South Bristol Voice February 2023

New train station at Ashton Gate?

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

Bristol City Council leaders have pledged their support for a new railway station at Ashton Gate.

Campaigners and stadium bosses have long called for the old station to reopen to help sort the notorious traffic and transport problems on match days.

The need became even more pressing in October when the planning committee approved a new £100million sporting quarter, including a 3,626-seat basketball arena, hotel, flats and convention centre, along with a 510-home estate called Longmoor Village on greenbelt land in Ashton Vale.

Previous council plans for 133 homes next to the Alderman Moore Allotments, granted permission in 2018, left space for a potential new train station, which has been pencilled in, but not definitely included, in future proposals for the reopened line to Portishead, which the Government finally signed off two months ago following months of delays.

Now the city council has reaffirmed its backing for the reopening of Ashton Gate station.

Labour group leader Cllr Steve Pearce told a council meeting: “Like many I was pleased to see Ashton Gate sporting quarter get the green light – another new indoor arena and sorely needed homes on brownfield land that will turn that corner of BS3 into the main sporting destination in the South West, bringing with it jobs and investment.”

He asked: “While it will be some time off being built out, is a new Ashton Gate station a priority for the council and for Weca (West of England Combined Authority)?”

Labour cabinet member for

transport Cllr Don Alexander replied: “We are obviously ambitious that there should be a station down there. At the moment we have Portway park and ride station which we hope will be opening in the next few weeks. It’s built but just needs some technical sign-offs.

“We have the Ashley Down station for Rovers fans and others which we hope to begin building in March but there are some challenges during the construction period and also to finalise the finances with Weca. We’ve also got Henbury and North Filton, so we have quite

Turn to page 6

Ashton Gate Station, pictured in 1962. Picture Lamberhurst, Wikimedia Commons

Contacts

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South Bristol

My councillor?

Post: (all councillors) City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR.

Tessa Fitzjohn Green, Bedminster

By phone: 07584182801 By email: Cllr.Tessa.Fitzjohn@bristol.gov.uk

Mark Bradshaw Labour, Bedminster. By email: Cllr.mark. bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk

By phone: 0117 353 3160

Tony Dyer Green, Southville

By phone: 07584182862 By email:

USEFUL NUMBERS

Bristol City Council

www.bristol.gov.uk

Christopher Davies Knowle Community Party. Email: Cllr. Christopher.Davies@bristol.gov.uk

Phone: 07826917714

Gary Hopkins Knowle Community Party. Email: Cllr.Gary.Hopkins@bristol.gov.uk

Phone: 07977 512159

Ed Plowden Green, Windmill Hill

Phone: 07584184577 By email: Cllr.Ed.Plowden@bristol.gov.uk

Lisa Stone Green, Windmill Hill

Phone: 07584186535

By email: Cllr.Lisa.Stone@bristol.gov.uk

“And the winner is… Mike Alden!”

By Sian Ellis-Thomas, Chair of Friends of Redcatch Park

The BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award is given annually as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony. The award is given to the sports person who has made a substantive yet unrecognised contribution to sport in the community.

Mike, who suffers from brittle bone disease and is registered disabled has run the Park Football Club for ten years, was nominated for the award in October by the Friends of Redcatch Park. He now runs 10 teams, including two girls’ teams and five disability teams.

Lesley Powell, from the Friends of Redcatch Park, said: “As soon as we saw the criteria to qualify for this award, it was a no-brainer for us to nominate Mike. He doesn’t seek the limelight at all, he’s so humble. He just quietly goes about making a difference. But we were determined to get him some proper recognition and so this win is just wonderful.”

It wasn’t long to wait to find out that he’d been selected as one of only eight finalists. After qualifying, the BBC sent out a film crew to record Mike in action at football practice at The Park Centre, on the pitch at Redcatch Park and to get soundbites from his supporters. At the end of almost a full day recording, the crew presented him with a Finalists Award. But that was just the start of this journey.

As if that wasn’t enough

excitement for this most humble of men, Mike and his wife Linda were then treated to an allexpenses paid overnight trip to the BBC studios in Manchester to take part in the live recording of the final on 21 December.

On the night, while Mike was hobnobbing and getting selfies backstage with Torvill and Dean, 160 miles away, back in Bristol, almost 50 family and friends gathered at The Park Centre to watch a live screening of the BBC ceremony. There was much eager anticipation as they sat patiently through half the show, waiting for Mike to appear on screen and see if he’d won.

All the eight finalists were invited up onto the stage and as Gary Lineker introduced the Unsung Hero Award, the camera panned across to see them all, and there was Mike, on his mobility scooter. Olympians Jonnie Peacock and Denise Lewis were welcomed onto the stage to open the envelope and announce the winner.

At the Park Centre, Sian was poised with her camera to capture the moment of the announcement. Just in case! She says: “It’s a moment I’ll remember forever. When Jonnie Peacock opened the envelope and said Mike’s name, the whole room erupted. Everyone was screaming and crying and jumping up and down. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was immense. I’m so glad we were all there to share his moment. It was truly magical”.

No matter how surprised Mike was to win, there’s no

doubt that he is a worthy recipient of this award for his sterling work. His story is one of resilience, dedication, and determination and The Park FC is a truly great example of community volunteering at its best. It’s been bringing purpose and changing lives for over a decade and the community is lucky to have Mike and his entire family dedicating their time and energy to such a successful and vital community asset. He’s an inspiration to us all.

But now the fanfare is over what’s next for Mike and his beloved club? He says: “My hope for the club is that it just continues and grows. My whole family help with the running of the club and I couldn’t do it without them. We’re now busy trying to raise some funds to set up new changing facilities in Redcatch Park for the disability and girl’s teams, which will allow

us to invite away teams and play more matches. I’d like my legacy to be a club that runs successfully for generations to come”.

So it looks like the Unsung Hero award joins the shelf with the other 27 football trophies and the work goes on for Mike.

If you’d like to more about Park Football Club, please email: mikealden45@hotmail.co.uk

Mike with granddaughter Kelsey at football practice

Mike with his SPOTY BBC award. Photo courtesy of BBC Mike photorgaphed with Torvill and Dean at the ceremony

Mike with Lesley Powell of Friends of Redcatch Park

FOOTBALL coach Becca Todd, who teaches at a special needs school in Knowle, is the woman behind Team Brave, a women’s football team based at Windmill Hill City Farm. Alongside Mike Alden, Becca was one of two South Bristolians shortlisted for the Unsung Hero category at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award. We caught up with Becca to find out more about the fantastic work she does. How did you get involved with football coaching?

“I’m a football coach and I’ve coached all over the world for various charities, teams and schools. I love how sports have the power to unite people together and boost confidence and happiness. I’m really passionate about playing and coaching football, and set up Brave to give people an opportunity to play in a safe, fun, welcoming space, and use football to enhance mental health, wellbeing and happiness. I’ve always loved football since I was a kid, and now I love giving others the opportunity to try it and love it.”

Brave looks like it is based in Chile and Bristol, how did that connection come about?

“I lived in Chile for three years and, when we were there, we set up an adventure park with all kinds of confidence-boosting outdoor activities, in an area of deprivation where people often don’t get a chance to get outdoors and be active. Brave

JOIN THE TE AM

Park was really popular with kids and their families, and we loved seeing people so happy outside.” It’s clear that the mental health aspect of football is as important to Brave as the physical aspect. “Yes. Brave really focuses on boosting self-esteem, confidence and improving mental health and wellbeing. We provide a really safe, welcoming and friendly environment for everyone to feel a sense of belonging and to make new friends. The football provides fun and a great catharsis from everyday life, and the support system of Team Brave really helps people to conquer any challenges they might be facing. We try to make it as accessible as possible to give everyone the opportunity, and it’s free.”

