southbristolvoice November 2016 No. 18
www.southbristolvoice.co.uk
INSIDE: Your guide to fireworks p37
FREE EVERY MONTH in Totterdown, Knowle and Windmill Hill
Mayor wants Bristol to grow – up MAYOR Marvin Rees has vowed he will see the arena built, and he will deliver on his pledge to build 2,000 homes a year by 2020 – partly by building higher. The news won’t be welcome in Bedminster Green, where campaigners have released their own planning brief that seeks to limit buildings to five storeys. But the mayor told the Voice he is not thinking of building “cities in the sky”. “I’m not saying we should be like Manhattan,” he said. “I grew up at the bottom of two tower blocks, and I didn’t aspire to live in them – although many people made good lives in them.” Any changes will involve the community, with a bigger role for councillors and local voices, he promised. But change looks certain: “We are a crowded city with limited land available. I think one of the freedoms that we need is the ability to build up.” In his first annual address to the city on October 6, Mr Rees said he would look at changing Bristol’s local planning policies to allow “tall buildings in the Continued on page 14
Dare to be scared?
Row over cycle route through park Page 3 Roll up, roll up for the Arts Trail Page 4 Hate crime on the rise, figures show Page 6 Why should we pay to play tennis? Page 8
Arena: delayed, and will it harm the bats? Pages 11, 12 Libraries and parks in £92m cuts threat Page 13 Our new columnist: Wicked Witch Page 22 These spooky characters were discovered hanging around Stanley Hill, Totterdown the week before Halloween, during the monthly road closure for the Playing Out party. • Rat-run work shelved: page 16
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2 Paul Breeden Editor & publisher 07811 766072 paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk Ruth Drury Sales executive 07590 527664 sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk Editorial team: Beccy Golding, Alex Morss & The Wicked Witch. Deliveries: Greg Champion
Intro
THE ARENA will be built. That’s the promise from the two people in ultimate control of the project, mayor Marvin Rees and Helen Holland, cabinet member for “place” (who dreams up these titles?). But neither of them is disguising that there are lots of questions to be answered. Another year’s delay means extra costs: yet clearly the contractor, Bouygues UK, is having problems drafting a plan that meets the new, higher £94 million budget. Bouygues was due to present its timetable and costs in the summer, then the autumn. Now it may be ready by Christmas, but even then we may be no clearer on the
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feasibility of the £28m plan for the rest of Arena Island. Mr Rees and Cllr Holland are right: Bristol needs the arena as the centrepiece of the Temple Quarter, which over 25 years will become virtually a new city centre, bringing 25,000 jobs and new waterside plazas for work, homes and leisure. But 25 years is a long time to live next to a building site. Is South Bristol ready for what’s about to hit it? Our first taste will come in the new year when the Temple Circus roundabout is removed, with the inevitable months of traffic disruption. We need to be informed and consulted about these changes. The mayor promised the Voice he’d arrange a meeting where the community can air their concerns to him. We’ll hold him to that.
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November 2016
n BRIEFLY n WANT to help the cats, dogs and other animals being cared for by the RSPCA? Bristol Dogs & Cats Home in Albert Road, St Phillips, has its Christmas Fair on Saturday November 20. It’s from 10am to 3pm and entry is £1. More details in the RSPCA column on page 23. n HOW ARE our streets kept clean? Community group Tresa aims to answer this question at its meeting on November 16 with a speaker from council-owned waste firm Bristol Waste. It’s at the Star & Dove in St Luke’s Road from 7.30-10pm. • tresa.org.uk n HILLCREST primary school is inviting people to its annual Christmas Fair, on Saturday December 3 from 12-4pm. Activities and attractions will include Santa’s Grotto, Christmas crafts, face painting, stalls, raffle, refreshments and mulled wine. n A PROPOSAL to build 48 diesel generators in St Philip’s Marsh was rejected by
councillors even though planning officials had recommended the plan. More than 350 objections were made to the plan by London-based Plutus Energy, which said it could avoid undue pollution by using biodiesel. The generators were to be used to back up the National Grid at times of heavy demand.
WE HOPE YOU LIKE OUR NEW LOOK ... YOU’LL notice some changes to the Voice this month – some new typefaces and styles which we hope make for a cleaner look. Don’t worry, we aim to keep bringing you the same unrivalled mix of local news and features. In fact we’ll be doing it better, thanks to two new recruits. Step forward Ruth Drury, our first Sales Executive, who’s already talking to dozens of businesses about how the Voice can help them. If you’d like to talk to her, call 07590 527664. And on page 22 we welcome our new columnist, The Wicked Witch of Knowle.
How do I get in touch with ... My MP? Karin Smyth MP Labour, Bristol South. Email: karin.smyth.mp@parliament.uk Post: Karin Smyth MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Phone: 0117 953 3575 In person: Surgeries on Friday November 11 and 25 at Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, BS4 1WH, 9.15-10.45am. Call 0117 953 3575. My councillor? Christopher Davies Lib Dem, Knowle Post: Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY Email: Cllr.Christopher.Davies@ bristol.gov.uk
Gary Hopkins Lib Dem, Knowle (Lib Dem leader) Email: Cllr.Gary.Hopkins@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 0117 985 1491 or 07977 512159 Lucy Whittle Labour, Windmill Hill Post: Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY Phone: 07392 108805 Email: Cllr.Lucy.Whittle@bristol.gov.uk Jon Wellington Labour, Windmill Hill Post: Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY Phone: 07392 108804 Email: Cllr.Jon.Wellington@bristol.gov.uk
USEFUL NUMBERS Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000 Waste, roads 0117 922 2100 Pest control and dog wardens 0117 922 2500 Council tax 0117 922 2900 Housing benefit 0117 922 2300 Social services 0117 922 2900 Police Inquiries 101 Emergency 999 Fire Emergency 999 Inquiries 0117 926 2061
NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUMS Windmill Hill Wednesday November 16, 7-8.30pm, Victoria Park Baptist Church, Sylvia Ave BS3 5DA (location to be confirmed) Knowle Friday November 25, 7-8.30pm, Redcatch Community Centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle, BS4 2EP Neighbourhood partnership Wed Dec 7, 6pm, Knowle Community Centre, Crossways Road, BS4 2SS
EDITOR’S NOTE: South Bristol Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. Feedback is welcomed: call editor Paul Breeden on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk. All stories and pictures are copyright of South Bristol Voice and may not be reproduced without permission in this or any other plane of the multiverse. South Bristol Voice Ltd | 18 Lilymead Avenue, Bristol BS4 2BX |
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November 2016
n NEWS The men who got in through the shop roof THIS is one of the men who committed an audacious burglary on a Totterdown supermarket by breaking through the roof. Police are studying extensive CCTV footage of two men who broke into Patco on Wells Road on September 25. The video shows the pair
southbristolvoice calmly clearing out thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes, tobacco and Lottery scratch cards into plastic bags. As they were leaving they took a few bottles of spirits, including Jack Daniels. The burglars managed to get on to the shop’s flat roof at about 3am and levered up roof boards before cutting their way through metal sheeting. The process must have made some noise – but the pair chose a night when there was heavy rain to disguise their activities. Owners Kumar and Panna
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Hunted: One of the suspects have run the store for 19 years. “There has been amazing support from the local community,” said Kumar. “Everybody wants to help
Cycle route will cause more conflict, park volunteers fear PLANS for a new cycleway through Victoria Park are so flawed they could increase conflict with other park users, says the chair of VPAG. Shaun Hennessy, who leads Victoria Park Action Group, sharply criticised plans for the Filwood Quietway – a £2.3 million route for cyclists from Filwood to the city centre. VPAG supports the idea of the cycle route, but does not want to see a cycle lane 5m wide in the park. The group asked Sustrans, who conducted the consultation, to make it no wider than 3m. But the route produced by Sustrans is only slightly narrower, at 4.7m. And it cuts across the lower, southern side of the park, not the higher route VPAG preferred. “This is going to increase conflict between cyclists, pedestrians, children and dog walkers,” said Mr Hennessy. “VPAG are extremely unhappy with the situation. We are a large park but we don’t have a lot of flat space.” The lower route that has been chosen is where many people choose to play games, have picnics and walk their dogs, he said. The new path will be lit up, and segregated with one lane each way marked out for cyclists, and a different surface alongside for pedestrians. Children and dogs running across the path will not notice the different surfaces, said Mr Hennessy. Giving cyclists their own lanes will make them more likely to ride more quickly and be
MORE CUTS TO COME AS PARK-KEEPER GOES PARK-GOERS reeling from the loss of their park-keeper are in fear of much worse cutbacks in years to come. Members of Victoria Park Action Group have already had a whip-round for Ray, their devoted park-keeper for many years, who has taken voluntary redundancy under the council’s emergency cash-saving drive. VPAG chair Shaun Hennessy paid tribute to Ray, saying he did the work of two men. The park will have to share a park-keeper with Greville Smyth park in Ashton – though it will also get visits from teams of staff for major tasks like mowing. The council said it had less considerate of other users, even though they shoud still give way to pedestrians, he said. VPAG is considering holding its own consultation, he added. Sustrans held “one event in the park on a Wednesday afternoon when there was no-one around”, he said, followed by a rushed survey of VPAG members. The Sustrans plans for the Filwood Quietway and the £600,000 Malago Greenway will require planning permission – at which point there will be more public consultation. Sustrans was unable to comment before the Voice went to press. VPAG is holding a meeting at the park’s bowls club on Monday November 7 at 7.30pm.
reshaped staff rotas “which means that we are able to maintain the level of service at Victoria Park”. In future, however, more drastic cuts are being called for. The council is hoping that voluntary groups could take over some parks. It aims to save £1.2 million from park budgets from 2018-20. Mr Hennessy said he could not see how even large and well-organised groups such as VPAG could take on management of parks. “As one of the most active park groups, I don’t know how we could possibly do that,” he said. “We don’t have capacity for that at all.” • Cuts proposals: p13 • The Mayor: p17
find the people who did this.” Several names have been suggested as culprits. But, Kumar said, “It will be more upsetting if it turns out it is someone local.” Kumar and Panna are well-known in Totterdown for supporting the community – Patco was the main sponsor of the new mosaic in Zone A, opposite the store on Wells Road. Anyone with information on the burglary can call police on 101. There are more pictures on our website: • southbristolvoice.co.uk
Mosh night A LEGEND of the local music scene is launching a new club night at the Thunderbolt in Bath Road, Totterdown, on Friday November 25. Big Jeff’s Mosh Pit will include a live band, Iyabe, but will mostly consist of DJ sets by Big Jeff and Cactus County. Expect to hear obscure indie, 60s garage, rock, prog, metal and punk. It starts at 7.30pm; tickets are £4 in advance. • thethunderbolt.net
Xmas crafts ARE YOU starting to think about Christmas decorations? Art shop Craftisan on Wells Road will teach you how to make and decorate wooden snowflakes. Adults can learn how on November 23 from 7-9pm at a cost of £12, materials included. A children’s session costs £6 and is from 10am-12noon on November 27. The shop has more Christmas craft events in December. • Facebook: Craftisan Shop
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n NEWS Getting creative with old books CHILDREN celebrated freedom of expression Marksbury Road library when staff teamed up with South Bristol Toy Library to get creative with second hand books. Partly funded by Comic Relief, the session on October 1 was aided by Scrapstore. Kids and parents made paper flowers and book hedgehogs to mark Banned Books Week. The toy library was set up only last year but already has a big collection of toys which can be borrowed by parents and carers. • southbristoltoylibrary.co.uk
MP’s new role KARIN Smyth, the Labour MP for Bristol South, has been appointed parliamentary private secretary, or PPS, to the shadow Brexit minister, Keir Starmer. Ms Smyth resigned her first PPS post in June amid the turmoil over Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
Roll up to a Front Room near you
THIS year’s Front Room Arts Trail on November 19 and 20 has a circus theme – and to make sure you don’t miss it, performers from the Rag and Bone Circus will be roaming the streets. They’ll be performing in the open as well as on their circus stage outside the Oxford pub in Oxford Street. Meanwhile more than 200 artists will be showing off their creativity in more than 90 venues from 12noon-6pm each day. Most venues are people’s homes but there’s plenty on show at places such as Holy Nativity
November 2016
You can find your way with a map, or an app, below church, Knowle Constitutional Club and many more. As well as visual art, there’s music, drama, food, dancing and poetry. Pete, an oyster fisherman, will serve Dorset oysters on the heights of Higham Green. Next to him will be a specially carved ice bar serving drinks. Food will come from Sausagenius, Pickled Brisket and other local favourites. Live bands will be playing all weekend at The Oxford; the Sharp Teeth theatre company will be performing in the Anglican Hall at Arnos Vale, while across Bath Road, glassblowers at Bristol Blue Glass
will be showing off their skills. You can add a word or more to a new Totterdown novel at 2 Windsor Terrace. Laura of colourfulminds.co. uk will be running art classes at Hillcrest school, showing children how to make shadow puppets and perform circus tales. This year the boundaries of Totterdown have been stretched, with the furthest venue probably being Rainbow Glass Creations in Springleaze, Knowle Park. • frontroom.org.uk
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IT’S a measure of the affection that South Bristol folk have for the Front Room art trail that a local software company has developed an app to help visitors find their way around the event. Magic5 software, which serves local, national and international customers from its base in Wells Road, Knowle, has personalised a guide to the weekend that can be used on any Android smartphone. They’ve made it as easy as possible for visitors and artists to use – and what’s more, they’ve done it free. Users can see a Google map of all the venues on their phone. They can click on the venue to find out more, they can choose a list of streets to find out who’s exhibiting and where. Or they can select a type of art, such as Ceramics, Jewellery or Photography. The app works for artists as well. If an artist sells a piece of work, they can photograph it on their phone, issue an invoice and a receipt, and get the customer to sign it, and save instructions on where to send it. “I’ve been involved in the art trail and the local art scene for a
Free: The app guide long time – I’ve always been proud that we are living somewhere that has such an amazing event,” said Frances Sinclair, part of the family team behind Magic5. The firm is celebrating its 10th anniversary by giving the app away free. The firm began when software designer Andrew Sinclair grew frustrated working on mobile applications for a big employer and reckoned he could get more done by working for himself. Fast forward 10 years, and they have developed apps to free businesses from paperwork. Even sole traders such as electricians and plumbers can handle all their red tape from a smartphone. • The Front Room app is available on Google Playstore by searching “Totterdown Arts Trail”. • magic5software.com
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November 2016
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n NEWS
Half our pharmacies at risk of closure after Govt cuts AS MANY as half of the 31 pharmacies across South Bristol could be at risk of closure following the announcement of a cut in budget of up to seven per cent over the next two years. Protection will disappear for chemists within a mile of each other. The Government is presenting the changes as a drive for efficiency. Health minister David Mowat announced on October 20 that chemists will lose 4 per cent of their funding in 2016-17 and a further 3.4 per cent in 2017/18. Health ministers have previously hinted that one in four chemists could close, or about 3,000 across the country. But award-winning chemist Ade Williams, who runs Bedminster Pharmacy in Cannon Street, believes the effects here could be much worse. “The local impact of the cuts in South Bristol will likely exceed the 25 per cent closure risk the minister expressed earlier in the year,” said Mr Williams. “This is due to our high density of pharmacies, which means our 31 pharmacies are not protected by the Government’s
Karin Smyth: Cuts will drive patients to overburdened GPs one-mile proposal. We are likely to face similar to the 50 per cent closure risk that London is facing.” Bristol South MP Karin Smyth believes the savings will be selfdefeating. If people can’t get help from a pharmacist they are more likely go to an overburdened GP or even to A&E, she said. “Research indicates a third of people who seek initial advice from a pharmacy would make a GP appointment instead if it shut, and in areas of high deprivation this rises as high as 80 per cent,” said Ms Smyth, who was an NHS manager before she was elected as MP in 2015. “South Bristol residents value pharmacies as vital additions to
Women aim to celebrate their new stage in life A SOUTH Bristol woman has been awarded a grant to run a Menopause Support Day. The idea is to invite women from all over South Bristol to share experiences and learn how to take care of themselves through the “change of life”. Organiser Beccy Golding said: “Menopause is something that happens to every woman, but it is rarely talked about. The idea of the day is for women to meet up and share their experience and expertise. There will also be practitioners giving information and self-help techniques. “This is not about medical advice or diagnoses, it’s about coming together for support.” The grant of £500 came from
the Filwood, Knowle & Windmill Hill neighbourhood partnership Wellbeing Fund. Beccy added: “The day is for anyone interested in or going through the menopause – even if you feel it’s a while away yet, or you’ve been through it but want to say there is light at the end of the tunnel! “We know menopause can come at all ages, so there is no age limit, or any other restriction on who is welcome other than they identify as female. We also plan to have fun. Let’s celebrate our ageing selves!” It will be on Sunday December 11 from 10am-3.30pm, at a local venue. Cost will be £20. Details: email beccy@makeamove.org.uk
local shopping streets in places like Bedminster and Filwood. “They link to GP surgeries, have strong relationships with all the doctors, know their communities well and, like any good business, tailor their offer to changing need and demand,” she said. Many South Bristol chemists offer help in quitting smoking, offer flu jabs, and give advice on all kinds of conditions from asthma to disability aids. Some, like Bedminster Pharmacy, can even offer free access to slimming classes if people need to lose weight. Mr Williams and his team were nominated for four awards in June at the Chemist & Druggist Awards – more than any other chemists shop in the UK. They won Pharmacy Team of the Year.
