Plans for Yate Heritage Centre extension on display until Saturday

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

Heritage Open Days 2017

It's nearly time for the Heritage Open Days, which give everyone a chance to find out about our local history.

Unsurprisingly given the importance of the industry locally, there will be several events where you can find out about our mining history. These include Brandy Bottom Colliery (Friday 8 September: 1000 - 1600, Saturday 9 September: 1000 - 1600, Sunday 10 September: 1000 - 1600), Ram Hill Colliery (Sunday 10 September: 1000-1630) and Oldwood Pits Coal Mine (Saturday 9 September: 1400-1700 and Sunday 10 September: 1100-1530, tours every half hour).

You will also be able to visit Winterbourne Medieval Barn (Saturday 9 September: 1400-1700 and Sunday 10 September: 1400-1700) and St Saviour's Church (Friday 8 September: 1100-1300, Saturday 9 September: 1100-1500 and Sunday 10 September: 1100-1100; Service 1000). For more details of these and other local events, go to the Heritage Open Days website.

Ram Hill Colliery Open Day

There will be an Open Day at the historic Ram Hill Colliery on Monday 29 May from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm.

You will be able to visit this 19th century mine site, with the remains of the mine shaft, horse-gin, bunkers and Dramway. You will also be able to take a walk through the Woodland area and enjoy some refreshments .

You can find the Colliery across from 1 Railway Cottages, Broad Lane, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2TY

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery offer guided walks, and recommend sensible footware. Dogs and children must be supervised, with respect shown to this registered Heritage England site. Donations welcome.

For more information please check out www.ramhillcolliery.org.uk or contact Liz Hillyard on 01179 236595

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

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

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

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

Hands-on dementia reminiscence session 28 April

The Dementia Café at Yate Library from 2.30 to 3.30 pm on April 28th will be a real "hands on" session featuring items from Yate Heritage Centre's handling collection.

David Hardill (Community Heritage Officer) and Cherry will lead this session, which should bring back memories for many people.

St George's Day celebrations at Yate Heritage Centre

The Yate St George's Day Celebrations will take place tomorrow, 23rd April, at Yate & District Heritage Centre, Church Road, Yate, from 10.30 a.m. till 4.30 p.m.

There will be folk music, morris dancing, brass and wind bands and some of the best youth performers around. Visitors will be able to sample numerous activities and demonstrations of medieval life from St George, medieval archers, a monk, an armourer plus St George craft activities.

There will be a variety of other stalls, and wonderful refreshments from the Friends of Yate Heritage Centre as well as elsewhere in the church and White Lion. Please come and join in this free fun event!

75 years since bombing of Parnall’s Aircraft Factory in Yate

 
It's now been 75 years since the bombing of the Parnall’s Aircraft Factory in Yate.

Yate Town Council is organising an event in conjunction with Whirlpool Appliances Ltd, (formally Indesit Company) who now occupy the site and works formerly known as Parnalls, and Yate Heritage Centre to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Parnall Aircraft.

If you are a survivor or the family member of a survivor of the bombing and would like to be involved in this event, or if you have memories or things you would like to share, please contact Yate Town Council. Email info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01454 866506 or pop in and see them at Poole Court in Yate.

Celebrate local link to Agincourt

This Sunday, 25th October, there will be an event at St Peter's Church, Wapley to celebrate an important local link to the Battle of Agincourt, which took place 600 years ago.

The Battle of Agincourt, part of the Hundred Years War, took place on St Crispin's Day, 25th October in 1415 near the village of Agincourt. The #wapley600 event celebrates the area’s links with Sir John Codrington, who was the standard bearer of King Henry V at the battle, when the English forces defeated a larger French army.

This free event runs from 10am to 4pm, finishing with an evening service from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. For more information, including parking and Park and Ride, see https://wapleyagincourt.wordpress.com/

Local Area Forum grants for events and culture

The March Frome Vale Area Forum has given Community Grants to four well known events and organisations:

Chipping Sodbury Festival £1500

This grant will support activities that encourage participation by children and young people - the display boards for the Schools Art Exhibition, insurance for schools and other groups in teh Carniva, and a contribution towards the running costs of the Battle of the Schools bands and Music in the Street.

Yate and District Heritage Centre Trust - Yate International Festival £2080

Last year this very successful event attracted over 2000 visitors, bringing together many different groups and cultures through music and dance, food and activities.

Yate and District Archeological Group - Medieval Archaeology Day £1496

This event will allow visitors to learn about archeology and history through hands on activities, try out modern techniques such as geo-phys and learn new skills. Hopefully some will be tempted to take part in future archeological work with the Group.

