Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Best wishes from everyone on the Focus Team!

Please save your stamps for charity!

Most of our local charity shops collect used stamps - foreign, UK commemorative or just plain "ordinary" stamps - and sell them on to dealers to raise funds. Please keep all those stamps you get at Xmas or indeed any time of year and take them in.

Alternatively you can drop them off to Paul Hulbert at 35 Blaisdon, Yate (this year he's collecting them for the Children's Hospice) or leave them at Dodington Parish Council for him to collect.

General Election 2019 results - Thornbury and Yate

The results of the 2019 General Election in the Thornbury and Yate constituency are as follows:

• Luke Hall (Conservative) 30,202   ELECTED
• Claire Young (Liberal Democrats) 17,833
• Rob Logan  (Labour Party)  4,208

Many thanks to everyone who supported Claire, and to all those who worked so hard on our campaign. 

Hustings for General Election this Tuesday at St Nix, Abbotswood

Please come along at 7 pm this Tuesday to meet and hear from all three candidates for the Thornbury and Yate constituency. You can email your questions to YateHustings@gmail.com, or you can write your questions just before or during the Hustings. There will be some time for verbal questions at the end, but you have a better chance of it being answered through email or writing down at the event.

Lib Dem General Election Campaign launched in Thornbury and Yate

The Lib Dem General Election Campaign for Thornbury and Yate was officially launched yesterday evening - though of course we've been working hard on it already!

Our candidate Claire Young (centre) said "We're ready to stop Brexit and focus on issues that matter to local people, securing a brighter future for our community"

Claire is shown flanked by fellow candidates Louise Harris  (Filton and Bradley Stoke) and Dine Romero (Kingswood)

Don't miss the big Abbotswood Christmas event on Saturday 30th November

Get your festive season off to a splendid start with the Abbotswood Christmas Fair and family event on Saturday 30th November from 4 pm until 6pm. This ever-popular event has lots to offer for all ages. Donkeys, live music... What's not to like? Santa will of course be there too, ready for the switch-on of the big Abbotswood Christmas tree.

Road closure - between Westerleigh and The Folly - Yet another change - now Mon 11 to Wed 13 Nov

They've now gone back to the original date... According to an update from South Glos today - 7th November -Westerleigh Road will be closed from Monday 11 November to Wednesday 14 November from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

The Westerleigh Road will be closed for 3 days 9.30 am - 3.30 pm between The Folly pub and the traffic lights at the top of Westerleigh Hill. This is due to carriageway patching work by South Glos Council. There are bound to be delays while this busy commuter route is shut.

South Glos say "A signed diversion will be in place. Access to properties and businesses will be maintained via either the eastern or western side of the road (whichever is clear of works at the time). We will do everything we can to minimise disruption and we apologise for the inconvenience.

These works are in advance of a surfacing scheme due to take place on Westerleigh Road in 2020"

A432 Badminton Road, Old Sodbury - major resurfacing works 4-22 November

South Glos Council has announced a major resurfacing project for the section of Badminton Road in the middle of Old Sodbury, and the length round the long bend and running up to the A46.

The works will involve the planing off of the existing surface of the carriageway and the laying of a new surface. The work will start at 8.00 pm each night and remain in place until approximately 6.00 am. The road will be closed overnight except for access.

Filming on Road to Nowhere on 28th October

A production company are planning to film at the Road to Nowhere on the 28th October between 8 am and 5 pm, so access may be limited.

They intend to film driving sequences. The majority of the shoot will include static car shots, exterior and interior. One vehicle will be involved.

South Glos consulting on HGV parking ban on Rodford Way near Kelston Close

For years people living near this part of Rodford Way have been woken up in the early hours of the morning by heavy goods vehicles starting up - they've been using this stretch of road as an unofficial lorry park.

South Glos are now considering banning HGVs over 7.5 tonnes from parking there, and they want your views.

The consultation is open until 8th October - you can see the documents and comment here

Gypsy Patch Lane roadworks update

Further update from Metrobus w/c 14/10/2019:

"Three-way temporary traffic lights will be put in place on Gipsy Patch Lane from Monday 14 October. The lights will need to be positioned at the railway bridge and will include the junction with Station Road.

The temporary lights are needed by Wales and West Utilities whilst diversionary work is carried out on the gas main in preparation for the replacement railway bridge next year. The work is expected to take up to two weeks and the lights will be in operation around the clock.

It was hoped that this work could be completed without the need for traffic lights but for the safety of all road users this is no longer the case. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued patience.

All shops and businesses on and near Gipsy Patch Lane will be open as normal"

---------------------------------------

The Cribbs Patchway Metrobus Extension project tell us:

"The three-way temporary traffic lights at the railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane are to remain in place for at least a further week. Contractors are currently installing crossings on Gipsy Patch Lane as part of preparation works for the bridge replacement next year. The extension to the temporary lights is needed to enable additional work to lower a utility cable.

Safety is paramount and given the limited space around the railway bridge the temporary lights help protect workers and members of the public whilst this work is completed. This additional work will not affect the project’s timetable.

The temporary lights will only operate Monday to Friday during off-peak hours and pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be able to pass under the railway bridge. Cyclists may be asked to dismount.

Once this work is completed the temporary traffic lights will be replaced with automated Stop/Go boards on Gipsy Patch Lane. These will only be used as needed when workers and machinery from the construction site need to safely cross Gipsy Patch Lane. Their use will be kept to a minimum and as far as possible will be kept to off-peak times.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued patience. We will continue to keep local residents, businesses and commuters up to date on the project.

All shops and businesses on and near Gipsy Patch Lane will be open as normal"

For further information about the project please visit www.southglos.gov.uk/cpmetrobus

You can now keep up to date via the project' new Facebook page www.facebook.com/sgloscpme

Bus fare victory in Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury

Liberal Democrat bus campaigners are celebrating victory in their campaign for a cheap fare for bus journeys within the towns of Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury. From later this month people travelling on First Bus services will play just £1.50 for any single journey in town.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Thornbury & Yate, Claire Young, said:

"This is fantastic news for bus users in Thornbury and Yate. Last year's fare rises left them paying far more for a short bus journey than those in Bristol or Bath. It made people think twice about using the bus to go to the shops, adding to the congestion and parking problems. We pushed First Bus to give us a low flat-rate fare for journeys within town and we're delighted they're doing that."

Yate Town Councillor Chris Willmore said:

"We have fought for this in Yate for years, it's a key plank of our 'Let's Get Yate moving' plan. It was nonsense expecting people to pay a fiver to get to the shopping centre and back. Well done to First Bus for listening. Now we need to tell everyone about it and show bus bosses that cheaper fares work."

Cllr Maggie Tyrrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) said:

"At this price, people will be happy to jump on a bus rather than face the hassle of finding a parking space in town. I'm glad First Bus have heeded our arguments."

Claire added:

"We are still pushing for the towns to have their own travel zones taking in nearby villages, like the zones for Bristol, Bath and Weston-Super-Mare. Flat rate "Rider" tickets allowing you to make as many journeys within the zone as you want in a day, week or month would help more people go by bus."

St Briavels Drive resurfacing to carry on for another week

 South Glos Council's Streetcare section have told us that the resurfacing works on St Briavels Drive have been delayed as there is considerably more reconstruction required than originally anticipated.

These works will now hopefully be completed on 17th September. In the meantime the bus diversions will continue.

Sustainable September - events in Abbotswood and nearby

Abbotswood Action Group have announced their programme of events for "Sustainable September" - there's lots to interest all the family. The first event is this Sunday, 1st September:  “Lines In The Landscape: A time trail walk exploring how people and nature interconnect in our modern town and countryside” The walk will set off from outside St Nicholas Church, Abbotswood at 2 pm.

A walk of about two hours at a gentle pace from Abbotswood to Wapley Bushes and back. Discover disused streams and ancient hedges in the built-up area, and see how wildlife and people use pathways, beelines and wildlife corridors in the Nature Reserve. Please wear suitable footwear and dress according to the weather.

If you’re interested, other events during the month include wildlife talks and a Bicycle Safari (think “nature ramble on wheels”)

Volunteering opportunity - treasurer for local group

Are you good with figures? Could you spare around 4 hours a month to help Abbotswood Action Group, who have a vacancy for a volunteer Treasurer? Please contact Steph on volunteeringyate@southernbrooks.org or 01454 868570 to find out more.

Gypsy Patch Lane, Abbeywood Roundabout - roadworks in September

Lots of local residents drive along Gypsy Patch Lane, Filton and through the narrow bridge. Work will be starting there in September to prepare for replacing the bridge.

From Monday 2nd September temporary three-way traffic lights will be in operation on Gipsy Patch Lane at the railway bridge. These will be in place for up to two weeks.

After this period automated Stop/Go boards will be used as needed on Gipsy Patch Lane.  These will only be used when workers and machinery from the construction site need to safely cross Gipsy Patch Lane, their use will be kept to a minimum and as far as possible will be kept to off-peak times.

Meanwhile at Abbeywood Roundabout there will be major resurfacing work overnight from Monday 9th September 2019. They will be planing off of existing tarmac and laying a new surface. The work will start at 8.00 pm and go on until around 6.00 am. During the work the road will be closed and all traffic will be diverted around the area.

Road to Pucklechurch to be closed at motorway bridge

The Highways Agency will be closing the bridge which crosses the M4 on the B4465 between Westerleigh and  Pucklechurch for strengthening works from Tuesday 27th August to Friday 4th October.

*** Update - the road is now finally open again ***

You will still be able to get to the crematorium from the Yate and Westerleigh direction, but if you're coming from elsewhere please follow the diversion signs or leave the ring road (A4174) at the Emersons Green roundabout, and come in along the Westerleigh Road.

St Briavels Drive resurfacing works - buses diverted

The advertised resurfacing work is likely to start on Thursday this week. This will have a major impact on local bus services.

Services Y1 & Y2 will divert via the full length of Sundridge Park and Rodford Way in both directions. The bus stops Hardwicke, Deerhurst, Prescott and Northfield will not be served during the closure, but buses will stop at all bus stops on the diversion route.

Yate Heritage Centre summer events

Yate Heritage Centre is running a wide range of events aimed at young people during the school holidays:

• 7th August -Traditional Wash Day 10.30am—4pm
  Free drop in sessions. Children to be accompanied.
  Free Children’s Holiday Workshops 10.30am or 1.30pm
  Booking essential. Children to be accompanied.
   
• 8th August - Civil War Doctor & Craft
   
• 14th August - Heraldry Workshop
   
• 15th August - Roman Clay Workshops

Wapley Bushes gains eighth Green Flag Community Award in a row

Members of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group showing off their eighth Green Flag Community Award at one of the Bug Hotels during their July work morning on the Local Nature Reserve.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve and the Orchard for the Future have been recognised as one of the UK’s very best green spaces. Today, a record number of parks and green spaces collect a Green Flag Award.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Wapley Bushes has won the Green Flag Community Award, a category for green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups. There are only eleven Community Awards in the whole of the South West. In fact there are only two Green Flag Awards of any kind in South Gloucestershire, the other one being Page Park in Staple Hill.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve is an area of meadows and woodlands which is very popular with local people of all ages. It is managed by the volunteers of the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group on behalf of site owners Dodington Parish Council.

Committee member Paul Hulbert said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Community Award for the eighth time”

“Our local green spaces really matter to residents and visitors. They make a major contribution to health and wellbeing”

“This award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Wapley Bushes to such a high standard - the real credit goes to our hard-working volunteers, and to Dodington Parish Council for their unfailing practical and financial help”

"Our reserve is a mixture of flower-rich meadows, ancient woodland and younger plantations. We work closely with South Gloucestershire Council and the Southwold Group of the Wildlife Trust, who provide us with very valuable advice"

The next work morning on the Reserve will be Sunday 8 September, meeting at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am. Extra volunteers would be very welcome – please contact Paul Hulbert on 01454 315851 for more details, or just turn up.

Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC) athletics improvements open, astroturf project starting

Yate Town Council has announced that the refurbished and enhanced track and athletics facilities at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC) are now open for business. Local athletes can resume use of the now greatly enhanced facilities.

Councillor Chris Willmore, Chair of the Project Steering Group commented:

"We are delighted that local athletes now have access to a completely upgraded facility that will last another 25 years, and give disabled athletes, Brimsham Green School pupils and athletes of all ages international quality facilities.”

The first community event to take place at YOSC on the track was the annual Relay for Life on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2019.

In August a Guinness World Record Attempt will be taking place at YOSC. The event will be held on the athletics track, with a relay of 105 people covering the marathon distance of 42,195m, combined with target sprint shooting.

This month sees the next big project at YOSC - Yate Town Council's AstroTurf refurbishment project. Yate Town Council has raised funds through Sport England, Ibstock & Entrust Communities and Suez Landfill Community Trust to replace the AstroTurf and to upgrade the current pitch to competitive standard. 

The works will take place during the summer holiday period and are due to be completed by the end of August 2019.

YOSC is a multisport site including an athletics track, grass pitches and a sand-based AstroTurf pitch adjacent to Brimsham School in North Yate.

Please vote for Kingsgate Park as UK's Best Park

Fields In Trust is the national group that champions and supports our parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy forever. Their annual UK's Best Park competition is now open for voting - you can see the parks and green spaces that have been nominated and cast your vote here.

Please consider voting for our lovely Kingsgate Park, which has something for everyone, or look for your other favourites. A vote for Kingsgate Park would be a lovely "Thank You" for all the Yate Town Council staff and the Friends of Kingsgate Park who work so hard to keep the park looking marvellous.

Kelston Close - consultation on waiting restrictions - revised plan

South Glos Council is consulting on replacing the existing unenforceable restrictions with a mixture of no waiting at any time (double yellow lines), no waiting during prescribed hours (single yellow lines) and no stopping on school entrance markings (yellow school zig zags)

Due to an administrative error South Glos uploaded the wrong plan. If you have already commented please look at the consultation and plan again. Any comments received on the incorrect plan - i.e. before 1 pm on 11 July - will be disregarded.


You can see the proposals and comment here. The closing date for comments has been put back to  31st July 2019.

British Lung Foundation Support Group for people with breathing problems opens in Yate

The British Lung Foundation Support Group for people with breathing problems is now in Yate.

Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month (unless like July when we have 5 Tuesdays in the month)

So the meetings this year are Tuesday 23rd July, 20th August, 17th September, 22nd October, 19th November and 17th December in 2019.   The group meets in the Coffee Bar and lounge at the Armadillo. This venue is opposite Morrison’s which has good car parking, and also at the back of the sports centre which has ample parking too. Free refreshments are provided.

The support group is run by members, with speakers from the Sirona Team with to give advice or to answer your questions, they have the knowledge to help. It can be easy to feel you are on your own with your condition, but here you will find others who understand.

The group also has other guest speakers. So far they have had a visit from the Police to talk about how we can keep ourselves safe, and a wonderful man from Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve with ideas of places locally where we can go for a walk with ample parking facilities.

For further details please telephone Christine on 07973 637273 or 01454 882151.

Play Scheme at Abbotswood School during August

Four Towns Play Association will be running a free play scheme at Abbotswood School on Tuesdays and Thursdays during August - please see details below.

South Glos Waste Strategy consultation - change of emphasis

South Glos Council's proposed Resource and Waste Strategy is pivoting from the current emphasis on recycling - which has been very successful - to saving resources by reducing consumption. Examples are eliminating single-use items and reducing the amount of raw materials we all use.

There is a detailed strategy document and an online questionnaire, or you can download and print a paper version of the survey to post to South Glos or hand in at a local library or one stop shop. The consultation is open until Friday 27th September 2019.

There will be roadshows - our most local ones are:
02 July (Tuesday) at Waitrose, Chipping Sodbury between 10:00 - 18:00
28 August (Wednesday) at Yate Shopping Centre between 10:00 - 14:00

There will also be presentations at the coming Community Engagement Forums - the one for Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Dodington will be on Thursday 11 July at St Nicholas Church, Abbotswood, Yate BS37 4LG.

Consultation on weight limits for Sodbury and Dodington roads

There's a South Glos Council consultation aimed at stopping HGVs using the smaller roads as a short cut between Chipping Sodbury and the B4465/ M4 road network.  The idea is to to introduce an environmental 7.5T weight limit, with an exemption ‘Except for loading’ on the affected lanes and adjacent residential streets within the Dodington area.

You can see and comment on the proposals here - the consultation is open until Tuesday 16th July 2019. 

The full list of roads affected is:

• Bowling Road
• Catchpot Lane
• Chapel Lane
• Cherry Road
• Chestnut Drive
• Claypit Hill
• Culverhill Road
• Dodington Lane
• Dodington Road
• Downleaze Drive
• Elm Close
• Gibbs Lane
• Grassington Drive
• Gullivers Place
• Highfield Road
• Horseshoe Lane
• Jobbins Close
• Leaman Close
• Lilliput Avenue
• Lilliput Court
• Love Lane
• Meadow Road
• Mill Lane
• Old Parish Lane
• River Road
• Sodbury Lane
• Sodbury Little Lane
• Streamside Road
• Virginia Close
• Wistaria Avenue

Making a new Universal Credit claim - help sessions available

Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire runs a Universal Credit support service for local residents in Yate and nearby. The sessions are every Monday and Wednesday from 9 am to 12 noon at the Citizens Advice office at Kennedy Way. Please find poster below for further information.

Wellesley School - Waiting Restriction Review

South Glos Council is proposing to replace the advisory keep clear markings and the advisory yellow zig zag markings around the roundabout with a no waiting at any time (double yellow lines) restriction, as well as replacing the remaining advisory yellow zig zags with a no waiting at specified days/times (single yellow lines) restriction.

The proposed days and times of operation for the no waiting at specified days/times (single yellow lines) restriction are Monday to Friday between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm until 4.30pm.

The consultation is open until 28 June.

You can find full details and respond to the proposal here.

Gipsy Patch Lane closure - suggestions for drivers and cyclists

If you regularly drive that way, you will know that Gipsy Patch Lane has been closed at the railway bridge for the last week. This busy commuter route will be closed for about another three weeks for BT to divert underground cables - this is just preparation for an eight month closure from early 2020 for the railway bridge to be replaced, ready for the Cribbs Patchway Metrobus extension to run under it.

During this first closure the footway will still be open for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists to get through. There have however been complaints about cyclists still riding through, which is dangerous on this narrow path. So Cyclists, please get off your bikes and walk them through - it's only a few yards.

The signed diversion for motor vehicles is via Bradley Stoke Way and the A38, but that doesn't make sense if you're heading for Filton, Southmead etc. A better bet would be to take the road past Parkway Stattion to the MOD roundabout.

Temporary road closures - Kennedy Way and Westerleigh Road

There will be some temporary road closures on Sundays to put in the new puffin crossings near the B&Q roundabout:

Kennedy Way - a short distance both ways from roundabout towards the health centres - Sunday 9 June and Sunday 16 June

Westerleigh Road - a short distance both ways from roundabout towards the Shell garage - Sunday 4 August and Sunday 11 August

EU election - South Glos voting percentages

The percentage of voters for each party in South Gloucestershire were as follows:

Brexit Party 37%
Liberal Democrats 24%
Green Party 15%
Conservative 10%
Labour 7%
UKIP 3%
Change UK 3%
Others 1%

So Leave Parties (Brexit and UKIP) got 40%, but Remain Parties (Lib Dems, Green, Change UK) got 42%. Conservative, Labour and others got 18% between them.

Click here for South West regional results

EU election - South West regional results

The percentage of voters for each party in the South West and Gibraltar Region were as follows:

Brexit Party 37%
Liberal Democrats 23%
Green Party 18%
Conservative 9%
Labour 7%
UKIP 3%
Change UK 3%
Others 0%

Elected MEPs:
Brexit Party 3
Liberal Democrats 2
Green Party 1

So Leave Parties (Brexit and UKIP) got 40%, but Remain Parties (Lib Dems, Green, Change UK) got 44%. Conservative and Labour between them got 16%.

Click here for South Gloucestershire voting percentages

Beating the Bounds of Yate Common, Sunday 26 May

Beating the Bounds is an ancient custom that is practised on The Common in Yate. The Reverend, Town Mayor, Friends of the Common and local residents will walk the boundaries of The Common.
Traditionally, children are turned upside down at the corners to teach them the boundaries of their Common, which they should protect (nowadays sweets may be used as an incentive)
 
Beating the Bounds of Yate Common starts at 3pm from the St Briavels Drive entrance of Yate Common. The walk is suitable for pushchairs and takes about 60 - 90 minutes. 

If you would like to find out more about the custom, please follow this link

Have YOU voted in today's EU election?

Have YOU voted yet in today's European Parliament election? You don't need identification, just go to your normal polling station and tell them your name and address.

If you have a postal vote but you haven't posted it, you can still fill it out and take it in to any polling station.

Polling stations are open until 10 pm this evening.

Dodington Parish Council election results May 2019

Not enough candidates put themselves forward for any of the three wards of Dodington Parish Council, so those that were nominated were elected without a vote.

The Parish Council will now make arrangements to fill the vacancies. If you think you might be interested please contact Dodington Parish Council to find out what is involved.


Dodington Parish Council, North East Ward (4 seats)

• HURLEY Sarah Ann - Labour ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• LIVERMORE Ian James Donovan - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• PARSONS Annette Maria Elizabeth - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• One vacancy

Dodington Parish Council, North West Ward (8 seats)

• ADAMS Barry John - Liberal Democrat Focus Team ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• HARRIS Louise Anne - Liberal Democrat Focus Team ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• HULBERT Paul Aidan - Liberal Democrat Focus Team ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• LANE David - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• SAINSBURY Mandy - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• Three vacancies

Dodington Parish Council, South Ward (3 seats)

• HOWARD Christine Mary - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• ZAPATA Christopher - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• One vacancy

Sodbury Town Council election results May 2019

Only one of the Sodbury Town Council wards had more candidates than seats. In the other two wards the candidates were elected without a vote.


Sodbury Town Council, Old Sodbury Ward (5 seats)

• GIBSON Scott Kane - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• GILPIN Marian Joy - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• RUMNEY Phil - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• 2 vacancies

Sodbury Town, North East Ward (5 seats)

• ALLEN Brenda Mary Osyth - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 419 ELECTED
• BALL James Stanley - Conservative - 401 ELECTED
• BOON Linda Ann - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 413 ELECTED
• LEESE Susan - Conservative 330
• ROMAINE Becky - Conservative 329
• RUSH Adrian Samuel - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 406 ELECTED
• SMITH Paddy - Conservative - 384 ELECTED
• TUBBY Steve - Conservative- 337

Sodbury Town Council, South West Ward (5 seats)

• BANISTER Linda - Independent ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• DYER Gill - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• HAYS Christopher David - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• JEAL Dave - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED
• LEWIS Matt - Conservative ELECTED UNOPPOSED

Yate Town Council election results May 2019

Yate Town, Central Ward (6 seats)

• EARL Marie - Conservative - 499
• EMMS John Keith - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1395 ELECTED
• EVAN-JONES Suzan Angela - Conservative - 485
• FORD John Paul - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1397 ELECTED
• GAWN John Henry - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1434 ELECTED
• KYBERT Andy - Independent - 258
• LEWIS (Faulkner) Jo - Conservative - 511
• MARSHALL Margaret Ann - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1404 ELECTED
• MCNEILL Amy Michelle - Conservative - 511
• MCNEILL Jason - Conservative - 453
• MORGAN Aaron Paul - Conservative - 430
• SERLE John Charles - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1368 ELECTED
• THOYTS Penny - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1338 ELECTED

Yate Town, North Ward (9 seats)

• BRENNAN Liz - Conservative - 1011
• CHUBB Steve - Conservative - 866
• DAVIS John Anthony - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1903 ELECTED
• DREW Mike - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 2006 ELECTED
• EMMS Sandra Elizabeth - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1870 ELECTED
• EVAN-JONES David - Conservative - 820
• LEWIS Matt - Conservative - 939
• MONAGHAN Alan - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1745 ELECTED
• NUTLAND Ben - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1918 ELECTED
• PERKS Wully - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1852 ELECTED
• PRICE (Winterburne) Jane - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1857 ELECTED
• SNOW-HANKS Karen Mary - Conservative - 855
• TOMASIN Karl Dominic - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1774 ELECTED
• WARNER Barry Ian - Conservative Party Candidate - 799
• WILLIAMS David Penry - Conservative Party Candidate - 825
• WILLIAMS Sonia - Conservative - 908
• WILLMORE Chris - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1877 ELECTED
• WOODRUFF Steven Andrew - Conservative - 846

Yate Town, South Ward (2 seats)

• DAVIS Tony - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 378 ELECTED
• KIRBY Cheryl Anne - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 376 ELECTED
• LIVERMORE Ian James Donovan - Conservative - 116
• LIVERMORE Shirley Rosemary - Conservative - 108

South Gloucestershire Council election results May 2019

Local results for Yate, Dodington and Chipping Sodbury

CHIPPING SODBURY AND COTSWOLD EDGE (2 seats)

• CREER Rob - Conservative - 1527
• JAHANS-PRICE Roger Frederick - Labour - 158
• JAHANS-PRICE Ruth Mary - Labour - 183
• ROMAINE Becky - Conservative - 1352
• RUSH Adrian Samuel - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1556 ELECTED
• TRULL Patricia Anne - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1539 ELECTED

Note - one Lib Dem gain from Conservative

DODINGTON (2 seats)

• DAVIS Tony - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1522 - ELECTED
• HARRIS Louise Anne - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1516 - ELECTED
• LIVERMORE Ian James Donovan - Conservative - 649
• SCHOFIELD Simon Peter - Conservative - 614

YATE CENTRAL (2 seats)

• DAVIS Ruth Brenda - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1398 - ELECTED
• GAWN John Henry - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1345 - ELECTED
• LANGLEY Kathleen - Labour - 157
• LEWIS Jo - Conservative - 546
• MCGRATH Michael Paul - Labour - 155
• MCNEILL Amy Michelle - Conservative - 544

YATE NORTH (3 seats)

• BEASLEY Clare Fiona - Labour - 241
• BRENNAN Liz - Conservative - 994
• DAVIS John Anthony - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1788 - ELECTED
• DREW Mike - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1898 - ELECTED
• LEWIS Matt - Conservative - 937
• LOMAS Robert John - Labour - 240
• NUTLAND Ben - Liberal Democrat Focus Team - 1768 ELECTED
• WILLIAMS Sonia - Conservative - 960

North Yate - too many candidates, too little space!

We had so much to tell you about on our latest leaflet for Yate Town Council's North Yate ward that we ran out of room!

As we promised on the leaflet, here are all the contact details for your Yate North Focus Team.

JOHN DAVIS
07894 449368
john_davis359@hotmail.com

MIKE DREW
01454 882356 / 07966 228864
mike.drew@southglos.gov.uk

SANDRA EMMS
01454 314139
sandraeemms@gmail.com

ALAN MONAGHAN
01454 881251
alan.monaghan@blueyonder.co.uk

BEN NUTLAND
01454 527550
ben@bennutland.org

WULLY PERKS
01454 316485
wully.perks@btinternet.com

JANE PRICE
07972 3216135
janeprice8@hotmail.com

KARL TOMASIN
01454 313402
karltomasin@gmail.com

CHRIS WILLMORE
01454 882356 / 07973 740290
chriswillmore@blueyonder.co.uk

Yate Women's Institute - come and join this new friendly group!

The new Yate WI meets on the second Monday of each month at Poole Court at 7.30 pm. Just come along, or email yatewiavon@gmail.com to find out more.

Employment event at Abbotswood

Do you live in Yate or surrounding areas? Looking for a job or training opportunities? Pop along to the St Nicholas Family Centre on 28th March. Meet potential employers and gain interview experience!

 Thirsday 28 March 1-3 pm at St Nicholas Family Centre.

Two consultations on cycle lanes - Kennedy Road to Cotswold Road, and Rodford Way

These consultations will be of interest to motorists who use these roads, not just cyclists.

South Glos Council is consulting on two schemes to make local roads safer for cyclists. In both cases existing advisory cycles lanes (dotted) would be converted to mandatory cycle lanes (solid white lines).

As well as making the cycle lanes more visible and therefore safer, motor vehicles will be prohibited from driving or parking in the cycle lanes - it's not illegal at the moment.

Access to premises, parking bays and junctions along the route would be not be affected by this proposal.

That's basically all that's proposed on the Rodford Way scheme - the consultation can be found here and it runs until 11th March. The new mandatory cycle lanes here will help enforce "No U Turn" restrictions because it should hopefully stop the dangerous manouvre by larger vehicles that sweep through the cycle lanes to turn round.

There's a bit more to the Kennedy Road to Cotswold Road scheme, where only part of the length has cycle lanes at the moment. It will mean that there will be continuous cycle lanes both ways from the Normandy Drive pedestrian crossing to Smarts Green. The consultation can be found here and it runs until 15th March.

Plans for Yate Heritage Centre extension on display until Saturday

Come along to find out more and have your say about these exciting proposals.

Shire Way roadworks overnight 4 to 9 Feb - road closures, lots of noise

South Glos Council will be resurfacing two lengths of Shire Way between 8 pm and 6 am every night from 4th to 9th February. They will be planing off the surface first, so there is going to be quite a bit of noise.

The parts to be resurfaced are coloured brown on this map - a length either side of the entrance to Woodchester, and the full Shire Way frontage of Maisemore and Cherington.

The road will be closed each night for the work - South Glos say "We will make every effort to ensure that access to properties and amenities fronting the site and whose only access is from the closed road, is kept available and the disruption to local residents is kept to a minimum. However, there may be periods of time when access to properties by vehicle will be unachievable, and for this, we apologise. Please note that adverse weather conditions or plant / delivery problems may affect these times and dates."

They are also asking people not to park on these lengths of Shire Way, as any vehicle that's obstructing the work may need to be removed.

Community Engagement Forum for Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Dodington - 31st January

The next Community Engagement Forum will be held on 31st January at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from 7pm to 9pm.

This is your chance to talk to local councillors, the police and other services. You can raise issues, get them looked into, and get answers about local problems.

The meeting will include a presentation by the Alzheimer's Society.

Get fit, get walking!

The January to June programme of South Glos Walking to Health walks has been published (click here for the walks programme)

Where possible the walks start at places offering toilets, parking and somewhere to go afterwards for refreshments and a chat. All walks are free and are led by trained volunteers.

You are welcome to bring dogs as long as they are kept on the lead. Occasionally in the programme they may ask people not to bring their dogs, for example, a nature trail, or if the walk takes in fields of cattle.

Simply turn up – there is no need to book. All walks are free of charge, although they do ask for a small fee for refreshments.

Please see the January to June 2019 Stepping Forward programme for longer, more demanding walks.

If you prefer to do things independently, or you are unable to join one of the organised groupsgroups, you can click here for a range of promoted walking routes on the South Glos website

If you're into local history you can also check out heritage walks and trails in South Gloucestershire 

Free wellbeing sessions in Yate in January and February

Southern Brooks Partnership will be running a range of new wellbeing sessions in Kingswood, Patchway, Staple Hill and Yate starting in January and February - click here for session details.

All wellbeing sessions are free to attend for everyone. You can attend one class or as many as you like. Booking is required for all sessions (except drop-ins). Sessions are run as part of South Gloucestershire Wellbeing College.

Not the course for you? See what else is on offer FOR FREE at www.sgwellbeingcollege.org

Developers' money to fund improvements at YOSC, Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club, Blakeney Mills

It has been decided that almost £73,000 of developers' "Section 106" contributions paid to South Gloucestershire Council will be used for the following projects:

• Yate Town Council – £23,114.89 capital and £11,649.97 revenue funding for pitch drainage improvements on the grass pitches at Yate Outdoor Sport Complex and to purchase grounds maintenance equipment. 
• Chipping Sodbury Rugby Football Club - £23,114.89 capital and £11,649.97 revenue funding to upgrade existing showers and install heating in the Changing Rooms at The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury. 
• Blakeney Mills Play Area (Housing association) - £1,687.50 capital and £1,774.39 revenue (revenue to be capitalised) for enhancements to Blakeney Mills Play Area.

Volunteers wanted for Friends of Kingsgate Park

 Please help look after this prize-winning park!

Y2 late evening bus services extended

First Bus have announced that from this week the Y2 (Bristol – Yate / Chipping Sodbury) Monday to Saturday late evening journeys that used to finish in Fishponds have been extended to Bristol City Centre, after feedback from staff and customers.

Timetables are available here for the Y2, plus other amended services in Bristol.