Waste and recycling arrangements for Jubilee bank holidays

South Glos council has announced that all waste and recycling will be collected as normal on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 June.

Collection times may vary in order to avoid street parties or similar events, so please put all waste and recyclables out for collection by 7am on the correct day.

Residents organising a street party can contact the council on 01454 868 000 if their event falls on their scheduled collection day, and every effort will be made to collect from their road before street party preparations begin.

Additional waste outside wheeled bins can be taken to the nearest SORT IT!* Centre, which will be open as normal.

Tesco Yate bank holiday opening hours

Tesco's main store at Yate will be open as follows during the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend:

• Friday 1 June - 24 hour opening
• Saturday 2 June - open until midnight
• Sunday 3 June - open 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
• Monday 4 June - open 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
• Tuesday 5 June - open from 6.00 am, then 24 hour opening

Employment Futures event

The South Gloucestershire Equalities Forum is running a series of pop-up workshops looking at employment and equalities issues:

‘I’m unemployed. Is it just because I’m a woman?’
Southern Brooks Community Partnership will be running this workshop on Monday 11 June, 6.30pm at Coniston Community Centre, The Parade, Coniston Road, Patchway, BS34 5LP.

‘I’m unemployed. Is it just because I’m Black?’ Chinese? Asian?’
SARI (support against racist incidents) will be running this workshop on Tuesday 12, 6.30pm at Filton College WISE Campus, New Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8LP.

‘I’m unemployed. Is it just because I’m too young?’
Filton College will be running this workshop on
Wednesday 13, 6.30pm at Armadillo Youth Venue and Cafe, Station Road, Yate BS37 4FW.

‘I’m unemployed. Is it just because I’m disabled?’
The South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network (DEN) will be running this workshop on
Monday 18 June at 6pm. Paul’s Place, Serridge Lane, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2TT

‘I’m unemployed. Is it just because I’m too old?’
Age UK South Gloucestershire are running this workshop on
Monday 18 June, 6.30pm at The Park Centre
High Street, Kingswood BS15 4AR.

Each workshop will send representatives to Employment Futures: The Big Debate at Bristol Science Park on Thursday 21 June.

You can find out more and register on the South Glos website - the deadline is Friday 8th June.

South Glos to take on 240 apprentices

Over a four-year period South Glos Council will be hiring 60 apprentices a year in areas like housing, care, catering and street services. The scheme, which is being run in partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College at Filton, will be open to young people between 16 and 24.

The Gazette has more details here.

For more information about the scheme contact Natalie Zullo at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College on 0117 909 2234 or email natalie.zullo@filton.ac.uk

Cyclists call for action to repair danger road

Local cyclists have been complaining about dangerous road defects on the road from the Shire Way roundabout to Westerleigh village. Some regular cyclists have stopped using this road because it's so bad.

As well as the potholes on the way into Westerleigh, there are "tramline" cracks that could catch a bike wheel near the Nibley Lane junction. Anyone falling off their bike just past this blind corner could be run over by a following car.

South Glos say that Westerleigh Road isn't bad enough to warrant resurfacing this year, but they aim to patch the worst areas some time this financial year. The Joint Cycleways Group has written saying that it's now urgent, and asking them to do the repairs within the next few weeks.

Calling young filmakers

If you are a young person interested in making films, check out the competition being run by Smokefree South West and Cut Films. The Plain Packs theme closing date is 10 July - find out more on the Cut Films website.

Travelling to the BRI or the Children's Hospital?

There are currently major changes to the drop-off area at the BRI and BRHC due to the development work going on at the BRI. More information about the changed arrangements, which are due to last until 22 June, can be found on the University Hospitals Bristol website.

Join the Big Pull - stop the weed!

Would you like to stop the spread of an invasive weed called Himalayan balsam?

Himalayan balsam is a non-native plant which is found along our rivers and streams and its seeds can quickly spread, smothering other native flowers and vegetation as it goes. The balsam can take over so much that the river banks are left completely bare during the winter months which can lead to increased erosion.

