Long Ashton & Failand Voice April 2023

North Somerset Council wins £150K funding for more trees

NORTH Somerset Council has successfully bid for £150,000 in funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund (WCAF). This will be used to plant 31,000 more trees across the area by December 2025, in addition to trees for privatelyowned woodland.

The council said: “The new trees will contribute to the council’s wider aim, as set out in its Green Infrastructure Strategy, to increase canopy cover across the area to help mitigate the effects of climate change. This will also address some of the expected tree loss due to Ash Dieback disease.”

Two wildlife and woodland expansion officers will be appointed – supported by the funding – who will focus on increasing tree-planting capacity.

They will be tasked with helping to deliver the planting of 20,000 new trees on public land; 10,000 additional trees to aid natural flood management; and 1,000 additional new trees

alongside urban roads.

The team will also be encouraging private landowners to plant trees on the land they own, which, the council estimates, “could create an additional 40-60 hectares of woodland planted on private land alone”.

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for

neighbourhoods and community services, said: “We’re working hard to address the climate and nature emergency… [this funding] provides us with an opportunity to significantly boost our tree-planting programme and expand on the success of our rewilding programme. This is key to delivering our ambitious Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Continued on page 6

Funding needed to open Library of Things

FOLLOWING the success of Kingswood’s Share Bristol Library of Things, the volunteer team behind the venture is now hoping to open a library in Bedminster, in response to calls from people within Bristol for a library nearer to them.

But the team needs some funding and support from local people to make it a reality.

How it works

The Share Library is open to everyone, no matter where they live.

To use the library, you simply pay an annual membership fee of £50, with a cheaper rate for those on low incomes, and then everything is free to borrow. Simply reserve the items you want through the online booking system.

You can borrow anything from carpet cleaners and leaf blowers, to travel cots, roller skates, gazebos, and ice-cream makers – even a giant inflatable duck for trips to the seaside!

The Library of Things encourages people to donate the things they don’t use, which are repaired and serviced by volunteers, and then borrowed and used over and over again.

Anna Perry, a volunteer director of Share Bristol, said: “Most people have loads of things that they only use a few times a year, sitting around cluttering up their homes. By donating something to the library, you’re getting it out of the house, but can still borrow it whenever you want.”

Can you help?

Share Bristol is currently applying for grants to set up the Bedminster library but is also looking for people to lend a hand. Simply email them at hello@sharebristol.org.uk or visit www.sharebristol.org.uk if you can help. If you want to support the team and

The Cinnamon Trust needs volunteers

COULD you walk a dog once a week, help with cat care or even foster a pet if its owner is taken ill?

Volunteering at the Cinnamon Trust is flexible and the trust helps people over 65 who either live on their own or with someone who is unable to manage pet care. It also supports the pet care needs of owners of any age who are in the latter stages of a terminal illness.

The level of support the trust is able to provide is always dependent on how many volunteers it has in the area. The service is free of charge to the owner, and the trust is always grateful for any fundraising efforts by its volunteers or donations from well-wishers to help secure its future.

The Cinnamon Trust offers short-term foster care should owners need a hospital or respite stay where the pet stays in a

donate, you can donate via its crowd funder campaign by the end of March at https:// bit.ly/3JeOvAw and see your donation doubled, thanks to the support of Aviva Community Foundation. And if you donate £50, you will also get a voucher for an annual membership in return.

If you can lend a hand, the team is also looking for volunteers to run the library –assisting members, checking things in and out, giving things a clean and a service when they’ve been borrowed, and a PAT test every six months.

Plus, Share Bristol is currently looking for a new director to join its board of volunteers, as well as a finance expert.

volunteer’s home until their owner is discharged and they can return home.

If you can help, or to find out more about the trust, please contact the Welcome Team on 01736 758701 or email sallycollins@cinnamon.org.uk

Ashton Court seeks volunteers

FRIENDS of Ashton Court Mansion is looking for new volunteers who can:

• Give guided talks around the house focusing on its architecture and history.

• Help gather social and personal histories of people who have had past associations with the house.

• Bring new digital and media skills

• Keep an eye on the building

Plus, it is looking for volunteer researchers and historians to review the existing materials, gather more information & present to the public.

To find out more or to offer your volunteering skills, please visit www.facebook.com/mansionfriends/ or email famvolunteering@gmail.com

Mon Pote turns 7!

CONGRATULATIONS to Mon Pote on celebrating its 7th birthday! Owner Anna Clements said:

“I am so proud that my little shop turns seven this April. Having opened the shop selling a small range of Scandinavian homewares in 2016, I had no idea what the next few years would bring. The shop had a lovely response from the local community and moved to a bigger unit at 217 North Street in 2020. We hope to keep bringing joy to BS3 and beyond for the next seven years.”

South face of Ashton Court – photo by Friends of Ashton Court Mansion

£150K tree funding

Cont’d from p1

“An important part of this will be the work we do with help from private landowners. This will be at locations we’ve highlighted where tree planting would improve quality of life, woodland connectivity, and flood risk alleviation. Our two new officers will be out talking to people from the summer and I urge anyone approached to do all they can to work with us on this.”

Councillor Bridget Petty, executive member responsible for climate emergency, said: “Tackling the climate and ecological emergencies is a key priority for the council. It’s vital not just in the long-term, but also important in the health, wellbeing and safety of our residents in the short-term.

“Increasing the number of trees planted across North Somerset will help to make

the area more resilient by purifying air, cooling our towns, combatting flooding, and all while enhancing the wellbeing of our residents and visitors.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure dedicated funds to help us make North Somerset greener and healthier. This is a real step forward in our ongoing work to tackle the climate emergency.”

James Fry, Forestry Commission South West Director, said: “Trees make our local areas healthier and more pleasant places to be, helping to moderate temperatures, reduce pollution, decrease flood risk and improve people’s quality of life.

“Local authorities, such as North Somerset Council, are uniquely placed to deliver the government’s tree-planting ambitions and we are proud to provide funding to support the trees the council will plant.”

To find out more on the council’s climate emergency strategy, visit https://bit. ly/3YUm14K. For its Green Infrastructure Strategy, go to https://bit.ly/3JGQWx7

Avon & Somerset:

ALMOST half the officers in Avon & Somerset Police are fresh-faced recruits with less than four years’ experience, it has been revealed.

