…” He said any proposed changes would “be in conjunction with the people who regularly use the park…”

A consultation at Victoria Park last year.

Chair of the NSI, Bob Franks, wrote to the council because the group is “not convinced of the benefits of routing the Quietway through The Slopes at Glyn Vale from the perspective of the Slopes and the users of the Slopes”.

to the A38 Bedminster Down Road, Bishopsworth Road, Church Road, Whitchurch Road, Whitchurch Lane, and Hengrove Way. • All vehicles will have the option of using the new South Bristol Link as an alternative route. • Cyclists will be able to use Hartcliffe Way in both directions with some minor disruptions. While the Hartcliffe Way one-way restriction is in operation, Novers Hill has been made one-way outbound (south) from the entrance to the Novers Hill Trading Estate to Novers Road. A spokesperson for Metrobus said: “Following a series of dropin sessions for local residents and businesses we’ve made a number of changes to the previously-advertised diversion route to address the concerns that were raised...” Other changes include: • A footway and safety barriers to be installed on sections of Novers Hill where there is no pavement. Additional measures to improve the safety of children crossing to local schools will also be introduced.

He said: “We believe that our alternative via Donegal Road, Glyn Vale, Kingswear Green Space to Marksbury Road and on to Wedmore Vale has the potential to be a good route. “We would like to be involved in the next stages of the proposals alongside other interested groups…” A council spokesperson said: “Although we understand the NSI are not convinced about the benefits of the route using the Northern Slopes, we hope to work with them so they can make the most of the opportunity for investment in the space. “This is a chance to address some of the anti-social behaviour issues in the Slopes, and make the space more welcoming for local people. “We had a constructive meeting discussing two preliminary designs with the NSI, and we are pleased to see that the NSI would like to be involved in the next stages of the proposals. For more information about the plans visit: www.travelwest.info Full story www.knowlewest.co.uk

THE

News

Local groups concerned about Filwood Quietway

• The one-way restriction on Novers Hill has been reduced in distance to lessen the impact on the trading estates. • Fire engines will be permitted to travel along Hartcliffe Way in both directions. • Options to reduce the impact on Highbury Road, including school children crossing, are under consultation. For more information visit: www.travelwest.info/metrobus

The new one-way system at Hartcliffe Way.

@knowlewestmedia‬ ‬ Looking forward to hearing whether Knowle West has made it through to the Top7 ‪#smartcommunities‬‬. Listen out for next month’s announcement!

Your community www.knowlewest.co.uk

Cr es wic

The likely timescale is:

ke Rd

Spring 2017 Submit Planning Application to Bristol City Council who will consult with the community on the proposals.

Summer 2017 Application decision. Autumn 2017 if designs are approved construction will start on site. Summer 2018 First houses likely to be finished.

Public can have their say on Filwood Park Plans The long-awaited plans for the development of Filwood Park were finally revealed to the public at an exhibition last month. Commercial property agency GVA held a public event at Filwood Community Centre on 9 January for local people to view the designs – and give their feedback. Those who could not attend can still see the plans at the Neighbourhood Partnership Office on Filwood Broadway. The exhibition includes the current design and layout of the proposed housing, park and play area as well as car parking and landscaping. Outline Planning Permission was granted on 31 October 2012 for “mixed use development, including the creation of a new park, erection of up to 150 residential units, 8000 sq m of employment floorspace... car parking, landscaping, ecological area, access and associated infrastructure works...” This application will complete the Filwood Park proposal following the opening of Filwood Green Business Park. An area of the park in front of the three and four-bedroom houses will be privately maintained by a management company.

The 150 new homes to be built on Filwood Park.

There are also plans for a building or “Park Hub” for “neighbourhood activities” which could house a café and be used to store equipment. Access to the development for cars and other vehicles will be from Creswicke Road to the north and Hengrove Way to the south. Helen Bailey from Knowle West Future who attended the exhibition said: “… I’m hoping by doing this it will kick-start the regeneration of Knowle West... My concern is they are all privately owned and I don’t know yet if they are going to be able to sell them…” Richard Bowey from Creswicke Road who bought his house 30 years ago said they had “lost peace and quiet”. “We will have cars pulling up, doors slamming … It’s going to happen but it’s how the boundary is going to work between existing houses and new houses… Now we have 20ft before the field and it’s going to disappear. … And they don’t know what type of fence there will be…” And John Walter also from Creswicke Road said he was worried the planned ‘through road” through

Filwood Park would become “ a rat-run”. GVA Design and Planning Manager, Chris Dolling, said this was not the finalised scheme and they were still working on the designs. “With regard to the space between the boundary and houses there will be hit and miss fencing, then 1m of tree belt, then 1m of manco path then the proposed houses.. “The lighting scheme has yet to be worked on so is ‘to be confirmed’. Residents’ concerns will be considered and an appropriate lighting scheme proposed. “To avoid the proposed road becoming a rat run there will be provision of raised tables and changes in tactile surfaces to reduce speed. This should deter people … as Creswicke Road will still provide a faster journey time.” Anyone who would like to comment on the designs should contact Chris Burton: chris.burton@gva.co.uk or view the plans at the Neighbourhood Partnership office, Filwood Broadway. Contact Lloyd to check if the office is open on 0117 922 4320 / 0782 531 5628 or email Lloyd.allen@ bristol.gov.uk THE

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‫‏‬‪@brksim‬ ‬:Use open data to find new housing opportunities. Hack day 4 Feb Knowle West Media Centre.