Row flares over digital adverts
PLANS to replace advertisements in Bath Road with digital screens have met a mixed reaction. Advertising giant JC Decaux is seeking planning permission for two digital screens, each 12m by 3m, at 164-188 Bath Road, on the vacant site next to the bottom of Thunderbolt Steps. The Labour councillors for Windmill Hill, Jon Wellington and Lucy Whittle, have raised no objection. But Green councillors, who tried to get the council to outlaw digital advertising boards last year, don’t like the idea. The boards would carry only static images, which would change periodically. But they have been criticised for being distracting to drivers. Southville Green councillor Steve Clarke said: “I feel quite strongly about them on the grounds of road safety and visual pollution. They are ugly.” The LED screens also use more energy – up to 15,800 watts.
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November 2016
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n NEWS
Hundreds of hate crimes, but Brexit increase has tailed off
Victoria Park: Lovely calendars
Park shows off with 2 calendars THE Victoria Park Action Group has produced not one but two calendars for 2017. One has images of events and seasons, while Voice contributor Alex Morss of the park’s Wildlife Group has provided images for the Wildflower Calendar. Both are on sale online and at Mrs Brown’s café in the park, at £7 each or both for £12. • vpag.org.uk
Party for KWMC KNOWLE West Media Centre is 20 years old and is throwing a party to celebrate. It’s on November 22, from 6-8pm, and will include a preview of the centre’s latest exhibition. Organisers have invited 20 photographers to create a display called 20/20 Visions, which reflects on how photography has changed in the past two decades. The evening promises food, fun and games. If you’d like to attend call 0117 903 0444. • kwmc.org.uk
POLICE have recorded more than 400 hate crimes across South Bristol in the past year – but there does not seem to have been a long-term increase since the Brexit vote. Inspector Nigel Colston, in charge of neighbourhood policing across South Bristol, told the Voice that there had been a spike in reports of hate crimes in the weeks immediately after the referendum vote to leave the European Union on June 23. But the number of incidents is back to the levels seen over the past year – 414 in the year to July 2016. The vast majority were racially motivated. “Brexit has probably led a minority of people to voice their opinions which were previously privately held,” said Insp Colston. “But it could also be due to a few people being idiots, and better mechanisms for reporting these incidents.” Police believe the incidence of hate crime may not have increased, but people are more willing to report it, and police are now better at recording it. A highly-publicised series of four graffiti and brick-throwing attacks in Bideford Avenue, Knowle West, in July, resulted in a swiftly-organised community “peace-nic” on Filton Broadway. There were no further incidents in the area. However, the last Voice
reported the story of a woman who saw four girls of between eight and 10 years of age verbally abusing an Eastern European man and throwing stones at him in Victoria Park. The girls wore a red school uniform and were with a woman. Police launched an investigation but have not identified the culprits because the victim did not come forward. Insp Colston cited another case where the victim has not come forward. “We had another incident where a member of the public reported a taxi driver being racially abused, but we had no report from the victim,” he said. Without evidence from the victim of a hate crime, it is hard for the police to build a case.
dogs who are kept within close proximity to each other, for example in kennels. Many boarding kennels will not accept dogs who aren’t vaccinated against kennel cough. An affected dog may make a dry hacking cough sounding like a goose honk, along with retching and a watery nasal discharge. It often sounds as though there is something stuck in the dog’s throat. All dogs can develop kennel cough; however, certain dogs will be more at risk such as young puppies, older dogs, pregnant bitches, dogs with low immunity or respiratory disease.
If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from kennel cough, book an appointment to see a vet as there are many possible causes for coughing and treatment can vary. Your dog will also need to be isolated from other dogs so as not to spread the disease. If kennel cough is left untreated, it could lead to pneumonia, which will require hospitalisation. Kennel cough can be prevented by a vaccination which is given via the nose. Although it does not guarantee that your dog will not contract kennel cough, it may reduce the risk and also reduce the severity of the disease if the dog
HATE CRIMES, SOUTH BRISTOL, 2015-16
GENDER 0.2% AGE 1%
HOMOPHOBIC 11% DISABILITY 14%
RACIAL 67%
TRANSPHOBIC RELIGIOUS 2% 5%
Source: Avon & Somerset Police
Number of hate crime incidents in year to July 2016 RACIAL.................278 DISABILITY.............56 HOMOPHOBIC.....45 RELIGIOUS.............22 TRANSPHOBIC........8 AGE.............................4 GENDER.....................1 TOTAL.. ............414 Most cases (83%) were classed as violent – mainly for causing intentional harassment.
“We welcome the community making these reports, but we do need the victims to report [as well],” said Insp Colston. “It enables us to build a picture of what’s happening, and the problems that victims are experiencing, and it tells us where we should be targeting our work.” The top trouble spot identified was Bedminster East, with 23 incidents, followed by several areas of Knowle West, Hartcliffe and Withywood with 10-20 incidents each, and Bedminster West with 10 incidents. The trend in the year to July 2016 is upward: from an average of about 3o each month in most of 2015 to a high of 51 in June 2016, the month of the Brexit vote. In July the number fell to 35.
ASK A VET What is kennel cough? KENNEL cough (also known as infectious canine tracheobronchitis or bordetellosis) is a nasty and highly contagious disease that causes inflammation of the trachea and bronchus in dogs. It is a widespread disease which is caused by several different viruses and bacteria. Kennel cough is not a disease that is only caught in kennels. It can be caught through direct contact with affected dogs or by sharing contaminated objects such as toys or food/drink bowls etc. Due to its contagious nature, it can spread very quickly among
Jenny Hamilton-ible MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon at Highcroft Veterinary Hospital, Whitchurch does become infected. Call Highcroft veterinary hospital on 01275 832410 for more information or to book an appointment.
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November 2016
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November 2016
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n NEWS
Why should we pay to play tennis? TENNIS players in Redcatch Park, Knowle, are causing a racket over plans which could force them to pay for each game. The courts were refurbished several years ago after the Friends of Redcatch Park obtained a grant for the work. The courts are still in good condition and are well used. But now, after an online consultation, the council wants to revamp tennis courts in other parks, in alliance with the Lawn Tennis Association. The consultation was online only and asked park users if they would be prepared to pay to use courts if they were refurbished. Knowle councillor Gary Hopkins has hit back, calling the consultation inadequate. Supporters of the Redcatch courts have started a petition
against the charges. It is available at Broadwalk News in Broad Walk, Knowle, and other places. The petition reads: “We, the residents of Knowle and surrounding areas, object most strongly to the prospect of being charged ... to play tennis in Redcatch Park, when the necessary improvements were made by grants following local effort.” Cllr Hopkins called the council’s survey “skewed” and said: “The council have certainly done everything they can to prevent genuine feedback.” “It is a disgrace, as either Cllr Chris Davies or myself will be pointing out at full council.” A council spokesman said all the feedback would be considered and there will be more consultation on the proposals. • Gary Hopkins: p28
The cast of Christmas On Our Island, left, and a 1951 street party in St Philip’s, below
Island memories ONE OF Bristol’s least-known communities is getting together to show they won’t be forgotten, in the revival of a popular Christmas show. Once, St Philip’s Marsh was home to around 6,000 people, with a strong community spirit. “Wedged between the Feeder canal and the River Avon, it was a poor area by modern standards but very rich in community sprit and support,” said former resident Brian Davies. But in the 1950s the city council designated the area as an
industrial zone, and between 1958 and 1963 virtually all the residents were moved out. In the 1980s three community musicals were staged to revived memories of St Philips, twice filling the Bristol Hippodrome, among other venues. This year, Christmas On Our Island will be staged at the St Silas Royal British Legion club in Meriton Street, St Philip’s, on December 2 and December 3. You can order tickets by email at briandavies17@btinternet. com, or by calling 01225 872067.
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You wait years for a school, then three come at once Now Oasis plans two secondaries in South Bristol PLANS for two more secondary schools for South Bristol have emerged, joining the proposal from Bristol Grammar School. The latest proposals are from Oasis, a Christian group which is the second largest academy provider in the country and runs eight schools in Bristol already. It plans one new school next to an existing academy – Oasis John Williams in Hengrove. The other is earmarked for the Temple Quarter enterprise zone – though no one has been able to tell the Voice where it would be sited. The enterprise zone has recently been extended towards Old Market and includes part of St Philip’s. It is assumed that this school would mainly serve central Bristol, Barton Hill and Lawrence Hill – though it would be within easy reach of South Bristol. Like the grammar school plan, all three proposals are for
FACT FILE: NEW SCHOOLS
Oasis Academy Temple Quarter Site: None identified Students: 1,800 inc sixth-form Forms of entry: Eight Open: 2018 Full capacity: 2022. Oasis Academy South Bristol Site: Next to Oasis John Williams
free schools. They would be funded by the Department for Education (DfE), which is considering all the plans and will give a verdict in the spring. Parents in Totterdown, Knowle and Windmill Hill have lacked a local secondary school since Merrywood school – now The Park community centre – closed in 2000. Many appeared to welcome the prospect of a new school at a public meeting hosted by grammar school head Rod MacKinnon at Redcatch community centre in September. However, the grammar school has pulled back from early suggestions that The Park was its favoured site for a school. It now says the DfE will find a site if the plan is approved. “With rising numbers across all areas it is likely to be the Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill children that will find it difficult to secure a place at a school of choice, as they will always be furthest away from existing schools,” says a council report. Currently, Oasis John Williams is oversubscribed but Bedminster Down and the Bridge Forms of entry: Six Students: 900 Open: 2019 Full capacity: 2023. Bristol Grammar School Site: None identified Forms of entry: Seven (at Year 7) Students: 1,000 age 4-16 Open: 2019 Full capacity: 2023.
Cookery class for toddlers YOU’RE never too young to start cooking – that’s what Holly Redfern believes. Former teacher Holly gave up an office job to start Little Cooks, to offer two to five year-olds the chance to enjoy exploring the world of food. “It’s going really well so far and the children get a lot out of it,” said Holly. “They are very proud of their dishes when they take them home to share with their families.” “Last week we made a cheesy courgette pie using filo pastry -
the children enjoyed handling the paper-thin pastry and crinkling it around their fillings. “While things cook in the oven we have 20 minutes of messy play, or last week I made them all rainbow jelly towers with toys hidden in the middle to squelch out!” Festive-themed cookery classes take place on Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am at Windmill Hill Community Centre. The cost is £10.50 per child, including ingredients. Booking is essential. • facebook.com/LittleCooksBristol
Learning Campus in Hartcliffe both have spare places. Bristol city council believes that only three new schools will be needed across the whole city to meet the predicted shortfall in secondary places in 2019. It sees a need for one school in the south, one to cover the central area, and one in the north. Council projections show a need for 42 secondary places in South Bristol in Year 7 by 2019, rising to 142, or about five classes, in 2022. These figures are based on a rising population of children, but they do not include any new housing in South Bristol, such as the 107 homes being built on Bedminster Road. This is because new homes generate few schoolage children for the first five years. All three new free schools would be open to all, with no selection criteria. Oasis Academy South Bristol which would work closely with Oasis Academy John Williams, under its executive principal Vicky Boome. Both Oasis plans are for secondary schools, while the grammar school plans a school for ages 4-16. But as council projections show no need for primary places in 2019, the secondary school may open first. Bristol South MP Karin Smyth told the Voice last month that the grammar school plans had “come as a shock”, and she wanted to see genuine local involvement.
Homeless could do with some more help VOLUNTEERS are being sought to work with homeless people as the number sleeping rough in the city continues to increase. Official figures peaked at 97 at the last street count in November 2015 up from 41 rough sleepers on any one night in 2014 and fewer than 10 in 2012. Homelessness charity St Mungo’s is working in a Rough Sleeping Partnership with the city council. The partnership has opened 65 extra bed spaces since Christmas, some in unused council buildings. The shelters rely heavily on the goodwill of volunteers to stay open. Volunteers work in pairs. Richard Drake and Heather Lister, who work once a fortnight at the night shelter in St Judes, said: “It’s a very straightforward and practical way to help make a difference. We also share the charity’s vision that everyone should have a safe place to stay.” On a typical night, the couple greet people as they arrive, help them sort out their bedding and offer them tea as well as talking to them about their concerns. To find out more, call 07736 887052 or email volunteers@ mungos.org • mungos.org.uk
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Arena will be 2 years late – but will it save any money?