Chief constable Sarah Crew said that more than 1,500 of the 3,316 currently in the force had joined since the government launched its police uplift programme in 2019 to recruit an extra 20,000 bobbies in England and Wales by the end of March 2023, following a decade of cuts.

But she said that while the constabulary had exceeded its target set by the Home Office, she understood why the public were still dissatisfied with the force because it takes years to train new officers and then even longer to build up the experience and knowledge required from working on the beat.

The police chief was answering questions from police & crime commissioner Mark Shelford at the monthly

Nordic walking is so much more than an effective total-body exercise

performance and accountability board.

Mr Shelford asked: “Each force was given its own target to meet – the target for Avon & Somerset was a total of 3,291 officers.

“We are now only three weeks away from that target date, so can you please assure me that we are on target?”

Chief constable Crew said: “I can confirm that as of today we have 3,316 officers within the organisation, so that does exceed our target already.

“During the course of the year, we successfully applied to the Home Office to fund a further 80 officers on top of our additional target.

“We anticipate that at the end of March we will even exceed that and have 3,385, which is an additional 94 officers on top of our total.

“So that means that, since April 2019, we will have recruited over 1,500 new officers into the constabulary

Come and join us to see why Nordic is walking one of the fastest growing fitness activities in the world! It turns a walk into a total body workout and is fun, sociable and fabulous for your fitness.

You can lose weight, tone up and start enjoying exercise. Come and join us by visiting our website and booking onto a one-off Beginners Workshop where you will learn the correct technique. Once completed you will be able to join us on any of our regular hour-long fitness walks which run 7 days a week.

We walk in Clifton Downs, Ashton Court, Blaise Castle, Oldbury Court in Fishponds, Leigh Woods, Stoke Park, Royal Victoria Park in Bath and Rainbow Woods. We also do special walks in other areas around Bristol.

In

and

comes from cross country skiing, and like skiing you’ll use your upper body muscles as well as your lower body. Nordic walking can be used from rehabilitation all the way up to super-fitness. This effective, fun sport is recommended by health professionals and suitable for most fitness levels.

You can also walk and talk so you’ll make a whole new circle of friends.

You’ll burn more calories than ordinary walking, shape and tone your body and improve your posture and circulation. And as you’re outdoors you’ll feel all the powerful and calming effects of being in nature – your mind is just as important as your body.

https://bristolnordicwalking.co.uk

brief, Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to help propel you forwards

upwards. It

Inexperienced police force

in total, 1,000 of them through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) scheme and 300 through our degree holder entry programme, largely targeting detectives straight into the organisation.

“That is a tremendous achievement, especially given the challenges at the start with the pandemic.”

She said the extra officers meant the force could restore some specialist teams that had been lost or reduced during austerity, such as CID, firearms response, proactive crimefighting, violence reduction unit, fraud and cyber crime, neighbourhood policing, rural officers and detectives investigating sexual offences, child sexual exploitation and child abuse.

“We are seeing some positive results from that,” the chief constable said.

“We do need to keep this under review as financial pressures, demands and public

expectations change, but we hope to keep to this intent over the next five years.”

Mr Shelford said: “It’s very positive but my postbag doesn’t reflect that from the public’s concerns and they haven’t yet seen that improvement in services.

“Why do you think that is and when do you think they will start to see improvement?”

Chief constable Crew said at the meeting on Thursday, 9 March: “Building and, in some cases, rebuilding some of those capabilities does take time.

“The PCDA programme is three years, so starting from attracting people and recruiting them in 2019, bringing them into the organisation and then training them, it does have a lead-in time.

“The degree holder entry programme is two years, so there are the same challenges.

“We are just starting now to see our 2019 and 2020 PCDA cohorts graduating.

“We’re just seeing our 2021 direct entry detectives graduating.

“Over the course of the next two years, 14 to 16 cohorts will come through, so the bulk of those 1,500 officers we’ve recruited are not going to be fully where they need to be until three years from now.

“We are also seeing not just new people coming in but a significant shift in the experience levels.

“1,500 new officers of a total of just over 3,000 is about 45% of the workforce, so we do need to rebuild capability as well as capacity. That takes time.

“Right now we have the highest numbers ever of officers in training at university; we have the highest numbers of officers being tutored; and we have the highest numbers ever working towards accreditation.

“That bodes for a really positive future, but I can understand why the public aren’t feeling it right now.

“Those CID that we’re investing in, we won’t hit our target numbers and accreditation until early 2025, so that gives a sense of timescales.

“We are probably at our peak growing pains right now. There will be another smaller peak at the beginning of next year, but from then we will start to see building and building and strengthening and strengthening and improved performance for the public as well.”

Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

The value of a community pharmacy

A BUS STOP, a postbox and a local community pharmacy? No, not a joke, but the top three things wanted within a 15-minute walk or cycle from our homes. The result of a recent YouGov poll showed that the majority of the public (62%) would support their area becoming a ‘15-minute neighbourhood’.

Notably, all three are vital to our health and wellbeing. Why? A well-functioning public transport system reduces traffic congestion, encouraging us to walk and cycle more, thereby reducing air pollution – which we know impacts all our health, especially children, older people and people with heart, breathing and underlying health conditions.

Whatever your views on the postal service – connecting and communicating with others are the

pillars for building and maintaining relationships. Receiving and sending cards, parcels and letters (with some exceptions) help facilitate this, alongside reliable, superfast fibre broadband.

A key question, then: “What is a ‘community pharmacy’?”

Community pharmacies were known in the past as chemists. Like GPs, community pharmacies are part of the NHS family, underscored by the fact that, compared to our colleagues, we all joined at its inception, the appointed day, 5 July 1948.

Every day, about 1.6 million people visit a pharmacy in England, with 89% of the population within a 20-minute walk, increasing to over 99% in areas of highest deprivation. Community pharmacies offer a convenient and

ADVICE FROM A PHARMACIST with Ade Williams

less formal environment for those who cannot easily – or do not choose to – access other kinds of health services.

