Dodington Ward Election guide

 To find out more about your Lib Dem Focus Team candidates for Dodington, we have published this guide. 

URGENT - KELSTON CLOSE TO BE CLOSED?

Abbotswood Primary School has requested a School Street in Kelston Close, closing most of the road to all traffic at school opening and closing times.

https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/Abbotswood_School_Street/consultationHome

They are looking at putting up retractable bollards Mon – Fri 1st Sept – 31st Jul.

It is a trial, but people only have until 6th August to comment before it starts - which is VERY short notice. However you can also make comments throughout September at the beginning of the trial period.

WORK RESTARTS AT ABBOTSWOOD

Contractors are back on site at Abbotswood, laying the resin play area, the benches are being stripped and repainted and new planters will be put in. This is finishing off the work that had to be put on hold during the lockdown. Can't wait to see the finished project. It is being run by Yate Town Council, using money they raised from s.106 contributions (money developers have to put into local play areas etc)

WAITING RESTRICTIONS & KEEP CLEARS NEAR ABBOTSWOOD & CULVERHILL SCHOOLS

The statutory notice for proposals to create waiting restrictions on Kelston Cl and Rodford Way by the schools has been published. You have until 8 June to comment. You may have commented on previous informal consultations, but thi sis the formal, final legal one - so if you are affected please check it carefully and reply to South Glos if you spot a problem.

The waiting restrictions are at https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/PT.6507KelstonRodfordWR/consultationHome

The Keep Clear proposals are at

https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/PT.6508KelstonSKC/consultationHome

Go wild at Abbotswood

Have you tried out the new play area at Abbotswood?

Climb spiderwebs, check into the bug hotel, share stories of great adventures a the stone compass and take a ride on larger than life creatures.

Focus Team members of Yate Town Council  and the Town Council officers raised the funds (from s.106 monies) and designed the scheme working with residents and Abbotswood Action Group. The photo shows  the Mayor of Yate, local councillors for Abbotswood Tony Davis and Cheryl Kirby and other Councillors who ran the project.

Phase 2 starts this week, to lay new paving and seating.

URGENT INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE? Our local youth club needs you.

URGENT *Vacancy* YOUTH WORKERS NEEDED

Sessional Engagement Worker 18hpw

To deliver play opportunities, education, training and routes into work to children and young people to make communities safe and inclusive, with quality opportunities and choices for all. LPW are looking for more youth workers to run our much valued facilities at St Nix and Brimsham Green - so please share this with anyone local who you think might be interest. Closing 24th March, for more information visit the vacancy page at Learning Partnership West or click here

Free Course, cooking on a budget. Abbotswood

Abbotswood Play is OPEN

The fencing is down, the new Abbotswood Play equipment by the shops is OPEN

There are still things like bins  and signs to be done, but it has passed its safety certificate today, so it can be used.

Here's the giant ant and the web - just two of the new pieces of equipment - alongside new paving and seats.  They're very different from the usual play area kit so worth checking out.

The whole design is the result of consultation with local residents, and the Abbotswood Action Group. Installed by Yate Town Council's Play Area group who raised the money to do what residents were asking for.  Do let Cheryl Kirby or Tony Davis from the Focus Team if you spot teething problems.

Feel better in Feburary -

News of communnity events (text from Abbotswood Action)

Supporting Feel Good February, Take 5 4 U is coming to Abbotswood!

Every Friday in February, 10 - 11am take a little break from reality and let us look after you. Free refreshments and activities available at every session! Come and join in the fun or simply have a few minutes breathing space from the stresses of every day life.

7th - Healthy snacks and lunches. Pop in for some new recipe inspiration to liven up your lunchbox and take a tasty treat away with you to nibble on the way home.

14th - Self care. One of our volunteers is kindly offering hand massages to our guests. Sample some different scented oils to make the experience completely unique to you.

21st - Colour yourself calm. Access our range of colouring books for a few moments of relaxed creativity. We have books for children and adults as it's half term... Or join in with a group freestyle creation.

28th - Guided relaxation. We've nearly made it through the winter so join our volunteer in a guided relaxation session. Head home feeling refreshed and ready for spring.

Hosted by the community drop in service, St. Nicholas Family Centre, Chargrove.

As part of this  Abbotswood action are putting together a booklet of recipes for health lunches or snacwellbeingks. If you have any favourites you would be happy to share, please send them via the Abbotswood action Facebook page or email community.aag@gmail.com

RODFORD WAY resurfacing - ROAD CLOSURE

Rodford Way to be Closed - for resurfacing

(Photo - members of the Focus Team on the Sundridge Park / Rodford Way corner, taken at the start of Jan as part of arguing for the massive potholes to be surfaced)

GOOD NEWS: Rodford Way from the Kelston Close junction to the Shire Way junction is going to be resurfaced - some of the potholes, particularly on the corners are huge, deep and dangerous, so this is long overdue.

But it means closing the road......