Congratulations on making the SPOTY shortlist, what an incredible achievement.

“It was so touching to be nominated by the team and our mentor, and to be nominated for such a prestigious award was amazing! I’d like to say thanks so much to everyone who nominated and supported me.” What was it like attending the BBC’s awards ceremony?

“It was an amazing experience to be among world class athletes and sports stars, and the ceremony was incredible. It was also great to meet the other Unsung Hero nominees, as they are doing awesome work in their communities, too.”

What’s next for you and Brave in Bristol?

“We just want to keep on providing fun, friendly, free and inclusive football sessions for everyone to access. We’d like to reach out to more vulnerable people such as refugees, to give them opportunities and help them integrate into society.

Helping people feel happier is the essence of what we do, and what we strive to keep on doing through the power of football and team spirit.”

If people are interested in joining the team, what should they do?

“Anyone is welcome, so they can come along to training any Wednesday from 6-7pm at Windmill Hill City Farm. For more information, they can drop us an email at teambrave.uk@ gmail.com or via instagram @ team_brave_x. We’d also love to hear from any organisations that might be keen to get involved in sponsoring our projects or collaborating.”

Pictures courtesy Team Brave’s Instagram account.

“Helping people feel happier is the essence of what we do”

Football club left without proper changing rooms for three years

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

Park Knowle Football Club

“desperately needs” better facilities in Redcatch Park but the council has so far stalled on carrying out essential maintenance work.

Park Knowle FC is coached by Mike Alden, who recently won the Unsung Hero Award at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees congratulated Mr Alden on winning the award, but was also urged to apologise to him and the club for “the mess” the council has left them in. The community applied to the council to carry out the work themselves, but then the application “hit a wall”.

During a Bristol City Council meeting in December, Sian Ellis-Thomas, chair of Friends of Redcatch Park, said: “The club desperately needs better facilities in Redcatch Park to accommodate the disability and

girls teams. A community asset transfer has been requested for the pavilion so this can be updated, but this application has hit a wall.

“Bristol is about to be put on the national map because of Mike’s achievements. It would seem appropriate to reward his efforts by expediting the community asset transfer so we can continue to do this amazing work for our community.”

Park Knowle FC has many teams, five of which are for football players with disabilities. The pavilion in Redcatch Park is “basically a large wooden shed”, according to Knowle Councillor Gary Hopkins and the current changing rooms are substandard. The football club and Redcatch Community Garden jointly applied for a community asset transfer for the pavilion.

According to the mayor, the reason the asset transfer has taken so long is because other groups have also applied for a community asset transfer.

School Streets schemes could be expanded

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

Car traffic could soon be banned from driving outside three more schools in Bristol at the start and end of each school day. The School Streets schemes aim to make the road safer for pupils, cut air pollution near schools, and encourage families to walk and cycle.

The new proposals would see traffic restrictions outside schools including Fair Furlong Primary School in Hartcliffe. The restrictions would last 45 minutes in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.

Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “We are really ramping up our School Streets programme, and, if successful, these three new schools could bring our total number in Bristol up to 11. School Streets help to reduce parking, traffic congestion and air quality issues at the school gates, while improving road safety for children and their families.

“Our aim is to also encourage active travel, and getting people into the routine of walking, cycling and scooting from a young age will help embed this with our next generation.

“We hope people across these three areas support the proposals, which could transform the roads outside the schools, creating a more pleasant environment for everyone, while making sure residents, businesses, pedestrians and cyclists can still use the roads.”

Amy Sood, headteacher of Ashley Down Primary School, said: “We continue to encourage active travel to Ashely Down and can see the benefits this has to children and families in promoting exercise and reducing traffic congestion around the school. School Streets offer an opportunity to limit road usage around the school and create safer pavements.”

However, this was disputed by Cllr Hopkins who said the park departments told the community they were the only ones who had applied. Cllr Hopkins added it was “not in good faith to invent somebody new”.

Mr Rees said: “We’re always up for a conversation, but because as I understand it there’s more than one group potentially interested. We need a process and people need to work with the process so that everything is fair and above board, and people aren’t disadvantaged or led down a route that leads them to use their own resource and ultimately not get a return on their use of their resource. So that’s why we want to really stick to the process.”

Cllr Hopkins replied: “Firstly, they were the only applicants, and were told so by parks management. They were the only people who put interest in, in a partnership between them and the community garden. So to invent somebody new coming

along now three years down the line is not very good faith.

“No doubt you will want to join us in congratulating [the coach] for what he’s achieved so far, but will you also apologise for this mess that’s left them without changing rooms for three years?”

The mayor did not deny he had “invented” another group applying for the community asset transfer, and then said the delays were due to short-staffing in the council.

Mr Rees said: “We have had a capacity issue in the team. We have recruited to that team now but we do have to work with the reality that the backroom capacity of the council has been challenged. Recently we put a recruitment freeze on as well because of the need to meet the financial envelope that we’re in, and that may have impacted. But the capacity is there now so hopefully people will get the communications that they were looking for.”

International Women’s Day event will be bigger and better than ever this year

By Bristol Women’s Voice

Bristol Women’s Voice, and a very dedicated team of volunteers, are shaking off the winter blues and working together on the programme for this flagship event.

Not many free events in Bristol attract as many volunteers to support the programme, or as diverse a range of participants. This year’s International Women’s Day event will bring hundreds of women from different communities across Bristol together, to connect, learn and celebrate. More than 100 contributors and partners will be running workshops, performances, exhibitions, activities and talks in and around City Hall. Activity strands include health, nurture, poetry, music,

film and photography, dance and visual arts. There is something for everyone, and we can provide support to help you get there via free public transport, a creche and translation services.

This year, the day-long event will also include an evening programme of entertainment, as well as a march through the centre of the city, so that women can show their support for one another and make their voices heard.

There’s a lot people don’t know about this small charity that packs well above its weight. Bristol Women’s Voice is run on a very tight budget by a staff team of five, all part-timers. In building their vision of equality for women in Bristol, the work they do includes working with transport companies and the council to lobby for urgently-

needed improvements in women’s safety on public transport in Bristol.

Bristol Women’s Voice holds the police to account and acts as a critical friend via the Women’s Independent Advisory Group. They support and work with women’s organisations, members and other allies across the city to renew and strengthen their call for change. In supporting part of the Council’s answer to the cost-of-living crisis, they hope to mobilise a team of volunteers to run women-only time slots within the 70 city-wide welcoming spaces. The charity is also putting together a directory of all the services for women across Bristol into one place.

If you’d like to find out more or become a member, visit: bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

If you’d like to volunteer

your services and help put on the International Women’s Day event, email: VTcoordinator@ bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

It’s women like you who make these things happen.

Photos: Mireya Gonzalez

Ashton Gate Station

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In a written reply to the meeting, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: “Work on another new station at Ashley Down is due to commence on site in March, subject to the approval of funding by the West of England joint committee at the end of January. Ashley Down forms part of the MetroWest phase two project which will also deliver new stations at North Filton, for the Brabazon development and

arena, and Henbury. These new stations are scheduled to open in 2026.