Your community www.knowlewest.co.uk

Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill Neighbourhood Partnership By Andrew McLean and Lloyd Allen

The future… As part of Bristol City Council’s five year budget proposal, there is the suggestion to reduce the financial budget that supports all Neighbourhood Partnerships across Bristol. So from the 1 April 2017 there will no longer be any Neighbourhood Partnership meetings taking place in Bristol. Some Neighbourhood Partnerships will continue - but in a different way. Over the next seven to eight months Neighbourhood Partnership members and the council will be exploring the best way for local residents and agencies such as Bristol City Council to work together to make positive changes in their local neighbourhoods. If you wish to be involved in conversations about the relationship between local people and Bristol City Council, then come along to the next Neighbourhood Partnership meeting, or your local Neighbourhood Forum. You can also contact Andrew McLean (Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator) on 0746 733 5714 or andrew.mclean@ bristol.gov.uk

What do you think will make a difference to your neighbourhood? What do you need to make that happen? As you can see above, more than ever it’s vital for us to know what you think is important to make a difference in this area, and what support you might need to make that happen. We’ve started this conversation at the Filwood Neighbourhood Forum which was on 1 Feb. Please come and tell us what you think. Contact Lloyd on 0117 922 4320 / 0782 531 5628 or email Lloyd.allen@ bristol.gov.uk

Dates for Neighbourhood Forums: • Windmill Hill Neighbourhood Forum is Wednesday 22 February 2017, 7-8.30pm at Victoria Park Baptist Church, Sylvia Avenue, BS3 5DA. • Knowle Neighbourhood Forum is Tuesday 28 February 2017, 7-8.30pm at Knowle Community Centre, Crossways Road, BS4 2SS. www.bristol.gov.uk/ neighbourhoodpartnerships

Next Neighbourhood Partnership meeting Wednesday 8 March 2017 6pm at Victoria Park Baptist Church, Sylvia Ave, Bristol BS3 5DA. Please contact Andrew McLean if you would like more information on the meeting or anything to do with the Neighbourhood Partnership.

• Street lighting • Drug dealing • Potential closure of the Neighbourhood Partnership Office on Filwood Broadway

Transformers Fund The Neighbourhood Partnership is running a small grants programme to support youth work across Knowle, Filwood and Windmill Hill. Successful applicants to the small grants programme will need to meet the following criteria: • Applicants should be working with identified group of young people • Applicants should identify a priority from the Neighbourhood Partnership Plan • Outcomes should benefit young people in their local Neighbourhood Partnership Area • Where possible outcomes should benefit current youth provision and activities • Applicants will have to demonstrate they will work with young people across all three wards – Knowle, Filwood and Windmill Hill. Closing date for applications is Friday 10 February 2017. Please use the following link for further information and an application form: www.bristol.gov.uk/ npwellbeinggrants

Bristol elected Mayor visits Eagle House Community Association On Saturday 17 December 2016, Marvin Rees, Bristol’s elected Mayor, dropped in to Eagle House Community Association and spoke with local people about the things happening across Bristol and in the local area. The discussion touched on: • The MetroBus • Housing • Roadworks and local traffic

At the end of the discussion the Mayor asked the local area to come back to him with a clear request about what the council can do to assist local people in making the changes everyone wants to see in Knowle West.

Val leaves Neighbourhood Partnership Office She’s been the welcoming face of the Neighbourhood Partnership office – but after 15 years in post Val Talbot left in December last year.

Val worked first in the Neighbourhood Renewal Office based at Filwood Community Centre which then became the Neighbourhood Partnership. She moved to the current office on Filwood Broadway in 2005, working as an administrative business support worker. Living in Knowle West, she says the main thing she will miss is “the relationship with the community and helping the residents”. “…New people to the area see the council sign and often this is their first port of call…” Neighbourhood Manager Andrew McLean says: “She will definitely be sadly missed and personally a big loss for me as she’s been a source of signposting and information in the area…” See www.knowlewest.co.uk

‫‏‬‪@LloydAllenBCC‬ ‬ Final Filwood Neighbourhood Forum? Wed 1 Feb ‪@knowlewestmedia‬‬ Leinster Ave, BS4 1NL. Council cuts: NP at risk. Filwood Park Development plans

Awards for all

Local stories www.knowlewest.co.uk

Gold for Knowle West green spaces A group of local organisations across the Knowle area have scooped a number of awards for their community spaces and gardens. Five groups, a business park and a children’s centre entered the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) South West in Bloom Pennant Scheme as “Knowle West Community Spaces” and achieved a Gold – topping last year’s Silver Gilt.

Award for Denise A local resident has received an award from Avon and Somerset Constabulary for her work with young people in secondary schools. Denise Britt received the award at a ceremony at Engineers House in Clifton for her “loyal support for many years to our young communities”.

Student counsellors at their graduation with (centre) Bristol’s Lord Mayor Cllr Jeff Lovell and KWHA Chair Carol Casey.

They were: • Knowle West Health Association’s (KWHA) Let’s Grow Community Garden and Allotment • Andy’s Haven at The Park • The Northern Slopes Initiative (NSI) • Knowle West Childrens Centre (KWCC) • Filwood Green Business Park • Community of Perrett’s Park • Friends of Redcatch Park Several local groups also won individual awards in the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Scheme. Knowle West’s Let’s Grow, Andy’s Haven and Bramble Farm all achieved Outstanding as did two local parks, Perrett’s and Redcatch. The NSI was awarded a Thriving and KWCC Developing.

L to R: Lewis Prince and Andy Moseley at Andy’s Haven at The Park with their RHS ‘Outstanding’ award.

THE

Steve Giffiths, Community Gardener for KWHA at Springfield Allotment Let’s Grow who organised the Pennant Tour said: “…This proves that Knowle West has some of the best green spaces and sites in Bristol.”

funding - as it is run on a voluntary basis. It also wants to be able to provide further placements for future students. For more information about counselling sessions call 0796 973 7076 or email kwhacounselling@yahoo.com

Denise (63) has been working with Play Your Part, a multi-agency day taken to year 8 pupils across Bristol – with sessions on subjects such as personal safety, drug awareness and role models. She said: “I’ve been doing it for ten years. Every week we go to a different school and I tell my story – what it’s like living with a drug addict and how it affects the family.”

The Park wins “Community Venue of the Year” The Park has won Community Venue of the Year by public vote at the Voscur awards. The accolade for the Knowle West centre is part of the Voscur 2016 Social Impact Awards for the best community-run publicly accessible space in Bristol. It was presented at a conference at the SS Great Britain by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees and television presenter Sherrie EugeneHart.

Health Association award for counselling service Knowle West Health Association has received an award for its free counselling service. The organisation based at Filwood Broadway won the Tom Bray Award for Endeavour for setting up free placements for counselling students. Community Development Worker Rhianan Lowes who helped set up the scheme said: “…We now have seven counsellors who have completed their training placement with KWHA and four regular fully qualified counsellors offering three days a week to the community which is a total of 13 client spaces per week and still have a waiting list of around 13-15 people… “The service is free so that people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford long term therapy are able to access it….” KWHA is currently in talks with Bristol Mind to expand the service with

@karinsmyth: Good to visit ‪@kwhealthassoc‬‬ this afternoon and meet Rhiannan and Sarah to learn more about their work on nutrition & health in Knowle West

Staff from The Park receiving their Voscur award from Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees and TV presenter Sherrie Eugene.