South Glos has made the closure orders. The order says it will close the road from 6 April for up to 18 months!! We've checked and they think it will only be for a fortnight, but haven't pinned down exact dates.  We asked them about residents  in Bredon, Glenfall Abbotswood and all the other roads and all the Abbotswood businesses. They have today confirmed that they are waiting for the outcome of some coring tests they have been doing to work out how deep the work will need to be - then they will know how long.

But that have promised that all residents and businesses whose only access is from the closed road will have their access at all times - though there might be some delays in getting access.  Watch out for signs giving you advance warning.

Work starts on Abbotswood's new play area

Work has started on doing up the grass  and paved area at Abbotswood. Yate Town Council is doing the work  with money the Focus Team won. Here's the master plan, but what you finally see on site might be a bit different, as some changes are being agreed on site as works progress, eg to make sure there is still plenty of room for the Christmas Tree and  reindeer. We need to ensure these important December visitors have the space they need. If you have any comments about what is being done, or questions, contact Tony Davis - who is on the town council group who are organising the improvements and funding them.

Here's a photo of the work taken by Abbotswood Action Group through the fencing.....

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.

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.

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.

Annual Abbotswood Clean Up Day Saturday 14 April - please come and help!

It's less than a week now until this year's Annual Abbotswood and local area Clean Up Day. Last year about 50 people, of all ages, took part and the weather was brilliant.

AAG does things across the whole local area (much more than just Abbotswood) and takes in an area of Yate from Witcombe to the West, Shire Way to the East and Badgeworth to the South as well as Abbotswood, Chargrove and Hardwicke.

As numbers and equipment allow people are encouraged to litter pick wherever you would like to in the area, or you can do do painting and planting near the shops and St. Nix Church. There will even be free refreshments to keep you going!

Maybe you could come with your street or nearest park in mind? We really hope to meet you there this coming Saturday, 14th April from 11 am until 3 pm.

Do please pass the invitation on too your friends, neighbours and family. Everyone is very welcome.

Abbotswood Christmas event Sat 25 November - fun for everyone!

The 4th annual Abbotswood Christmas Event takes place on Saturday 25th November in the Abbotswood shopping centre starting at 4pm. The attractions include:

• Dodington parish brass band
• Christmas bazaar
• Father Christmas  
• Street magician 
• Face painting 
• Living nativity with live donkeys
• Local school choir 
•  Big Christmas Lights switch-on by the Mayor of Yate

Street art project for Abbotswood underpass

Abbotswood Action Group are organising a street art project in the underpass by the precinct. The project will be led by an organisation called Paintsmiths. The dates for the project are as follows:

• Workshops at the Youth club: Friday 7th July, Tuesday 11th of July (7pm to 9pm)
• Workshops at the shops: Monday 24th 11am to 1:30pm and Tuesday 25th (5pm to 7:30pm)
• Painting In the Underpass during the week of: Monday 24th to Friday 28th July

More information about Paintsmiths can be found here: http://www.paintsmiths.org/

Abbotswood Action Group would love to see anyone who is interested at the workshops.

It's actually 30 years since the previous mural was done - local people of a certain age will remember the alien with a basketball. Does anyone have any photos of it? If so, please email paul.hulbert@gmail.com - if they're prints, we would be happy to scan them and let you have the prints back.

Picnics and Play events - Saturday 15 July 2017, 12 noon to 4 pm

Do you have neighbours you've never met? Have you ever thought it would be nice if someone organised a community get-together near where you live? Perhaps you (with help) could organise s neighbourly picnic!

Abbotswood Action Group is encouraging people from the lcal area to host a "bring and share" picnic with games and activities on your nearest green space or tarmac play area.

AAG will be happy to help with invites, encouragement and advice. They also have a small fund to help with purchases of play equipment if needed for your picnic (first come first served!)

All the picnics will be put on a map so people can wander around and enjoy different activities.

If you and a group of neighbours would like to join in, please contact Rob on 07890 569196, speak with a member of the AAG committee, or email community.aag@gmail.com

Quite a few picnics have already been registered. Dodington Parish is planning one at Woodchester Play Area, where you can give your views about improvements to the play area and meet your local councillors. Kelston Close residents and Solon South West Housing Association are running a picnic and fun afternoon at QE2 Kelston Close playing field, and lots more gatherings are already being planned.

Do some spring cleaning this weekend!

There are three local events this Saturday (8th April) where you can make a real difference to your local area.

Dodington Parish Council Spring Clean will start from the Changing Room at QE2 Playing Fields Kelston Close at 10am, and spread out around the Shire Way / Rodford Way area. Litter pickers, black bags and gloves will be provided. Everyone is welcome, though children must be accompanied by an adult.

If you’ve still got some energy afterwards, why not join in the Abbotswood Spring Clean and Planting just across the road? Starting at 11am in front of Abbotswood shops – just come along and choose something you would like to help with. As well as litter picking there will be planting, painting and lotes more to keep you busy.

Meanwhile the Old Sodbury Spring Clean will start at 10am at the Village Hall.