“We continue to work through the combined authority on a future rail vision for the West of England and will look to develop options for potential new stations at St Anne’s, Lockleaze and Ashton Gate.”

The Ashton Gate station is included in Weca’s Joint Local Transport Plan and in its 10-year Rail Delivery Plan for 2020-30 as a potential prospect, although it is understood that no work is currently taking place on this.

Whitchurch Bridge Farm Primary School East Dundry Road

n NEWS FROM BRISTOL SOUTH MP KARIN SMYTH

NHS

THE last couple of months have, sadly, shown us the NHS and social care systems struggling once again. But we can no longer describe this as a ‘Winter Crisis’ as it has been ongoing for multiple seasons. Even during the summer months people in Bristol South were experiencing delays.

As a former NHS manager, you won’t be surprised to hear that the future of the NHS and social care is at the forefront of my mind. What we are seeing now is a collapse in the service’s ability to provide the high quality care we all need and each and every nurse, doctor, paramedic and porter wants to deliver. This is happening because of nearly 13 years of neglect and mismanagement by the Government. From top-down reorganisations in the early

2010s, underfunding and a chronic loss of staffing in recent years, we have witnessed the service being pushed to breaking point.

The pandemic exacerbated problems, that’s true. But the underlying issues were already there to be found in every hospital department, community service and GP practice. For the Royal College of Nursing to take industrial action for the first time in their history should have set off alarm bells with the Government, but was ignored. When staffing levels became so dangerously low the government created a cocktail of chaos where patients were left waiting and NHS professionals’ faced burnout. The current Health Secretary should have acted, but he didn’t.

As we look forward to 2023,

we should be in no doubt that this is a totemic milestone in the NHS’s history. We all want it to succeed because we know what it has and can deliver: higher quality service free at the point of need.

I will be working with my colleagues in parliament, not only to hold the Government to account for their failings, but to put forward new ideas on how we can develop the NHS and social care system for the future. More investment, yes. But also, more use of new technology, new ways of working and a detailed workforce plan.

My experience within the NHS taught me that patients and each and every person who works within it has ideas to help the service improve. Please do share your thoughts with me

as I believe that only by working together can we drive the lasting changes that will help the NHS and social care sector to thrive.

We can, and must, revolutionise how healthcare is delivered in the UK. We will all need to work hard to make this happen. Only then can we move away from never ending ‘Winter Crises’ and towards a system that can care for us all.

Bakery and brewery celebrate inclusivity

BUSINESSES working to support disabled people into employment have showcased their vital schemes to the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP.

Step and Stone Bakery, based at The Park Centre on Daventry Road, and the Tapestry Brewery, on the Totterdown Bridge Industrial Estate, who both have their own disability employment schemes, welcomed the Minister to talk about baking, brewing and Bristol.

The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said: “I had a fantastic day here in Bristol, seeing the positive work of these wonderful local businesses to help disabled people get the skills they need to start rewarding careers.

“Step and Stone Bakery and Tapestry Brewery are improving opportunities for disabled people and helping support them to lead inclusive and fulfilling lives.

“I am passionate about ensuring disabled people have the same opportunities for fulfilling employment. This Government is committed to supporting employers to harness the talents of disabled people, as well as supporting disabled individuals to start, stay and succeed in work.”

The Minister’s first stop in the city was a tour of the Step and Stone Bakery, home of

award-winning handmade lavash flatbread and founded by two friends who both have children with Down’s Syndrome.

The bakery works with young people with learning disabilities, helping to develop their skills and confidence.

Jane Chong and Jane Kippax, owners of Step and Stone Bakery said: “We are delighted to have found paid employment for 10 of our trainees so far and voluntary opportunities for another five. However, there is still so much more work to be done with only 4.8% of adults with learning difficulties are in a paid job. We’re very happy the Minister has come here today to shine a light on this situation.”

The Minister also visited Tapestry

Brewery, owned by local charity PROPS, who provide access to practical learning, skills development and accessible work-based experiences for local disabled people. PROPS bought the brewery in 2022 and became the first brewery and tap room in the city to be staffed by adults with learning disabilities, providing trainees the opportunity to brew, design and launch beers.

Colin Fletcher, CEO of PROPS said: “It was a huge privilege to host a visit from the Minister and we are grateful to him for spending the time with us. It was a wonderful opportunity for the PROPS Trainees to meet Mr Pursglove and share their experiences of being a part of the charity and working at the brewery and tap room.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for student flats in Bedminster have been approved despite their distance from Bristol’s university buildings. Developers now have planning permission to build a 49-bed block of student flats at the bottom of West Street, knocking down an old car workshop.

The three-storey building would be located in an area largely home to families, more than a 30-minute walk from any of the closest university campuses. Planning officers at Bristol City Council said several bus stops are nearby, and students could rely on the bus.

Councillors on the development control A committee granted permission for the scheme. Property developers behind the scheme claimed building flats would take pressure off family homes getting converted into student shared houses.

Developer David Fitter said: “These plans to provide student accommodation will rejuvenate West Street with a beautiful

Student flats approved despite distance from university

building and bring footfall to local businesses. Landlords are already converting traditional family homes into student HMOs to meet demand. Developments such as this will give Bristol planning the opportunity to reject HMO conversions, and help safeguard against future loss of traditional housing stock in the area.”

The student flats would be built from numbers 155 to 165 on West Street, by Paragon Developments. Car dealership Paramount Cars, founded in 1976, would be demolished. The dealership’s owner recently sold the site to the developers and retired.

The committee was split on whether new student flats should be built in this part of Bedminster, with some calling for developers to build more family homes instead, and others saying it was good to

“disperse student accommodation across the city”.

Councillor Tom Hathway said: “There’s clearly a problem with endless university expansion and it tickles me when developers come to us and say ‘we’re building student accommodation to help with the housing crisis’. The housing crisis we’ve got is that there aren’t enough family and affordable homes.

“If you want to help, build family and affordable homes, don’t build student accommodation. But obviously we don’t have the policies that can deal with that at the moment. I think it’s OK, it’s average. Given we’re quite limited in policy terms, I think I

will have to vote for this.”

Supporting the plans, Councillor Ed Plowden said: “There’s clear evidence that a lack of student accommodation can affect housing availability across the city, so this is therefore justified. It’s good that we’re not having an over-concentration of student accommodation in certain areas, and dispersing it across the city is quite a good thing.”

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More than 7,000 petition city council to stop building on Bristol’s green spaces

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

MORE than 7,000 people are petitioning the city council to stop giving permission for new buildings on Bristol’s green spaces. Councillors will debate the petition at a full council meeting amid ongoing concern about green areas being lost to development.

Bristol City Council declared an “ecological emergency” three years ago, responding to escalating threats to local wildlife and ecosystems. But despite that declaration, petitioners say new developments “fly in the face” of the promises then made to protect green spaces.

Green spaces at threat from construction include the Western Slopes, Brislington Meadows and Ashton Vale. The petition, organised by Martyn Cordey, was presented to a full council meeting in January.

The petitioners said: “We the undersigned call upon Bristol City Council to halt any

further development on green spaces in the city. It is an absolute travesty that we are seeing highly biodiverse and ecologically important urban green spaces potentially destroyed. This massacre of green spaces appears to be unrelenting and needs to be stopped, now.

“We do not deny that Bristol has a housing crisis, due to an increasing population and unregulated university expansion, but the solution is not to continually build on valuable green spaces.