To help stop the spread, South Glos are launching a conservation campaign called the Big Pull and are looking for community groups and large businesses to get involved. They are running free workshops with practical demonstrations where you will learn how to identify, pull and dispose of Himalayan balsam, including one in Frampton Cotterell from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 14th June. Meet in the car park at The Globe Inn.

For more information and to book a place on a workshop, please call 01454 863592, email naturalenvironment@southglos.gov.uk or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/thebigpull.

Stover Road to close for 2 nights

Stover road will be closed on the nights of 24th and 25th May between Badminton Road and the Yate Road Roundabout. The weight limit on Station Road will be suspended during the closure.

New speed limit signs

Cllr Claire Young has been campaigning for
lower speed limits on these busy roads

The end of the long campaign for lower speed limits on the B4465, Westerleigh Road and Nibley Lane is in sight. The Traffic Regulation Order has been signed and work will start on installing the new signs in the week beginning 28th May. The work will take about 3-4 weeks to complete.

Thank you to all the residents who collected signatures on the petition, signed it or wrote in to support the proposals during the various consultations. If anyone would like to volunteer to join the Codrington Community Speedwatch, please get in touch.

Recycling update

Since late March, SITA have been distributing bags for cardboard recycling to all those on the waiting list. If you asked for one and haven't got it or would like to ask for one for the first time, please ring 01454 868000 or request one online.

Residents raised a number of concerns when we carried out surveys earlier this year. Officers have investigated complaints of boxes and bags not being put back properly and have answered some of your recycling questions:

• All food waste can be accepted except larged uncooked bones, as these don't break down well in the anaerobic digester.
• Envelopes can go in the paper recycling as long as you remove the plastic windows.
• Pieces of wood of no more than 4" diameter can go in the green waste bin - larger pieces can be recycled at the Sort IT centre.
• Old clothes and shoes can be put out in a carrier bag with the green box.

Olympic flame coming to South Glos

The Olympic flame will be coming to South Glos on Tuesday 22 May and then again briefly on the morning of Wednesday 23 May.

Full details of the route and a detailed map are available online www.southglos.gov.uk/2012olympictorch along with a listed of frequently asked questions.

South Gloucestershire Council has created a £5,000  one-off Challenge Fund to maximise the 2012 Olympic legacy potential. There are 25 grants of £201.20 available for groups registered with the Community Games programme, which aims to bring communities together to take part in sporting and cultural activities inspired by, and in celebration of, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

You can find out more on the South Glos website - but hurry, you only have until 8th June to apply.

Yate & Chipping Sodbury Broadcasters Association needs board members

Could YOU become a Board Member for this exciting new venture?

Becoming a board member is one of the most challenging and rewarding volunteer assignments. Yate FM say "We want all of our board members to feel that their commitment of time, skill, and resources is valued and worthwhile"

Yate FM's Mission Statement is
“To reach out to all of the diverse groups in the community to give people a voice, enable talent to develop, provide training opportunities, access to equipment and to nurture a sense of inclusion.”

The project board will contain up to 7 individuals who represent the different interests of the group, including:
• Marketing and communication
• Finance / business management
• Legal / business management
• Networking and community development
• Fundraising / applying for grants
• Website and Design
• Broadcasting

The board, chosen for their skills, experience and knowledge would take responsibility for all financial, managerial and day-to-day business. The legal ownership rests with the board.

To express an interest - or just to find out more about Yate FM - please email admin@yatefm.co.uk.

You can also check out some of Yate Fm's first internet broadcasts here.

Urgent drainage works on Westerleigh Road, Henfield

The temporary traffic lights on Westerleigh Road, Henfield (on many people's way to work) are in place so that urgent drainage works can be carried out. It's hoped the work will be complete by Wednesday 16th May.

Travel back to olden times at Winterbourne Medieval Barn (NOW CANCELLED)

THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE RECENT BAD WEATHER

Medieval England comes to the beautiful Winterbourne Medieval Barn on Saturday 16th June, when the Company of Chivalry returns to welcome back Sir Thomas de Bradestone, fresh from victory at the battle of Crecy.