BRISTOL will get its arena, promise the council’s leaders. But it will be two years later than planned – and with the bill already standing at £94 million, costs look certain to rise further. Behind the scenes, council officials are working with venue. Plans for the enterprise contractor Bouygues UK to find zone will pull the centre of every way they can of saving gravity of the city towards money on the scheme. Temple Meads. The zone has But the latest delay, pushing recently been extended to include completion of the arena back by a vacant sites near the Old Market year to 2019, spells further underpass, and parts of Redcliffe. uncertainty for a scheme which Crucially, the council gets to has been in the planning for 13 keep the business rates raised in years. The latest plan was to open the expanded zone, and it hopes in 2017, then 2018 – now 2019. to use this to help transform A report from Bouygues UK Temple Meads station. on costs and a timetable will be Fancy: Will the arena’s shimmering stainless steel skin be for the chop? Network Rail will pay for the six months late by the time it is and do all the things to make electrification of the London line said. “The inflation rate in Bristol delivered this winter. sure that local people are and platform work, but the for construction work is huge There have been rumours that involved in building it and council wants to see new because there’s a desperate the project would be cancelled. operating it,” she told the Voice. entrances east and west of the shortage of tradesmen,” said Cllr But mayor Marvin Rees insisted Bouygues UK has promised to station. The tunnel under the Hopkins. “The costs are going up it would go ahead. provide 48 apprenticeships platforms that used to lead to the and up. They might shave off “The commitment to the among the 650 jobs in building old sorting office could become some specification but they are arena is 100 per cent,” he told the arena. an underground street that exits not going to save much money.” South Bristol Voice. But, he said, But much more is at stake near the arena onto a new part of However, Helen Holland, a “Do we have [to have] all the than providing Bristol with a Bristol’s harbourside, Labour councillor for Hartcliffe bells and whistles?” Continued on Page 13 long-awaited entertainment and the cabinet member in Mr Rees gave few clues about charge of “place” – otherwise where money might be saved. known as development – insisted But the arena’s eye-catching that time has to be taken to get perforated stainless steel the plans for the arena and the cladding may be one target. TK Heat area around it right. Details like whether it has 4D or The Temple Quarter enterprise 5D cinema screens on the outside zone, with the arena and may not be important, he said. revamped Temple Meads station Bristol’s Lib Dem leader, at its heart, is hoped to provide Knowle councillor Gary Hopkins, 17,000 jobs over 25 years. said problems with the arena’s “What we don’t want to do is budget were small compared to to waste money that doesn’t need the huge overall deficit faced by to be spent. But we don’t want to the council. lose the ambition of making it a “They don’t know where they liveable area. We are working are generally [on the budget],” Fixed Price WorkheUndertaken Fixed Price Work Undertaken very closely with the developer said. “They are in a right mess.” Free Quotations on the costs. The extra delay for the arena Free Quotations “It’s not because we are going spells more trouble because it Professional, Reliable Service cold on it at all, we will deliver it will only increase the final bill, he Professional, Reliable Service
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November 2016
n NEWS
Ever wondered how bats commute? Along the river – right next to the site of the arena THE MYSTERIES of one of Britain’s most rare and cryptic bats have been uncovered in Arnos Vale Cemetery – and raised concerns about nearby building developments. The small and elusive population of lesser horseshoe bats was stalked through the darkness each night during summer, as they emerged from their hidden roosts amid the tombstones. Ecologist Dan Flew, from Totterdown, and his 15-strong team of local helpers from Avon Bat Group, used specialist radio-tagging equipment and bat detectors. Their quest was to find out how the species uses the river, railway, parks and darker green spaces that form a shadowy network through South Bristol, all the way from Totterdown, Windmill Hill and Bedminster through Southville to Long Ashton and Avon Gorge. “We did think they were probably trapped in their cemetery island of darkness, but we have proved they do leave, cross the busy road and get to the river,” revealed Dan. “We now know they can use the river to get elsewhere.” Their results are good news for the lesser horseshoes, with
WILL THE ARENA UPSET THESE RARE BATS? THE River Avon and its banks are a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Permission was given for a new arena footbridge over the river from Albert Road on condition that light falling on the river is minimised to 0.5 lux, to avoid disturbing bats – and, surprisingly, otters. Kingfishers have also been seen on the river. The planning
A fascinating study finds lesser horseshoe bats flourishing in South Bristol – but for how long? Alex Morss reports the Bristol population now estimated at 1,000, more than previously thought, making the area important nationally. But the team has highlighted concerns about how nearby developments may affect them. Dan told the Voice: “These bats are extremely difficult to record on bat detectors because they are often silent and cryptic. It is often presumed that they won’t be present and the likelihood of picking them up is quite low, so they can get missed when developments are planned, and I think this is a problem. “For example, it is presumed the development areas across the road from Arnos Vale, at Paintworks and the arena, are not highly used by lesser horseshoes, but I have found they permission calls for bird and bat boxes on the bridge, and the creation of an artificial kingfisher nesting bank on Arena Island. However, work by Dan Flew and his team has shown that lesser horseshore bats use the river for commuting more than was thought. Dan said: “The only way we will know the impacts of development is if in a few years time they have gone.” Comment: page 2
Tracking device: Dan Flew and his bat detection equipment in Arnos Vale. Inset: A lesser horseshoe bat BAT PICTURE: ©John Black/www.bats.org.uk do go over there from the cemetery. I have seen them crossing the busy, highly-lit A4 road by Paintworks. You could tell this was not a frequent or preferred choice, but they would venture out if they had to.” Dan’s team used giant aerials to pursue the bats on bicycles, in cars and on foot, but were often blocked by railway lines, fast tides and steep riverbanks. “With the difficulties of recording along the river, and also because lesser horseshoes are so quiet, it is difficult to prove to developers that they are there. The only way we will know the impacts of development is if in a few years time they have gone from Arnos Vale because of the lighting,” he said. Dan said even close-up monitoring can miss them: “On a couple of occasions a male bat, wearing our radio tracker, flew out of his roost and sneaked right past three people in the graveyard and they all missed it. That’s why I think they are under- recorded, and there is potential for there to be a lot more in Arnos Vale than we found.” Dan was able to show that the River Avon is a bat highway – but frustratingly too dangerous to monitor in depth. “Lesser horseshoes use the river to get from east to west, but trying to record this is difficult because it is too dangerous for us to get on a railway line or the river. At the moment the river and railway are perfect for them. Coronation Road is tree-lined pretty much all the way up to Avon Gorge.” Dan’s project also discovered some bizarre bat trivia: “These bats seem to have an in-built
barometer – they knew when low pressure was coming. They foraged longer on dates before big weather pressure changes, when torrential rain was on the way. Male and female bats would forage and roost at the same times at different ends of the cemetery, moving in synch, almost like they had a timer.” The team found the bats had various day-time and night-time roosts around Arnos Vale. He said the 1km zone around Arnos Vale is critical for this population, as that’s the preferred foraging range, but they can travel further.
LESSER HORSESHOE BATS – SOME TRIVIA • Lesser Horseshoes are among the smallest bats in the world, being roughly the size of a plum. • They emerge half an hour after sunset, and forage for flies, moths, spiders, beetles, wasps and other invertebrates. • This rare species is restricted to the milder South West. The Bat Conservation Trust says numbers have fallen a lot, due to more intensive farming, pesticides and roost disturbance. They are very sensitive to lighting and noise. • Lesser Horseshoes make loud echolocation calls at a frequency of 110khz, far too high for the human ear. They call less often than other species, so even with a bat detector they are easy to miss. • They roost and hibernate from about October until April. They breed in winter, with the young born the following summer. • avonbatgroup.org.uk
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November 2016
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n NEWS n ARENA – Continued from Page 11 Totterdown Basin, with waterside cafés and flats. It won’t be all offices, said Cllr Holland. “I don’t want Temple Quarter to be a sterile CBD, or central business district, as the Americans call it,” she said. “It feels a bit like that at the moment. We are thinking about how we integrate housing and draw more people through the area.” The framework plan recently approved by the council cabinet calls for 2,500 homes in the enterprise zone – an increase of 500. Most of the zone will have buildings of 6-8 storeys. But the
mayor wants to change planning policy to allow more tall buildings, so some of the new homes may well be in taller blocks. Arena Island is expected to have around 300 homes. Both Mr Rees and Cllr Holland are adamant the arena will be built. But they would not be drawn on details of the next phase, to transform Arena Island. This £28m plan calls for every local asset the council owns to be developed to the max, including the former sorting office and the Temple Gate building opposite Temple Meads. Even then it needs £8m from the community
Never mind the arena, how do we fund the libraries? FOR THE mayor and his cabinet of senior councillors, problems with paying for the arena are overshadowed by the massive hole in the council’s finances. Late in the summer, a deficit of £32m was discovered in the current financial year alone. It led to a desperate call for 1,000 voluntary redundancies from the council’s 7,000-odd staff. But only 737 applied for severance, of which 284 were approved and 357 rejected; others are still being considered. Over the next five years, there is a predicted budget gap of about £92m. Mr Rees has ordered an inquiry into how the council’s financial controls failed so badly. The cutbacks in our box, right, are only some of those proposed for next year, 2017-18. More cuts are listed for future years – for example, more than £1.2m from spending on parks in 2018-20. The council talks of “exploring options for alternative delivery models for parks, where we can enable maximum local
infrastructure levy, which is meant to benefit the whole city. Cllr Holland said she was talking to developers who are now convinced the city means business about providing housing and jobs. The arena will have to be part of a rounded community: people will not want to “pick their way across a building site,” she said. But it seems certain that much work will remain when the arena opens in 2019. The Bath Road Promenade, a new walkway from Temple Meads, won’t exist, and arena crowds will have to be shepherded away from traffic on the A4 by stewards. Many feel
this is a recipe for disaster. Cllr Holland pointed out that the arena plaza will provide a new route for pedestrians, diverting many off Bath Road if they are heading for Old Market. A new car park – maybe at Fish Dock, where Kwik Fit is – has not been ruled out. But visitors can be persuaded not to drive, she said, as they have been at Cardiff’s Millennium stadium. Improvements like the recently announced rail platform at Portway Park & Ride will help. Consultation on residents parking zones for the area near the arena is due next year.
How the council might make ends meet Savings proposed totalling £27m for 2017-18 include:
ownership, and potential to fundraise external income.” It also proposes cutting the library budget by £1.1m by 2020. The savings proposed could amount to £27m over five years – not enough to plug the gap. The council also aims to save £29m through efficiencies. Council tax next year may rise by 3.95 per cent, including a 2 per cent hike to help pay the rising costs of social care for the elderly and disabled. A council tax bill for an average Band D home would rise by £60 a year. Mr Rees has asked Bristolians to have their say on how the budget should be balanced by taking a survey – web link below. Cllr Gary Hopkins, Bristol’s Lib Dem leader, said the survey did not range far enough, covering only a third of the spending affected. The survey is also available in print from libraries and citizen service points or by calling 0117 922 2848. • bristol.gov.uk/corpstrategy
Reducing subsidies for bus routes £450,000 Axing companion passes for carers on buses £400,000 End funding for neighbourhood partnerships’ local traffic works £410,000 Homelessness spending, reducing stays in hostels £250,000-£500,000 Alcohol & drug abuse services £552,000-£1.1m Charge £200 for disabled parking bays £34,000 “Reorganise” school lollipop crossing patrols £360,000 Changes to Neighbourhood partnerships £20,000-£618,000 Crisis fund for people in need £475,000-£4.2m Reduce no. of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) £0-£572,000 End council tax discount on empty property £420,000 Reduce adult day services £413,000 Reduce Early Help services to families £550,000 Community meals (meals on wheels) £420,000 Cut arts & culture grants £500,000 Reduce opening hours at M Shed and City Art Gallery £200,000
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Free school breakfasts, tower blocks n MAYOR – Continued from Page 1 right place” and create “a bolder skyline”. The council has already upped the housing plan for Temple Quarter enterprise zone from 2,000 homes to 2,500 – presumably to be achieved by building higher. Could tall buildings here bring even more growth, and potential disruption for those
living in South Bristol? The Voice put it to the mayor that thousands of people living near Temple Quay and Bedminster Green face huge disruption in years to come from the many developments planned. Mr Rees promised to set up and attend a meeting for the South Bristol community where these concerns can be addressed
– an idea the Voice will be following with interest. Growth is key to the mayor’s pledge to reduce inequality in the city. Though Bristol is one of the most productive and innovative cities in the UK, it also has some of the fastest-rising housing costs. Developing the enterprise zone will bring vital business rate income to help fund the mayor’s
other ambitions. Bristol is the 10th worst city in the country for affordable housing, the mayor told the October 6 gathering at the Wills memorial building. He plans to build 2,000 homes a year by 2020, 800 of them affordable, and says that developers are already in talks. Among other initiatives he announced was the offer of a free
Low-rise, high density family homes are ANY development of Bedminster Green needs to respect its neighbours, keep buildings low and create an attractive community, say residents. WHaM – the Windmill Hill and Malago planning group – has released its own planning brief for the site, which has been the subject of controversy since developer Urbis revealed plans for around 800 homes in buildings of up to 12 storeys. The group points to urban
Enormous backing for our ideas, says WHaM sites where a high density of homes is achieved without building above six storeys. Wapping Wharf, the recently completed development the other side of the Avon from
Southville, has an attractive, active streetscape which manages 200 homes per hectare. Nearby, The Point achieves 100 homes per hectare. Both developments have “high density, sustainable and enjoyable housing, with low rise buildings, while enhancing the character of the area they are built in,” says the planning brief. “WHaM ... supports higher density new housing, but this has to be in the context of the
existing character of the surrounding neighbourhood,” says the report from the community group, which has a core membership of 30 and a Facebook membership of 400. The report was created with input from the BS3 Planning group, Create Streets and Clear Village, among other community planning networks. “Development will be mainly family housing and long term accommodation and expected to
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n NEWS
and the return of power boat racing school breakfast for every primary school child. Part of his drive against inequality will involve appointing council leaders “from Hartcliffe and Avonmouth as well as Clifton”. He has already set up a City Office that brings together the police, businesses, transport networks and community players
with a combined budget of £4bn to forge a single plan for the city. Also announced: • A task group to examine road congestion; • Freezing the cost of resident parking permits until 2020; • A review into housing for domestic abuse survivors; • New homes in Hengrove; • A City Poet, Miles Chambers.
One surprise from Mr Rees was the announcement that he is in talks about bringing back power boat racing to the harbour. Hugely popular from 1972 to 1991, the races brought up to 250,000 visitors to the city but also claimed seven lives. But the sport has moved on, Mr Rees told the Voice. Officials are in talks about safety, about
Marvin Rees: Road task force to look into congestion
new technology now available, about the harbour and how the races could return, he said.
community vision for Bedminster Green Group calls for cabinet to oversee development Detailed: The brief looks at roads, homes, open spaces and more be delivered as a range of housing types, sizes and tenures. Private rental sector housing should be minimised as it does not create a long term sustainable community. Homezones and residential for families that exclude cars would be welcomed,” said WHaM. It also wants to see roads made safer and pollution cut – which will be more difficult with tall buildings as they concentrate air pollution, it says. The document also calls for green spaces “designed to work with the urban context, not as unplanned afterthoughts” and “a place that encourages interactions between neighbours and visitors; and cares for the most vulnerable residents.” The increased population will also bring the need for a dental surgery and a new health centre including GPs but offering more services. Bedminster East is one
BREXIT VOTE PROMPTS NEW TOWER SALE ST CATHERINE’S Place, the tower block on the corner of Malago Road, is about to be sold to a developer. Urbis obtained planning permission for 188 homes on 16 storeys in 2014, and always planned that another firm would buy it from its investor
THE PROPOSAL to build 800 or more homes on Bedminster Green (called Malago Green by many residents) is so significant that the council cabinet should take control of it, suggests WHaM. “Any project of the scale of Bedminster Green should be overseen by the cabinet as a major development,” said WHaM spokesperson Dianne James. “At the moment Bristol city council appear to be leaving it up to the developer to determine what happens in Bedminster. We would like a comprehensive plan of the two per cent most deprived areas in the country for health deprivation and disability, WHaM points out. Tall buildings would also spoil some of Bristol’s classic views, including from Victoria Park and views of Windmill Hill which are noted as part of the appeal of Bedminster Conservation Area, says the group. WHaM’s Dianne James said reaction to the proposals had been very positive when the brief was unveiled at Windmill Hill owner to develop it into private rented flats. But a deal with a previous developer fell though amid economic uncertainty following the Brexit vote. A second round of bidding is under way and ends on November 4. If a new owner changes the plans, it may need new planning permission from the council.