“This petition is asking for better use of brownfield sites and redundant previously developed buildings and areas. Stop building on valuable green spaces.”

Over the past 50 years, according to the council, the world has lost 60% of wild invertebrates and up to 76% of insects. In Bristol, songbird populations like swifts and starlings have dropped by more than 96%. In 2021, the council set out an “ecological

action plan”, with promises to take action and protect local wildlife habitats, such as reducing pesticide use.

Some recent progress has been made on protecting green spaces in Bristol, as the council draws up its new Local Plan. This housing plan no longer allocates space for housing development at three green spaces: Yew Tree Farm, Brislington Meadows and the Western Slopes. This makes it harder for developers to get permission to build new housing there.

But the new Local Plan might also allocate space for hundreds of new homes on two countryside sites on the outskirts of the city: off the Bath Road in Brislington and off Elsbert Drive in Bishopsworth.

Controversial plans to build hundreds of houses on green space in areas at at Ashton Vale were also given planning permission in October, despite outspoken criticism from campaigners.

FOLLOWING an Ofsted inspection at Ashton Park School in November, pupils, staff, and governors are delighted to have received a ‘Good’ rating for all areas of the school’s provision in the recently published report.

Ashton Park School in South Bristol is a large 11-to-18 secondary with more than 1,200 students, including Sixth Form provision.

In the first inspection of the school since it became part of the Gatehouse Green Learning Trust in 2018, and since the appointment of new headteacher Richard Uffendell in 2022, the school has shown itself to be an outstanding asset to its community, both in educational and cross-community provision.

The modern school is set in extensive grounds, facilitating a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities, which were commended by Ofsted. The report stated that from Key Stage 3 “…all pupils follow a curriculum that is broad and ambitious”, and that “The many clubs, including sports, art, drama, and music are well attended.”

Ashton Park School excels in recent Ofsted inspection

“Trips and guest speakers and school events give pupils a rich set of experiences that draw on the local area as well as further afield. Many pupils take part in a national award scheme that supports their wider development” the report goes on to say.

The achievements of the Sixth Form were also highlighted, which follows investment in this provision by the school in recent years. Students in the Sixth Form were found to be able to “…take qualifications that match their interests and future aspirations”, and that they are supported to “….take on leadership opportunities, such as being reading coaches for Year 7 pupils.” Ofsted also found that “Sixth Form students with SEND and pupils attending the resource base are well supported.”

Headteacher Richard

Uffendell said “I am proud that through spending time with our school community, Ofsted were able to see how the ‘Ashton Park Way’ of ‘high expectations, respect, and community values’ is helping our pupils and staff to achieve great things and a wonderful school environment.

“I would particularly like to thank the staff team for their hard work to support our students back into normal school life following the Covid pandemic, and for their work in setting and maintaining such high standards for everyone at our school. Ofsted specifically mention the adjustments we have made to the curriculum post Covid in the report, and this is credit to everyone’s hard work and commitment to providing

excellent education and enrichment opportunities for our students” Richard concluded.

Nick Lewis, Interim CEO of Gatehouse Green Learning Trust said “This report highlights the excellent education Ashton Park School and Sixth Form offers our community. It is Good in all areas. The dedication and strong leadership of the school is now there for everyone to see in this report. It is particularly pleasing that Ofsted have noted the efforts staff go to get students ready for the next stage of life.”

The gift of freedom

THE volunteer-run Barton Hill Rugby Club Charity Cafe handed over new electric wheelchairs to the youngsters to give them more independence, after raising thousands of pounds to buy them. It brought the total number of families the cafe’s volunteers and customers have supported during 2022 to seven.

In December, the cafe made a presentation to seven-year-old Izzy Probert, from Hengrove, who was joined by her mum and dad and brother Harry.

Mum Elly said: “Thank you so much to Barton Hill RFC Charity Cafe and Taylor Made Wheelchairs for giving Izzy her new wheels and her independence. She is one happy little lady.”

Cafe volunteer Mandy Bryant added: “Izzy is a natural driver, and was whizzing around the car park in no time!”

Mandy thanked all of the cafe’s volunteers and supporters, including Fare Share South West, Fare Share Go, Tesco and the Co-op, Greggs Kingswood, Morrisons in Fishponds and BAM Construction.

Pictured above right: Izzy Probert with her new wheelchair

LOCAL COUNCILLORS

AFTER years of delay, the Clean Air Zone has finally started. Overall, this is good for Bristol as polluted air is increasingly being linked to a whole range of health conditions, with children being particularly affected.

You can find out more about the scheme, check your vehicle and any exemptions by searching ‘Clean Air Bristol’. For example, people visiting any of the BRI hospitals should be able to claim an exemption and details will be on your hospital appointment letter.

It is important to pay if you enter the Zone as you will not be sent a bill but will be sent a fine if you don’t pay.

We support the CAZ in principle but think it could have been better implemented, and want to see more information

about how it is working. This is because our ward is right on the edge and likely to be affected by the displacement of non-compliant vehicles, for example St John’s Lane is predicted to see more traffic, although St Luke’s Road should see slightly less overall. We are already getting reports of even more commuter parking in the area, adding to the existing problems.

We have been repeatedly pressing the Mayor to study the effects and invest some of the money raised to mitigate any effects on our local streets, but have been unable to get a straight answer.

Instead, we will be directly surveying people living between the Bath and Wells Roads. Watch this space! And do get in contact if your area could do with a survey.

Anyone living in Southville and its neighbouring wards cannot fail to be aware of the large level of development either already taking place, or proposed to take place, in the BS3 area.

‘Central Bedminster’, which roughly covers the area from the New Cut to Sheene Road and from the railway line to Dean Lane, has long been identified as a key development area while the western end of the BS3 area sees another group of development sites stretching from the New Cut down to Ashton Gate and into Ashton Vale.

All of these sites, either under construction, in the planning system, or identified in the local plan, plus other locations across Greater Bedminster and Windmill Hill, are likely to lead to a 44%

increase in population - from nearly 40,000 residents today to over 55,000 in the near future. This will massively increase demand for public services, health provision, school places and potentially an increase in residents’ cars of almost 40% (some 6,000 additional cars) if car ownership levels remain the same as they are today.

This is why Action Greater Bedminster (AGB) are organising a series of workshops and debates across the three wards over the next six months. Called BS 2025, it will offer residents the opportunity to have their say on the future of the BS3 area and what we need as a community not just as a development opportunity - watch out for details of how to get involved on the AGB website and here in South Bristol Voice

GREAT to see some of the welldeserved praise and recognition for Mike Alden of The Park football club. What a staggering contrast to the Bristol mayor strangled and tied up by his own red tape and blocking community devised solutions.

Nearly three years ago, Bristol Parks Department admitted they had not got the money for repairs needed for Redcatch Park Pavillion and changing rooms. We immediately introduced Mike and his club to the wonderful community garden and they jointly put in an expression of interest in taking over, repairing and running the pavillion. (Pitch time at Daventry Road Park was being reduced because of sharing with the new school being built.)

Since that time, Bristol City

Council has, despite numerous reminders, completely failed to progress matters and the club are locked out so girls and disabled teams cannot play at Redcatch.

Yet again, Gary is asking public questions of the mayor on full council day and he was joined by reps from the Friends of the Park, the garden and Mike himself. Unbelievably, the mayor attempted to pat himself on the back for his failure and Gary urged him to get back to reality and agree to an urgent meeting of interested parties to at least sort out an interim solution. A large petition was also presented by Gary, demanding that the mayor honour the terms of the green spaces strategy and return the funds earmarked for local parks that he has seized.