Rigorous training

The training and regulatory oversight are rigorous, with five years of an initial Master’s degree qualification and a lifelong commitment to continuing professional development –one in four now practise and prescribe independently. Almost all pharmacies have private consultation rooms; we have two here in Bedminster Pharmacy, specifically for clinical procedures and confidential or sensitive discussions.

Recently, community pharmacies have become the local NHS gateway and a cornerstone

of universal accessibility, while being socially inclusive. In Bristol, our local NHS enables more clinical services to help get speedy health access. Urinary tract infections (water infections), sore throat, rashes on the face, and eye infections in children of all ages are covered. NHS 111 and GP surgeries will now also refer for treatment.

At Bedminster Pharmacy, alongside various affordable private health services, we are proud to be a leading light and champion of the NHS.

Community pharmacies remain a reliable bellwether of how the NHS is faring. The team in our Bedminster Pharmacy embodies the shared clinical teamwork and dedication that succeeds against the odds.

Local groups benefit from Long Ashton Parish Council grants

IN March, the parish council considered grant applications from local groups. There was a significant demand on the budgeted allocation of £7,500, yet the council was able to contribute to each application.

All Saints Church for Keedwell – for a picnic table with bench seats outside Keedwell Church for the whole community to enjoy the lovely setting by the blossom trees.

Long Ashton Bereavement Group – to provide help with room hire costs. The group meets every fortnight and is open to anyone.

Wellspring Counselling Ltd – counselling provision for residents of Long Ashton and surrounding areas.

Digilocal – a weekly coding

club for local children and young adults at the Community Centre with a focus on less advantaged groups.

Long Ashton Football Club – to employ a contractor to excavate existing hidden goal post sockets and replace them with concrete.

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity –provides emergency air ambulance care. They had 10 callouts to Long Ashton and Leigh Woods in 2022. Each mission cost £2,000.

Long Ashton Scout Group –towards the cost of fencing the site for the new purpose-built headquarters off Wild Country Lane in Long Ashton.

Long Ashton Growers Community Coop – to fund net and pegs to protect brassica

crops in the communal plots. This crop is very vulnerable to attack from birds and pests which causes the loss of significant quantities of produce. Nailsea and District Community Transport – provision of community transport to the elderly and disabled. Currently supporting 14 Long Ashton members and assisting the Community Network.

Long Ashton Community Network – to provide regular events for those who are socially isolated. The Tea Events will provide a space for those over 50s to meet with food and entertainment, plus a Christmas dinner event.

Long Ashton Royal British Legion – plus Football Club, LA Manshed, LACA, LA Together

and others – to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on the evening of Saturday 6 May 2023, to be held in Peel Park.

Youth Grants

Long Ashton District Girl Guides – towards replacement front doors at the Guide Headquarters as the wood is rotten.

Long Ashton (All Saints) Scout Group – to buy an additional tent and equipment for the Ten Tors walking challenge.

It was decided that the Large Grant Policy 2023/24 be recommended to Full Council for approval. This policy will cover large grants that are typically paid to Long Ashton Community Association and the Youth Club.

THE BRISTOL SOUTH SPACE PROGRAM

Photo ID needed for local elections

LOCAL elections are taking place on Thursday 4 May 2023, from 7am til 10pm. But, this time, to vote in England, you will need valid photo ID to show in your local polling station. Approved forms of photo identification include:

• Various concessionary travel passes; PASS cards

• Ministry of Defence identity cards

• Photocard parking permits issued as part of the Blue Badge scheme

• Driver’s licence

• Passport

Expired photographic identification will also be accepted (if the photograph is of a good enough likeness).

Photographic ID will also be needed for future Police and Crime Commissioner elections; UK parliamentary by-elections;

Recall petitions; and, from October 2023, UK General Elections.

Local polling stations

Long Ashton

• Keeds Hall, Long Ashton Community Centre, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton

• Church House, 74 Long Ashton Road, Long Ashton, Bristol

Failand

• Failand Village Hall, Oxhouse Lane, Failand

Backwell • Backwell Parish Hall, Station Road, Backwell

Leigh Woods

• St Mary’s Church (The Vestry), Leigh Woods

Wraxhall

• Wraxall Cross Tree Centre, Adjacent All Saints Church

For other North Somerset local polling stations, please go to: https://bit.ly/3KYLEhG

To advertise, contact Ruth on 07590 527 664 or email ruth@longashtonandfailandvoice.co.uk

n NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS

Local councils to take coordinated action to address the impact of Durnford Quarry

I know a rural identity is important to the communities of Long Ashton, Failand and Wraxall, and having represented these communities for four years, I am aware of how this is challenged. Driven by the closeness of Bristol, these challenges come in many forms, from developers seeking to build on Green Belt; noise from Bristol Airport; fly tipping; and traffic on rural roads.

The latest challenge is the impact of Durnford Quarry. It provides aggregates to businesses across North Somerset, Bristol, and Bath, yet has a significant impact on both Long Ashton and Failand. I have received many complaints recently regarding mud on Clarken Coombe and Longwood Lane. More worryingly, I have heard stories of debris impacting residents’ vehicles.

I want to reassure residents that action is being taken to deal with these issues. I am working with my colleague Cllr Cartman

and the two parish councils, Long Ashton and Failand & Wraxall, to gather evidence of issues and push the quarry to take more actions to clean vehicles and the surrounding roads.

I am discussing possible enforcement actions with officers whilst also maintaining a dialogue with quarry management. I will be meeting regularly with quarry management and reporting through parish meetings on progress.

New homes on Green Belt land

A NEW development of 11 homes has been submitted for planning on the former garage at Cambridge Batch on Green Belt land. The proposed development would include three affordable homes – two for social renting and one on a shared ownership basis. These units will be purchased by HARP (a Housing Association Registered Provider or a HARP approved by the Council).

In addition, three five-bedroom and five four-bedroom homes are proposed.

You can view plans here: https://bit.ly/3mMWIEh and, if you would like to comment on the plans, please go to: https://bit.ly/3TiHfrJ and click on the ‘Make a comment’ tab.