Wapping Wharf: Seen as a good example of dense inner-city housing that will deliver much more community-focused housing to the area, a plan that strengthens the community. “Development on this scale should not be seen as an opportiunity to maximise profit at the expense of the health and wellbeing of the community.” WHaM members are putting questions to the council cabinet
meeting on November 1. Members want to challenge the assumption that the Green needs to be developed at high density, when it is surrounded by low-density housing, mostly terraces. WHaM is holding a launch party for its planning brief at the Windmill pub in Windmill Hill on Friday November 4. It will also celebrate the group’s first birthday.
community centre on October 8 and 10. “People were very thankful, and very positive about a lot of the things in the brief,” she said. “People are in favour of development. Everyone wants to see more housing, but at what cost?” The Urbis plan “will significantly change the nature of the area. If it was already an area of high rise it wouldn’t be such a concern,” she said. The group is now waiting to hear from the council how its planning brief will be used as part of the neighbourhood planning process. However, mayor Marvin Rees clearly sees tall buildings as a way to deliver housing the city desperately needs. He is prepared to alter the city’s Tall Buildings policy, which largely restricts high-rises to the city centre. Richard Clarke, managing director of Urbis, which has produced a masterplan for
Bedminster Green, believes low-rise buildings cannot deliver the housing that is needed, or pay for the riverside open spaces that will make the area attractive. Wapping Wharf and The Point count as only “medium density”, he said. The proposal by developer Paul O’Brien’s firm Rollo Homes, for Plot 1 at Bedminster Green, is over 350 homes per hectare. Meanwhile, Urbis has made a planning application for its district energy centre on Malago Road, though details weren’t available on the council website as the Voice went to press. A pre-planning application for Plot 5, around Bedminster station, has also been submitted but won’t be made public. However, public consultation on Plot 5 will begin before Christmas, said Mr Clarke. You can see WHam’s planning brief, and comment on it, at • whambristol.org.uk
Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
n NEWS The secret to ageing well
We just can’t live with this rat run
A FREE book aims to make growing older less of a challenge. Called The Little Book of AWE – Ageing Well Everyday, it is full of tips on activities and attitudes for daily life to improve our wellbeing and happiness. Examples include spending time with others doing what they love the most, learning about nature at Bristol Zoo, joining a local walking group, volunteering at a library, and visiting parks. The Little Book of AWE is free at community centres and libraries, or by calling Bristol Ageing Better on 0117 928 1539. • bristolageingbetter.org.uk
Orchard day
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DID YOU know there’s a local orchard? Volunteers from community group Tresa will hold a working party at the community orchard on Park Street on Saturday November 12, 11am-1pm. • tresa.org.uk
RESIDENTS of the Totterdown Triangle are becoming desperate for a solution to stop hundreds of cars an hour passing through their narrow streets at rush hour. The steep streets which connect Bath Road and Wells Road are used as a rat-run. For more than a year, residents have been waiting for work to block traffic entering Angers Road from Bath Road. The project was requested by community group Tresa and the council put £10,000 aside. Work was expected to take place early this year. But at the last minute the council decided to run a survey of traffic using the cut-through along Stanley Hill. The results showed that so much traffic uses the rat-run, that to remove it could cause hold-ups on Bath Road. It was
feared buses would be delayed, throwing timetables into chaos. Now residents are back to square one. The £10,000 is apparently ring-fenced for any alternative scheme that might be agreed. But proposals for council cuts to neighbourhood funding for road schemes may threaten any new scheme (see page 13). Jon Wellington, a Labour councillor who lives on Stanley Hill, wants a solution found – perhaps blocking Stanley Hill after the junction with Firfield Street. “In 20 minutes I counted 110 vehicles,” he said. “It’s not just the flow of traffic, it’s the speed,” said Tresa director Anne Silber. “That’s why we have been trying to slow the traffic with planters.” • Jon Wellington: page 29
Awards galore at KnowleDGE STUDENTS from Knowle West’s KnowleDGE Learning Centre are piling up their collection of Duke of Edinburgh awards. Since starting the D of E only three years ago 18 students have achieved a Bronze D of E award. The school, which educates children from south of the city who have social, emotional and learning difficulties, expects to give eight more Bronze awards to students before Christmas. Challenges completed by students over the last three years include volunteering in school as sports leaders and an expedition in the Forest of Dean. KnowleDGE has also been presented with a national award by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Jeff Lovell, for its use of nurture to support children. The school developed a “nurture room” to help children who find it challenging being in the classroom.
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n THE MAYOR
MARVIN REES Mayor of Bristol
I need to know what you think about our plan
Y
OU MAY have already heard about the financial challenges being faced by the council over the coming years and the launch of our five-year plan for the city, including possible solutions to close a budget gap of at least £92m between 2017 and 2022. I’m asking everyone to join me in a city-wide conversation about our future. We don’t just need your views – we need your solutions and we need to know if you can get actively involved in your community and services people might traditionally associate with the council. We’re bringing the conversation out of City Hall and nearer to your doorstep in November, with a series of events across the city to discuss your feedback and ideas. You can join us from 7pm on the following dates, but make sure to book your place by visiting bristol.gov.uk/corpstrategy, where you can also find our draft plan,
proposed savings and questionnaire: • Thursday November 10 – The Station, Silver Street, BS1 2AG; • Tuesday November 15 – Henbury School, Station Road, Henbury, BS10 7QH; • Wednesday November 16 – Bristol Brunel Academy, Speedwell Road, BS15 1NU; • Thursday November 17 – Oasis Academy John Williams, Petherton Road, BS14 9BU. The conversation may have only just started, but one of the most common questions people have been asking is how we can afford to build an arena when we need to save so much money. It’s a valid question, the answer being that
if the money came from our normal budget, we couldn’t. However, the facts are more complex and mean we cannot use the vast majority of the arena funding in other ways. The council is borrowing the money to build the venue, with the funding coming from two main sources. The first is retained business rates from the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. The second is borrowing against the future rental income from the operator of the arena. If we do not build an arena, the offer of £53m from the West of England Partnership would be withdrawn and the £38m income from the operator would never exist. Moreover, in difficult financial times, it is important to continue to invest in these kinds of projects, which will deliver future growth, investment and job opportunities. Not everything is so simple. The conversation we need to have is about new ways of providing services, including more roles for our partners, community groups and volunteers. This can be challenging, but it can also give more power to local people and provide health and social benefits. This isn’t just about ‘cuts’, it’s about redefining what we all do as part of normal city life. Together we can make the best of a really challenging situation, and now is the time to get involved in defining our future.
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n FEATURES He has made frequent radio appearances and runs workshops for schools and other organisations. He is often titillating but never trivial and continues to fearlessly confront the difficult questions in a style that is thought provoking and entertaining. This is his fourth collection.
WINDMILL HILL PUBLISHING
T
REVOR Carter, originally from the north-east, has lived in Windmill Hill for more than 40 years. His title – the Bard of Windmill Hill – was self-selected. Or rather, someone suggested it to him and “it’s got a ring to it – it’s more memorable than my name” – so he took it on as his stage name – a public persona that he uses to comment on history and political events. “People may assume my concerns are only local, but I have never written anything about Windmill Hill!” he told me (although he has taken part in the Art on the Hill art trail, and plays tennis regularly in Victoria park). Instead he writes about “the big picture stuff” and enjoys
Politics, comedy, and a love poem to an apple: Trevor Carter spreads his net wide, finds Beccy Golding recording history in a concise form. Indeed, he has condensed weighty history books into just a few pages. “My interest is political history, with some social history. But philosophy, religion and psychology are all represented in my work,” he told me. He has written profiles of
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Some sayings are cathartic; they go straight to the heart. And when it’s time to stop and think they nudge us all to start.
The Bard of Windmill Hill
Author photo by Philip Clark ISBN 978-0-9557426-3-7 Windmill Hill Publishing
£8.00
Where There’s Tea, There’s Hope
Where There’s Tea There’s Hope
T G Carter
‘Wit and social comment in ideal combination.’ Warwick Folk Festival ‘What a fantastic storyteller.’ The Acoustic Festival of Britain
Where There,s Tea There,s Hope
Meet the Bard of Windmill Hill, poet laureate of BS3
As readers of previous collections will be aware, the Bard of Windmill Hill has established himself as a poet of many parts. In 2014 he was crowned Bristol Storyteller of the Year - the first poet to win this prestigious prize. He is also poet in residence and co-organiser of Bristol’s longest running variety show, Lansdown Cabaret.
T G Carter
It’s the verbal panacea, the all purpose antidote; it’s echoed down the ages: ‘Where there’s tea, there’s hope’.
Storyteller award: Trevor Carter spins a yarn politicians including Thatcher, Corbyn, Mandela and Obama. Carter has a degree in history and politics and sees the role of historian and story-teller as part of the same thread. He is proud of two prizes he has been awarded – one was Student of the Year, in 1989, while studying for his degree at UWE, the other was Bristol Storyteller of the Year in 2014. This was for his performance of his story Meeting Mr Hog “a modern parable, with jokes, about a nocturnal visit and the repercussions of it.” So while he sees himself as a story-teller, it’s in the widest sense, with his work including book reviews, stories, articles, academic work, teaching, poetry and performance. “I see myself firstly as a writer. My performances are dramatisations of what I have written.” Carter preforms to all sorts of groups, from WIs, to rowdy pubs, to church services, and adapts his content accordingly. “My favourite love poem is one I wrote,” he said, “called Mother Nature. It’s very raunchy. And can be read on a number of levels, like a lot of my work.” Other poems are more comic. And probably his oldest poem is Ode To A Pink Lady, “a love poem to an apple.” Trevor has a background in construction. “I like the satisfaction of precision, getting things to work.” His poetry reflects this, written to certain forms of rhythm and rhyme, like anapastic tetrameter, with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one, repeated four times in each line. This complex form
Excerpt from the title poem of Trevor Carter’s most recent book
gives momentum and “is hard to do right. I am an admirer of Betjamin,” he told me, who had the philosophy of “don’t let it out till you think it is as good as its going to get. I like to teach this in schools.” Carter’s work in schools includes writing and performance workshops. “It is lamentable that the English education system tends not to teach speaking.” His workshops address this. “I like working with children. They are honest audiences,” he said. The Bard has four collections of poetry, all released by small independent Windmill Hill Publishing. His latest, Where There’s Tea, There’s Hope, came out in 2015, and is available at the Arnolfini bookshop or online. Carter’s current workload includes planning his festival circuit for next year (he has organised the word stage at Priddy folk festival for the last three years), and working on a new poetry collection for 2017. In the future the bard would like to “do more collaborative things – I like working with musicians, magicians, circus and other entertainers – I like variety and I like the unexpected.” Next on his agenda are the Lansdown Cabaret (“Bristol’s longest running and best variety show”) in Clifton on Friday December 2, at which he is resident poet, and the bard’s own Christmas Cabaret at Alma Tavern on Wednesday December 21, promising “preposterous poems, scintillating stories and irreverent songs.” • windmillbard.co.uk
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November 2016
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LETTERS Send letters to paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk or to 18 Lilymead Ave, BS4 2BX effectively doubling the amount occasions I heard owls hooting in approach to her job. I for one Labour: stop of pollution these blocks would that area and now no longer. It welcome the discussion and add to Bedminster, as electricity was a veritable owl hotel, which openness she encourages. is currently produced outside has been rendered a mere the Tory party the easy tweets hasHistorically, the city. fragment of memory to those known how to bend and go YOUR article in October on Karin Smyth’s congratulations for Jeremy Corbyn reflected the dismay of his supporters that she urged the party to work together with him. Anyone attending the South Bristol Labour Party meetings in the past year will acknowledge Karin’s openness and well-argued concerns about the leadership and functioning of the party. She is not alone in her fears that Labour have made themselves unelectable, almost certainly in the short term if not longer. It was not hypocrisy to resign her post and to declare for her preferred candidate (come the vote, he was not mine – nor was Corbyn). She did that from a perception of local and national needs. The party has much to do to develop coherent, developmental and fundable policies based on its values of equality and social responsibility, all within an assessment of current and future needs. This is not achieved by doctrinaire assertions. It will require hard and courageous work, soul-searching, analysis of current trends in economics, technology, business, defence and the rest. There are no easy answers and much will depend on the willingness of MPs and membership to work collaboratively, as Karin Smyth has urged. She has a sense of the practical as well as a vision grounded in long party commitment in Bristol and a compassionate and hard-working
with the flow for its own advantage and electabilty. Now witness the well-managed Tory divisions (who would now know that there are any!) and the overt bid Theresa May is making for the centre ground and the disaffected former (and current) Labour and UKIP supporters by reorientating her policies. So cease the easy Twitters and come to the constituency meetings and help formulate policies on a value-laden approach to today’s needs. There is much to fight for. Ben Mackay Windmill Hill
who knew this area. There was other bird life in that area as well – swallows, blackbirds, blue tits, wrens and many more. This has now been reduced to the odd pigeon pecking at crumbs left by the affluent customers of Better Food et al. The developers seem to think that planting a small number of stunted trees covers the environmental damage they have wreaked. Hopefully I am not alone in drawing attention to this. It is all very well mentioning that owls are “thriving” in other areas but I am not sure if this sufficiently covers their rapid decline elsewhere. Name supplied Southville
Inconsiderate Tawny owl
PICTURE: Chris Sperring
What happened to harbour owls? I READ the owl article in the latest edition with interest and concern. What is not mentioned is the development by the harbourside at Wapping Wharf. I am convinced that owls and their owlets once nested there. Owls are of course associated with the presence of other species, including the endangered vole, and their disappearance marks a decline in biodiversity. On numerous
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EVERYONE lives somewhere; yet drivers who use our narrow residential streets as rat-runs seem to forget this. It’s so frustrating when you stop so that you can reverse into a parking space, only for an impatient driver to stop right behind you and refuse to move to allow you to park. You know who you are. Numpties. DR, Windmill Hill
Energy centre will be polluting I AM concerned about the energy centre that Urbis is proposing to build on Malago Road. This will create both heating and electricity for new apartments –
Burning natural gas produces nitrogen dioxide, which is extremely harmful to health. How is this appropriate when Malago Road is in the Bristol Air Quality Management Area because of the poor air quality? SW, Address supplied
Send us your old stamps CAN YOU read this? Would you like to help those who can’t? Well, you can: please send us your used postage stamps. Money used by RP Fighting Blindness goes to fund a helpline service and research into a cure for the disease retinitis pigmentosa, which affects 25,000 people in the UK. We have raised £3,304 to date. For anyone wishing to know more, we do a 35 minute talk to groups and clubs to promote awareness of the condition. Thank you to everyone who has helped us. You have made a difference. Stamps cut outside the perforations will earn the charity more. We are also grateful for any unwanted stamp collections, old and foreign coins. Ron & Gina Pritchard 22 Huckford Road Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1EA; 01454 772927 n We welcome your views on anything that’s happening in South Bristol, to be sent to the addresses above. Please keep letters short; they may be edited.