Also shortlisted were The Greenway Centre in Southmead and The Southville Centre. Director of Education at The Park, Louise Hunt, said: “The award has been a real encouragement to the team here. We know we are doing something valuable in this community from the people we meet every day but it is fantastic to have such a public endorsement.” The Park opened its site in Daventry Road in 2000 as a hub of community activity including learning, business, support services and leisure. For full stories visit www.knowlewest.co.uk

Local Stories www.knowlewest.co.uk

Filwood Hope celebrates 20 years serving the community

ilwood Hope has been a focal point in the heart of Knowle West since it opened in December 1996 – Community Reporter Kerrie Nicholson visits to find the secret of its success… Volunteers Dave Crick and Dave Harris greet me warmly and offer me a cup of tea the minute I enter Filwood Hope. This is just one of a number of services the charity offers – many people just pop into the advice centre on Filwood Broadway for a chat. The charity relies heavily on its 15 volunteers to man the front desk and manage appointments with the two parttime staff - Adviser Laura Hathway and Centre Manager Pearl Aitken. Pearl explains: “Availability to the local community was in the beginning, and continues to be of importance.… “Volunteers have made it possible for Filwood Hope to function… They are indeed the backbone of (the organisation).” The building first opened its doors on 2 December 1996 - following the closure of many shops and the only supermarket on Filwood Broadway. Pearl recalls: “…The heart of the community was being destroyed and the hope and aspirations of many were deflated. There was no focal point and no place where

Lee Abbey Knowle West celebrates silver anniversary The Lee Abbey community in Knowle West will be celebrating its 25th birthday in April - with a free event attended by the Bishop of Bristol. The silver anniversary celebration with Knowle West Churches Together will be held in April at Filwood Community Centre - with an opportunity to meet past and present community members. Lee Abbey Knowle West opened in April 1992 at 97 Lisburn Road, after a formal invitation from the churches in Knowle West. In December 2015 the community moved to the convent at Filwood Broadway when the Sisters of Charity left the estate. It is now called Lee Abbey House and there are currently five adult residential community members and two children. Pioneer Leader for Lee Abbey Knowle West, Ed Palairet said: “Twenty-five years is a significant milestone for us and last year’s purchase

help and advice could be sought…” Knowle West Churches Together agreed that a place where people could meet and seek help and advice was the way forward. The organisation teamed up with Network Counselling, which had been given a grant of £60,000 to establish a counselling centre in an area of need. The first manager of Filwood Hope, Richard Pearce, recalls how the building was transformed “from an empty shell into a cafe, interview rooms and office.” Today Filwood Hope offers advice and support on everything from benefits and debt to referrals to other agencies and job searching. It sees a footfall of between six and 35 people a day. The café has since become a waiting room – a welcoming hub leading onto the building’s two advice rooms. Graham Blacker (81) a trustee and a long term volunteer of 22 years says: “I feel it very rewarding to volunteer at Filwood Hope. I am part of a team that is trying to help our clients with their problems.” Pearl believes firmly the centre’s ethos has helped it continue. “We are pleased to be celebrating

our 20th anniversary and trust we will be resident in Filwood Broadway for many years to come.” Filwood Hope is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am - 1pm and 9.30 – 3pm on Tuesdays. For more information call 0117 963 4566 or email advice@ filwoodhope.org. Full story www.knowlewest.co.uk

of the former convent shows our intention to continue to invest time, energy and prayer into our neighbourhood. This is why during 2017 we will also be recruiting additional community members.” The event will take place Saturday 22 April at Filwood Community Centre in Barnstaple Road from 2-4pm. See page 16.

“We share knitting and crochet skills as well as patterns and useful tips…” The group isn’t just about the knitting - but a place where people can come for support and advice and form strong friendships.

One year on – knitting group goes from strength to strength By Community Reporter Kerrie Nichols A knitting group which started at Filwood Library last January with only a handful of people is now going from strength to strength. Health Improvement Advisor for Public Health Bristol, Claire McNeil, who runs the group, explains: “We now have a group of regular knitters who come together for a knit and natter every Wednesday.

The building on Filwood Broadway as it was over 20 years ago.

Evelyn Orti (36) from Knowle West has been attending for a year bringing 22-month-old daughter Lianater - and was a complete novice when she started. She says: “I have learnt to knit from coming here - my very first stitch was here. I’m a mum, I work and I’m a student, so I come to relax and de-stress.” The group caters for all levels - with wool and needles provided. It meets every Wednesday, 1-3pm at Filwood Library. Just drop in or contact Claire on 0787 681 4604.

‫‏‬‪@EdwardPalairet‬ ‬Filwood Hope 20th anniversary. Client1: “their doors are open their hearts are open & their minds are open” Client2: ‪https://youtu.be/RpGaAFtjxE4 ‬

Local stories

Award to help youth gardening project

Inns Court Family Centre transformed

www.knowlewest.co.uk

By Community Reporter Kerrie Nicholson

Knowle West Children’s Centre has made the Inns Court Family Centre its temporary home while improvements take place at its Leinster Road site. The Centre at Marshall Walk has now been transformed. Stock cupboards have been converted into baby changing places, the Sports Hall has become a 100 place nursery for three to four-year-olds and the store room converted to toilets. Knowle West Children’s Centre (KWCC) Deputy Head Matt Caldwell said: “We have still got Bernie and the volunteers here, our Sprint Community bus and the friendly face of reception - and we’ve still got Inns Court Nursery School. “KWCC will be here until September and we will then be leaving to go back to our old site in Leinster Avenue … This is our temporary accommodation. We’ve spent money on painting and doing the space up but we’ve left a legacy…” The garden has also been totally landscaped to provide a safe place to play– and now has an all-weather rain cover, sand shed and hobbit hole. KWCC Headteacher Sarah Salmon said there had been a “considerable investment” into the Centre. She said: “It’s using the money that would have been used for temporary accommodation - but using it to create a legacy for children and families…”