With the world becoming ever more digital, it’s nice to be able to welcome the launch of a new local magazine, and it’s a pleasure to be able to contribute to this first edition. I wish them every success. We are all very lucky to live so close to both Bristol and to open countryside. Sadly, this makes many of our lanes ideal for fly tipping. Although action has been taken and, for the first time in years, offenders have been prosecuted, I believe more needs to be done.

When fly tipping is cleared, evidence is gathered, but if none is found, the culprits get away with it. That’s why I’m pushing for more mobile cameras to be used to catch people in the act.

In Long Ashton they have been used successfully in Yanley Lane, but I would like to see their use extended to Wild Country Lane.

In Failand, I believe Sandy Lane should be the priority as it has been popular with fly tippers in the past.

Please let me know what you think, and if there are any other

places where action is needed. I’m here to help.

Finally, we have local elections on 4 May, so please remember to register to vote if you need to. The deadline for registration is 17 April. They are also the first elections where you will need to take photo ID with you to the polling station to vote.

More information on what ID can be accepted can be found on the Electoral Commissions website (and see story on p10).

Councillor Stuart McQuillan (he/him)

Green Party

Councillor Ashley Cartman Liberal Party

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Celebrating our first year

RED Bus is celebrating its first year in North Somerset! Doors opened in June 2022 after a complete renovation of a residential home on Old Weston Road. Red Bus has been operating in Bristol for over a decade. When asked why she started Red Bus, owner Liz Hogarth said:

“As part of a large family, I’ve always been interested in working with children. It was only when looking for childcare for my daughter that I realised the very real demand for quality, wellrun nurseries. My vision took shape and I took to the property market, renovating a superb building in Coombe Dingle – and my daughter was one of the first children to attend!

“After successfully opening a second setting in Downend and spurred on by so much positive feedback, I set my sights closer to home, opening our third setting in Flax Bourton last year. The Red Bus journey won’t stop here, as we continue to grow our small cluster of exceptional childcare settings and recruit the best, most passionate practitioners. Together, as one team, we are creating a very special place for children.”

Their environments tap into children’s innate sense of curiosity. In each of the three rooms children are encouraged to investigate, question

and, most importantly, play. From music to messy play to mindfulness, children access many opportunities that inspire curious minds.

Outdoor learning is vital to development, and the gardens are as considered as the interiors – providing opportunities to take risks, build imaginations and connect to nature. Areas for planting, climbing and construction sit under established trees which provide shade for their Cosy Cabin.

In a time where the Early Years sector struggles to recruit, an experienced team provides a strong base for children. All staff are united in a passion for their role – finding joy in creating relationships with children, building a partnership with parents, and living the values of Red Bus every day.

To celebrate its first anniversary, Red Bus will be hosting an open day on Saturday 10th June. Existing families, prospective parents, neighbours and all the local community are welcome to attend.

Exterior of our building before

Exterior of our building now

n NEWS

WESTlink, a new demandresponsive transport (DRT) app, is due to launch this April for rural areas

People living in some areas of Somerset with poor public transport will soon be able to get to where they need to go with a few taps on a new app.

Covering parts of North Somerset and North East Somerset, as well as Bristol and South Gloucestershire, WESTlink on-demand bus service aims to link people in areas without good public transport to mainline routes.

You will be able to book journeys online on the new WESTlink website, by phone, or by the new app — which councillors on North Somerset Council’s place policy and scrutiny panel saw a preview of at their meeting on March 8.

The council’s public transport manager, Carl Nicholson, said that WESTlink buses had “no fixed route; no fixed timetable”.

Instead, the 30 minibuses that will run across the scheme will go where people need them,

New bus app due to launch

plotting routes to pick up and drop off everyone who books a journey. Nicholson said that the app – which is still being worked on and could change before launch – will send a WESTlink minibus to a bus stop near your selected start point when you book, and tell you when the minibus is nearly there.

The minibuses will serve over 1,800 existing bus stops and extra ‘virtual bus stops’, including a stop at Bristol Airport.

But a WESTlink bus will not always take you straight to your chosen destination, as the bus may be diverting to pick up and drop off other passengers along the best route calculated for everyone who has booked travel.

If you need to be somewhere at a certain time, choosing an ‘arrive by’ time, rather than a time to be picked up, is planned to be possible.

The minibuses will go anywhere within their set zone, of which there are three: a large

‘South’ zone covering most of rural North Somerset and North East Somerset, as well as some areas of South Bristol; a ‘North’ zone covering most of rural South Gloucestershire; and a Future Travel Zone in some of Bristol’s northern suburbs, where several new innovations are being trialled for 12 months.

Journeys will be able to be booked from 24 hours to one hour in advance, and will cost £2 for an adult and £1 for a child. Concessions and bus passes will be accepted. You will be able to pay through the app or in cash on the bus.

A joint venture between North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority,

WESTlink is funded by a £6m investment from the Department of Transport as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan funding. The funding covers the scheme for two years, after which it will have to be sustainable to continue.

The scheme is being run by operator ViaVan in the North zone and WeDRT in the South zone. ViaVan is behind the WESTlink app while WeDRT will handle the call centre, but both the app and phone line will take bookings for the whole scheme. Tech days will be held in libraries to teach people how to use the app.

By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter

Picture This with Nick Church

I’M Nick Church from Nick Church Photography, and in a series of articles for Long Ashton & Failand Voice, I’ll be sharing hints, tips and advice on the popular topic of photography.

The best camera is the one you have on you, and for most of us that’s our phone. With huge technical advances, you can take some good snaps. And by employing my ‘Top Tips to Better Phone Pictures’, you will improve them further and get pretty professional-looking photos.

1. Go landscape

People often take phone photos in portrait orientation, but putting your phone on its side can immediately improve composition. By including more context, you add interest.

Nailsea squad heads to Rosslyn Park

NAILSEA School is to take part in the world’s largest schools rugby 7s tournament – Rosslyn Park. This is a fantastic success, as it’s the first team of its kind in recent history to compete on behalf of Nailsea School.

With a history dating back to 1939, Rosslyn Park 7s has evolved into the largest school rugby tournament with over 10,000 boys and girls aged 11-18 competing annually.

The Nailsea School squad was selected as one of 275 teams in the U16 Colts category for 2023. With over 1,000 state and private schools applying for the tournament in 2022/23, it is a fantastic achievement for the squad and the school.