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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
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n PICTURE SPECIAL
... Windmill Hill arts trail
Glasswork by Simon Alderson • aldersonglass.com Robin and Emma-Jane Richards make prints on Bristol themes and their native St Helena. EmmaJane also makes vintage cushions • bemmie.co.uk
Historic park views glass-etched by Jon Pigott
Soulful, jazz-inspired tunes from Charlie and Jake
... October 1 & 2
...the 1
Artist, photographer Samantha Gilraine •samanthagi
Carla Cosgrove and mum Helena’s cake sale in aid of a school aid trip to Tanzania
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CLEVE House school in Knowle has thrown down the gauntlet with a challenge to other Bristol schools: “Come and join us if you think you’re hard enough!” No, it’s not an invitation to a playground fight but a chance to take part in an old-fashioned conker tournament. They believe they are the only Bristol school still holding a conker contest, which this year was entered by all the pupils from the main school. Winners of the
coveted golden conker were Shay from Form 6 and Izzy in Form 2. Youngsters from Little Cleve Nursery were challenged to throw conkers into a basket for points. Headmaster Craig Wardle said: “It is lovely that this traditional game still takes place in our playground each year. We believe we are the only school in Bristol that still plays conkers, but if there are any that would like to take us on next year, we would love to hear from them.”
To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664
Stu W
November 2016
southbristolvoice
10th Art On The Hill
21
... artonthehill.org.uk
Something for everyone: The team behind the new Padfields café
Service and smiles at new café
ilrainephotography.com Music on the Victoria Park stage from Fools on the Hill
Watkin, aka Oshe • oshedesign.com
Cushions by Dear Gussie (on Facebook)
A NEW café for the community will be open every Wednesday, promising home-made cakes and tea served with a smile. The Padfields café is based at Victoria Park Baptist church, on the corner of Sylvia Avenue and St John’s Lane, and is staffed by people with learning disabilities. They come from all over South Bristol and attend outreach sessions run by Silva Care at The Park centre in Daventry Road, Knowle. Organiser Beth Hemmings explained: “It builds up their
confidence massively – everyone loves helping out. We wanted to be a bigger part of the community. “We have lots of different roles – some people are working behind the scenes, making the food and delivering it, and others are serving or being cashiers. We are making it as accessible as possible so that everyone feels included.” Padfields is open 11am-2pm every Wednesday and everyone is welcome to pop in. You can follow Padfields Café on Twitter and Facebook.
Walking the dog: Children at Hillcrest meet Huxley, rescued by RSPCA
Kids run their own charity event CHILDREN at Hillcrest primary school in Totterdown raised £100 for Bristol’s Dogs and Cats Home with their own charity event. Eight children in Year Four – Joe, Noah, Ruby, Charlotte, Scarlett, Stanley, Phoebe and Izzy – decided they wanted to do something to help animals. They set up a stall at Hillcrest’s summer fair, selling cakes, books, CDs, toys and other items. “We were really impressed – they did it all on their own, taking care of the money and everything,” said one of the parents. And as a thank-you, staff from the RSPCA brought a special guest to a school
assembly – Huxley the dog. An entire hall full of children was rapt with attention as Cordelia Lodge of the RSPCA told them Huxley’s story. A chihuahua cross, he is only two years old, abandoned as a puppy in a shed. At first he was very nervous but soon he began to trust the staff at the RSPCA. He quickly became the office dog, but before long one of the nurses decided to give him a home with her. Cordelia also told the children about a cat found with a chunk of wood in its eye, and how the Bristol centre cares for all sorts of animals from swans to a monkey.
Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
November 2016
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n NEWS
I
AM super excited. Paul, the editor herein, has crazily agreed to give me my very own corner! A column of my thoughts and experiences of life in Knowle. Not Upper, Lower, South or West but the whole damn place. I was once told, while working in Clifton, to say I lived in Totterdown, as it sounded better. No way! He typed his own letters that day. So this is me, a mum of four, a wife of one and owner of a scrappy little dog. I think I am funny, I get mad frequently and things happen that are out of my control. Tek the other day ...
R
at a tat tat – a jaunty knock at my front door. I open it suspiciously to find Pete from Broadwalk News bouncing about while wobbling my dodgy railings, loose mortar cascading down. “Ahh” he cried, hastily letting go of my rusting railings. “I hear you have a birthday girl?” Child No. 4, otherwise known as Evil (she is 13 and justifies this name), popped up behind me with questioning eyes. “So,” Pete
Who is she? We don’t know – her copy appears THE in a puff of WICKED smoke. Find WITCH out what she’s been up to this OF month as we KNOWLE introduce ... smiles kindly, “I have a vacancy for a paper-girl and have heard that you, young lady, would like the job? Wonderful. Starting on Monday. See you at stupid o’clock”. With a puff of dust from my crumbling house he was gone. I leaned against the door listening to Evil’s angry stomps back to her bedroom, realising that I have just signed up for three years of hell. I have done this before, I know the score. The over-sleeping, the yelling, the whizzing her to the shop in the car, then driving her round the streets and even doing it myself just to avoid Pete’s mournful gaze. But this has to be done, it’s a family tradition and a massive lesson in responsibility. Right! Let’s do this! But first I’m going to have a little cry.
Foot man in fight to save elephants SOUTH Bristol chiropodist Geoff Allan has vowed to donate 10 per cent of his earnings in the next year to conservation charity Save the Elephants, to support its fight to save the African elephant. Geoff, who lives in Totterdown and works in clients’ homes all over Bristol, was moved to make the unusual pledge when he realised the huge number of elephants that are falling victim to poachers. They are hunted for their ivory, which is prized for traditional medicine and for ornaments in China. “It’s terrible to think of these wonderful animals just being mown down due to human greed,” he said. “Elephants share the same emotions and cognitive behaviour as we humans. They grieve for their lost loved ones, they feel fear, joy and empathy and are highly praised for their
Geoff Allan: Donating his earnings intelligence. The slaughter of elephants in Africa has reached horrifying levels. A survey shows that between 2010 and 2012, 100,000 were killed by poachers. At current levels, there will be none left in perhaps 10 years.” Save the Elephants has set up a fund which aims to stop the killing of elephants, prevent trafficking, and put an end to the buying of ivory. There have been signs of a willingness in China to combat the slaughter. But only a complete ban on ivory sales in China is likely to have the necessary impact in saving the African elephant. To support Geoff’s fund, go to • crowdrise.com/save-theelephants4/fundraiser/geoffallan
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RSPCA UPDATE
23 From Bristol Dogs & Cats Home
Winter warmth is vital to residents such as Ronnie
E
VENINGS are getting darker, jumpers have come out of cupboards and winter is well on its way. Instead of letting this get us down, we are getting excited about our annual Christmas Fair! We think the Christmas Fair is a great way to begin the festive season and raise vital funds for the animals in our care. Colder weather means extra food and extra fuel is needed to keep all our animal residents happy, safe and warm. This year, the fair is being held on Sunday November 20 from 10am-3pm at Bristol Dogs and Cats Home. Come along to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, while supporting animals in need. There will be something for everyone: fun festive games, stalls selling gifts, decorations and Christmas cards, and a
Cold weather means our bills keep rising
grotto with a very special guest. And it wouldn’t be a Christmas event without mince pies and mulled wine aplenty! All the money raised goes to our Winter Warmer Appeal. This helps fund the extra costs we incur in the winter. Everyone likes to snuggle up when the temperature drops and all our residents, whether cat, dog or small animal, like a cosy bedroom. Heating is also essential for our RSPCA Bristol Clinic. It is a
POLICE REPORT
O
A no-no: Never leave key in a lock Contact Us page of our website (avonandsomerset.police.uk). Alternatively, if you don’t want to speak to the police, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name or trace your call.
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vital to ensuring a safe recovery for many of our patients. One such animal was little Ronnie who was found after being abandoned and who needed life-saving heat therapy in order to survive. Luckily, thanks to the hard work of our clinic team, he’s
With Sgt Caroline Crane Broadbury Road police station
Your tip-offs really do help us fight crime N MY mind this month is how the community can help us to beat crime by acting as our eyes and ears on the ground. Information from local people is what drives a good deal of our work, but unfortunately there has been a decline in the amount of this info coming through to us lately. If you have suspicions about anything or anyone, please, please let us know. You may be worried that someone is dealing drugs out of a property, or have spotted people going door to door trying to sell things to elderly or vulnerable people. There may be a suspicious vehicle parked in your road, or you may have been approached by someone trying to sell what you think is stolen property. It doesn’t matter how small – your information could be the key to us stopping crime in your street. You can report any of these things to us online by visiting the
Snug as a bug in a rug: Little Ronnie the kitten needed heat therapy to save his life
e had a positive result in Totterdown recently, after a house in St Luke’s Crescent was burgled. The victim had left her keys in the door, giving the burglar easy access to come in and help himself to a briefcase. Luckily, the victim’s neighbour had CCTV which helped us to track down the offender, who has since been sentenced to nearly 15 months in prison for this offence and a theft
committed in August. While we’re on the subject of burglary, I want to remind you all about the importance of locking your doors properly when you go out, and when you go to bed, especially if you have a paddle or stub handle. Regular readers of this column will know that this is a subject I talk about a lot! Last month a house in Somerset Terrace was burgled – at night while the victim was asleep upstairs – because the door wasn’t properly locked. Merely lifting the handle until it clicks isn’t enough, as thieves are adept at disengaging the lock. Please always use a key and then take the key out of the lock, keeping it close to hand so you can get out quickly if you need to.
F
inally, it was wonderful to be involved with this year’s Art on the Hill trail. PCSO Tomasz Mosakowski spent an enjoyable afternoon meeting people of all ages who were involved with the trail, sampling some delicious Spanish food on Gwilliam Street and chatting to people at the Vivian Street community centre. Until next time, Sergeant Caroline Crane
now on the road to recovery. If you can’t make the Christmas Fair, you can support our Winter Warmer Appeal by texting COSY16 £5 to 70070 or online: • campaign.justgiving. com/charity/bristoldogs/ winterwarmer2016
Plea to parents to get flu jabs for children
PARENTS across the city are being urged to get young children vaccinated against flu in order to help stop the spread of the virus. Flu can be very unpleasant for children and it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and sepsis. Getting children vaccinated can reduce the amount of flu circulating and help to protect the community, including older or more vulnerable relatives. The vaccination is available free on the NHS as a quick and painless nasal spray for children who were aged two to seven on August 31 this year. All children across Bristol aged two, three, and four – including those in reception class at school – can get the vaccination from their GP. Children of school years one, two and three will be vaccinated by school nurses. Others who can get free flu jabs include pregnant women, over 65s, those in long-stay care homes, carers and fontline health and social care workers. • nhs.uk/child-flu
Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
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southbristolvoice
n FEATURES
Getting elected can mean goodbye to the rest of your life
P
EOPLE are sometimes cynical about elected politicians these days – but often without good reason. They assume that councillors and MPs do little work, get countless perks and are on an endless gravy train. If there was a gravy train, Alf Havvock missed it. In his eight years representing Windmill Hill, retiring in May 2014, councillors received well under £800 a month for a role that can become more than full-time – if you let it. “When I started, Mark Bailey [then the other councillor for Windmill Hill] said to me, ‘I work a seven-day week on this, would you be willing to do the same?’ “That started eight years of
working day and night – which is why this place needs such an awful lot doing to it,” said Alf, gesturing around his house in Holmesdale Road, where the DIY jobs piled up for years while council work took priority. The Voice asked Alf for an interview because we thought it would be good to ask someone who’s stepped back from the job what a councillor actually does. There are endless committees, of course, and official visits, and hours of pounding pavements canvassing support and delivering leaflets. But it’s interesting that over more than hour in conversation, Alf mentions his political party,
November 2016
the Lib Dems, hardly at all. He wants to talk about the people he helped, and the issues exposed by the problems they raised. Sometimes the rules have to be bent to prevent bureaucracy causing misery. “Just after Christmas a few years ago a man rang to say could I help his daughter, a young mother in Windmill Hill. The snow was on the ground but she had no central heating, and nobody from the gas board would do anything. “She said her boyfriend had left her before Christmas and all the bills were in his name, so the gas board wouldn’t listen to her.” Alf spent two days on the phone to the gas company but got the same response – without a bill as reference, they wouldn’t do any work, not even for a single mother in a freezing flat. “After two days I demanded to speak to a manager,” said Alf. “I said if you cannot help, this will be in the Press by the weekend. She started to tell me that she couldn’t possibly tell me the account number, but then she started whispering and I could
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‘The work was done the same day! That sort of thing I loved, because sometimes you can get the results’ just make out that she was giving me the number. “The work was done the same day! That sort of thing I loved, because sometimes you can get the results.” It helped that Alf had worked at the council as a housing officer, so he knew how the council worked, and many of its officials. On another occasion a woman rang Alf in tears. She could hardly speak she was so upset, but Alf got her address and told her he’d be straight round. It turned out the council benefits office had told her she owned them £300 – money she simply didn’t have. Her son was in and out of work and the situation had become so
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n FEATURES
complicated that she had a whole box full of paperwork. “She had received 17 envelopes from the benefits department that day alone,” said Alf. “I brought it all home and laid it out on the floor in chronological order. I took it back to her, sorted out, the next day, by which time she’d had seven more benefit letters!” He took the papers to the benefit office in Hengrove, which he knew well from his time on the council. “I asked to speak to the manager, who I knew, and I asked him to sort it out. “He did – and it turned out they owed her several hundred pounds!” Being a councillor possibly only suits those people, like Alf, who can’t be sitting around. Born in Ashton Gate, his working life started with National Service in the Royal Corps of Signals. He loved the work, and thought about signing up for a life in the army – but then he came home on leave and met a certain Mary and decided a life in Bristol was more the thing. They have been
25
Alf Havvock: Eight years as a Lib Dem councillor for Windmill Hill. Being elected to represent local people is more demanding than many jobs – but without much recognition
together 56 years and had three children: one son sadly died, but they have five grandchildren. Alf went on to a long career in engineering for the Post Office. Alf freely admits that he and Mark got so much done because he was retired, and Mark worked
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part-time, meaning their council work could take priority – in fact, it took over their lives. Things aren’t so easy if you are trying to combine being a councillor with a full-time job and family life. The challenges, with never-ending pressure on
council budgets, will plague councillors for a long time to come. In particular Alf sees pressure on parking and housing as growing problems. “When we moved here 42 years ago there were only three cars on the street, and one of them was my GPO van,” he said. Since then, many houses have been split into flats, and major developments are planned all around, from 800-plus flats on Bedminster Green to 2,500 homes around Temple Quay. Like many, he thinks people will want to use their cars even if there are restrictions. He’s on speaking terms with commuters who regularly park in his road and walk to work. He added: “People will drive to the arena, regardless of the fact that it’s next to Temple Meads station and bus stops.” Now Alf has time for all those DIY jobs that piled up. But is it fair that so much is demanded of so many councillors – not just Alf and Mark, now both retired, but countless others?