AS usual, my inbox is busy with planning and traffic issues. Many of these relate to planning applications or where traffic access and parking pressures are impacting on the community.

With the financial pressures faced by the Council, some projects are either being rescheduled, cancelled, or reassessed. This will also apply to projects which are community priorities and being considered by Area Committees made up of Councillors from across adjoining wards.

Therefore, I am really pleased to have made progress with the long-awaited pedestrian crossing outside Luckwell Primary School. Informal consultation will start soon, hopefully leading to the necessary traffic orders and installation. This has been a community priority for some time and the school is very supportive as Luckwell/Duckmoor Roads are increasingly busy.

The Council Budget meeting in February will decide on the spending and revenue priorities for the Council, plus Council Tax levels. I have been part of the scrutiny work looking at the financial position and areas being considered for funding reductions. Uncertainty about government funding, as well as high inflation and the wider economic downturn are all impacting on council activities and spending. Meanwhile, care costs continue to rise and remain the biggest proportion of council spending.

I hope to have further discussions about several planning applications in Bedminster Ward and to make further progress in identifying a viable and available site for play in Ashton Vale, after so many potential sites have been rejected over the years due to unsuitability or community opposition.

Gary Hopkins and Chris Davies Knowle Community Party councillors for Knowle

All areas of provision rated ‘Good’ at Compass Point School

PUPILS, staff, and governors at Compass Point Primary School are delighted to have received a ‘Good School’ overall rating following an Ofsted inspection.

The glowing Ofsted report graded the school ‘Good’ in every aspect of its work, including overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Headteacher Linda Brown expressed her thanks to the whole school community for their support, and she spoke of how proud they are of the pupils, with Ofsted finding that “pupils are caring and thoughtful of others”, and that “pupils concentrate well in lessons and respect each other.”

“This is a true reflection of the wonderful school community that we are so lucky to be involved in everyday,” said Linda.

Ofsted also recognised the exceptional work of the school staff, stating that the school has a “very knowledgeable staff team”, with “School leaders [who] are ambitious for pupils, including those in the resource base.”

The school has done excellent work to develop all areas of the curriculum, as well as providing exciting opportunities for children to learn. “School life is rich. There are many opportunities to take part in

activities such as after school clubs, trips and events” says the report, continuing “Reading is central to the curriculum. Leaders ensure that a love of language starts in the Nursery. Children enjoy stories, singing and conversation…pupils make strong progress in learning to read.”

The inclusive ethos of the whole school also won praise from Ofsted, recognising that “Staff value every pupil and want them to feel that they belong.”

“They work hard to build a community that helps pupils to flourish and do their best.”

Nick Lewis, Interim CEO of Gatehouse Green Learning Trust said "This is a great and well deserved inspection result for everyone in the Compass Point School community. The school truly delivers its ambition of ‘Aspire, Believe, Achieve’ for every pupil, and there is a very special and deeply caring culture at this school, which the community is fortunate to benefit from”.

Pupils also benefit from the wonderful facilities and resources available at the school, including an extensive playground area, forest school area, and a large school field, as well as a specialist Art Studio, Cookery Room, Library and a Music Room within the school.

Sona Pilates with Leanne Copley

ACTIONS speak louder than words. If I stay up late mindlessly watching TV, I am telling my body that I don’t prioritise my sleep or rest. And so will struggle the next morning, be tired all day and not hold the same focus. This translates to all areas of our lives as our actions highlight where we want to spend our time, what we prioritise and subsequently where we see results.

Now that I’ve finally bought that SUP board I have been talking about and enquired about SUP Pilates training, I have set the wheels in motion for a lifestyle and job I want to have in my future. There is excitement as plans soon start snowballing into a reality.

Or when we spend time nourishing our bodies with a healthy meal we cooked, the mindful act calms us, our stomachs and gut are happy and stay energised for longer. And usually, there are some yummy leftovers for lunch.

Energy flows where attention goes. So where are you putting your attention? What is it telling your body and mind? Are those the results you want?

If your intention is pain-free movement join me at my studio on the Wells Road for mat and equipment Pilates classes. www.sonapilates.com

News from the Southville Centre

WE are officially on the Bristol Welcoming Spaces Map and have free hot drinks and computers with WiFi in our reception area, available for everyone. We are partnering with some great organisations on this, like the charity Bristol Law Centre. There are resources with useful information on where to go for help, advice on finance, heating, housing and more.

Are you a domino fan? Or perhaps you want to give it a try? Learn something new and meet others at our games night, every Thursday 4-6pm at our café at the community Centre. Our café is part of our community venue and is a relaxed and friendly space to drop in. There’s an all-new winter menu and it is not to be missed. Chef specials include fresh winter salads, veggie-loaded hot ciabattas, butterbean and chilli quesadillas. There’s a kid-friendly menu with savoury bakery counter favourites. We are breastfeeding friendly and offer a communal space for meetups and groups. To find out more or to snap up our early bird offers for on the day specials, follow us on Instagram.

At The Southville Centre, we have regular groups that are completely free to join; LGBT+ café group for older people every Tuesday 10:30am12:30, everyone’s welcome. Monday Club drop-in sessions run every week from 11.30am until 2pm. A friendly group for the over 50s, based at our community centre café, is great way to meet others.

We want to say a big thank you to all our donors. The gift of giving feels so significant right now and the impacts donations have for the people using our services is huge. We are so grateful for donations from local businesses such as Barratt Homes, Baileys of Bristol and Radcliffe Parish, to name a few.

We have also received donations from people’s energy rebates to support others in the community this winter. Donations to BS3 Community Development enable the crucial work we do, directly impacting the community, supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities to thrive in our care, or giving families access to food and medicines. To donate directly or find out more about the work we do, go to our website bs3community.org.uk

It’s an exciting time to join the team at our BS3 Community nursery setting. We have received funding from Access Reach which will help explore the expansion of our nurseries. There is an opportunity for a qualified Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join our 1-3 room at the Chessel Centre. If you are passionate about caring for, and embedding a love of learning for children in their formative years, we would love to hear from you.

New Cut monthly litter pick welcomes newcomers

Join the Friends of The Avon New Cut volunteers for a litter pick along the banks of The New Cut at 9.50am every month. The exact meeting place is still to be confirmed but will be announced on the website franc.org.uk. Please wear appropriate clothing and stout footwear. Gloves and litter pickers provided. This month, the group will meet on February 11, and next month they meet on March 11. All are welcome.

n SPINAL COLUMN

Creating the right conditions for your body to grow

My tulip bulbs are finally in the ground. For the keen gardeners among you, you’ll know that they should have been planted way back at the end of Autumn. After planting them late the last three years, we were determined to plant them early this season. We bought a box of bulbs in October vowing to plant them in November… and forgot.

Why is a chiropractor talking about bulbs? Despite planting at the wrong time, if you give the bulbs the right conditions - mainly being in soil with moisture - nature will take care of the rest. If we left the bulbs in the box we bought them in, then they wouldn’t grow or, worse, would rot. The same is true for the human body. If you give it the right conditions it will grow, it will heal and it will thrive. If you have a trapped nerve causing low back pain or headaches then removing that nerve interference allows the body to heal and in turn function and feel great. Leaving a nerve trapped is like leaving the tulip bulbs in the box and not creating the right conditions for nature to do what it does best.