2. Check your horizon

A wonky horizon makes photos look amateurish. Check your composition is nice and straight before you shoot. You can straighten it after using the phone editing tools but it’s slicker to get it right first time.

Mrs Elliott, headteacher, said: “I am so thrilled that our Under-16 Colts are on their way to Rosslyn Park. The team has worked hard both on and off the pitch to make this happen. Well done to them and to their coaches – they should be very proud of the success they have earned.”

The tournament draws inspiration from current and past professional players, coaches and support staff. Participating students will be able to immerse themselves in an elite environment playing against and watching the next academy and international rugby stars of the future.

The students will attend the event on 22 & 23 March, with 14 students from years 10 and 11 selected for the team. The students were thankful to have received sponsorship from Pure Comms, JSR and the Nailsea School PTA, as well as working on fundraising themselves to help cover the costs of a new kit, away-day hoodie and travel.

3. Rule of thirds

Whatever you are photographing, try placing the subject into a third of the composition; imagine grid lines like in this image. The result will be more artistic than if the subject is bang in the middle.

World Book Day fun at

Northleaze

FROM Alices and Gruffalos to Wizards, Wimpy Kids and Zog, the alphabet of children’s books was celebrated at Northleaze Primary School on World Book Day.

Friday 3 March saw children and staff embody their favourite book by dressing up as a character, wearing comfy pyjamas ready for a story or bringing in items related to their literary choice.

Next month: everyday scenes

When you are building up experience, things in the house, garden, or on your street can make great photos. I’d love you to send your favourite photos of everyday things to nick@nickchurchphotography.co.uk

I’ll share a few of my favourites in the next article when I will be writing about ‘Everyday scenes’. Extra points if you incorporate any of the tips above, all of which come from my Photographer Unleashed! Workshop. Find out more about this on my website here: https://www.nickchurchphotography.co.uk/photography-education

That’s all for now. Happy shooting!

us know your views

EMAIL US AT:

editor@longashtonandfailandvoice.co.uk

The day was dedicated to reading and books, something on which the school places huge emphasis. Julia Simmons, co-deputy headteacher and literary lead, said: “World Book day is always a highlight – we relish the chance to discuss, share and debate the joy to be found through books.”

At various points in the day, a bell rang where everyone ‘drops everything and reads’ which children loved. Year 6 children also spent a special storytime with their Reception class partners, reading a favourite book together.

Earlier in the week, Northleaze welcomed author Alex Cotter who spent the day talking about writing and ran author workshops about her books ‘The House on the Edge’ or ‘The Mermaid’s call’.

Julia said: “The children were so inspired by Alex and loved the opportunity to meet a real author. The buzz about both reading and writing in school has been fantastic!’

To advertise, contact Ruth on 07590 527 664 or email ruth@longashtonandfailandvoice.co.uk

Portrait Landscape

Wonky horizon Straight horizon

Wonky horizon Straight horizon

A gaggle of Weasleys! KS2 children coordinated their outfits!

Rugby 7s Team 2023: Henry D; Ned H; Zach F; Dylan Wr; Dylan Wi; George W; Jude W; Sonny P; Will R; Kieran F; James V; Alfie D; Ben W; Alex F-E

THE Long Ashton Horticultural Society Flower Show has its roots stretching back to 1880. In that year, an estimated 5,000 people attended the first Long Ashton Horticultural Society Show which was hosted by Sir Greville Smythe in Ashton Park.

The shows back then were very grand affairs, giving those attending access to the park, gardens and Horticultural Houses of the Ashton Court Estate. Musical entertainment was provided on the terrace by the band of The Bristol Rifle Volunteers. The 1889 show was the last to take place for 30 years.

In September 1918, as the First World War drew to a close and at a meeting of The Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, the decision was made to hold a flower show for the benefit of members, in order to raise money for a distress and relief fund.

So, in 1919, the show joined forces with the North Somerset Agricultural Society and held their events together in Ashton Park. This arrangement continued but, unfortunately, there were often disagreements between the two societies and, in 1929, the two societies separated. There were no shows held during the five war years and, when the show returned in 1946, due to rationing and shortages, several show classes had to be changed or cancelled.

Over the years there have been many unusual competitions and classes, such as: Collection of Queen Wasps; Collection of White Butterflies; Ladies Ankle Competition; Mixed Musical Chairs; and Guess the Weight of the Pig (the prize being the pig!). Also included were the traditional fruit, vegetable and baking classes.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid lockdown, we were not able to hold shows; however, this did give us the opportunity to keep in touch with our members by producing a newsletter every

Long Ashton Horticultural Society and Flower Show

two weeks. This proved so popular that we have continued to produce them. Also popular are the events that we organise during the year – 2023 is no exception as we have a full programme of interesting talks and visits organised.

Membership of the Society has increased substantially recently, possibly partly due to the above items.

If you would like to join us, please contact Mary on longashtonhortsoc@gmail. com Membership is only £5 (includes discounts and offers).

Long Ashton Flower Show

2 September, Long Ashton Village Hall, 2.30pm

The 2023 show will be the 97th show and, as you can imagine, there have been many changes over the years. The committee regularly reviews the schedule of classes making amendments, where necessary, and introducing new classes, when possible. We still have many of the old favourite classes – Fruit, Flowers, Vegetables, Photography, Arts, Crafts and Produce for the young and old alike.

The Flower Show is the largest event held in the village and is very popular with people

friends

Opening hours: 5.30pm - 11pm every day

A takeaway menu is available for collection and a 10% discount is offered on this service. Full licensed and air conditioned

coming along to see the exhibits, and then sit and have a cuppa, a sticky cake and catch up with

while waiting for the prize-giving. For more details, go to www.lahortsoc.co.uk

n WHAT’S ON

n 25 March

Club Night

Long Ashton Community Centre

8pm | Tickets £7

Bar, DJs playing club/dance anthems. All proceeds to Long Ashton Community Centre

n 5 April

Easter Egg Hunt 2023

Penny Brohn, Pill 10am–12pm or 12pm–2pm

Tickets: £8 per child from www.pennybrohn.org.uk/event/ easter-egg-hunt-2023/

Every child will get a prize. The Easter Bunny will be visiting Penny Brohn UK again for its annual Easter Egg Hunt in its acres of gardens, meadow and woods.