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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
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n PLANNING APPLICATIONS 3 St Whytes Road BS4 1RX Two storey side extension and rear extension. Pending consideration 46 Arnos Street, Totterdown BS4 3BS Two storey rear extension to provide further living and bedroom space to two flats on lower ground floor and hall floor. Pending consideration
and erection of single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions St Martin’s Close, St Martin’s Road, Knowle BS4 2ND Hornbeam: thin by 5%, crown raise to 2m and reduce crown by 3m. Granted
41 Novers Hill BS3 5QU Single storey rear extension. Pending consideration
Broad Plain Rugby Club, Bristol South End BS3 5AZ Proposed overflow car parking area of additional 20 spaces. Granted subject to conditions
5 Marshall Walk BS4 1TR Change of use from Use Class A2 (professional services) to nursery use (Use Class D1). Pending consideration
73 Hill Street, Totterdown BS3 4TR Minor changes to approved scheme 15/02966/H for a single storey rear extension. Granted
257 Redcatch Road, Knowle BS4 2HJ Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension. Pending consideration
2 Filwood Green Business Park, Filwood Park Lane BS4 1ET Non-illuminated hoarding sign. Refused
45 Andover Road BS4 1AJ Prior approval for single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear of the house by 4m, of maximum height of 3.7m with eaves of 2.5m. Pending consideration 52 Jubilee Road, Knowle BS4 2LP Prior approval sought for single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear of the original house by 6m, of maximum height 3m with eaves that are 2.7m high. Pending consideration 129 Leinster Avenue BS4 1NN Detached two storey house. Pending consideration 164-188 Bath Road, Totterdown BS4 3EF Removal of three advertisements (two 12m x 3m displays, one 6m x 3m), to be replaced with two internally illuminated digital advertisements. Pending consideration 5 Copse Road BS4 2HZ Ash: Fell TPO 574 (tree preservation order). Pending consideration 177 Wells Road, Totterdown BS4 2DB Two storey rear extension. Pending consideration 99 Marksbury Road BS3 5LA Demolition of rear conservatory
76 Rookery Road, Knowle BS4 2DT Replace existing single storey porch and relocate external steps to rear garden. Granted subject to conditions 112 Broad Walk, Knowle BS4 2RS Change of use and conversion of detached garage to habitable area. Pending consideration 8 Beckington Road, Knowle BS3 5EB Single storey extension to lower ground floor with balcony above and insertion of patio doors to rear elevation. Pending consideration 7 St Agnes Avenue, Knowle BS4 2DU Side dormer roof extension to existing loft conversion. Pending consideration 4 Bantry Road BS4 1JU Part single, part double storey extension to rear. Pending consideration 7 Lilymead Avenue, Knowle BS4 2BY Single storey rear extension to extend beyond rear wall by 3.47m, of maximum height of 3.74m with eaves 2.94m high. Refused 111 Oxford Street, Totterdown BS3 4RL Retrospective change of use from (A1) retail & (C3) dwelling house to a 4-bedroom HMO (house
Knowle, Totterdown, Windmill Hill
in multiple occupation, C4). Granted subj. to conditions 16 Parson Street BS3 5PT Conversion of business premises (class B1a) and flat above to three flats with external alterations, including external stairs. Withdrawn 18 Parson Street BS3 5PT Demolition of single storey rear building and garage to allow the erection of a two-storey rear extension; change of use from hot food takeaway, with residential flat above, and conversion to two 1-bed flats and a 2-bed maisonette. Granted subject to conditions 17 Bideford Crescent, Knowle BS4 1HQ Single storey rear extension. Granted subject to conditions 100 Novers Hill BS4 1QT Variation to list of approved plans of planning permission 15/00545/F for erection of 14 dwellings following demolition
of existing buildings (Major application): amendments proposed include changes to internal layout, roof extensions to plots 1-3 and 5-8, changes to internal layouts of plots 9-14 and to front elevations. Granted subject to conditions 53 Novers Park Drive BS4 1RH Two storey side and single storey rear extension. Pending consideration 102 Wedmore Vale, Knowle BS3 5HY Single storey front, double storey side and rear and single storey rear extension. Pending consideration 402 Wells Road, Knowle BS14 9AA Change of use from 9-bedroom B&B to 9-bedroom HMO (house in multiple occupation). Pending consideration • The status of these applications may have changed since we went to press. Check for updates at planningonline.bristol.gov.uk
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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
November 2016
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n YOUR COUNCILLORS
S
EVERAL years ago the Friends of Redcatch Park, together with the youth club that is based in the park, Gary obtained a grant to Hopkins vastly improve the Lib-Dem four tennis courts. Knowle Not only did this not cost the council anything but because of careful budgeting some money was left over for path repairs. Usage of the courts has rocketed with all age groups taking advantage of the ability to turn up for a free game. More serious players can join the Knowle tennis club situated on council land 200 yards away. The tennis club had to be protected some years earlier when a half-baked proposal for a new swimming pool (which would never have been built) threatened their future. The grant for the tennis courts in the park was given on the basis of free access and was welcomed by the council. A few months ago
Knowle
an activity counter was put on the courts entrance. Chris and I sought and received assurances that this was not the start of an attempt to introduce charging. A few weeks ago word leaked out about an obscure, online-only consultation about starting to charge for access in return for investment in some of Bristol’s poor-quality park tennis courts. Chris and I challenged the officers to remove Redcatch from the charging obligation. This they have failed to do but they are saying they will listen to the consultation. The questions are skewed badly but there is an opportunity to add comments which we know local people have been doing. It can be found at http://tinyurl.com/jl6bdab A petition is also gathering momentum and is available at several places including Broadwalk News. We feel it is vital that local initiative is rewarded, not punished, and that potential players have the easiest and most flexible introduction to playing an active sport.
R
How to contact your councillor: p2
ESIDENTS in South Bristol, and Knowle in particular, are seeing the national problem with Chris buses first hand. Davies The new 51 Lib-Dem service by Wessex Knowle is carrying more than 1,000 passengers a day and although not perfect is generally getting the thumbs up. We are getting fewer complaints than we were previously about First’s 50 service, but the 36 is coming in for lots of fire. And having said that there was little need for the 51, First have now decided that they need to put on extra buses on the 2 route. Many residents recount tales of surges in effort from First when competition arrives and say that they soon disappeared if the competition did. Wessex though are bigger and more determined than most and are considering increasing some of the services rather than running away. That
must be good news for fare payers as with the latest First fare increases the differences are even more obvious with a comparison of £1 for Wessex and £3 for First for some journeys. Lib Dem councillors in Knowle and Hengrove were glad to receive a note from the mayor thanking us for saving the 51 and assuring us that procedures about changes in service would improve. A welcome step forward from a press release in which the administration had attempted to claim credit when in fact they had helped to cause the problem. So what is happening in Parliament? The Government is trying to ban councils setting up bus companies. This would undermine a council’s ability to make sure a service runs in the public interest. Lib Dems are pressing for councils to have the right to franchise services so that we can control routes, timetables and fares. At present operators like First trouser the profit from profitable routes and demand subsidies for less profitable ones.
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November 2016
southbristolvoice
n YOUR COUNCILLORS
I
N 2014, residents in Totterdown secured funding from the local neighbourhood partnership to Jon tackle the longWellington standing problem Labour of rat-running Windmill Hill through Stanley Hill and Bathwell Road. This is the result of cars turning left onto Angers Road from Bath Road to get to Wells Road, avoiding Three Lamps. I met recently with council highways officers to go through the implications of closing off Angers Road to traffic from Bath Road. The council has recognised that the quantity of traffic is not suitable for the area. However, based on modelling from a traffic survey, it was demonstrated that closing it off would cause unacceptable congestion on Bath Road as well as in the Temple Meads area. It would also cause the buses to be delayed at certain times. While I
29
Windmill Hill
recognise the need to keep Bristol moving, I am very concerned that the traffic strategy deems Stanley Hill to be an acceptable relief road to alleviate congestion. It is far too narrow and densely populated for this and I will be working to find another solution with local residents. I volunteer as a steward at the monthly Stanley Hill Playing Out event. Last month I stood at the Hillside Street end of Stanley Hill and the number of cars that attempt to come through is incredible. Last year, volunteers counted 540 cars in 1 hour 40 minutes, which I feel is completely unsustainable for a narrow residential street. The money from the neighbourhood partnership is still available and residents need to consider how else we can use these funds to alleviate this ratrunning problem. It’s vital that we work together to come up with an alternative. If you have any thoughts on this or are affected by it, please do get in touch with me.
W
How to contact your councillor: p2
E HAVE two jobs as councillors: one is to ensure that the council makes positive Lucy changes to our Whittle neighbourhood Labour and the other is to Windmill Hill support residents who come together to make positive changes of their own. One of the issues raised by several residents when I was first elected was the garages at the bottom of Holroyd House, Windmill Hill. One or two of them have been vandalised and this seemed to be attracting anti-social behaviour, drug use, litter and fly-tipping. When I reported the issue the council came and took the waste away, but I was concerned, and so were the residents who contacted me, that there seemed to be no longer term solution in place. I have followed up this issue, which covered several different departments, and it has been
agreed that the council will put a gate at the entrance to the garages which should stop fly-tipping. Police have shut down a cannabis farm in the area, which will reduce drugtaking activity and any associated anti-social behaviour. I hope that between us, residents and the council, we can continue to work together to bring further improvements to the neighbourhood. Which is exactly what happened on October 8 when Jon and I were invited by some local volunteers to help them clean up the Malago where it runs through Marksbury Road green space. We had a really productive morning, the stream looked fantastic afterwards, and I really enjoyed meeting the friendly and dedicated volunteers. The Malago Greenway Project hope to make their green space more welcoming for local people, children, cyclists and dog-walkers. If you would like to get involved contact me, or check out their Facebook page: Malago Greenway.
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November 2016
n HISTORY Tales from Arnos Vale cemetery Swept away: Alfred was one of hundreds
T
HIS month’s tale is frustratingly incomplete. It’s the story of the life and tragically early death of a Victorian seaman. Alfred Fairbrother gets only a passing mention in any written record during his 32-year life. We know when he was born, and where and how he died, in a cataclysmic storm in the Bristol Channel in 1872. But his death, coming among a tide of shipwrecks and disasters on the same day, merited only a few lines in the newspapers. Even his inquest was reported in just a single paragraph. It’s a great shame to remember someone only for the manner of their death. So often in this series of articles it’s been hard to find out about the character of the person whose gravestone at Arnos Vale only hints at the hole they left in the family home. In Alfred’s case, however, we
Merchant ships were the lifeblood of the Victorian economy – but they were the death of many of their seamen have a little more information, because his tragic death inspired a poem. Not a great work of art, certainly, and we don’t even know who wrote it, but it’s surely a mark that someone close to Alfred wanted him remembered long after he died.
A
lfred Robert Fairbrother was born in 1840 to Edward and Elizabeth Fairbrother in Ashton-under
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Lyme, Lancashire. His father was a boiler-maker; for reasons unknown the family moved to Bristol. The 1851 census shows Alfred, at 11 the oldest child, living with his parents, brother Edward, 3, and sister Sarah, 7. They were one of two families – a total of nine people – living at 8 Crosby Row, Clifton Wood. No. 8 does not survive but it was presumably a modest terraced dwelling like the surviving Victorian houses in the area. Sarah is listed as a “scholar” but Alfred has already been put to work: occupation “errand boy”, which probably meant he was employed to fetch and carry, perhaps for one of the shops in the city centre. From the Fairbrothers’ home on the hillside above the harbour, they would have seen a forest of masts and the constant clangour of one of the busiest ports in the kingdom. Britain in the mid-19th century was the wealthiest, most technically advanced country in the world, and its prosperity rested on its ships – not only the mightiest navy in the world but the thousands of merchant vessels which carried our industrial manufactures around the world and brought back to Bristol sugar, tobacco, wine, spirits and other riches. Was this what tempted young Alfred away from his tiny wage and uncertain prospects as an errand boy to the excitement of a life at sea? It’s a choice he certainly made – or was made for him – but we know nothing of the how, why or where. In 1854, when Alfred was 13, the Merchant Shipping Act enforced the registration of merchant vessels for the first time. This was intended to improve reliability and safety, partly though registering the tonnage of each ship, to prevent it being overloaded by unscrupulous owners. Training became more and more rigorous. Alfred may have joined one of several training ships where teenage boys were taught the basic skills of seamanship. There were none in Bristol, but from 1861 there was an industrial training ship in Cardiff, and there may have been facilities there earlier. If Alfred was a youth prone to bad
Imposing: The marble gravestone where Alfred and his wife were re-interred by their son in 1934 behaviour, he might have been sent to one of the reformatory ships in Liverpool, where, if he survived five years of beatings, he could make a career in a merchant vessel or the fishing fleet. One thing is clear: Alfred had ambition. Two of the few documents that survive are his certificates of qualification in the Merchant Service (as it was then known). In December 1862, under regulations laid down by the vital 1854 Merchant Shipping Act, he was awarded his Second Mate’s certificate. The was a step up from being an ordinary seamen. “Mate” was not a chummy title but a qualification showing that Alfred had learned the mathematics of navigation, and was probably in charge of making plans for his ships’ route. The second mate was the third most senior officer in charge of a ship and had major responsibilities, making sure all charts were up to date and often plotting the course. He also needed a good knowledge of how to handle cargo and direct the crew, taking charge of lowering the anchor and other vital duties. Alfred didn’t stop there. In June 1866 he won a further certificate making him a First Mate, meaning he could now command a merchant vessel subject only to the authority of the Captain. The first mate was in charge of cargo and deck operations and supervising the crew. He would also have stood
To advertise, contact sales@southbristolvoice.co.uk or Ruth on 07590 527664
November 2016
southbristolvoice
31
n HISTORY Tales from Arnos Vale cemetery who died each year in service on the sea
A three-masted barque probably similar to the Gracie, which sank on December 9, 1872. A painting by George Gregory in 1892 of the barque Lady Blackwell. Painting owned by the Dibbs family of Sydney. watch on the bridge for his turn at command in concert with the second mate and the captain. It all sounds very well regulated – shipshape, in fact. But the reality was far from benign. The phrase “shipshape and Bristol fashion” was first recorded in the 1840s and referred to the high standards of neatness and stowing of cargo demanded of ships that docked at Bristol. The reason was that the River Avon has the second highest tidal range in the world, of 13m (43ft). Until the Floating Harbour was opened in 1809, every ship had to tie up at high tide and would then fall sideways on its keel when the water ebbed. So everything had to be stowed properly, or there would be chaos. Bristol ships also had to be especially well made to withstand the strain of this tidal fall on their timbers. But we can be pretty sure that Bristol standards didn’t persist across the whole of the nation’s fleet. In fact, much of it was in a disgraceful state. Maritime writer and novelist Antoine Vanner reports that many ships were so rotten and worn out that they would simply break apart. They were known to sailors as “coffin ships”. A seaman would often agree to a voyage without
having seen his vessel – or how heavily it was loaded. But once signed up he was legally obliged to serve – or face imprisonment with hard labour for 12 weeks. In the 1850s a prison inspector reported that three out of four prisoners held in jails in the South West were seamen who had refused to serve on vessels they believed were unseaworthy or undermanned. We don’t know the circumstances in which Alfred Fairbrother sailed – whether his ship was overladen or undercrewed. We do know that conditions for British seamen were often terrible, and worse than those of ships from other nations (see panel overleaf). But it was not just a tough job in uncomfortable surroundings: it was also a deadly occupation to an extent that would not be accepted today. In 1873-74, the year after Alfred died, 411 ships sank around the British coast with the loss of 506 lives, according to Vanner. Many were wrecked not by storms or bad seamanship but because they were so weak they broke up.