A bulb needs soil and water; the human body is a bit more complex. There are several factors that are good to think about with regards to creating optimal conditions for you to be at your healthiest: Rest - sleep is when your body heals. Getting a consistent eight hours is important. Nutrition - you are what you eat. Put good stuff in and get good stuff out. Movement - exercise but, more importantly, moving regularly not sitting still for hours on end. Positive thoughts - this covers a broad spectrum but in essence love yourself (and your neighbour). Balance - in this case, a balanced spine and well functioning nervous system: chiropractic is a great option for that.

Charles Herbert Kasa Chiro

Telephone: 0117 370 2680 www.kasachiro.com

‘WEST link’ minibuses

A FLEET of green minibuses forming a new ‘on-demand’ service within the West of England will hit the streets this summer as part of a £3 million plus investment.

Passengers in zones across the West of England will be able hail a ‘WEST link’ minibus by using an app on their smartphone, visiting a website or by phoning up. The minibuses will be unrestricted by a timetable. Ticket prices will match the recently reduced fares on West of England buses. The service will run 7am-7pm Monday-Saturday.

The scheme is being funded by the West of England Combined Authority through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

The minibuses will be in large swathes of North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and parts of Bristol including Windmill Hill, Knowle, Brislington and St Anne.

Broadwalk Redevelopment Planning Application

It looks like the decision on the future of Broadwalk will be made by the Development Control Committee at City Hall on 1st Feb 2023. Members of the public can submit a statement and attend. Statements can be read out but you only have one minute. if someone cannot attend, their statement can still be read out by someone else. Statements have to be submitted by 12noon the day before the Committee meeting. Comments and objections will also be accepted by the Planning Officer, up until the end of January. You can put in a comment through the on-line Council planning portal, by email or post. The Knowle Neighbourhood Planning Group web site has lots of information www.knpg.co.uk The “Have Your Say” page has a link to the planning portal and gives tips on how to comment as well as ideas for how your comments can make the most impact. Comments or objections need to be on “material considerations”, i.e., what the committee can take into account in relation to council planning guidance and policy. Alternatively look at the KNPG response for help and inspiration.

PAID-FOR CONTENT BY THE KNOWLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING GROUP

New year, new you!

“New Year, New Me!” Was this again the resolution as you dusted those running shoes, downloaded a new diet plan (more greens), wheeled the bike out and powered up the treadmill? If by now, though, you feel it’s not going as well as you imagined, please don’t despair, and certainly don’t give up! Research has shown that we place too much emphasis on willpower as a driver for positive changes regarding our physical wellbeing and diet. So let’s share some tips on how to succeed.

The most significant factor is, in fact, enjoyment. We are all unconsciously fed images about ideals in body image and good living, even before we consider all the health messaging. Most of us are rational; we want to do the right things, look and feel better. The wrong ideas about willpower drive us to work to

unrealistic timescales/goals for adopting new behavioural patterns and habits. Take diet changes; every time we exercise self-control, we build willpower. Saying no to feasting on threats, especially when no one is watching, makes it easier for you next time. Celebrate all your wins, no matter how small.

Research shows that immediate rewards from new habits help us stick to them. It is a big step in the right direction for you. Focus on developing good habits rather than just meeting set goals. Count steps and keep increasing them. Drink more

water and aim to eat at least five portions of fruits. Don’t just be focused on counting calories and the bathroom scale dial. Keep things fun and achievable. Self-criticism is linked to less motivation and poorer self-control. Be supportive of yourself and others. Learn from books and examples but remember that you are a unique individual.

Find your preference, whether it’s doing activities in the morning, being part of a group, or using gadgets to support you. Your choice, your way.

The positive link between physical and mental wellbeing is better understood. We also know that for many of us, the challenges we face with mental health may mean we struggle more with adopting positive changes.

Please, rather than feeling you are letting yourself and others down, all that is important is getting the right help you need.

Remember that your Community Pharmacy team offers access to confidential NHS advice with patience and kindness. We are here for you, just as we know you are for us, too.

Tackling the housing and cost of living crisis

A NEW year brings the same challenges for renters in Bristol. If you are one of the 130,000 plus people who rent their home in our city, you will know just how expensive it has become. In Bristol, renters typically spend over a third of their take-home pay on rent. Accompanied with sky-rocketing energy bills, extortionate childcare costs, and real-terms pay cuts, thousands of people here are struggling to make ends meet.

This clearly needs to change. Our administration is working to tackle all aspects of the national cost of living crisis, from introducing Welcoming Spaces where people can access support and keep warm during winter to pushing the Government for a sustainable childcare plan, and working to make Bristol a place where everyone earns at least the real Living Wage. For more

information visit bristol.gov.uk/ costofliving

Addressing Bristol’s housing crisis, including the cost of renting, remains one of our top priorities. Unaffordable rents are in part driven by a chronic shortage of housing – it’s one of the reasons why I was proud to announce that 2,563 homes were built in Bristol last year, far surpassing our ambitious target of 2,000 new homes, and with 90% built on previously developed land. Of these 2,563 new homes, 474 new affordable homes were built: the most in any of the twelve years since Labour was last in government.

This January, we’ve built on our work by asking councillors to commit to implement the findings of the One City Living Rent Commission. We set this commission up last year to look at how we could make renting in

Bristol more affordable. Should it recommend a form of rent control (which would give us the ability to cap how much rent is allowed to rise by each year), we will put our full weight behind making that a reality. Nationally, I have also been working with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown on proposals, recently announced by the Labour Party, to devolve much more power to councils and communities.

Councillor Tom Renhard, my cabinet housing lead, has brought a motion to council with provisions for the more immediate term. It will allow us to extend our crackdown on rogue landlords and letting agents by fining ones handing out illegal fees, have council officers look at ways to end the practice of ‘bidding wars’ between prospective tenants which price out the poorest, and commit the council to opposing

the planned expansion of Right to Buy to include even more social housing.

If the commission recommends a form of rent control, our Labour administration will take it forward as another potential tool to help fix the broken private rental market in Bristol. We will continue to make the case for new powers, while building enough homes to ensure everyone can have a good-quality roof over their head.

Each month Bristol mayor Marvin Rees shares his views with South Bristol Voice

The Mayor’s View

Victoria Park’s secret garden

By Eliza Reid

BRISTOL Greens is a fantastic little social enterprise based in Victoria Park. They have a walled garden just outside Bristol where they grow salad, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers. All this produce is grown for their basket scheme which delivers baskets of local organic produce around BS3 and BS4.

The baskets include a bunch of flowers and often foraged produce, and all their packaging is homecompostable.They also sell their produce, and produce from other local farms, at their weekly Friday morning veg stall at the top of Nutgrove Avenue, Victoria Park.

Bristol Greens is a not-for-profit enterprise set up almost two years ago by founder Eliza Reid. She wanted to combine her passion for growing food with addressing food insecurity, so profits from the basket scheme support their food bank. So as well as their basket scheme they also deliver weekly free food boxes to homes of families in crisis who have mobility issues which prevent them from accessing food banks.

They also have a free food table at their Nutgrove Avenue veg stall, consisting of surplus and out-grade food donated by Bristol businesses. Anyone can help themselves to the free food table and those who can afford to make a donation which goes towards buying essential items for the free food boxes.

You can order a basket of local organic produce by emailing info@bristolgreens.co.uk, baskets start at £14.

