Saturday, 22 December 2012
Share the gift of time
Some older people feel lonely and isolated or need help to get out and
about. South Glos Council has funded 5 organisations to help support
older people.
You can find out more on the Precious Time website. There's information for residents, potential volunteers and organisations, stories about some of the amazing work already going on and a section where you can pledge an action.
There is also a "Being a Welcoming Organisation" toolkit to help groups welcome and involve older people.
If you would like more information on volunteering or are in need of support, email precioustime@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 862356.
You can find out more on the Precious Time website. There's information for residents, potential volunteers and organisations, stories about some of the amazing work already going on and a section where you can pledge an action.
There is also a "Being a Welcoming Organisation" toolkit to help groups welcome and involve older people.
If you would like more information on volunteering or are in need of support, email precioustime@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 862356.
Friday, 21 December 2012
Nominations open for community awards
Do you know someone whose work in your community deserves to be
recognised? If so, you have until 22nd February to nominate them for a
South Gloucestershire Chair's Community Awards. You can find out more on the South Glos website.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Magic your old carpets away - courtesy of South Glos
At the moment around 1600 tonnes of carpets and underlay at Sort It!* Centres has been going gone to landfill each year because there hasn't been a way to do recycle it .
From 14 January however there will be a new carpet recycling service at each of the four Sort It!* Centres at Yate, Mangotsfield, Stoke Gifford and Thornbury, with clearly signed containers.
Collected carpets will be taken away and shredded to use as a sustainable alternative to coal in cement kilns. Even better, there is no waste from this process as the ash is then used as an ingredient in manufacturing the cement. Clever!
Technology is being developed to separate recyclable fibres optically and extract the polypropylene content of the carpets and convert this into a plastic pellet to sell back to the plastic manufacturing industry.
Duvets, pillows, cushions and cushions from soft furnishings will also be accepted in with the carpets, potentially increasing recycling rates even more.
The new system should achieve a reduction of 222 tonnes of CO2 each year. Well done South Glos!
From 14 January however there will be a new carpet recycling service at each of the four Sort It!* Centres at Yate, Mangotsfield, Stoke Gifford and Thornbury, with clearly signed containers.
Collected carpets will be taken away and shredded to use as a sustainable alternative to coal in cement kilns. Even better, there is no waste from this process as the ash is then used as an ingredient in manufacturing the cement. Clever!
Technology is being developed to separate recyclable fibres optically and extract the polypropylene content of the carpets and convert this into a plastic pellet to sell back to the plastic manufacturing industry.
Duvets, pillows, cushions and cushions from soft furnishings will also be accepted in with the carpets, potentially increasing recycling rates even more.
The new system should achieve a reduction of 222 tonnes of CO2 each year. Well done South Glos!
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Have your say on Police and Crime Plans
For
the first time ever there will be a Police & Crime Plan for each of
the six policing districts of Avon and Somerset.
The views of residents, community groups, businesses
and victims of crime are being sought to make sure that the Police and Crime
Commissioner and the police are concentrating on the things that matter
to local people.
The Police and Crime Plan for Avon and Somerset and the six policing districts of Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset West, Somerset East and South Gloucestershire will set out the vision, aims and objectives for the new PCC Sue Mountstevens' term in office.
You can have your say online or you can call the Commissioner's office on 01275 816377 or email pcc@avonandsomerset.pnn.
The Police and Crime Plan for Avon and Somerset and the six policing districts of Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset West, Somerset East and South Gloucestershire will set out the vision, aims and objectives for the new PCC Sue Mountstevens' term in office.
You can have your say online or you can call the Commissioner's office on 01275 816377 or email pcc@avonandsomerset.pnn.
Help stop spread of ash disease
South Gloucestershire Council is asking local people to report sightings
of a fungal disease killing local ash treea in order to prevent it
spreading further.
Ash die back originated in Europe and has spread into the UK, including parts of South Gloucestershire. Symptoms of the disease include leaf death, with dead leaves typically hanging on the tree. This is followed by death of the tree’s branches.
As well as reporting suspect sightings, if you have an affected tree on your land it needs to be burnt on site to destroy spores that spread the disease. You can find more information on the council's website. Trees on private land are the responsibility of the landowner, and the council website includes advice on choosing a tree surgeon for people who may need to deal with affected trees.
Members of the public can report suspected sightings of the disease by telephoning 01454 868000 or emailing the team at streetcare@southglos.gov.uk .
Ash die back originated in Europe and has spread into the UK, including parts of South Gloucestershire. Symptoms of the disease include leaf death, with dead leaves typically hanging on the tree. This is followed by death of the tree’s branches.