Eagle House backs cancer campaign Residents meeting at Eagle House Community Association have rallied round to help raise sponsorship for a unit treating cancer sufferers. Eagle House Fighting Cancer has been started by 44-year-old Vanessa Lewis who has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Before beginning chemotherapy at the Haematology and Oncology Unit at St Michael’s Hospital - she decided to raise money for them. In January her skittles team Barrs Eagles held a sponsored head shave at their home turf at the hands of hairdresser Wayne Rundell. Local people at the social club in Newquay Road also supported the cause with donations and buying supporters’ caps and raffle tickets. Former outreach worker Vanessa said: “My hair’s going to go anyway so I may as well do it for a cause. The team all wanted their heads shaved so we could do some fundraising for the people who do the hard work for those suffering from cancer… I want to thank Eagle House Community Association and all those who supported us.” Her father Barry Lewis (71) is a member of the skittles team and on the Eagle House committee. He says: “…We’re doing it for my daughter and for all the people who can’t shout about it to raise money for cancer…” So far nearly £1,000 has been raised. Anyone who wants to donate to Eagle House Fighting Cancer can give the money to Eagle House Community Association in Newquay Road. Story and pictures www.knowlewest.co.uk

A Knowle West charity working with local young people has been awarded £500 to build a rainwater harvesting system for its gardening project. Youth Moves, based at The Park, received the Sustainable Watermark Award for its gardening and food growing programme, Urban Escape. The project has been running for two years at Springfield Allotments – where 56 young people aged eight to 18 have transformed an overgrown site. The new rainwater harvesting system will enable members to collect water from the youth club roof to use on the vegetables planted in a polytunnel.

Youth Worker Ben Carpenter receiving the cheque for £500 from Sue Goodland of Wessex Water.

Youth Worker at Youth Moves, Ben Carpenter said “It will allow the group to grow bumper crops all year round, so they can learn how to cook a wide variety of recipes and pass these skills onto other community groups.” Youth Moves is looking for people of all ages to join its weekly Urban Escape projects. Contact Ben on 0117 903 9796, ben.carpenter@ youthmoves.org.uk or visit www. facebook.com/UrbanEscapeBristol

KWCC Deputy Head Matt Caldwell with Jake the therapy dog in the new play area.

Volunteer Drivers Urgently Needed for your Local Sprint Community Bus. Free Minibus (Midas) Training will be provided.

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The Sprint Community Bus operates two 14 seater minibuses and an 8 seater minibus taking people to local shops, supermarkets, doctors, social clubs, health park, hairdressers, all within the Knowle area. Monday to Friday 8.45am - 4.30pm.

//////////////////////////////// Members of Barrs Eagles skittles team after their sponsored head shave.

Contact The Sprint Office: 0117 904 8215 or themede@btconnect.com

‫‏‬‪@InfoYouthmoves‬ ‬60 x ‪@NCS‬‬ graduates, 1800 hours of ‪#socialaction‬‬ delivered & almost £3k raised for 3 x local charities!! Well done all... ‪@BCCommTrust‬‬

The Knowledge is 75 – help us continue Knowle West has had a community newsletter since 2001 - our funding from Bristol City Council has now ended and we want to continue The Knowledge.

We also need new volunteer community reporters to help us gather more stories about what’s going on in the area. Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous experience as we offer free training to help you develop new skills in writing, interviewing and photography. In the next edition we’ll have more information about other ways you can get involved in supporting the future of The Knowledge. For advertising and volunteering contact Sue: 0117 903 0444, sue@kwmc.org.uk For sponsorship details contact Caryn 0117 903 0444 email caryn.davies@kwmc.org.uk

THE

If you have a business you can play an important role in the future of the newsletter by becoming a sponsor. You can also show your support by advertising your services.

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It’s a great way to find out what’s going on in the community and to have your say.

Managing loneliness and isolation for over 50s A free wellbeing course to help over 50s tackle loneliness and isolation is starting in South Bristol this April. The course has been funded by Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) and will be run by Happy City at Windmill Hill City Farm. Two taster sessions will be held before the eight-week course starts. Byron Lee from Happy City said: “These (taster) sessions are open to people who are aged 50 plus and

who feel lonely or isolated within their community. “We will be exploring simple and gentle ways to increase wellbeing and reduce feelings of loneliness…” The taster sessions will take place on 28 February and 7 March at Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bedminster from 10-11.30am. The free Wellbeing course will run on Tuesdays at the same venue starting 4 April from 10-1pm, with help with transport costs. If you are interested or know someone who might benefit from this course email byron@happycity.org.uk or call 01454 774463 or 0747 440 8024.

Elsie’s Secret Potato Salad

World’s fastest Veggie chilli

5 potatoes (jacket)

3 grated carrots

Parsley

Chilli powder

5 shallots

Light mayo

Pineapple (small tin) & Juice Method 1. Blend all ingredients except mayo and potatoes in a liquidiser. 2. Mix the mixture with the mayo and keep in the fridge. 3. Peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes. Put them in a pot of boiling water and cook until they are soft but not mash. 4. Cool the potatoes and mix with the mayo and mixture.

by Matt C

aldwell

1 tin of kidney beans 1 tin tomatoes

1 tin tomato puree

2 cubes of plain chocolate 1 onion Method 1. Fry the onion until soft. 2. Add the grated carrot, tomato puree, tomatoes and beans. 3. Season with chilli powder and chocolate. 4. Cook for 10 /15 minutes.

The Knowledge would love to hear from you about your favourite family recipes and share them with your community. You can send in your recipes, and stories behind them, plus a photo to Gail Bevan, Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Ave, BS4 1NL Local recipes, such as this one, were gathered as part of the project Who Decides What’s In My Fridge. For more info about the project go to: www.kwmc.org.uk/projects/whodecides

@bristolnoise‬ ‬Had a great first ever Noise lunch & presentation in Knowle West today and we loved sharing vision, values and whats happening ‪#thenoise2017‬‬

1. Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) held an

open day at Filwood Community Centre to showcase its work supporting people with drug and alcohol issues. There were performances from the BDP Drama Group and Bristol’s Recovery Choir “Rising Voices”. (Picture BDP).