The Easter Bunny has lost the password to the rabbit hole where he stores all his Easter eggs to give to children. To remind himself of his password, he left giant eggs with letters on around the garden, which when put together reveal his password.

Can you find the letters and unscramble the password to unlock the Easter egg?

n 6-8 April

Demon Dentist

Bristol Hippodrome

Tickets from £13.00 at www.atgtickets.com/shows/ demon-dentist/bristolhippodrome/

Join Alfie and Gabz on a fabulous adventure, as they investigate the strange events happening in their home town. Children are leaving their teeth for the tooth fairy and waking up to find odd things under their pillows. No one could have dreamed what they’ll discover when the duo comes face to face with the demon dentist.

A terrific tale from the West End producers of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and

Billionaire Boy, which were both nominated for an Olivier Award.

n 12-16 April

Mother Goose

Bristol Hippodrome

Age guidance 3+

Tickets from £13.00 at www.atgtickets.com/shows/ mother-goose/bristolhippodrome/

Ian McKellen and John Bishop join forces to bring you a hilarious family-friendly panto. Mother Goose is the ultimate theatrical feast – full of fun, farce and surprises that is sure to make you honk out loud.

Go and see for yourself; share ideas for the future. Please visit: ashtoncourt.wixsite.com/ mansionfriends OR www. facebook.com/mansionfriends

Cumberland Basin (via Create Centre)

9.30am – 4.30pm FREE!

www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/ bristol-archives/

Book a visit to the Bristol Archives’ searchroom. Bristol Archives looks after the records of the city of Bristol and the British Empire & Commonwealth Collection. While you’re there, you could:

• Find out about famous Bristol families, such as the Smyth family of Ashton Court

• Access records and documents relating to well-known companies, such as Frys and Harveys

LA Cinema

Showing: Living at 7.45pm

Doors/bar open 7.00pm £6/£3

LA Community Centre, Village Hall www.la-cinema.uk

n 19 April

Quiz Night

• Peruse historic diaries and letters

• Explore city records dating back to medieval times

n Wednesdays 2-4.30pm

Failand Arts & Crafts Group

n 14 April

Harmonica Nick & friends

The Angel Inn, from 8pm Enjoy a night of music with friends.

n 15 April

Ashton Court Mansion

Open Day Dereliction Tours

upstairs 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm. £5 per tour. Tickets available on Headfirst also via the QR code

Ashton Court Mansion is Grade 1 listed and on the Buildings at Risk Register, and enshrined over six centuries of living and working but was derelict when Bristol City Council ‘acquired’ it in 1959. The council spent millions on demolitions and repairs but only 30% has ever been usable.

The Angel Inn, from 7.45pm Prizes for the winning and losing teams, plus best team name!

n 21 April

Failand Tots

Failand’s monthly baby, toddler and pre-school meet-up group

10:00-11:30 | £2.50 per family

Lots of toys, books and games, plus a big hall to explore! Bring a mug with a lid and snacks for your little ones! For more information and updates, join the Failand Tots Facebook group. Any help with teamaking is welcome!

n 25 April

Tea & Tech

Long Ashton Community Centre 10am-12pm. FREE sessions for over-50s. Call 01275 393570 OR info@la-together.org

n 5 May

Woodchuck

The Angel Inn, from 8.30pm Be entertained by one-man band Woodchuck, who plays a range of music including some Irish numbers.

n 6 May

Coronation Cream Tea

Commemorate the King’s Coronation with a cream tea in the village hall on Saturday 6 May. More details to follow soon.

Grizzly and the Bear

The Bird in Hand, from 7.30pm

Celebrate the King’s Coronation with the fabulous local band Grizzly and the Bear.

REGULAR EVENTS

n Tuesdays & Fridays

Bristol Archives

Bring your art, craft or hobby along and join the group at Failand Village Hall, Oxhouse Lane. £2.50 per visit, first one FREE plus £12 per year (pro rata) from January to December. Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits included. Occasional demonstrations, members’ skills sharing and chat always welcome. Please contact Fi Harris at feltbyfi@gmail.com for more information.

Failand Village Hall

The Failand Village Hall is a local community hub set in the North Somerset countryside. We are a large hall with licensed bar, commercial standard kitchen, stage and ample parking. A perfect venue for everything from wedding receptions to yoga classes, pop-up markets and children’s parties. For further information, go to www.failandvillagehall.org.uk

n Wednesdays

Man Shed

10:00am | £1 per session

45 Long Ashton Road

Contact: Dave Addis 07801 616612

n Thursdays

Long Ashton Art Club

9.30am–12.00pm in Jubilee Hall, Long Ashton Community Centre.

All abilities welcome

Enjoy a relaxing morning of art, drawing or craft. We don’t have a tutor but give each other support with ideas, technique, etc, if asked. We all bring our own equipment and work on whatever subject or in whatever medium we like. Any ability welcome.

Call in and see us if interested or contact: 0778 772 7824

‘Dame Emily’s boudoir’ Image credit: FAM Volunteers

Demon Dentist

WILL & PROBATE ADVICE

25% OFF during Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

No one want to be a burden to their family but having NO Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) can cause huge problems for those you most care about.

The law often doesn’t work in the way you’d expect. Even married couples need LPAs to appoint each other to have the legal right to support each other.

Simpsons have extended their 25% OFF offer for one final month; due to the unprecedented demand meaning that until now not everyone who wanted a FREE review meeting has been able to book. Unusually, their price even includes their aftercare service to support your Attorneys. To qualify call them on 01275 857 122 or pop into their Nailsea Office by April 30th to book your FREE review meeting and mention you saw it in The Voice.

WHY: If you lost the mental capacity to make decisions on your own,

then bank accounts / savings can be frozen and family can be left powerless to help you. So you need Lasting Powers of Attorney to be already in place that legally appoint those you trust to act for you.

WHEN: If you had a serious accident or perhaps a routine operation went wrong or you had a stroke or developed dementia.

WHAT: Most people need two LPAs, one for Money issues and one for Health issues – so they are fully covered.