Loft Boarding &

ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME

Are you based in South Bristol, aged 18-30 and have a business idea?

Come and access our FREE business support.

Mentoring Workshops

Tailored business support

Funding available (grants and loans)

More information about our Enterprise programme can be found on our website.

SIGN UP OR FIND OUT MORE

Google 'Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme’

Or email: enquiries.sw@princes-trust.org.uk

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n WHAT’S ON

Theatre, comedy and so much more for all the family

February 2, Hen & Chicken, Lucy Porter ‘Wake-Up Call’. A brand new stand-up show from TV and radio favourite Lucy Porter. As heard on Radio 4’s ‘The News Quiz’ and ‘The Now Show’ and seen on ‘Would I Lie to You’, ‘QI’ and ‘Live at the Apollo’. ‘Wake-Up Call’ is a show about revelations, realisations and epiphanies - both large and small. Subjects covered include: bin collection schedules, the novels of Jean Rhys, cats, school fair booze tombolas, the Scottish Enlightenment, pressure washers and Huel. It’s an exuberant, silly show with some wisdom sprinkled on top.

February 8-11, Tobacco Factory, ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’. A couple of years ago, Dik and Adam set

out to make a new show about themselves, about being men. When they started to dig beneath the surface, they realised that things can get a bit messy. As they dug deeper, into their relationships with their fathers and sons, things got very messy indeed. In a riot of colour, dance, clowning and puppetry, Dik and Adam take you on a hysterical journey that is full of heart, but close to the bone.

February 14-19, various venues, Slapstick Festival. Slapstick returns for its 19th edition. Music has been a key ingredient of every Slapstick since the festival began. But for the 19th edition, the team is giving it extra special attention. As well as live accompaniments to all the silent

Bristol South Taekwando

Tuesday and Thursday

6-7pm

St Paul’s Church Coronation Road

Bedminster BS3 1AS

Tel: 07951 456407

Email: bristolsouthtkd@hotmail.com

films, they are celebrating some of the many marriages between comedy and music, including via classic mockumentaries, Beatles revelations and family-friendly movies filled with hit songs.

February 15-25, Bristol Hippodrome, ‘My Fair Lady’. Following its critically acclaimed West End run, the multi-awardwinning production of ‘My Fair Lady’ is coming to The Bristol Hippodrome for two weeks only. This glorious production of Lerner & Loewe’s world famous musical features all the much-loved classic songs you would expect.

Michael D Xavier stars as Henry

FAM tours & Open Days

Ashton Court Mansion, Weekends: 4th & 5th March & Sat 14th April(Easter Saturday). Ground floor & display boards free.

Higgins, Charlotte Kennedy as Eliza Doolittle and EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt plays the role of Alfred P Doolittle. They are joined by world famous soprano Lesley Garrett playing Mrs Pearce and John Middleton (Emmerdale) as Colonel Pickering.

February 18, Tobacco Factory, ‘SPARK’. SPARK is an annual festival of exciting new performance and art at Tobacco Factory Theatres, presented by early career artists. SPARK will be an antidote to Valentine’s Day – an exploration of unconventional love in all its forms.

Feelgood Fitness is a friendly, small pilates and wellness studio in Knowle. We offer all ranges of pilates from beginners to intermediate, postnatal, pregnancy, barre fusion, low

Victoria Park Baptist Church food bank team wish to say an enormous Thank you for all the monetary and food donations over the past year.

The food bank have been so grateful for all the support and it has allowed them to help over …. Families in need

A special thanks to Fox and west for all the fresh vegetables, all of the kind Customers at Asda who’ve been extremely generous placing donations in the trolley and to The South Of The River Quilters for their kind gifts.

www.bristol.gov.uk/costofliving

The Theatre and Entertainment Luvver

Something short to go here

IF you, like me, have used these colder months as an excuse to binge your way through box sets, you’ll be incredibly grateful and impressed by the British talent both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

In Bristol, we have an impressive and evergrowing TV and film production scene and you might be surprised to learn that many of the productions you watch and enjoy are created here on your doorstep.

I spoke to Stuart Garlick, co-owner of Rebel Television, based in the Tobacco Factory Southville about what it’s like to work in the industry and how to get into it.

When did you set up your TV production company in Southville? And why here?

“We set up Rebel Television five years ago after spending many years working as freelance directors, editors, writers and producers for loads of major broadcasters, from the BBC to MTV and from Sky to Discovery and many others in between. We initially set up in Clifton as that’s where most Bristol TV is based. The pandemic made us reassess how we were working so after living in Southville for 20 years, I decided to move our business to The Tobacco Factory. It was the best decision we made and we love it here. It’s creative, vibrant and the commute is non-existent.”

What is the best thing about producing your own shows?

“Seeing your own show go from an idea to actually being on telly is mind blowing. My business partner Aaron is one of my best mates so getting to work together every day is great fun. It’s also really collaborative and creative and the buck stops with us so although the lows are lower, the highs are much higher than working for someone else. We’re the masters of our own destiny.”

What is your average day at work?

“Every day involves a lot of coffee and laughter. You can’t make kids comedies if you’re in a bad mood. If we have a show in production I take a very hands-on role, writing scripts, editing and doing voices. When we are between productions, I spend my time in development, creating new show ideas with my business partner and often a room of creatives. If we think a show is good enough, we initially create a glossy two-page document that’s eye-catching and sells and explains the idea. We then contact commissioners we think would be interested and set up a meeting to pitch the idea and give context. This is both exciting and nerve wracking but if it goes well, you then present a budget and schedule, and fingers crossed you get a commission. Sounds simple but about one in 10 ideas get a commission.”

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to work in TV?

“Contact everyone you can. Be persistent but polite. If you get a job, turn up on time, smile and be as helpful as you can be. We run a very ‘all hands-on deck’ company where no job is below anyone. If you can’t do the small jobs then no one will trust you with the big jobs. I’d much rather hire someone with a can-do attitude but no experience than the other way around.”

So keep tuning in and enjoying Bristol’s great programmes - you can catch Rebel Television’s new show ‘Silly Pets’, starring Alan Carr as a talking dog, on Sky Kids.

Jacqui Ham

Arnos Vale needs your help

ARNOS Vale Cemetery reports that they had a wonderful 2022, although they still need help from the community.

During 2022, Arnos Vale, saw: more than 500,000 people through the gates; 800 people on 115 guided tours; 400 children on 24 days of school holiday activities; 26 schools and colleges on educational visits; 120 people at 11 public talks; 100 hardworking volunteers; 22 couples getting married and 70 guests at the carol concert.

Thousands more came to the May Fair and Christmas Market, film nights, theatre nights, wellbeing classes, meetings and training events.

The Cemetery says: “Whatever your reason for visiting Arnos Vale, thank you for coming. With your help, support and donations, we’re able to continue protecting and enhancing this beautiful space for the community of Bristol (and beyond) to enjoy.

“Did you know we’re a charity and receive no regular funding from the local authority or government? We rely on your donations to help us do all the wonderful things we do for so many people. Just imagine if we had £1 for everyone who came through our gates.

“We appreciate times are tough for many at the moment but, if you’re able to, please donate to support this magical, special place: arnosvale.org.uk/donate”

- enabling them to live independently in the surroundings they love for as long as they choose

n WICKED WITCH

In witch it’s not a man’s job

I WAS standing at the kitchen sink, staring vacantly out of the window, listening to the dirty dishwater gurgling down the drain. The house was empty and I was enjoying the silence. There is something delicious about having alone time, peaceful bliss, apart from the ticking clock, the glugging plughole and the snoring dog. I sighed a happy sigh. Then my eye was caught by a river of bubbles slowly meandering down the garden path. I frowned, that was not good. I opened the back door and peered at the overflowing drain, grey, smelly and very blocked.