As well as reporting suspect sightings, if you have an affected tree on your land it needs to be burnt on site to destroy spores that spread the disease. You can find more information on the council's website. Trees on private land are the responsibility of the landowner, and the council website includes advice on choosing a tree surgeon for people who may need to deal with affected trees.
Members of the public can report suspected sightings of the disease by telephoning 01454 868000 or emailing the team at streetcare@southglos.gov.uk .
Mental health news
The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is asking
people who care for someone who uses their services to complete their
latest survey. These surveys are conducted twice a year to help the
Trust track the experience of carers and assess whether the improvements
they are making are effective. You can complete the survey online.
South Glos Council is currently looking for groups and organisations to bid for funding to support initiatives that will involve and benefit people with mental health problems. They are particularly keen to hear from organisations that would not necessarily see themselves as "Mental Health" organisations but may have interesting ideas. Ideas put forward by people with mental health difficulties include a Friday night supper club, a choir, a drama group, radio project, photo exhibition, steam train enthusiasts and various sporting ideas. For more information email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk but hurry - expressions of interest have to be in by 8 am on Monday 21st January 2013.
South Glos Council is currently looking for groups and organisations to bid for funding to support initiatives that will involve and benefit people with mental health problems. They are particularly keen to hear from organisations that would not necessarily see themselves as "Mental Health" organisations but may have interesting ideas. Ideas put forward by people with mental health difficulties include a Friday night supper club, a choir, a drama group, radio project, photo exhibition, steam train enthusiasts and various sporting ideas. For more information email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk but hurry - expressions of interest have to be in by 8 am on Monday 21st January 2013.
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Could you help older people get cooking?
Let's Get Cooking for Older People is a new national project funded by
the Health Lottery targeting people over 55. It aims to reduce
isolation, increase confidence and independence, help people cook for
themselves more often and provide information on healthy eating.
Now they are looking for volunteers to help set up two Cooking Clubs in South Gloucestershire. An information session is being held on January 16th and training will take place in February over 2 days.
You can find out more at Let's Get Cooking's website www.letsgetcooking.org.uk or there is a flyer on the South Glos website.
Now they are looking for volunteers to help set up two Cooking Clubs in South Gloucestershire. An information session is being held on January 16th and training will take place in February over 2 days.
You can find out more at Let's Get Cooking's website www.letsgetcooking.org.uk or there is a flyer on the South Glos website.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Chipping Sodbury Christmas events
And did we mention the camel? The Living Crib and Lantern Procession will come along the High Street to St John’s Church at 5.30pm with a parade of nativity animals including Joseph the Camel.
Tomorrow (Saturday 8 December) is Chipping Sodbury Christmas Market, organised by the Sodbury Chamber of Commerce - click here for details of the market
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Getting it right for people with learning difficulties
The South Gloucestershire LINk has recently produced a DVD: GPs are there to listen to us. Getting it right for People with Learning Difficulties.
They sent postal surveys and had face to face conversations with people with learning difficulties about their experiences of using their GP services. You can view the DVD on You Tube or via their website.
They sent postal surveys and had face to face conversations with people with learning difficulties about their experiences of using their GP services. You can view the DVD on You Tube or via their website.
Progress on Westerleigh traffic calming plans
The next stage in plans to introduce traffic calming to Westerleigh village are up for consultation.
Earlier in the year, South Glos asked local people for their views on proposals to reduce the speed of traffic on Shorthill Road and Westerleigh Road. Based on the comments made, officers have been drawing up plans to extend the 30mph limit, put in a raised speed table by the village hall and create road narrowings at the entrances to the village. The first two of these require Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and the council has just published the Statutory Notice, part of the formal legal process it has to go through. You can view the notices and make comments via the following links:
Earlier in the year, South Glos asked local people for their views on proposals to reduce the speed of traffic on Shorthill Road and Westerleigh Road. Based on the comments made, officers have been drawing up plans to extend the 30mph limit, put in a raised speed table by the village hall and create road narrowings at the entrances to the village. The first two of these require Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and the council has just published the Statutory Notice, part of the formal legal process it has to go through. You can view the notices and make comments via the following links:
Monday, 3 December 2012
Wind turbine proposed near Wayleaze, Codrington Road
A planning application has been submitted for a wind turbine behind the White House on the B4465 near Wayleaze, Codrington Road, Wapley. You can find out more and make comments online.
Well done Network Rail - line open again ahead of schedule
Congratulations to Network Rail on completing repairs to the landslip at Westerleigh Junction ahead of time. Their staff worked day and night to complete the work so that rail sevices can resume.
You can read the BBC report here.
You can read the BBC report here.
Nibley Lane to close for cleaning 6th December
Nibley Lane is expected to close for cleaning between Badminton Road and
Westerleigh Road from 9.30am until 2.30pm on Thursday 6th December.