T
he weather in the Bristol Channel on the night of Sunday December 8, 1872, was, however, so vicious and
exceptional that even wellmaintained ships could not be certain to survive it. All hands were lost on the brig Wallace when she turned over and quickly sank. A barque, or cargo sailing ship, from Nova Scotia in Canada was driven by the wind across the path of another ship and also sank, with the death of all on board. A naval cutter called Mystery set off from the small island of Flat Holm, near Weston-superMare, heading for the fort at Brean Down. The deepening gale soon forced her to seek shelter
and heading across the Channel she got behind Penarth Head, south of Cardiff, but then grounded and lost her small boat. Later she refloated but lost her anchor then drifted, out of control, and hit the mizzen boom of the schooner John Pearce, tearing off Mystery’s mast and some of her deck. As the cutter began to fill with water, a boat was launchd from the John Pearce and threw a rope to the navy men. They were able to pull alongside the John Pearce and 12 men jumped across. But the remaining two fell between the vessels into the sea. Richard Johns, mate of the John Pearce, straightaway pulled his small boat between the two large vessels, at great danger, and rescued them. For his bravery Johns was given the RNLI Silver Medal. The strength of the storm was “unexampled,” wrote the Cardiff Times, summing up the damage. “Circumstances have happened in Cardiff alone which almost transcend belief,” it said, citing a woman crossing St Mary Street lifted by the wind and carried 12 yards. A man trying to post a letter at Cardiff Post Office fought the wind for five minutes before reaching the post box – when he was flung in the air and slammed across the road. Churchgoers could not hear the services, the wind was so loud, and they had to dodge flying roof tiles and other debris as they struggled home. In Bristol there was similar Continued on page 32
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n HISTORY
As the ships collided, one man was thrown onto the deck of the other – the Gracie’s lone survivor Continued from page 31 destruction, with many buildings damaged. There was disaster for the Totterdown engineer William Brock, after whom the new bridge to the arena has recently been named: the factory of his firm, Brock and Bruce, next to Totterdown basin, was needed for the expansion of Temple Meads station, and a new factory had been erected opposite the station. On the night of the gale it was almost complete, but lacked windows. All appeared well until four days after the gale, when at 6am a sudden crash signalled the collapse of the roof and all three floors of the vast, 120ft building. The latest methods of construction using concrete beams were not enough to save it. Luckily no one was inside.
S
November 2016
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o what of Alfred? There were no witnesses to his death; but his family had the small consolation that his was the only body recovered from his ship. Alfred was chief mate on the barque Gracie, a Canadian ship with a multinational crew which carried timber across the Atlantic. An inquest held in Westonsuper-Mare, close to where his body was found, heard that he had left his Bristol home to join the ship at Sharpness Point. His captain, Alfred Johnson, was in Cardiff, where he left the Windsor Hotel at 3pm to board the Gracie. The Cardiff Times reported what was told by the sole crew member to survive. Gracie was carrying ballast – a dead weight to make her handle better before she picked up her timber cargo in Canada. When the gale picked up, she sheltered with many other ships behind Penarth Head. But the anchor chain broke, and the sailing ship drifted out of control into the Channel and on to the Cardiff Sands. Her ballast shifted, making her unstable, and the storm tore her off the sands and onto the bows of a Norwegian ship, the
Tales from Arnos Vale cemetery
Tribute: An unknown poet – a relative? – wrote this appreciation of Alfred, “generous, true and brave” Gefle. The Gracie’s side was stoved in and she almost turned over. But she did not; and with amazing luck Marcius Cook, 20, an American seaman who was climbing her rigging, was thrown onto the deck of the Gefle. It was his salvation. The Gracie broke free from the Norwegian ship but was filling with water. Caught by a gust, she was driven clear but then turned over and instantly sank. Nothing more was seen of the Grace or her 10 remaining crew until the next day. when some fishermen on Birnbeck Island, Weston, saw floating wreckage. They launched
a boat and found part of the poop deck of the Gracie with the body of Alfred Fairbrother on top. But was he dead? The inquest was told that the body was warm. But it took two hours for medical assistance to arrive, and when it did Alfred was pronounced expired. “A verdict of ‘Found dead on a portion of wreck in Sandy Bay was returned’,” reported the Western Daily Press tersely, adding: “Deceased leaves a widow and three young children to mourn their loss.” Alfred’s death was one of scores that night. He received the dignity of a swift inquest because
his body had been found quickly. It’s hard to piece together a picture from the newspaper reports, as several ships were simply missing, but many were lost or severely damaged by the gale. The Penarth lifeboat rescued five from the Eleanor of Quebec, and reported that “during the whole of the night signals of distress were continually being shown.” An Austrian and an Italian ship lost their anchors and were badly damaged. Two barques, one French, became waterlogged and were abandoned, their crews rescued by other ships and
A wretched life for the British sailor
T
HE WRITER, artist and explorer Frederick Whymper noted that even on many “superior vessels” in the 1870s the seaman “may, and often does, wade to his bunk through water, and the forecastle is too often a miserable hole, full of dirt and filth, where the men are packed like herrings.” Says maritime expert Antoine Vanner: “Whymper was particularly critical of the food, mainly ‘salt horse’ and hard biscuit of the most inferior type. Even at
this late stage scurvy was still often a problem, not least because the lime-juice that should have prevented it was frequently grossly adulterated. Whymper claimed that there was little or no scurvy in the Russian and French merchant navies.” Whymper went to London’s West India Docks, and found, according to Vanner, that most vessels were “small, with wretched accommodation, badly manned, provisions indifferent in quality and deficient in quantity”. Cases
Exposed: Frederick Whymper showed how badly seamen were treated occurred on “first-class ships” in which “seamen’s’ chests were black from the gas which rises from the cargo, and which smells like sewage, which is especially the case in sugar ships.” • dawlishchronicles.com
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November 2016
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n HISTORY
33
Tales from Arnos Vale cemetery
‘Dear brother, we thy early death deplore, Thy cheerful voice will be heard no more’ brought to Bristol. The crew of another barque was rescued off Swansea by the Mumbles lifeboat. It was estimated that 400 vessels sheltered from the storm in the Penarth Roads, but by the morning only half were still there, many of them dismasted. “Many of them had broken from their moorings and driven up the Channel, and some had run ashore on the English and Welsh coasts to prevent entire loss,” said the Cardiff Times. Ships were not safe even in Cardiff Dock; many were pulled from their moorings. “The steamship Clifford took the iron mooring ring away with her, and ran foul of several other vessels,” said the Cardiff Times, listing scores of ships badly damaged. In a report obviously written rapidly as news came in, we learn that the Eleanor, mentioned in a separate report for the lifeboat rescue of her crew, had been the subject of a court case a week before and had been recorded as a “wrecked vessel”. First the Eleanor was stated to have run ashore on Cardiff Sands; then, several lines further on, we learn it had been towed into harbour. Was the Eleanor a rotten or overladen “coffin ship”? The reforms of Bristol-born Samuel Plimsoll, who fought for years to outlaw overladen vessels, would not take effect for several years (we’ll tell his story another time).
A
t the time of his death Alfred had been living with his wife Elizabeth at 2 Greenway Crescent, Bedminster, a road that no longer survives – was it near Greenway Bush Lane? They had married in 1867 in Clifton. The next year their daughter Mary was born, followed by a son, Alfred, in 1870. When the 1871 census was taken Elizabeth and the children were living on her parents’ farm at Rodford, Westerleigh, to the north of Bristol. A third child, Arthur, was born in Bedminster in June 1872; he would never get to know his father,
Dedicated: Alfred was a First Mate, enabling him to command a ship who was dead by Christmas that year. In 1881 the widow Elizabeth was living at 72 St Thomas Street, Redcliffe, working as a dressmaker to support her children. Did she receive any compensation for her husband’s death? Her son Edward was later apprenticed as a jeweller in Worcester; Arthur emigrated to South Africa but later returned; daughter Mary became a teacher. In 1901 Elizabeth was living in Downend with Arthur and his wife and daughter; by 1911 she had moved in with Mary and her husband and two daughters at a different house in Downend. She died in 1914 and was buried in Wick. In 1934 her son Arthur had her reinterred, to be with Alfred in Arnos Vale.
W
e are left with a life of scant facts – and with the poem, Lines Suggested on the Death of A R Fairbrother, published in an unknown newspaper 12 days after the storm. Signed “ML”, it could be by one of Alfred’s brothers-in-law, for Elizabeth’s maiden name was Lidyard. At any rate, the author calls Alfred “brother”, and was obviously close to him. “Dear brother, we thy early death deplore, Thy cheerful voice will here be heard no more,” it begins. Alfred used his “manhood’s strength, striving with all thy might” to build a home for his family, writes the poet, who says Alfred’s thoughts were often with
his loved ones when he was at sea. Alfred, the upstanding ship’s officer, was “generous, true and brave” and “oft risked” his life to save his fellows.
The family was obviously grateful that they had a body to mourn over, unlike so many others: “One bitter dreg was taken from our cup, That thy wrecked body was not swallowed up.” The poet assures us that religion is a comfort to the grieving family, although “many eyes were dim with gushing tears For thee, and one that to thy heart was dear” (presumably Elizabeth). “The ways of Him who rules the raging winds, Mysterious seems to our dark finite minds”, says ML, registering a very Victorian acceptance that death was for many part of God’s mysterious plan. The family have faith Alfred didn’t die alone; though “no earthly friend was near”, “thy mother’s God was there, To bend o’er thee and hear thy dying prayer. “Dear brother, although gone, thy memory’s dear,” says the poet. Classic poetry it isn’t; but it’s a touching tribute to a man we’d otherwise hardly know.
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The St Monica Trust holds regular open days at our unique Monica Wills House retirement community where you will be escorted on a guided tour by one of our residents. Offering all the advantages of independent living, but with a strong feeling of community spirit, these well-appointed 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are situated in the heart of Bedminster and provide social activities when you want them, and access to care and support when you need it.
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n YOUR MP
35
KARIN SMYTH Labour MP for Bristol South
Problem debts are not going to disappear before Christmas
W
HETHER meeting household bills and credit commitments troubles you personally or not, everyone knows people who struggle with debt. We’re unlikely to know the extent of the problem, because it’s often a hidden one. But it’s very common in South Bristol. One in five adults here is classed as overindebted, well above the national average. This means people who find meeting payments a heavy burden, often falling behind in recent months. It can of course feel easier not to face up to it. Even if you haven’t done so yourself, chances are you know someone who’s chosen instead to re-mortgage or take another credit card. Even if you do want to tackle debts, it can
Monday
be hard to know where to turn. Some people wrongly think getting advice will cost money. It means only 17 per cent of over-indebted people seek help. So 83 per cent - over 13,000 people in South Bristol – do nothing. Identifying where they are and how to reach them is a major challenge. Research shows a number of factors that are linked with debt problems. If a community has high levels of rented housing, for example, larger families, and low incomes, there’s a tendency towards higher debt levels.