Money – Allowing access, perhaps to pay for care or treatment or to support your children and to pay your bills.

Home – Decisions on where you are cared for and if needed authority to sign so you can move home to more suitable accommodation.

Medical treatment and care - Allow those you trust to speak up for you to get the treatment you would want and your wishes for resuscitation if you have no quality of life.

THE DIFFERENCE WITH SIMPSON SOLICITORS’ COMPLETE SERVICE: No complicated forms to complete as they do all the form filling. But with them the price you pay also covers extra clauses to record our wishes, acting as your Certificate Provider as to mental capacity, helping your Attorneys sign. They also handle the lengthy court registration process –so you have LPAs ready to be used when needed. Their price even covers certified copies.

Claire Kindred at Simpson Solicitors adds: "But most of all we give you peace of mind as we include our after care service of future support and guidance to those you trust, in activating and using your LPAs – so they don’t feel burdened."

John Baden-Daintree

Michelle Baden-Daintree

Spring into action in Long Ashton

Spring has sprung, the frogs have spawned and the queen bumblebees are foraging amongst the celandines. It’s also a brand new year for the Long Ashton Nature, Community & Environment Trust (LANCET). Formed in April 2021, the Trust’s core mission is to maintain wildlife habitats and reverse the decline of many species in the parish of Long Ashton and beyond.

The government, district and parish councils have all recognised the need to mitigate the adverse impacts of the biodiversity and climate crisis this. Now we, like others, are helping to turn words into action.

Raising awareness and working with key stakeholders is key, alongside projects to increase biodiversity. By working together and embracing the core values needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem, we can help wildlife and increase our mental and physical wellbeing.

Biodiversity needs wildlife corridors and landscape-scale projects that look at nature recovery on a large scale. It’s heartening that

so many groups in neighbouring parishes share our aims and we’d love to make direct contact with you.

Many hands make light work, so we’re also keen to meet more people who would be happy to help us in a variety of ways. Our website – www.lancetrust.org – shows the kinds of projects we do, including wildlife and habitat surveys, growing plant plugs and much more besides.

So, if you’d like to know more about how you can help – or are interested in our accountant vacancy – please email us at LANCET2021@protonmail.com

n GARDENING Garden tips for April

Local gardener Ben Collison talks about spring gardening

Spring has arrived and with it comes the joys of blossoms, bulbs and brighter days. Mornings and evenings are lighter, the days are warmer and gardens are full of life.

It’s a great time of year to walk around and take in our surroundings with the smell of freshly cut grass in the air, the sounds of nesting birds and wildlife coming out of hibernation. I love to see flowering bulbs such as wood anemone, wild garlic, tulips and Fritillaria gracing our landscapes.

With lush new growth budding on many shrubs and trees, it’s an ideal time to prune fuchsia, Hydrangea, Forsythia, cornus, evergreen Ceanothus and, one of my favourite winter flowering shrubs, Lonicera fragrantissima (winter honeysuckle). Before pruning, make sure to check for nesting birds – if you do find a nest, please leave the birds in peace.

Growing plants from seed is such a pleasure and now is the right time to sow flower seed indoors such as Calendula, Cosmos, marigolds, Lobelia, poppies, Rudbeckia and Verbascum, to name a few.

Vegetables you can sow indoors now include aubergines, chillies, tomatoes, pumpkins and squash. Outside in your freshly prepared seed beds you can sow carrots, broad beans, beetroots, leeks and cabbages, and many other vegetables.

Spend time in the spring sunshine, enjoying the last of the cherry blossoms and see new life in the garden.

Happy gardening!

Ben Collison, garden designer www.collisongardening.co.uk

“I GET normal headaches.”

This is what someone told me the other day at an event I was at. I asked her what normal headaches were and she said one to two headaches per week. This started a whole conversation. One to two headaches per week is over 100 headaches per year. And she viewed that as normal. It was normal because everyone else at work had headaches, but some of her colleagues get them daily. Also, her headaches weren’t too bad and went quickly with pain killers.

The problem here is normal is being confused with common. It’s common for people to suffer regular headaches, but it’s not normal. One headache per year is one headache too many. It’s normal to have none. Needless to say, she was shocked when I said I didn’t get headaches.

So, what are headaches?

Simply put, any pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Whether it’s a low-level headache that goes easily with a pain killer, or an intense migraine, your body is communicating that something is out of balance. A lot of people associate them with eye strain from staring at a computer or dehydration. What I find the most common

causes are stress levels and tension in the top of the neck. When stressed, your fight or flight system kicks in, which causes your shoulders to rise and head to go forward. This puts a lot of tension through the shoulders and neck. The build-up of tension can remain over time and lead to trapped nerves and headaches.

Pain killers might cover over an issue but it’s a bit like putting a sticker over your engine warning light: the warning goes away but the actual problem remains.

A good way to address headaches is good posture, especially at your desk, as well as: exercise; drinking plenty of water; and managing stress levels well, whether that’s with holidays, meditation, walks in nature or changing the environment that’s stressing you.

The obvious other way is to remove the tension and any trapped nerves at the top of your neck, and chiropractic is the best way I know to do that.

Charles Herbert Kasa Chiro 0117 370 2680

BUSINESS BUSINESS OF THE MONTH OFTHE MONTH

S & P Builders Ltd

103 Filwood Green Business Park

1 Filwood Park Lane (Off Hengrove Way) Bristol BS4 1ET

Tell us about your company?

At S & P Builders Ltd, we offer a full range of building services tailored to your individual requirements. With many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge within the building industry, S & P Builders Ltd always ensure that a high-quality

service at an affordable price is offered to each and every client at all times.

Approved by the FMB, we hold full insurances including public liability up to 10,000,000. S & P Builders Ltd lets you relax in the knowledge that you are dealing with professionals who take the utmost pride in adding value to your property and lifestyle alike.

If you would like more information, to discuss your upcoming project or receive your free quotation, then please contact us where we will be only too happy to discuss your requirements.

Why use us?

Our skilled trades are more than willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get exactly what you pay for, if not more. We pride ourselves on the high level of service, professionalism and expertise which we deliver enabling us to build long-term relationships with our clients.