Normally I would pretend that I hadn’t noticed this blockage and wait for Himself to sort it out because this is obviously a man’s job but I remembered what had happened when my car needed some screen wash. “I’ll do it for you

Witchy” he nobly offered. What a sweetheart. He popped up the bonnet, unscrewed the cap nearest the windscreen then proceeded to pour said wash down the funnel. I looked at the cap he had given me to hold, ‘brake fluid’ it read. A slight panic ensued but luckily there appeared to be a valve in the reservoir and no harm was done, apart from a soapy engine and a very sheepish husband – I kept giggling at the memory of it which didn’t go down well.

Anyway, this is 2023, there is no such thing as a man’s job. With great reluctance, I pulled on my wellies and Himself’s huge muchloved overcoat (it was raining) dragged out the jetwash and got to work.

This drain is accessed by a hole approximately a foot wide which is covered by a loose paving slab. It opens up under the backdoor step into a three foot oblong pit, with a round hole in the furthest corner connecting to a pipe which disappears under the garden to, who knows where.

Shifting the paving slab and using a jam-jar I emptied the pit of dirty water into a bucket, it was painstaking. Then I reached the stinky sludge, there was loads of it, slimy grey silt and stones, I even plucked out a large cockle shell which was odd. It was nearly clear but to reach the last handfuls of nasty stuff I had to lie with my head on the step so I could stretch my arm deep into the pipe hole. I must

admit I did have a little cry and wondered about my life choices, but I got most of the sludge out and finally gave the drain a blast with the jetwash. To my utter relief, with a strangely satisfying glug and gurgle, the drain cleared and the water ran away as it should. I felt rather pleased with myself.

Not really knowing what to do with the collected sludge I poured it onto the flowerbeds and went inside for a well-earned shower.

All refreshed, I came back into the kitchen and looked out over the garden where I noticed Scrappy Little Dog munching on something. I went to investigate. Calling her name sharply, she looked up, face covered in drain slop, licking her lips. Marvellous.

n LOCAL HISTORY

Gerry Davis began work at RAF Lulsgate Bottom on 1 June 1971 as a member of the duty crew after he left the RAF. By the time he retired on 1 June 1998, the site had become known as Bristol International Airport and Gerry had become the Airport Duty Manager. Gerry has written about his experiences in his book ‘Flying From the Ground’, and shares some of his story with South Bristol Voice readers here.

LET me tell you the story of the very beginnings of flying at what was originally called RAF Broadfield Down, and then changed to RAF Lulsgate Bottom.

Flying started here before the Wimpy bulldozers had finished laying down the 3,900 foot (1,200 metre) main runway. Which, with all the buildings, cost £309,000 in 1941. Work started on the laying down of the runway on June 11, 1941 and the completed airfield was declared operational on January 15, 1942.

But at 6.10am, on July 24, 1941, the wartime workers had just started work and at this time of year it was light, although quite misty. When out of the blue, to their astonishment, an aircraft landed on the unfinished runway coming to a stop near to where they were.

One of the construction gang recognised that it wasn’t an RAF plane but a German one! He quickly realised that he had better do something and drove his tractor in front of the now stationary twin engine bomber. Shouting to his mates: “Call out the Home Guard!”

In fact, the airplane was a Luftwaffe JU88 A4 of 3/KG 30.

Flying high above Bristol

The four aircrew got out of the plane and the pilot asked the startled Emerald Isle worker, in French: “What part of France is this?” As he did not understand the somewhat strong Goidelic accented reply, he realised that something was amiss, and drew his pistol and made haste back towards the airplane, shouting instructions to his crew. Well, they didn’t get very far as they were hemmed in by the tractor.

Shortly after, the Home Guard soldiers arrived and after a lot of shouting and waving of (possibly bullet-less) rifles, they persuaded the invaders to surrender.

These German chaps had been on a bombing mission to Birkenhead Docks and had become disorientated due to the RAF radiating electronic countermeasures on their homing beacon at Brest. They had mistaken the Welsh coast for Cornwall and, having crossed the Bristol Channel, which they thought was the English Channel, they landed on

what they thought was an airfield in France.

Their aircraft was indeed a prize. This captured airplane was first flown to RAE at Farnborough for evaluation. Then onto RAF Collywestern to join 1426 Enemy Aircraft Flight known as RAFWAFFE. The aircraft was painted in RAF colours, given the registration of EE205 and joined the many other captured German aircraft and used in a variety of purposes.

Under interrogation, the German aircrew were not very communicative, although admitting to their navigational errors, and were eventually dispatched to one of the POW camps to sit out the war.

The flight took off from Lanveoc-Poulmic, Brittany France at 11.35pm to bomb the docks at Birkenhead. On return it was misled by the Meacon transmitter at Lympsham, Somerset, and low on fuel landed intact at RAF Broadfield Down, later renamed RAF Lulsgate Bottom (now known as Bristol

International Airport), at 6.20am.

After a harsh initial training as a 15-year-old boy entrant at RAF Cosford in the 1950s, I went on to serve 15 years in the RAF, mainly on air movements, before joining Civvy Street and spending the rest of my working life in a demanding civilian post at Bristol Airport, when I also joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and served as Training Officer.

My account of the adventures of a career spanning more than 44 years covers a wide range of experiences, from the amusing to the astonishing. They are a fascinating glimpse of the flying business from the inside

In my memoirs, I have written a great deal of my 27 years working at Bristol Airport, and it’s a fascinating story of the airlines, the people who worked there and the incidents that the traveling public got up to.

My book ‘Flying From the Ground’ is available from Amazon as both a hardback and an e-book.

Flight Lieutenant Gerry Davis

Photo of the actual Junkers JU 88 captured at Lulsgate

Flying training at RAF St Athan

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My Wild Bedminster

Ben Barker, Secretary BS3 Wildlife Group

The BS3 Wildlife Group now has nearly 2,000 people on its Facebook page. We started with around a dozen local people in 2017. Since then similar groups have appeared across the city. We set ourselves three main aims.

The first is to raise local people’s awareness of the decline in wildlife both locally and planet-wide. Extinction is forever!

Facebook is good for sharing ideas and pictures and there are many keen photographers locally. We also have ‘spotters’ who record birds, butterflies and other creatures in gardens, parks etc. We are getting an idea of what’s around and where they are to be found.Gathering more information will continue although news is often not good.

A second aim is to reverse the decline in Bedminster’s wildlife by improving habitats. Domestic

gardens are key. This is why we are developing our Urban Nature Reserve. A single garden is good, lots of linked gardens is better. Even a tiny garden can be made welcoming for bees and hedgehogs with a few flowers, a bowl of water and some logs to hide in. No poisons, please!

The third aim was about collaboration. As part of our Urban Nature Reserve we are encouraging streets to work together: My Wild Street. We are also working with landowners including Bristol Parks as well

as church groups, schools and others. We also have links with the universities. Both contain experts in re-wilding and both are looking for projects that their students might undertake.

You can help, too. Contact mywildbedminster@virginmedia. com to find out more.

Whatever your funeral wishes or budget, we can provide

Cormerant

Otter in Ashton Vale