2. Knowle West Against Racism artwork

created at Knowle West Fest is now proudly displayed at City Hall on College Green. www.knowlewest .co.uk (Picture Andrew McLean).

3. To mark Young Carer Awareness Day

on 26 January – Carers Support Centre has worked with some of the young people looking after family members to make a film which will be shown in local schools. (Picture Carers Trust).

4. A new room has opened in Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery and Children’s Centre. Snowflakes Room is for children aged 2-4 years with additional needs. L to R: Staff Sarah Tanner, Gemma Gardiner, Tansy Masters and Sally Mullin. (Picture Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery and Children’s Centre). 5. Winner of The Knowledge Survey random draw Carmen Lord with husband John. She received a £50 shopping voucher. (Picture KWMC). 6. Children enjoying the newly

landscaped garden at Knowle West Children’s Centre, at Inns Court Family Centre. (Picture Matt Caldwell). See page 9.

‪ ‫@‏‬knowlewestcc‬ ‬ Saturday Dad’s Group is back at The House on Downton Road [on the Health Park]. Pop along and see our different... ‪http://fb.me/16GzpQ5LL ‬

7. There were tuxedos, sparkling dresses

and vodka martinis shaken not stirred… plus entertainment for guests at a James Bond night for one of Filwood Community Centre’s Filgood Fridays. L to R David Portwood, Brian Girling and Damien Girling. (Picture Kirsty Friend).

8. Cutting the cakes at Knowle West Media Centre’s 20th Birthday party in November by community members and people who had attended the centre’s groups. There was also a film and exhibition of how the organisation has grown in the 20 years. (Picture KWMC). See page17. 9. Fifteen nature lovers braved the frost and searched for wild flowers in Victoria Park and on the Northern Slopes in January. (Picture Alex Morss).

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Health

New Slimming Group for Knowle West

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A local slimming group has proved so popular – a second one is starting in Filwood this February. Knowle Slimming World group which meets at Filwood Community Centre on Mondays has been growing in number every week. Now a second one is opening at the community centre on Friday mornings. Kim James who runs the group says: “We currently help over 200 people every week and this new group means we will be able to help even more achieve their weight loss dream.” The group will run at Filwood Community Centre in Barnstaple Road on Fridays at 9.30am from 3 February. For more information ring Kim on 0792 002 3170. See page 14.

2017: I want to lose weight but just can’t seem to shift it…

new campaign has just launched in Bristol helping local people to become more ‘Sugar Smart’. Bristol City Council has teamed up with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and other local organisations, including the Bristol Sport Foundation and the University of the West of England. The new programme, led by the council’s public health team, will help people spot hidden sugars in food and drink. Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees said: “Rising obesity levels and dental problems are two major contributing factors to health inequalities in Bristol and we know that eating too much sugar plays a major role in this… “Throughout the year we’re going to be partnering with a wide range of different organisations, as we can make a greater impact by working together… “ Local organisations involved include the Square Food Foundation at The Park, which teaches people to cook from scratch and Knowle West Healthy Living Centre – which will be running events throughout the year. Information will also be going to the city’s GP surgeries, dentists and

children’s centres. The Sugar Smart programme will focus at first on reducing sugar consumption in schools; promoting healthy vending choices and Sugar Smart workplaces as well as a food award for restaurants and takeaways. Businesses keen to get involved should email sugarsmart@bristol.gov.uk For events at Knowle West Healthy Living Centre visit: www.knowlewesthealthpark. co.uk or www.facebook.com/kwhpc For more information about the campaign visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/web/live-wellbristol/sugar-smart

Book yourself a free ‘Health MOT’ at Knowle West Health Park and get those New Year’s good intentions back on track

Includes…….. • • • • •

Get Sugar Smart

Blood pressure, cholesterol and weight checks Lifestyle assessment Healthy lifestyle advice and information Smoking and weight management support Signposting to local health & wellbeing services

2017: This year I’ll be the same age my mum was when she had a heart attack. I’m worried I might be at risk….

If you are aged 40-‐74 years and not receiving treatment for a cardiovascular condition (diabetes, heart/kidney disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol), you could have a free NHS Health Check. Find out if you’re more at risk of heart attack or stroke, and what you can do to help prevent these, and other, health problems.

Free parking! Evening appointments available.

‫‏‬‪@DMellersh‬ ‬ Loved this morning’s spin class ‪@lesantoine‬‬ - great to see ‪@theparkknowle‬‬ thriving as a local community centre

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For more information or to book an appointment contact: Pip A’Ness, Health Checks Outreach Worker Tel. 0117 377 2255 paness@knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk

Health www.knowlewest.co.uk

Nikita Taylor (30) made a decision to go to Slimming World that dramatically changed her life… I used to suffer from really bad anxiety, from panic attacks - could never leave my house without my partner, never took my kids to school … now I can do all those things. I was stuck on my sofa just watching TV - I couldn’t even get off to take my young

Making the change

son to bed! I saw a picture of myself which made me realise I needed to lose the weight… My friend Julia was going to start Slimming World and I saw a chance and took it. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done walking through those doors but it’s now the best thing I have ever done. I was 19st 8 1/2lbs when I started and in size 24 clothes, I am now in size 10 but in some things I can get away with an 8! It took me 16 months to lose it and reach my target. I’ve gone on to pass my driving test and I’m not depressed anymore I get my bad days but I’m 80% better with it …I’ve never been happier. I feel like I’m alive now - so Slimming World really did save my life.

The main reason I did the new courses was to better myself and get qualifications to go on my CV ready for when I can finally return to work. I’m a single mum with two young children so at the moment it’s not possible... My friend Keisha and I did a course called Grow your Group so we could set up our group. Keisha came up with the name Our Time and between us we came up with group rules and guidelines and our aim of the group. There are now 10 members and a waiting list for the creche... I’ve gained confidence and skills during the courses as well as new friends. I would advise anyone to go on any of the courses as the staff are always so helpful and understanding…

Becky Lane (35) took courses at Community Learning to help her return to work.

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She has since set up and is joint leader of Our Time – a parent support group at Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery School and has become a Health Champion.

@LPWorg Our Knowle West play sessions are run in the Health park every Wednesday from 3:30 for ages 8-13 ‪@KPPSPrimary‬‬ ‪@Oasis_UK‬

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Want to advertise your business? Call Sue on 0117 903 0444.