Join the bustle and excitement of the Medieval Fayre for a colourful summer country day out for all the family. There will be a wide variety of historically accurate re-enactments such as archery, armaments, cookery, medicine, the law and much more.


Delicious local ale and food this year will include a hog roast. There will be demonstrations of country crafts such as basket weaving and hurdle fence making. The Barn's imposing giant cider press will provide the focal point for talks and Barn tours and children's games and activities will be put on. The Ammonites will provide inspiring music as they have done before.


As a bonus, for the first time this year there will also be a demonstration from the Hawk and Owl Trust.


£3 for adults and free entry for children under 16 will allow admission to a great day out, all day from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. On-site parking will be available.

You can read more about Winterbourne Medieval Barn and other events here.

Clean Slate art competition for young people 13-19

Time to create your masterpiece...

Calling all budding young painters, potters, sculptors, aerosol artists, photographers, illustrators and installation artists - Avon and Somerset Police are hosting the West Country's answer to The Turner Prize!

Clean Slate is an Art Competition open to young people aged 13 - 19 who live, work or are educated in the Avon and Somerset force area.

There are three categories - 2D, 3D and Digitally Generated Art, each split into two age brackets, 13 to 15 and 16 to 19.

With exhibition opportunities and celebrity guests the competition is a must for any emerging talents.

There is no theme. You can do whatever you want (as long as it's suitable for a family audience)

The slate is clean! The canvas is blank! Find your inspiration and create your masterpiece!

Check out the competition details here - closing date May 18th.

Chipping Sodbury - Yate - Cribbs Causeway bus service to continue after all

We reported recently that the operator of the 482/483 services from Chipping Sodbury via Yate, Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne and Bradley Stoke to Cribbs Causeway intended to discontinue them from 20 May, saying that the services are no longer commercially viable.

Following an emergency tender - so presumably a subsidy from South Glos - Wessex Connect will now run the service for a year, with increased journeys in the afternoon peak times.

Progress continues on the Yate Cycle Link!

An update from the Joint Cycleway Group meeting this week - South Glos told us that all the necessary Network Rail permissions have now been granted, so that's a major step forward.

Phase 1 - Railway Path Spur to Westerleigh

A digger has already started on the route from the Railway Path Spur. By June it should be passable on foot or by mountain bike to Westerleigh. A compacted surface will be in by August, with completion to the final standard next year.

Most of the fencing is up, except under the motorway bridge, where palisade fencing will be put in - work will start on it this month.

Several big level differences are being sorted out. The route should reach the Westerleigh Road crossing by August, and it will be connected by an interim route to the Broad Lane cycle path that was signed a few years ago.

A large refuge will go in on the Westerleigh Rd crossing, similar to the Henfield one.

The "Lakes Route" (see our previous report) will go in AS WELL AS the main route, to give a range of different routes to the Railway Path Spur. The timing will be the same as Phase 1.

Phase 2 - Westerleigh to Shire Way roundabout

Serious negotiations have started with the farmers involved (they had already been approached previously)

Phase 2 will be installed next financial year.

Parkfield Rank Link - negotiations are also proceeding on a link from Parkfield Rank, so that will give another access point onto the new cycleway.

The next Joint Cycleway Group meeting will be in July, on a date to be agreed.

We're getting there...

Battle of the Bands - "By the Second" comes first!

Local band 'By The Second' were crowned winners of The Battle Of The Bands competition on Wednesday evening at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall.

'By The Second' will now open at the Chipping Sodbury Festival FREE ‘Music In The Street’ event on Tuesday 19th June with headline act ‘Vegas’.

Local street dance group 'Pure Dance Crew' will also be appearing at the event. Chipping Sodbury Festival runs from 15th to 24th June with a range of events for all ages. Full details at www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk

More details about Vegas and other events during Chipping Sodbury festival can be found on www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk or you can contact the festival committee via info@chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk