Our local heritage - can you help?

On Wednesday, Focus Team Cllr Claire Young (also our Parliamentary Candidate) attended a heritage briefing in Yate. There were presentations from a whole host of local heritage projects of all sizes, including the £90 million Aerospace Bristol and ones even closer to home like Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Yate Heritage Centre and the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group. They are always keen to have new people involved so if you have an interest in local history, do get in touch with them.

The Know Your Place mapping project is currently asking for your help in two ways. Firstly, they’d like you to visit their site and give them feedback by answering their survey. Secondly, they are challenging all researchers, volunteers, museums and heritage organisations across the area to add 10 records on to Know Your Place in 10 days to help them build a rich, shared map of our local heritage.

Claire was also told about a project bringing QR codes to War Memorials.  A QR (or Quick Response) code is like a 2 dimensional bar code that you can scan with your phone or tablet. The idea is to place QR codes next to each war memorial, which you can scan with your phone or tablet to take you straight to a website where they are gradually placing as much family and military history as possible about each person named. The research is being undertaken by volunteers from the various South Gloucestershire museums, heritage centres and local history groups. Anyone interested in helping should contact their local group or email museums@southglos.gov.uk

Would you like to see our posts on Facebook? Join the Facebook Group Focus on Sodbury, Yate and Dodington

Second Friends session for popular Lilliput Park

Lilliput Park, between Heron Way and Chipping Sodbury, is very popular with people of all ages. The Lilliput Conservation Group run work mornings in the park on the first Tuesday of each month (e.g. Tuesday 4 October), but they have had requests for local people to organise a weekend session.

The first weekend work morning will be on Saturday 15 October from 10 am until 12 noon, meeting at the Kingfisher Road gate. All ages are welcome, but children need to be accompanied by responsible adults. Suitable footwear should be worn, and gloves would be useful.

Dodington Parish Councillor Paul Hulbert, who is a regular at the work sessions, said "There will be something for everyone - digging and tidying, cutting back the bushes, and litter picking. People can work at their own pace"

For more information please check out the Lilliput Conservation Group page on Facebook, or contact Paul on 07771 562505.

Don't forget Abbotswood Autumn Apple Day this Saturday!

 

We hope to see you at this FUN FAMILY EVENT on Saturday.

Stop Disability Hate Crime in South Gloucestershire - event 12 October

• Have you ever been called names because you are disabled?
• Have people attacked you or your possessions?
• Find out what is happening and how you can help to stop it

Join SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) for an afternoon to find out more about disability hate crime and the organisations that can help:

Wed 12 October, 12.00 pm - 4.30 pm at the Vassal Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ.

Click here to book your place, phone SARI on 0117 9420060, or email sari@sariweb.org.uk

Sprint Triathlon for charity - 2nd Oct

On Sunday 2nd October, the Players Sprint Triathlon will be taking place at The Players Golf Club near Codrington. Consisting of a 750m open water swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run, it will be raising money for the West of England MS Therapy Centre. For more information visit mstherapybristol.org.uk/triathlon

Works on M32 to extend bus lane

Road works to extend the M32 bus lane into Bristol are planned to start before the end of September. The existing south bound bus lane is being extended from Junction 3 to the railway bridge that crosses the motorway.

MetroBus's contractors will also be removing and replacing the central reservation, upgrading drainage and ducting, and installing Average Speed Cameras. The road works and improvements will take seven months and will finish in Spring 2017.

To minimise disruption the M32 will still be open whilst the road works take place, but there will be evenings when motorists will be diverted at Junction 3 via the slip roads on and off the motorway. There will also be two narrow lanes in both directions at Junction 3 for the installation of the south bound bus lane.

After work for the south bound bus lane has finished there will still be two lanes for general traffic in each direction.

Planning your journeys

The Travelwest website contains up to date travel information about road works in the West of England region:

Highways England also provides live traffic information for the motorway network via their website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk

Improving public transport

Extending the M32 bus lane will speed up bus journeys for MetroBus passengers, it will also mean quicker journeys for passengers on other bus services that use the motorway. Improving the reliability of bus services will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, reducing congestion for everyone.

The bus lane is part of a number of bus priority improvements that will make some bus journeys between the University of the West of England, Bradley Stoke and the city centre up to 30 minutes quicker. These improvements are for MetroBus, a smarter way of travelling that will speed up bus journey times, relieve congestion and reduce levels of pollution. MetroBus services will start in Autumn 2017.

Community family bike rides Sep 25, Yate

As part of the South Gloucestershire Discover Festival there will be two community family bike rides on Sunday 25 September at 11.00 am and 1.00 pm.

The rides start from Yate Library and will cover a distance of approx 5 miles, taking about 1 hour to complete. Please bring your own bike and wear a helmet.

The event is free but you'll need to register here for the 11.00 am event or here for the 1.00 pm event

For more events please check out the Discover Festival website - there's something for everybody!

Community group looking for funding?

Tesco have announced some important changes to the Tesco Bags of Help funding scheme which may be of interest to any community groups seeking  project funding in the Yate area.

In order to give Tesco customers a more frequent say on where their money goes, as of today the Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme will now be permanently open for applications from community groups.

Bags of Help will now see the money raised by the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores in England, Wales and Scotland opened up to a greater range of projects that support community participation in the development and use of open spaces. Projects that will now get the green light as a result of the funding will include volunteer training, physical improvements of open spaces, equipment purchases, community events and sports and leisure activities.

Following a public vote, three projects in each of the 200 Tesco regions will receive a grant each month, with first place receiving up to £5K, second place up to £2K and third place up to £1K.

Groups can apply by following this link

Abbotswood Autumn Apple Day Saturday 1 October

This is a seasonal celebration of autumn and apples with the Abbotswood Action Group community.It's loads of fun and there will be interesting and creative activities for all ages. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome to come along too.

Location: St Nicholas Family Centre garden and Abbotswood precinct, Chargrove, Abbotswood, Yate, BS37 4LG, 11am - 3pm.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn - Orchard Harvest Day, Sunday 2 October

Orchard Harvest Day will be held on Sunday 2 October from 11am – 4pm.

The most popular annual event at the Barn!   Visit the wonderful medieval barn dating from 1340s. Celebrate and discover the bounty of local orchards, locally-produced food and drink together with displays of local crafts and rural skills. Adults £2, children under 16yrs FREE.  Come and see traditional cider making using a Victorian stone apple mill and taste the results! Of course they will be paying homage to the Great British Orchard with cider making demos, apple display and we may have expertise on hand to identify varieties of apple – so bring yours along!

Enjoy locally-produced hot food, cold ice-cream from the Icicle Tricycle, locally-brewed beer and cider, or tea and cakes.   Marvel at the work of the medieval craftsmen who built the magnificent Barn and experience the thrill of seeing a peregrine falcon, play skittles, find out all there is to know about weaving, basket making, bees and honey, or try your hand at archery.  Sing along with the Frampton Shantymen – audience participation is not optional - or cheer the Winterbourne Down Border Morris dancers as they step-hop to traditional hornpipes, jigs and polkas.  Children will love seeing the pigs, geese and llamas, and can enjoy a variety of games and activities including the very popular ferret-racing.

A parking charge of £2 per vehicle will be collected on behalf of Paul’s Place; a local charity for disabled people. Access dogs and well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome. The ground is uneven in places and extra care may be needed by those with limited mobility.




Winterbourne Medieval Barn has won the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and South Glos has just appointed a Project Manager and a Funding Consultant with HLF money, to steer a bid for £1M from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the Medieval Barn into full community use. As part of this bid for funding, the Barn itself has to raise £400,000 by December 2017.  It is a unique historical building and we hope that all South Glos residents will be able to appreciate its amazing architecture.

More information is available on their website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk

Use your local park? Have your say!

UK Parliament would like to hear your views about your local park.

The Communities and Local Government Committee is investigating public parks and wants to know what you use your park for, or if you use it at all. We also would like to know how you feel about your park and its role in your community.

If you would like to complete a short questionnaire, click here. The questionnaire shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes to complete.

Your answers to these questions will help inform how the Committee questions local authorities, the Government and other organisations about how parks are funded and how parks can best be supported.

If you would like to let them know more about your experiences of your local park then please look at their Public Parks inquiry page to find out how. If you'd like to tweet about why your park matters to you, please use the hashtag #myparkmatters.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn - drama to commemorate the Battle of the Somme, Sunday 18 September

'A Day’s Work' - Sunday 18 September, 3pm

A Musical drama to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.  Using original songs, spoken verse, monologue and dialogue, ‘A Day’s Work’ tells the story of a group of farm labourers, members of a mummers’ team, who join up, or refuse to join up, and meet finally on the first day of The Somme.  The show examines war, love, courage and cowardice through this new script and songs with a cast of highly respected performers.

Refreshments will be available to purchase during the interval.  Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds from 12.30pm.  Tickets cost £15 adults, £5 for under 16s, and are available from Daisy's Cafe, Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne, or on the gate subject to availability.

What was the Battle of the Somme?

In the summer of 1916, British and French armies launched a joint offensive against German forces in the Somme region.  General Sir Douglas Haig had hoped to break German lines and bring the deadlock of trench warfare to an end. So on 1 July 1916, British troops rose from their trenches and advanced across no man’s land. But this ‘Big Push’ was ineffective and advancing soldiers were met by a hail of German gunfire. On that day alone the British Army suffered 57,470 casualties with 19,240 deaths, making it the bloodiest day in British military history.

The Battle of the Somme continued for 141 days to 18th November 1916, by which time British casualties had risen to 419,654, and total casualties on all sides reached more than one million. It was a pivotal battle, with tanks being deployed by the British Army for the first time, and crucial military lessons were learned which contributed to the eventual allied victory in 1918. But the Battle will forever be remembered for its devastating death toll and appalling human cost.  For many families, it remains the most painful and devastating battle of the First World War.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn has won the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and South Glos has just appointed a Project Manager and a Funding Consultant with HLF money, to steer a bid for £1M from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the Medieval Barn into full community use. As part of this bid for funding, the Barn itself has to raise £400,000 by December 2017.  It is a unique historical building and we hope that all South Glos residents will be able to appreciate its amazing architecture.

More information is available on their website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk

Street Care using the Road to Nowhere

The South Glos Council's Street Care team are going to be using the end of the Road to Nowhere nearest the Badminton Road offices as a temporary storage and compound area to support the implementation of the new waste strategy. This is the bit north of the railway line, at the end of Culvert Avenue - it's NOT the part of the Road to Nowhere on the Yate Common side.

Initially the site will be used to store vehicles overnight while the existing yard at Dean Road is re-developed. The site will then be used to store the new recycling vehicles and finally will provide space to support the changeover of household bins. All the activity is temporary, they will be off the site by the end of 2017 and no waste will be stored on the site at any time.

This week they have cleared the overgrown vegetation and will be laying some additional gravel over the next few days before securing the front and back with a fence to link the existing side fences. The large rocks will stay in place at the entrance until the site is fully secured. Once in use there will be additional security.

Partial reprieve for libraries but mobile library to be scrapped

After a consultation which attracted 3,600 responses, the Conservatives were forced to rethink their original plans for library cuts but unfortunately the new plans are very much a mixed bag.

The good news is that people in Chipping Sodbury have come together to save their library as a volunteer-run service and several other communities have offered to run libraries in village halls and other venues.

The use of new technology to open library buildings for longer is also welcome. Those aged 16 and over will be able to register to access libraries with their library card when staff aren't present. Children will have to be accompanied by an adult.

Unfortunately staff hours will still be cut significantly and the mobile library service will be scrapped altogether. That currently serves over 50 communities, many in our rural areas. The council says it can support up to 10 community libraries. If you will be affected by the loss of the mobile service, please let us know.

Back when the budget was set in February, your Focus Team made it clear we felt services like libraries were more important than shaving a small amount of the green bin charge. Many people have told us they agree. Unfortunately when we backed an amendment to that effect, we were outvoted.

There will now be a consultation on the proposals for each library, for example on which days and times staff should be present. We'll let you know when you can have your say. The changes are due to be made in October 2017.

Westerleigh traffic calming concerns

Cllr Claire Young in Westerleigh

In 2015, the Frome Vale Area Forum supported an investigation into further traffic calming measures in Westerleigh after complaints from residents about some of the measures implemented so far. These include concerns from local cyclists about the safety of the pinch points.

Unfortunately the final outcome of the investigation has been delayed by the departure of the officer who was handling it. Local councillor Claire Young has been talking to officers to get things back on track and on Wednesday met the officer now working on the investigation and a senior manager from Street Care on site to go through the list of problems residents have raised.

We will update you when we have more information.

Reminder - Severn Tunnel to close on Monday

The Severn Tunnel will be closed between Monday 12 September and Friday 21 October but Great Western Railway are keen to reassure you that their services will still be running  - with trains being diverted or replaced by buses.

Alternative timetables will operate throughout the work, with journeys to London taking about 35 minutes longer and Bristol 45 minutes longer. This is essential work towards bringing electrification through to Cardiff and Swansea.

Full details of the changes are on their website.

Wapley Bushes Bat Walk tonight

Join Wapley Bushes Conservation Group for a twilight stroll in search of bats. Bat detectors provided. Wear warm clothes and stout shoes or boots and bring a torch.


Accompanied children very welcome - they love being in the "creepy woods" in the dark!

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to Wapley Bushes (opposite Cherington), Yate, BS37 8YA, 7:30 - 9:15pm.

New memory cafe opening in Chipping Sodbury 20 September

The new ‘Oasis Memory Café’ will be opening in Chipping Sodbury later this month.

The Alzheimer’s Society are supporting Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church in this new venture, which will run fortnightly from Tuesday 20th September.

Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church Hall, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 10.30 am – 12 noon

OPENING ON TUESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

A fun and informal gathering for those with memory problems and any form of Dementia to come along with carers, family and friends to enjoy being together and meeting people in a similar situation.

The Cafe is free but there will be a donation box for those who wish to contribute.

For more information contact Sally or Jean on 01454 313023 or email office@cs-bc.org.uk

Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church
In partnership with the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury
Supported by Alzheimer’s Society

Winterbourne Medieval Barn event - Heritage Open Days with Bell-ringing 10 and 11 September

Heritage Open Days with Bell-ringing from the Lichfield Diocesan Mobile Belfry
Saturday 10 September  11am - 5pm and Sunday 11 September 12.00 - 5pm

National Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties across the country that are usually closed or charge for admission.  Winterbourne Medieval Barn is an outstanding and unique building of national importance now owned by South Glos Council.  Built by Thomas de Bradeston in 1342, just a few years before the Black Death hit in England, only three barns of this scale are recorded as built by gentry’ families, and Winterbourne is the only survivor. It was built using the green-timber construction methods which were the cutting-edge technology of that period. It is a fine example of a raised-cruck construction, and one of the largest and earliest raised-cruck barns. 

The Lichfield Diocesan Mobile Belfry will be installed in the Barn throughout the weekend and bell-ringers will be on hand to demonstrate their skill and let you have a go at ringing. St Michaels Church next to the Barn will also be open over the weekend and offering tower tours. They will have CCTV coverage of the church bells so that you can see them in action.

Free entry.  Access dogs and well behaved dogs on a lead will be welcome. 

Winterbourne Medieval Barn has won the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and South Glos has just appointed a Project Manager and a Funding Consultant with HLF money, to steer a bid for £1M from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the Medieval Barn into full community use. As part of this bid for funding, the Barn itself has to raise £400,000 by December 2017.  It is a unique historical building and we hope that all South Glos residents will be able to appreciate its amazing architecture.

More information is available on their website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk

New national emergency number for power cuts

There’s a new FREE number to call if you have a power cut

105 is a new number that you can call to report or get information about a power cut. It will put you through to your local electricity network operator – the company that manages the cables, wires and substations that bring electricity into homes and businesses in your area.

105 is a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales, and you can call the number from most landlines and mobile phones. It doesn’t matter who you choose to buy your electricity from - anyone can call 105.

You can also call 105 if you spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put you, or someone else, in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, call the emergency services too.

Don’t be left in the dark.  Call 105.

To find out more, visit powercut105.com

POWER CUT TIPS

What should I do during a power cut?

• Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.
• Leave a light on so you know when the power cut has been resolved.
• Check to see if your neighbours are okay.
• Wrap up warm.
• Contact your electricity network operator to report the power cut, either by calling 105 or via their other channels. Visit powercut105.com for details of your local network operator.

How can I prepare for a power cut?

• Keep a torch handy – it’s much safer than using candles.
• Get a battery-powered or wind-up radio (useful for keeping up to date with relevant local news).
• Keep warm – keep a blanket and warm clothing handy, and fill a vacuum flask or hot water bottle.
• Stock your cupboard with food and drink that doesn’t require electricity to prepare it.
• Keep your mobile phone and laptop fully charged.
• Check your network operator’s website or social media channels for updates.

Can I use my phone during a power cut?

• Cordless phones probably won’t work during a power cut. They take their power from the mains and most don’t have battery back-up. 
• Traditional corded phones will work – you might want to keep one handy so you can plug it in and make phone calls if you have a power cut. 
• In most cases, mobile phones will work if they are charged.

I’m on the Priority Services Register. Should I now call 105?

The Priority Services Register is for people who might need extra support during a power cut; for example, people who need electricity for vital medical equipment. If you are on the Register and you have a power cut, you should continue to call the phone number that you have been given.

Free rail travel for groups

SEVERNSIDE RAIL COMMUNITY TRAVEL PROJECT

Residents' associations, youth clubs and any other local organisations/charities working with disadvantaged communities in the West of England area (Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) are eligible to apply for a FREE GROUP TICKET, valid for a date and destination of their choice. Please note that the destination needs to be broadly within the West of England area.

There is NO LIMIT to how many times a single organisation can apply for a free group ticket, but please make sure you are involving as many different people as possible in each outing.

To avoid overcrowding on train services, the MAXIMUM NUMBER of people allowed to travel for free in each outing is 20. This includes any accompanying persons, staff and/or volunteers. Individuals cannot apply directly.

To check if your organisation/charity/group is eligible to take part in this initiative or if you need more information, please contact the project manager: Dr Miriam Ricci, miriam.ricci@uwe.ac.uk Tel: 0117 32 83798. If you are eligible, Miriam will give you a password to complete the application form for the free group ticket.

More details are available here

National Walking Festival: Frampton Cotterell Ram Hill and the Dramway Walk - Wed 7 September

Miners Village Hall, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2QB
Wednesday 7 September, 10:30 to 11:30

Join South Gloucestershire Walking For Health and Stepping Forward to celebrate the rich network of recreational paths. Free, led by trained volunteers. This is one of a series of walks - you can find the leaflets which have been produced about each of the paths here.

Long and short walk available - interesting local history walk and talk. Will last approximately one hour.

No booking required.

Click here for a listing of all the Discover Festival events

Introduction to Youth Work course

Interested in youth work? Find out more on this Introduction to Youth Work course - details below.

New course brochure for Community Learning

To find out about *FREE South Glos Community Learning courses starting in September, come along to one of the  enrolment sessions at #SouthGlos libraries. Check out dates on their website and put them in your diary now!

*Terms and conditions apply for free enrolment

And some EXTRA courses that aren't in the brochure:

• Steps to Confidence -  Armadillo, Yate   10 am - 12 noon on Wednesdays
  Starting on 5th 0ctober until 16th November 16th (six weeks)
• Steps to Confidence –  Yate Library  9.30 - 11.30 am  on Wednesdays
  Starting 11th January until 15th February (6 weeks)

Weather stops Ring Road closure 2 to 5 September

South Glos Council has announced that the planned closure of part of the A4174 ring road this weekend for resurfacing work has been postponed.

Due to the wet weather forecast for this weekend (2-5 September), the planned resurfacing work on the westbound carriageway of the A4174 between Bromley Heath roundabout and Hambrook traffic lights has been postponed.

Further updates will be provided by South Glos Council when this postponed work has been rescheduled.

However there will still be a full overnight closure of the A4174 eastbound carriageway between Wick Wick and Lyde Green roundabouts between 8pm and 6am from 5 to 9 September. The road will be fully open during the day and at weekends.

Advance warning signs will be displayed and alternative routes will be clearly signed.

Something for everyone at the South Glos Discover Festival 2016

South Gloucestershire Discover Festival is now underway with a wide range of LOCAL events covering crafts, nature, learning, heritage, food, arts, getting active, and wellbeing.

Check out the Discover Festival website to pick the events you would like to attend!

Living Well with Dementia roadshows

Three ‘Living Well with Dementia’ roadshows will be held locally in 2016/17.

This initiative is part of Better Care South Gloucestershire, the programme to improve and enhance health and care services in our area. It’s run by the NHS and local authority, but it involves everyone: individuals and their carers, community and voluntary groups, health and care providers and their staff.

The first roadshow is on Tuesday 27 September 2016 2pm – 4.30pm at Ridgewood Community Centre, 244 Station Road, Yate BS37 4AF

The roadshows are intended for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with dementia, and their carers or families.


They will cover practical, emotional and health advice and information, plus reassurance that you’re not on your own.

Further events will be:

Wednesday 12 April 2017 2pm – 4.30pm at Hanham Community Centre, 118-124 High St, Hanham BS15 3EJ

Monday 10 July 2017 6pm – 8.30pm at BAWA Community Centre, 589 Southmead Road, Filton BS34 7RG

Contact details:
Email: cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk
Web: www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia
Phone: 01454 862356

West of England MS Therapy Centre Triathlon

The West of England Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is organising its first annual triathlon to raise funds for the Centre. The Players Sprint Triathlon is taking place on Sunday 2nd of October 2016 at The Players Golf Club, one of the region's most prestigious golf courses.

The sprint triathlon will consist of:

• 750m swim in the golf course’s open-water lake
• 20km cycle through the picturesque country lanes
• 5km run on the championship golf course itself

You can enter as an individual or you can grab a couple of friends and take on one component of the triathlon each.

The event includes:

• Secure bike racking
• Chip timing
• Support with training
• Free swimming hat
• Medal and goody bag for all finishers
• Changing and showering facilities
• Free parking

The event is limited to 120 places so register today to avoid disappointment at mstherapybristol.org.uk/triathlon. For more information contact Emma on 01454 628725 or email triathlon@mstherapybristol.org.uk

Careers Fair next week aimed solely at deaf and disabled people

A careers fair aimed solely at deaf and disabled people will held in Southmead next week. Bristol Community Transport offering free transport and the event itself is free.

The evnt will run from 10am to 4pm on 9 September 2016 at the Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol BS10 5PY

The careers fair is open to all Deaf, Hard of Hearing People, and Disabled People. It will be fully accessible. A range of employers will be seeking to engage with Deaf and Disabled People from apprenticeship to experienced. Further details can be found here

Please book your place via Eventbrite here