Knowle Filwood Community Centre Barnstaple Road, Knowle BS4 1JP 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm Tel: Kim 07920 023170 Clifton St Peter & Paul Cathedral Pembroke Road, Clifton BS8 3BX 5.30pm Tel: Susan 07711 388511 Ashton Ashton Vale Primary School Avebury Road, Ashton BS3 2QG 7.30pm Tel: Emma 07701 030460
These factors won’t cause debt, but can usefully indicate how and where support should be targeted: debt advisers need to forge partnerships with housing associations, for example. As a local MP I think it’s important to use my position to bring together those that can reach out proactively to provide advice which could turn out to be life-changing. It’s why I’m working with Money Advice Service, last month calling a special meeting of debt advisers, housing associations and organisations to which residents end up owing money, to find and share ways to encourage more local residents to get quality advice. I’ve also raised the issue in Parliament but was disappointed that the Government’s position appears to hand responsibility squarely to voluntary agencies, rather than taking any itself. Don’t get me wrong: the voluntary sector does a terrific job advising people who approach them, but if we’re to get people to come forward for help a joined-up government strategy can only help. With Christmas coming, the issue won’t go away soon, so I’ll be keeping on top of it in the months ahead. As ever I welcome Voice readers’ views. You can email me at karin. smyth.mp@parliament.uk or write to The House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
Tuesday
Bedminster Salvation Army, Dean Lane, Bedminster BS3 1BS 9.30am, 6pm Tel: Virginia 07938 567886 Knowle Church of the Nazarene Broadwalk, Knowle BS4 2RD 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm Tel: Susan 07711 388511
Wednesday
Bedminster St Francis Church, North Street, Bedminster BS3 1JP
9.30am, 5pm, 7pm Tel: Kelly 07760 623115
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Bedminster Victoria Park Primary School, St John’s Lane entrance, BS3 4QS 5.30pm, 7.30pm Tel: Kelly 07760 623115
Saturday
Bedminster Salvation Army Dean Lane, Bedminster BS3 1BS 9am Tel: Susan 07711 388511
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36
November 2016
n WHAT’S ON Tuesday October 25 n The Weir Tobacco Factory. By Conor McPherson, coproduced with Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre. In remote rural Ireland, Brendan’s bar is a shelter and solace for lonely souls. A chilling contemporary classic, directed by Rachel O’Riordan. Until November 5. Tickets £16 and £13. BSL interpreted performance on November 2. • tobaccofactorytheatres.com Thursday November 3 n After school club Windmill Hill City Farm, every Thursday during term time 3.45-5.15pm. Outdoor fun and fresh air for six to nine year-olds with pizza making, feeding and putting the animals to bed, crafts, shelter and fire building. Drink and snack provided. £5. Details: 0117 963 3252 or email julie.thorpe@ windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk • windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk n Blitzkrieg City + Scout Killers + Daily Thompson Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown, 7-11pm. Blitzkrieg City are back after line-up changes and a new EP while Scout Killers are a five-piece alternative indie rock outfit with a powerful sound. £5 • thethunderbolt.net Saturday November 5 n Science for Kids Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth Road. Join Bill Bailey (no, not that one) from 10.30-11.30am for a fascinating and fun journey into science, this time with a fireworks theme! For ages 4+ but all ages welcome, £2 per child, cafe open till 1pm. • zionbristol.co.uk n Fleetwood Bac The Tunnels, Temple Meads. Billed as the world’s first and best Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, the only Mac tribute band to authentically replicate the classic Rumours line-up. 7.30pm, £10. • thetunnelsbristol.co.uk n Go, Go Children 60s soul, funk and r’n’b classics played on original vinyl. Fiddlers club, Willway Street, Bedminster. £5, 8pm-2am. • fiddlers.co.uk Monday November 7 n Farm Adventurers Stay and Play Every Monday 9.30-11.30am at Windmill Hill City Farm. Outdoor fun at the farm for under-fives and their parents or carers with nature play, animal care, music and crafts. Drop-in, but places are limited. £5 per family (up to two
Incredible feats kept us rapt the whole time REVIEW Berlin Continental Circus, Durdham Downs THE BERLIN Continental Circus is a reasonably priced, well paced and good-natured night out for all of the family. In the large performance tent, a live band sit above the entrance to the main ring. The show is a series of short performances from a variety of traditional acts, ranging from trapeze and rope artists to contortionists, strong men to children), £1 for any additional children (max 3 children per family). • windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk n Secrets of Storytelling Tobacco Factory theatre. Part of the Take It On series of skills classes for ages 8-11, 4.155.45pm. £6 (limited places so book in advance). • tobaccofactorytheatres.com n Argentine tango beginners course at Saltcellar, Totterdown Baptist Church, Wells Road, Totterdown; entrance off Cemetery Road. Every Monday 6.30-7.15pm, practice until 7.30pm. £7 per class on the door or £30 for six. Email info@ thetangoroom.co.uk • thetangoroom.co.uk n VPAG meeting for those concerned about issues affecting Victoria Park. The Bowling Club, 7.30pm, everyone welcome. • vpag.org.uk
n Coulrophobia Tobacco Factory theatre. Two clowns trapped in a cardboard world. They know something sinister is afoot. Join Bristol’s own Pickled Image puppetry company on a hysterical and sometimes terrifying quest for freedom. (Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns.) Over 16s only: contains nudity. 8pm; £13 and £9. • tobaccofactorytheatres.com
jugglers. Each act is selfcontained with a clown performing characterful tricks between acts to join them up (he was my favourite). This format meant that our young children
were mesmerised for the entire show. However it did mean that the feats of skill or strength were the star of the show, not the performers; you just didn’t get to know them. The second half of the show was faster paced than the first, starting with a laser act and ending with an incredible, slow motion dance from two incredibly strong men. At the end we got to see all of the performers, each with a flag indicating their nationality. Overall, it was great for our young children with some fantastic demonstrations of human concentration, strength, and skill. David Drury
Thursday November 10 n Martin Turner, exWishbone Ash The Tunnels, Temple Meads. An evening of classic Wishbone Ash music from Martin Turner, the lead vocalist and key creative force on all the band’s definitive album releases. 7.30pm, £12.50. • thetunnelsbristol.co.uk Friday November 11 n The Internet and Family History Knowle & Totterdown History Society presents Bob Lawrence, of Bristol & Bath Family History Society, who will describe how the internet has changed the search for our ancestors. 7.30pm, Redcatch community centre, Redcatch Road, Knowle. Members £1.50, visitors £3. • knowleandtotterdownhistory. org.uk n Seann Walsh: One For the Road Comedy Box at the Tobacco Factory theatre. The Lie-in King returns. “However dishevelled he may be, the Foster’s Comedy Award nominee is one of the best comics in the country.” Fresh from C4’s Virtually Famous and a regular on ITV’s Play To The Whistle. £15.50, 8pm. • comedybox.co.uk Saturday November 12 n Christmas Bazaar Totterdown Methodist church, Bushy Park, Totterdown, from 10am-3pm. Seasonal stalls including gifts, cakes, pickles, refreshments, home cooked lunches, Asian food, home made cakes and jams. Raffles and games. • southbristolmc.org.uk
n Tim Brine & Sue Franklin Saltcellar Folk Club, Totterdown Baptist Church, Wells Road, Totterdown; Entrance off Cemetery Road. “A return of this popular duo who play guitar, mandolin and recorder to accompany their excellent vocals.” 7.30pm, £5. • saltcellarfolk.org.uk n Shappi Khorsandi: Oh My Country Tobacco factory theatre. “Shappi is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her arrival in Britain. She’s reclaiming patriotism, sending a love letter to her adopted land.” Star of Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and more, she’s also president of the British Humanist society. £15.50, 8pm. • comedybox.co.uk Monday November 14 n Totterdown Gardening Club in Totterdown Square. Volunteers needed to clear the raised beds near Tesco, plant some bulbs and aAlliums for the spring. 11.45 am-1pm followed by group lunch. Please bring gloves and gardening tools. • tresa.org.uk Wednesday November 16 n Black Mountain The Vancouver band visit Fiddlers as one of only four UK dates. Fiddlers club, Willway Street, Bedminster. £5, 7.30pm-1am. • fiddlers.co.uk Friday November 18 n Front Room Arts Trail Totterdown. Also on Saturday and Sunday. See page 4 • frontroom.org.uk n Angie Belcher’s Comedy Depot Zion Bristol, Bishopsworth
Mesmerising: The acrobatics
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n WHAT’S ON BONFIRES AND FIREWORKS Local events headed in purple Wednesday November 2 n Inns Court Centre Marshall Walk, Knowle. Food and fireworks: homemade food from 2.30pm plus cookery demos, tea and cakes. Fireworks 6pm. Children’s activities, bouncy castle, bric a brac. 0117 910 5200 or email sara@ediblebristol.org.uk Friday November 4 n Knowle Cricket Club Broad Walk, Knowle. Gates open 4.30pm, fireworks 6.30pm. Food & drink available. No sparklers. Adults £5, children £3, family (2+2) £12. n Downend Round Table King George V playing fields, Sutherland Avenue. Bristol’s biggest bonfire event with two firework displays – children’s 6.30pm and main show 8pm. Gates 5.30pm. No sparklers. Live acts, bar, burgers, pulled pork, sweets, candy floss. Tickets £6 adult and £5 child on gate; in advance from traders or website. • downendrt.co.uk/fireworks
n Cleve RFC The Hayfields, Cossham Street, Mangotsfield BS16 9EN. Gates 6pm, fireworks 8pm. Funfair, food, stalls and bar. Adults £6, children £3.50, family 2+2 £15. 0117 957 5775, email enquiries@ cleverfc.co.uk Saturday November 5 n Victoria Park Bonfire, no fireworks. Organised by VPAG. Volunteers build the bonfire from 3pm, Guy Fawkes judging 6pm, fire lit at 6.15pm. Hot dog stall and bar. Free. • vpag.org.uk n Compass Point School South Street, Bedminster. Gates open 6pm, fireworks at 7pm. Tickets £10 for a family of up to 5 people. Hot food, drinks, entertainment. 0117 377 2340 • compasspoint.bristol.sch.uk n Hungerford Community Centre, Brislington Hungerford Community Centre and Social Club, Hungerford Road, Brislington BS4 5EX. Small firework display with sparklers, barbecue and bar. Free entry. n St Werburghs City Farm Watercress Road, Bristol BS2 9YJ. 3-8pm. Fireworks after dark. Adults £5, under 12s free.
Free glowsticks. 0117 942 8241. • swcityfarm.co.uk n Fireworks To Music at Avon Valley Country Park Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham BS31 1TP. 5.30-9.30pm. Display at 7.30pm. Funfair, food and bar. Tickets £2 in advance. Parking £12.50 car up to 5 seats, £20 for 6 seats+. • avonvalley.co.uk n Canford Park Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3NX Gates open 6pm, display at 7pm. Presented by Bristol Round Table and Clifton Rotary Club. Tickets: £5, under 3s free. n Puxton Park Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish, Weston-
super-Mare. Gates open at 5pm, fireworks at 7pm. Tickets in advance only: £6 (adults and children). 01934 523500. • puxton.co.uk/Events n Thornbury Round Table Mundy playing fields, Thornbury BS35 2AE. Gates 5.30pm. • mythornbury.co.uk n Winterbourne Scouts Sunny Acres Farm, Winterbourne BS36 1QL. Gates open at 5.30pm. Bonfire lit 6pm, fireworks 7pm. Barbecue. £4 adults, £3 under 15s. No parking at the venue. 1st Winterbourne (St Michael’s) Scouts. 01454 775024 or email winterbournesmgsl@ cotswoldedgescouts.org.uk n Bishop Road School School Field, off Bishop Road, Bishopston BS7 8LQ. 5pm. Twitter: @BishRdFireworks • bishoproad.bristol.sch.uk Sunday November 6 n Bradley Stoke Town Council Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke. Gates open 4.30pm, hot food from 4.45pm, fireworks 6pm. No alcohol on site and no sparklers. Park in Willow Brook Centre. Free entry. • bradleystoke.gov.uk
Road. Headlined by charming West Country storyteller Cerys Nelmes with award-winning Damian Kingsley, dependably hilarious Radio Wales regular Sarah Bridgeman, Funny Women finalist Janet Garner and charming Welsh comedian Drew Taylor. £5, 7.30pm. • zionbristol.co.uk n Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Tobacco Factory. This show sold out a run in Bristol in April; now it’s back after a UK tour. The average person will speak 123 billion words in a lifetime. But what if we’re forced to say less? This taut two-hander is about what we say and how we say it. £12 and £8; 8pm; also on November 19. • tobaccofactorytheatres.com n Nish Kumar: Actions Speak Louder Than Words A comedy show about history, democracy and capitalism from the Radio 4 favourite, as seen on Live at the Apollo & Have I Got News For You. Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken, North Street, Southville. 8.30pm, £14. • comedybox.co.uk Saturday November 19 n Christmas Fayre Knowle Methodist church, Redcatch
Road, Knowle. 10am-2pm • southbristolmc.org.uk Monday November 21 n Transport issues in Bedminster Planning for the future inaugural meeting of the new Greater Bedminster Community Partnership Transport sub-group. 7pm, Acta theatre, Gladstone Street, Bedminster. Tuesday November 22 n 20/20 Visions exhibition preview, 6-8pm, Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue, Knowle. “Camera technology is now so cheap and pervasive that taking a photograph no longer holds an intrinsic value. As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we’ve invited 20 photographers who have known Knowle West Media Centre through the years to reflect on how photography has changed over the past two decades.” Exhibition open November 23 to February 28, 2017. • kwmc20.eventbrite.co.uk Thursday November 24 n John Otway Big Band + The Worried Men Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown, 7.30-11.30pm, £12. John “Two Hits” Otway returns to the
Thunderbolt without Wild Willy Barrett; the Worried Men have supported names such as Wilko Johnson and Nine Below Zero. • thethunderbolt.net Friday November 25 n Broken Biscuits Tobacco Factory theatre. Three uncool kids in a garden shed plot their transformation through the power of song. New play from Tom Wells, author of Jumpers for Goalposts. Also on November 26. 8pm, £14 and £10. • tobaccofactorytheatres.com n Quiz and supper night Windmill hill community centre, Vivian Street. Last Friday of every month, 8.30pm-late. • whca.org.uk n Nathan Caton: Straight Outta Middlesex Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken, North Street, Southville. “Laidback, on-the-nose material, chopping down fools of all colours, both in day-to-day life and in the media,” says the Guardian. 8.30pm, £12. • comedybox.co.uk Saturday November 26 n Children’s stories, songs, crafts and costume-making with BraveBoldDrama at Ashton Vale Community Centre, Risdale Road, 10-12noon. Free as part of
the Ashton Vale Hub. • brave-bold-drama.co.uk n Christmas Fair Bedminster Methodist church, British Road, Bedminster. 11am- 2pm. Stalls, refreshments and Father Christmas, in aid of the Jessie May Trust and church funds. • southbristolmc.org.uk n The Monochrome Set + The Peerless Pirates Thunderbolt, Bath Road, Totterdown, 7.30-11.30pm. £12 and £10. The Monochrome Set formed with Adam Ant as a member in 1976, then became a staple of the post-punk circuit. They reformed in 2010 and have since released two albums. • thethunderbolt.net n Doreen Doreen Bristol’s devoted crowd-pleasers return to the Fiddlers club, Willway Street, Bedminster. £8 advance, £10 on door, 8pm-2am. • fiddlers.co.uk Saturday December 3 n Christmas Bazaar St Martin’s Community Hall, St Martin’s Road, Knowle. With Father Christmas in his grotto, and stalls including needlework, pickles, toys, plants and grand prize raffle. Refreshments, hot food and home-made cakes.
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CJ Hole Southville invite you to accept our offer of a free sales or lettings valuation. To arrange an appointment, please telephone the office or call in personally. If you have instructed another agent on a sole agency and/or sole selling rights basis, the terms of those instructions must be considered to avoid a possible liability to pay two commissions.
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n ARTS Stories of the Bristol seafarers IN BRISTOL, you are never far from the sea, and many families have a connection with a maritime life. Now Acta theatre, famous for creating drama out of real experiences, has made a show, Sailor’s Tales, about local people’s lives at sea. The evening is built on the
recollections of people from Avonmouth and North Bristol like Pat Wheeler, who was married to a Merchant Navy man who was once on a ship that ran out of every food except corned beef – which he hated! Pat worked her way up from being a cleaner to a Customs officer, where he learned of the dodges that the dockers used to smuggle goods out of the docks, from cutting out secret compartments inter cars to
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CARPET CLEANING
Gladstone Street, Bedminster, from Wednesday November 2 until Saturday November 5. It also plays at Avonmouth Community Centre, 257 Avonmouth Road, Avonmouth, BS11 9EN, from Tuesday November 8 to Saturday November 12. Shows are all at 7pm except for the Saturdays, when there is a matinee at 2.30pm. All tickets are £3. • acta-bristol.com
Griffin Electrical Established 1984
Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning Carpets dry in 30 minutes!
Current Offer
CARPETS
1 Room 3 Rooms Whole House
£35* £60* £80*
UPHOLSTERY
1 Armchair £20* 1 Sofa £30* Rugs £5 to £20*
Call Nick / Alison at A.Cleaning Service on:
07812 730346
www.a-cleaningservice.com
YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL ELECTRICIAN
www.griffin-electrical.co.uk john@griffin-electrical.co.uk • Rewiring • Minor alterations • Security Lighting & Alarms 01275 832830 07831 534766 NICEIC Approved Contractor Member of Checkatrade.com
*PRICES ARE EXCLUDING VAT
PEST CONTROL
PLUMBING
LOCAL PLUMBER
• REPAIRS/BURSTS • STOPTAPS • TANKS, TOILETS • TAPS, WASHERS • BALL VALVES • LEAD-PIPES
0117 9564912 **NO VAT** **O.A.P. DISCOUNTS**
RECORDS WANTED
Advance Pest Control Commercial & domestic
• Pigeons • Mice • Moles• Rats • Squirrels • Gulls •Bed-bugs • Ants • Fleas • Flies • Moths • Wasps
07771 503107 YOUR LOCAL PEST CONTROL EXPERTS www.advancepestcontrolbristol.com info@advancepestcontrolbristol.com
Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Paul on 07811 766072 or email paul@southbristolvoice.co.uk
T: 07811 766072
F O R M E R LY
southbristolvoice
www.southbristolvoice.co.uk
B R A N C H E S
O F
November 2016
B R I S T O L
We’re opening The Old Mill Interiors & Furnishings store in the heart of Bristol, bringing the people of Bristol and surrounding areas great value furniture, homewares and gifts with everyday low prices. On the site of the recently closed Branches of Bristol store, you’ll be able to find a world of oak, pine and painted furniture for all rooms in your home in every look imaginable, from stylish classics to ultra-modern industrial looks. But we don’t stop there, with leather and fabric sofas and chairs, mattresses and more. There’ll also be a great range of rugs, lighting, homewares and gifts. Simply everything you need for a more beautiful home.
WARWICK OAK RUSTIC FINISH LIVING & DINING FURNITURE FROM JUST £99.99
CAMBRIDGE NATURAL LOOK PINE BEDROOM FURNITURE FROM JUST £35.00
NEW LOOK STORE NOW OPEN! ENJOY THESE OPENING OFFERS IN OUR NEW STORE!
5% OFF ANY ORDER SPEND £1000 & GET 10% OFF V A L I D F O R A L I M I T E D T I M E O N LY
Store Opening times Monday - Saturday: 9.30am -5.30pm Sunday: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Stay up-to-date with offers on our Facebook page or visit our website
W W W .T H E O L D M I L L I N T E R I O R S . C O . U K
0117 934 9200
T H E S H O W R O O M S , C I T Y P O I N T, T E M P L E G A T E , B R I S T O L , B S 1 6 P L Minimum spend and delivery radius applies for free local delivery