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Save money and improve the comfort and energy-efficiency of your home!

Draughts between floorboards

Missing cavity wall insulation

Cold bathroom vent

Poorly fitted window

Through your local community, you can have an internal energy-loss survey of your home. Re:work is working with a non-profit local project called CHEESE (Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts). Together we can help you to decide how best to reduce your energy use and bills. We use thermal imaging to identify heat loss from draughts and poor insulation, and suggest remedies, many of which are cheap and easy to do, and may be suitable even if you don’t own your home. Re:work will also be carrying out external surveys of homes in the local area which we will be uploading to: www.heatview.co.uk .

Surveys are FREE to low-income households. For more information about the internal surveys or to apply for one: Visit: www.cheeseproject.co.uk Or email: surveys@cheeseproject.co.uk Advert

‫‏‬‪@CuroWorkingWell‬ ‬ Awesome new course in Digital Media from ‪@PrincesTrust‬‬ 13th-17th March at Knowle West Media Centre - to refer 16-25s ‪https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/referring-young-people/refer-‬‬

Who are we? We’ve been based here since 1996, supporting people to get the most out of digital technologies and the arts. Contact us: 0117 903 0444 or come to Leinster Avenue, BS4 1NL. Visit www.kwmc.org.uk and find knowlewestmedia on Facebook and Twitter.

We can make…homes

In 2017 we’ll be launching a new project that will explore how the community could work together to design and build the homes they want for Knowle West… In 2015 The Bristol Cable reported that Bristol is the least affordable major UK city after London in terms of housing and that many more affordable homes need to be built. How can we work together to address the problem? Over the next few months we’ll be bringing together local residents, artists, designers and architects to develop new approaches to

creating homes that are led by the community. We’d love to hear from you! • Is your home or garden too big or small? • Do you want to make some home improvements? • Do you need a new home and want to stay in Knowle West? • Are you interested in learning construction skills?

Stay Hungry perform at our 20th birthday party. Photo by Ibi Feher.

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For more details contact martha.king@kwmc.org.uk or give us a call on 0117 903 0444.

people can use, test and create technologies that tackle local issues and help to improve their lives and communities - from solar power projects to new businesses. The Top7 communities will be announced in February and the winner in June. Follow us on Twitter @knowlewestmedia or check our website to see the results.

20 years of art and activity On 22nd November over 150 people joined us to mark our 20th birthday and celebrate two decades of activity in Knowle West. Lord Mayor of Bristol and Filwood councilor Jeff Lovell opened the party, which included performances from young musicians involved in our XLR Sessions, the screening of a new film about the history of KWMC, and the opening of our special anniversary exhibition, 20/20 Visions. The exhibition includes new work by over 20 photographers in recognition of KWMC’s early years as a photography project. Several photographers worked with local people, featuring them in the pieces they made for the exhibition. The party concluded with the cutting of three cakes, one by young people involved in our after-school groups today, another by Knowle West Health Association, who we worked with in our earliest years, and another by young adults who helped to design our environmental building almost 10 years ago. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us at the party

Between now and April you can get involved in workshops and handson sessions, doing as much or little as you like. What’s most important is that you can share and test your ideas for real!

Exploring the 20/20 Visions exhibition. Photo by Ibi Feher.

and to the many people who have worked with us across the years. 20/20 Visions is open until the end of March 2017- drop in Monday to Friday and have a look. Find out more about what’s coming up at www.kwmc.org.uk or call 0117 903 0444. We’d love to hear from you!

Knowle West recognised as an international ‘Smart Community’ Late last year Knowle West was named as one of the world’stop ‘smart’ communities by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). 21 communities from around the world are in the running to be named 2017’s ‘Intelligent Community of the Year’ – and Knowle West is the only place in the UK to make the shortlist! ICF co-founder Louis Zacharilla described the shortlist as ‘agroup of cities, counties and ruralcommunities that…apply digital tools to building local economies and societies.’ We’re delighted that the area has been recognised as a place where technology is used for good: where

Events Half Term Photography Workshop 14th & 15th February (free) Learn how to take great photos, play with a camera as big as a bus and help make a display about Knowle West for the mShed museum. Ages 10-19. Call James on 0117 903 0444. Control-Alt-Delete Mondays, 4.30-6pm (free) Learn the basics of coding in a fun environment: work on apps, websites and your own creative projects. Call James on 0117 903 0444. Computers for Beginners Tuesdays, 10 – 11.30am (free for six weeks, then £3 p/w) A friendly environment for adults to learn more about computers and technology. Call 0117 903 0444. XLR Music Sessions Tuesdays, 6-8pm (free) Sessions for young people interested in learning more about music, from singing and rapping to playing an instrument. Call 0117 903 0444. Creative Hub Wednesdays, 5-7pm (free) A space for young people to create their own artwork and media projects. Call James on 0117 903 0444.

Healthy Living Centre in Knowle West For more information Call: 0117 377 2255 www.knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk Email: info@knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk

Keeping Active (for adults) Monday 11 - 12 Gentle Exercise Class. Studio. £2.50. For people with reduced mobility who want to stay fit. Tuesday 6 - 7 pm Hips, Bums and Tums. Studio. £3.50. 7 - 8pm Hips, Bums and Tums. Studio. £3.50. Two friendly groups to help you tone up. Wednesday 10.30 -11.45 Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing Studio. £3. Give yourself the gift of relaxation and let your mind and body release tension and stress. Thursday 6 - 7pm Step Aerobics. Studio. £3.50. Meet new friends and burn those calories. Regular Walking Groups Regular One, Two, Three Heart Walking groups and monthly social walks. Various days. Boot Camp—Military Style Tuesday/Thursday/Saturdays (mornings & evening) Call: Jason 07855 465872.

Healthy Eating Waist Watchers Free drop in weekly weigh-in, Monday 9.30 -10.30 & 4pm. Advice and support on how to lose weight sustainably.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Art Ease Group Feeling low or isolated? Our Art Group is aimed at people with mild to moderate mental health needs. Benefits include improved selfconfidence, learning new skills and making new friends. £1 per session. Call for referral. Relaxation/Massage & Baby Massage Course Regular courses running call for dates. Ear Acupuncture Gentle and relaxing therapy which can help with a whole range of medical issues, from general aches and pains to stress and anxiety. £2 a session. Man Alive! Are you free during the week and/or a stay at home dad? Support and activities for men of all ages.

