Don't forget Victorian Day in Chipping Sodbury on Friday!

Yes, Victorian Day is back, bigger and better than ever!
Full details available from the
Chipping Sodbury Lions website

"We must save our broken democracy" - Nick Clegg

Read Nick Clegg's Telegraph article here.

The only thing to add is that there a popular saying
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Well, it's broken now.

And it's time for action to fix it.

Sainsbury's - wind power and waiting

The new wind generator has been installed in Sainsbury's car park at Emerson's Green.

Sainsbury's store is now open again following the major changes. It's very nice inside, with a lot more choice, but the outside has lost its distinctive gables and it now looks like any other boxy retail store - a backwards step.

Also please note the parking restriction - two hours free, maximum stay three hours.

So don't try to use it as a Park and Ride to travel to Bristol for the Xmas shopping - parking attendants are patrolling enforcing the time limit.

Victorian Day 2008 is coming!

Chipping Sodbury Victorian Day was very popular last year - and it's coming back! There will be all sorts of entertainments for the whole family - music, fair rides, late night shopping with the shop staff in costume, morris dancing and much more.

Victorian Day is on Friday 5th December from 2 pm to 9.30 pm.

Check out the Chipping Sodbury Lions Club website for full details of the Victorian Day events.

First Bus reviews recent bus changes - newer buses next year

First Bus has told South Glos's Transport Select Committee that they will be fine-tuning bus times now that the recent changes have bedded in - see the Gazette story here.

This was in response to local people who have complained to councillors about problems with the amended services between Bristol and Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

The good news is that many of the buses that serve our area will be replaced next year. The older buses will be withdrawn and replaced by some three-year-old vehicles from elsewhere. Second-hand, but better than what we've got at the moment.

Train fares rise despite falling inflation

The train companies have announced price rises of around 6% for "regulated" fares - including season tickets and saver tickets - but in some other fares will go up considerably more.

According to today's Guardian "Unregulated fares, which include most leisure and advanced-fare tickets, will rise by an average of 7%, with some fares increasing by over 11%"

They are allowed to put regulated fares up by the retail price index plus 1%, and the increase is based on July's inflation figure of 5%. So despite the fall in inflation they can still put the prices up (which will increase the rate of inflation again... Chicken and egg here we think!)

Maybe people wouldn't mind so much if the trains were less crowded and had better carriages.

Another road fatality in Yate - police appeal for witnesses to Scott Way motorcycle crash

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal accident involving a motorcyclist shortly after midnight (Sat 22 November) on Scott Way in Yate.

Police believe the motorcyclist, who comes from the South Gloucestershire area, was travelling south from the A432 on to Scott Way when the bike collided with the kerb, causing the rider to fall.

The male rider was taken by ambulance to Frenchay Hospital but died shortly afterwards.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time who may have information to help their enquiries.

Anyone able to help is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0845 4567000.

Wheelchairs for South Africa - well done Rotary!

The Gazette reports that disabled children in Cape Town have been given 140 wheelchairs after a fundraising drive by Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club.

Your chance for online chat with S Glos police chief

People living and working in South Gloucestershire have the chance for an online chat with the man in charge of local policing later this month, says the Avon and Somerset Police website.

Chief Superintendent Andy Francis is the South Gloucestershire Police District's commander. He will be available for a webchat on the police website between 6.30 and 8pm on Wednesday November 26 2008. C/Supt Francis said he hoped local people would take the opportunity to log on and have their say.

He said: "We are working really hard to make sure our priorities reflect the needs of local communities. We know people are concerned about anti-social behaviour and we're tackling this with Safer South Gloucestershire and other partner agencies.

"We are using high-profile patrols of hot spot areas, talking to the young people we find there and their parents, and making good use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Anti-Social Behaviour Contracts."

But C/Supt Francis stressed that the most important resource for police was local people.

He said: "It's vital that people get involved. The key to making our neighbourhoods safer and stronger lies with the residents. We need them to tell us about the problems that concern them the most – and help us find lasting solutions.

"One of the best ways to do this is to come along to your neighbourhood's Safer Stronger Community Group meetings, held regularly in a local venue. Details can be found by visiting www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/inyourarea

"The Government's recent 'Not in My Neighbourhood' week of action showcased a number of initiatives where local people have taken the lead and really made life better for everyone in their neighbourhood.

"Residents of a road In Filton have clubbed together, with the support of the neighbourhood team and Safer South Gloucestershire, to install lockable gates preventing access to the lanes behind their homes.

"This has helped to cut crime and make residents feel safer – but it could not have happened without the active support of the locals."

To make your point to C/Supt Francis simply visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk between 6.15 and 8pm on Wednesday 26th and follow the link.

St John Ambulance AGM 19 November

The AGM of St. John Ambulance, Chipping Sodbury and Yate, is being held on Wednesday 19th November in The Sixth Form Common Room, Brimsham Green School, Yate starting at 8.15 pm.

Everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be provided. Please come and find out more about this very valuable organisation.

Sainsbury's at Emersons Green to close for a week

In case you sometimes go across to Emersons Green, you might like to know that Sainsbury's will shortly be closed for a week because of the building work.

It closes at 6 pm this Friday - 14th November - and reopens at 9 am on Friday 21st November.

The petrol station will stay open as usual.

Leaf fall problems

For the next few weeks, South Glos Council's Street Cleansing Team are suspending their routine sweeping programme to concentrate on clearing leaf fall.

If you are concerned about an area with high levels of leaf fall please contact the Streetcare help desk - email streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 868000.

Teenager killed in road accident on Rodford Way - Police seek witnesses

Police have put out an appeal for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Yate last night (Monday November 3).

The incident happened at about 7.15pm on the Rodford Way, near the Abbotswood Inn. A 13-year-old girl from the Yate area was in collision with a Ford Transit van.

Police, fire and ambulance attended the incident but the girl was declared dead at the scene. The road was closed for examination by the road policing unit's collision investigation unit and re-opened at 10.39pm.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information should contact the police's collision investigation unit on 0845 4567000.

Link to local police website - click here.