• We offer Free Quotes and advice to all our customers.

• We carry out works for insurance companies and response and void works for Bristol City Council.

• All Commercial and Domestic Work is undertaken – no job is too big or small.

• We hold full insurances including public liability up to 10,000,000

• All work is fully guaranteed.

• We are fully qualified, ensuring our customer’s peace of mind when using our services.

We are a proud member of The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) which is the UK’s largest trade association in the building industry, with national offices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, supported by additional regional offices.

Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and mediumsized building firms, the FMB is independent and non-profitmaking, lobbying continuously for members’ interests at both national and local levels.

The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice

and support for building firms right across the UK. The FMB also offers practical advice and support to the general public on choosing and working with the right builder.

What services do you offer?

• New builds

• Extensions

• Renovations

• Loft conversions

• Brickwork

• Alterations

• General building

• Conversions

• Refurbishments

• Stonework

• Carpentry

• Painting and decorating

• Roofing

• Plastering

Email: enquiries@sandpbuilders.co.uk

Tel: 0117 403 2330

EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK

April fool!

CLOWNING has always been popular in theatre from Ancient Egypt, Shakespeare and through to modern day. Clowning is a technique that has been used and enjoyed throughout history.

In Shakespeare’s plays, the clown is a recurring character type. They might appear as a variety of different characters –sometimes as jesters, grave diggers or fools – but will always be portrayed as either an intelligent ‘commoner’ outwitting the upper classes or a ‘natural fool’ simply there for light entertainment and more alike to the type of clowning we see today.

Clowning in theatre now is a state of playfulness. It explores the clown’s reactions to the world. It is a chance for the performer to improvise, use their imagination and

The Theatre and Entertainment Luvver

express themselves. It might take on a physical form of dance or slapstick and require great stamina and strength. It can also be used as a method of handling or introducing delicate subject matters to explore topics and confront social issues in a light hearted manner.

When a clown wears a mask covering their face, they lose their individual identity and become part of a clown group, so it is easier to physically demonstrate a message. They are always comedic roles but can trigger a range of emotions from the audience: laughter, joy, amazement, sadness and sometimes even fear.

Featuring a clown among other fantastic

characters is ‘Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror’ which, depending on when you are reading this, you might just catch at Bristol Old Vic. This is a new musical set under the twinkling stars of the big top and tells a poignant tale of resistance, love and courage.

Whether in a show, at the circus, on the street or at children’s birthdays clowns are very much still with us. So I urge you find them and start clowning around. You’d be a fool not to!

Jacqui Ham

Volunteers needed for Girl Guides

There is a huge demand for Girlguiding in Long Ashton with girls on waiting lists to join Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. Girls develop selfconfidence, build friendships and learn new things by taking part, all whilst having fun and the overwhelming feedback from them is that they love it.

In order for the units to run, however, and to give girls the opportunities that girlguiding provides, we are looking for more adult volunteers to join us in Long Ashton. We are currently without a Guides unit and the 1st Long Ashton Brownie unit needs more adult helpers.

By volunteering with us, you could help girls do all the things listed above, whilst also learning new skills and having fun yourself. It’s a hugely rewarding experience and, no matter what your background is or how much time you have to spare, you can get involved.

If you would like to find out more, please go to www.girlguiding. org.uk where you can also find a link to register your interest, and/ or email Julie Radnedge (2nd Long Ashton Brownies leader) at 2ndLongAshtonBrownies@gmail.com

We would love to hear from you!

Long Ashton Together seeks sponsors

Long Ashton Together is looking for sponsors to help fund its new Queen Elizabeth II Community Garden

Voluntary community group Long Ashton Together is creating a community garden within the grounds of the Community Centre. It will be located opposite the club room (previously the café) and will be a beautiful space for all.

The plans include a central path, making the garden suitable for all to access, different planting areas that can be adopted by community groups, areas for growing, a children’s learning corner, a bug hotel and also the Chatty Bench, which will be surrounded by a beautiful arbour. The garden itself will cost approximately £17,000 to create. While hugely discounted, there is still a lot of money needed.

Current fundraising plans include a Facebook Promise Auction, which is running through March and April, a Eurovision final event on 13 May, and a family roller skating event during April.

Would any businesses or residents be happy to sponsor the project?

In return, you would receive a plaque in the garden thanking you for your kind donation, advertising on social media and the LA Together website, as well as the community centre’s social media, plus a mention in the Together newsletter and the Parish Council newsletter.

Alternatively, if anyone can donate materials or equipment, please contact the team for a list of items required. If you would like to sponsor or donate, please email info@la-together.org

For younger readers

Our spring pond is teeming with life. Find the differences between the pictures then colour them in

Easier sudoku

Solution

Free online language courses

WANT to learn a new language? If you are a member of North Somerset Libraries, you can now choose from over 100 languages to learn for free. Anyone, any age, can participate –whether for business, your next holiday or simply for fun or to challenge your brain!

North Somerset Council signed up to Transparent Language (www.transparent. com) to facilitate this, and it has been funded by the council’s Refugee Resettlement Team, who paid for the subscription using funding from central government. The team “is already using the resource to encourage the people they work with to join the library service and improve their spoken and written

English skills”, said the council.

To access this free online language, you need a library membership – you can join for free at www.librarieswest.org.uk or pop in to your local library.

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for both lifelong learning and the Ukrainian resettlement scheme, said: “Our new subscription to Transparent Language offers a fantastic opportunity. It’s a fact that language learning offers huge benefits at any age – improving cognition, creativity and communication abilities – even in a person’s native language.”

Southville

Primary Preschool

Places available in September 2023 for 3 and 4 year olds

Open evenings on Thursday 20th April - 16.00-17.00pm

Please email merrywood.southvillep@bristol-schools.uk or call 0117 377 2671 to book.

Our wonderful preschool offers:

• A fully qualified and highly experienced class teacher.

• Staff who care for and develop each child as an individual.

• A stimulating and creative environment where children’s interests lead the learning and independence is built.

• A wonderful community of supportive parents.

• A childcare setting within a high -performing school.

• 15 and 30 hours free childcare during term time

• Wraparound care available through our trusted provider. www.southville.bristol.sch.uk