Lip Reading Class (10 - 12pm Fridays) Supportive, friendly weekly class. £2.50 a session. Women of Worth (6.30 - 8.30pm Wednesdays) Friendly support group for local women with a range of activities most weeks.

One to One Advice Active Lifestyles Meet with our Wellbeing Co-ordinator to find out what’s available locally to help with your overall health and happiness. FREE. Pathways to Heath Free sessions with qualified health and wellbeing worker to advise, support and motivate you to make healthy lifestyle changes. FREE. Plus follow up support groups.

Fit & Fab A women’s only support group. Contact Sally Clements on 0117 903 0024 to make an appointment.

Children’s Activities Monday New Multi Sports Club. Monday, 4-5pm, outside/studio. £1. For boys and girls aged 5-11 of any ability. Activities include football, dodge ball, tennis, cricket, tag rugby, handball and lots more! Weekly prizes to be won. Text Barry on 0780 9483 191 or email smartsports@ blueyonder.co.uk Tuesdays 9.30 - 10.30am Time for Me Time for my Child including. Stretch ‘n’ Grow Age: 2 - 5 years. Studio. 50p. Lots of fun and games for pre-schoolers. Wednesday 3pm - 5pm Free Play Session—open access. Age 8 -12years. Outside in Health Park. Free. A wide range of activities games, arts and crafts, camp fire cooking (with Learning Partnership West)

GET HELP TO STOP SMOKING Help to switch over to vaping or quit completely. Contact Stella Picton on 07739649839 for FREE advice and book an appointment.

Other services The Green House - Rape and sexual abuse counselling for men & children (under 18 yrs) Call: 0117 935 1707. Diabetes UK Support Group For anyone affected by diabetes. Call: 07494 849 739. Arthritis Care Monthly Drop-in Information & support for people with arthritis. Call: 01934 316 346. Off The Record Young People’s Counselling Call: 0808 808 9120.

5.30 - 6.30pm. Mini Beatz Street Dance Classes. Age: 6 - 10 years. Studio. £3.50. 6.30 - 7.30pm Fresh Beatz Dance Classes. Age 11 - 17 years. Studio. £4. Regardless of age or ability, come and try street dancing.

Free Health Checks

School holiday Sports Fun Days 10am - 3pm During school holidays Age 4 - 11 years. Outside/Studio. £5. Well organised, fun packed sports days for boys and girls. Tel: 07809 483 191.

• Book now for a FREE blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and lifestyle check

• Aged 40-74 years?

• Help yourself to stay healthier for longer*. Contact Pip A’Ness on 0773 9649 778 or paness@ knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk. * exclusions apply

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The Park & Youth Moves

Daventry Road, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 1DQ www.theparkknowle.org.uk 0117 903 9770

www.theparkknowle.org.uk

Get into shape this year

The Park has a full gym on site. We can help with your 2017 resolutions to get fit and lose weight! We have highly qualified, friendly personal trainers who can give you one to one support and design a fitness programme for you. A session costs £25. You can use the gym on a pay as you go basis from £3 per session or we have very reasonable monthly memberships from £15 per month.

Community venue of the year

We have been awarded VOSCUR Community Venue of the Year by public vote. It’s a great honour and encouragement for us and we were very proud to receive the award from Mayor Marvin Rees at a special celebration evening.

Education at The Park recognised with new investment

The Park is now the South Anchor Hub partner for West of England works. This means that we will be helping more young people and adults in South Bristol to gain employment and vocational training. West of England Works is a collaboration of locally based voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations working across the West of England with a history of working in partnership to support people in communities who face complex and multiple barriers to accessing work. It has investment from the National Lottery. For further information about this development and about a wide range of education and training opportunities that we provide at The Park, please get in touch with Louise Hunt our Director of Education.

Street Games Split up with your sofa Aged 15-17 and looking for something amazing to do this summer? Split up with the sofa and come and join over 100 other young people from across South Bristol on NCS - an experience to change your life. Two weeks of living away from home, living with your friends and trying new experiences - all for a maximum of £50, can’t say fairer than that! For more info call us or visit www.ncswest.co.uk

Mixed sports session for young people aged 12+. Monday evenings at The Park Sports Hall 6-7pm with Birm - contact david.johnson@ youthmoves.org.uk or just turn up.

Urban Escape Like being outside and getting hands on? Then join our Juniors Mondays 4.30-6.30pm or Seniors Thursday 5-7pm at our amazing Roundhouse at Springfield Allotments - for more info contact ben.carpenter@ youthmoves.org.uk

Be part of our community

Would you like to be part of The Park community? We have two offices available to rent. You could join the sole traders, organisations and charities working on our site and be part of a fun, supportive network benefitting from all the facilities that we have at The Park, including a gym and cafe. Prices start from £85 per week. For further information, pop in to see us or call 0117 903 9770. We also have rooms to hire for meetings and conferences. Get in touch for more details.

Parkfest 2017

A date for your diary! ParkFest returns to The Park on Saturday 22nd April. It’s a fun Arts Festival celebrating all types of art, from graffiti to performance. There will be something for everyone to enjoy and take part in, including painting, circus, dance, food and music.

Music Drop-In Make use of our music recording, band practice and DJing facilities every Tues and Weds from 2-8pm. It’s free - book your spot with Joe at joe.dorsett@ youthmoves.org.uk or call in any time.

Youth Opinions Want to have your say on what we do and what happens locally, meet new friends and have loads of fun? Then come along any Monday 5-7.30pm at The Park or contact Den denise.clifford@youthmoves. org.uk Whatever your motivation then Youth Moves can help to provide what you’re looking for. We are based at The Park but run sessions across South Bristol, in community venues and secondary schools. All sessions are free, come on down to find out more.

What are your plans for 2017 ? Looking for something to do, new opportunities, a chance to change your life, experiences to remember for a lifetime?

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Find out more about what we are up to find us via our Twitter @InfoYouthMoves or Facebook pages - Youth Moves and Urban Escape Bristol, call in to see us at The Park, phone the office 903 9796 or find us on the Rife Guide website.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY There are lots of great things happening in our community - including many regular groups and activities. Your community website has an events calendar: www.knowlewest.co.uk/events To add your organisation or event contact Sue, Knowledge Editor on 0117 903 0444.

EVENTS Filgood Friday

Friday 10 February Chinese New Year celebration at Filwood Community Centre. Advance tickets: Filwood Community Centre Office; re:Store on Filwood Broadway or visit www. filwoodcommunitycentre.org.uk

International Women’s Day event

Saturday 4 March at M Shed, Harbourshide from 11am- 5pm.

Wellbeing Sessions

ADULTS Learn Something New

Community Learning is organising free courses in the local area - open to anyone aged 19 plus, some with a crèche available. Visit www.community learningwest.net or contact Lucy Fieldhouse, 0117 903 9763/0778 835 3446. Facebook Page - The Learning Community Team.

Over 50s Wellbeing Tasters

Wednesdays 2-4pm at Filwood Community Centre with the ACE service. No need to book. For information and support call the ACE helpline on 0117 239 8969.

Green Gym

Thursdays at 10.15am on the Northern Slopes - meet next to 105 Wedmore Vale. A working walk on the first session of each month. Just turn up.

Saturday events for young families from 11am – 1pm. 11 Feb, Storytelling and Puppet Making, 18 Feb Storytelling and Comic Drawing; 25 Feb Window Wanderland Crafting. To book call the library on 0117 903 8574.

Tuesday 28 February and 7 March at Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster,10 - 11.30am. Free sessions looking at ways to manage loneliness. Followed by 8 week Wellbeing Course from 4 April, Tuesdays 10-1pm. Email: Byron@happycity.org.uk or call 01454 774463 or 0747 440 8024. See page 10.

Filwood Chase History Society

Bemmie Window Wanderland

Cultural Cooking Classes

Monday, Thursday and Friday at Knowle West Health Association, 49b Filwood Broadway. Phone 0796 973 7076 or email kwhacounselling@yahoo.com Sessions by appointment only.

Marksbury Road Library

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March 6-9pm. See windows transformed into an outdoor gallery. For more information: www.windowwanderland.com

ParkFest

Saturday 22 April at The Park in Daventry Road, 12-6pm. Arts Festival celebrating all types of art, from graffiti to performance. Also painting, circus and dance as well as food and music.

Lee Abbey Silver Anniversary Celebration Saturday 22 April at Filwood Community Centre, Barnstaple Road, 2-4pm. Free entry and buffet food. For more information: www.leeabbey.org.uk/smc/ promotions/25-years-in-knowle -west/ See page 8.

Free Family Fun Day

Monday 1 May, Filwood Park, 3-5pm (time tbc). Organised by Bristol Noise with bouncy castle, face painting and talent show.

Knowle West Health Association (KWHA), 49b Filwood Broadway. Led by people from the community. Starting again in the spring. Contact KWHA for details on 0117 963 9569. Visit www. kwha1.wordpress.com

Over 50s Film Club

Silver Screen meets monthly at Novers Park Community Centre, Tuesday afternoons from 1.30pm. Next dates: 14 Feb, 14 March and 11 April. Contact Karron on 0117 907 7038/0776 084 9371.

Weekly Adult Volunteer Group

Tuesdays 11am-3pm for over 18s at the Roundhouse, Springfield Allotments, Andover Road. Learn about gardening, cooking and bushcraft. Shared lunch provided. Contact Ben: 0117 903 9796 or email ben.carpenter@ youthmoves.org.uk

Coffee Morning

Last Saturday of the month at Filwood Library at 11am.

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 1 - 4.30pm at The Park in Daventry Road. Contact Ivor Grimsted on 0785 676 9285 or email filwoodchase@gmail.com

Counselling

Free Cookery Course

Free ten-week cookery course at Square Food Foundation, The Park in Daventry Road for anyone 19 plus with learning difficulties. Open day 24 April 2017. Starts Monday 8 May 1.30 3.30pm. Call 0117 904 6679.

FAMILIES Filwood Library

Pre-school Story Times, Fridays at 2pm. Baby Bounce and Rhyme Wednesdays at 11.30am. Baby Hub,Tuesdays 10-11.15am, run by Knowle West Children’s Centre. Dropin sessions for parents with babies and toddlers under two. All groups term time only.

Printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks

Toy Library Sessions

Fridays 2-4pm at Oasis Academy, Marksbury Road. Visit www.southbristoltoylibrary.co.uk

Free Wild Play Toddler Sessions

Every other Thursday from early Feb,1 - 2.30pm on the Northern Slopes (meet next to Bommie entrance 105 Wedmore Vale). Fun, outdoor games and activities for 2-4 year olds. Visit avonwild lifetrust.org. uk/mywildchild

Little Beacon Parents and Toddler Group

Friday mornings (term time only) 9.30 - 11am at the Salvation Army Hall, Padstow Road. For ages 0-3 but older siblings welcome. For more information call Charlotte Bramley on 0117 966 1369.

Parenting Groups

Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery School and Children’s Centre has lots of groups running. “Like” them on Facebook to see timetables.

YOUNG PEOPLE NEETs Career Advice

Mondays 12-2pm at Filwood Library. Advice and guidance for young people not in education, employment or training, from Learning Partnership West.

Girlguiding Groups

Tuesdays at 5.45pm at Connaught Oasis Community Hub. Rainbow (for girls 5-7). Brownie groups (7-10). Email: Viki at viki@ggswe.org.uk

Scouting Groups

Salvation Army Hall on Padstow Road. Beavers (6-8 years), Mondays 5.45 - 6.45pm. Cubs (8-10 and a half years), Wednesdays at 6.30 - 8pm. Scouts (10 and a half-14 years), Mondays 7 - 8.30pm. Email Kathryn. Lees@scouts.org.uk

Tap and Drama Group

Knowle West Arts Promotion Group for ages 5 plus (and parents) meets Tuesdays 5-8pm at Filwood Community Centre. Contact Gloria Tucker 0117 953 2986 or 0751 358 8416.

Issue 76 (May - August 2017) Copy deadline: 7 April Delivered to your door from 15 May

All dates are subject to change – keep an eye on the Knowledge website for definite dates.