Three Parishes Tourism Group £1400

The Tourist Infomation Office and its enthusiastic volunteers provide a wealth of information and help, not just for visitors, but for local people too. This grant will fund a reprint of the popular Chipping Sodbury Circular Walk and Treasure Hunt leaflet and provide heating so that the TIC can remain open throughout the winter months.

Don't forget Yate Railway Station reopening celebration this weekend!

Celebrate 25 years since Yate Railway Station was reopened! This Sunday (18th May) from 12.00 noon till 3.00 pm the Friends of Yate Station have organised a special event with stalls, a brass band, afternoon tea, vintage and railway display, and a heritage tent to share artefacts and memories.

 

Yate Station reopening 25th anniversary coming up!

 

Yate Railway Station was one of the first in the country to reopen after the Beeching closures of the 1960s. This year is the 25th anniversary of the station's reopening in 1989 after a major campaign by local people.

On May 18th 2014 from 12.00 noon till 3.00 pm there will be a special celebration event organised by the Friends of Yate Station. It will feature stalls, a brass band, afternoon tea, vintage and railway display, a heritage tent to share artefacts and memories and a visit by Baroness Susan Kramer, Minister of State for Transport.

See Yate Town Council's website for more information as it is confirmed.

Time to Discover

Would you like to discover...

...our great outdoors by going on fossil forays or star gazing?
...our fantastic local food?
...our rich heritage, from Rolls Royce to Ram Hill Colliery?
...your creativity, with Chinese origami or writing "flash fiction"
...what's going on in your local area for older people?
...events for all ages, including Discovering Dinosaurs workshops?

Discover is a new festival of over 200 events being held throughout South Gloucestershire between 6th September and 4th November. It brings together a number of different events including the Celebrating Age Festival, Active Mind Month, South Gloucestershire Taste Festival, the Out and About in Nature Programme and Heritage Open Doors. You can find out more online.

Most events are free and are able to be booked on line at http://www.discoversouthglos.eventbrite.co.uk/. Why not see what you can discover this autumn?

Ram Hill Colliery - dates for your diary

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery will once again be holding an open day as part of the South Glos Heritage Weekend. It will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday 9th September and light refreshments will be available.

If you fancy getting more involved, why not join them for a work day, 10am-4pm on Wednesdays and the second Sunday of the month from April to October. Or attend their next committee meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 3rd September 2012 in the Miners Institute Coalpit Heath.

Winterbourne Medieval Fayre cancelled

The Medieval Fayre due to be held at Winterbourne Medieval Barn this coming Saturday (16 June) has been cancelled because of the recent bad weather.

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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

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

Could you help the Friends of Ram Hill Colliery?

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery are still looking for a new Chair and also volunteers for gardening at the site on a Wednesday or the 2nd or 4th Sunday of the month. If you can help please contact David Godden at da.godden@btinternet.com .

If you'd like to find out more about the site, why not go along to the Heritage Open Day between 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday 11th September. Or if you'd like to raise money to help the work of the Friends, get a quiz team together for Thursday 22nd September in the Miners Institute. To book a table call Steve and Liz Hillyard on 0117 923 6595.

Bright ideas for the half term holiday!

A selection of events for young people during the half term...

YATE LIBRARY

Crafty fun with the Ancient Egyptians

Tuesday 22 February, 10.30am to 12pm. Free drop-in event, suitable for children aged four to 11. Further information from the library service on 01454 868006.

YATE & DISTRICT HERITAGE CENTRE

Traditional Textile Craft Workshops 

Children between 5 and 12 are invited to create their own objects using traditional methods. Wednesday, February 23, 2011 all day

"Arise Sir Knight" workshops

Make your own Medieval helmet and pennant and design your own Coat of Arms.
Thursday, February 24, 2011, 10:30 am until 12.00 noon

For more details contact the Heritage Centre tel: 01454 862200
email: yate.heritage@southglos.gov.uk
website: http://www.yateheritage.co.uk


FREE CYCLE TRAINING

Courses cover Bikeability levels one, two and three, designed to give beginners and improvers the skills needed to take to their bikes with confidence.

Chipping Sodbury Secondary School, Bowling Road, BS35 1HT

• Level 1 – Tue 22nd 9.30am – 12.00 midday
• Level 2 – Tue 22nd, Wed 23rd, Thurs 24th – 1.00pm – 3.30pm
• Level 3 - Tue 22nd, Wed 23rd, Thurs 24th – 9.30am – 12.00 midday
• To book a place call Martina Byrne-Obee on 01454 868449 or email cycle_training@southglos.gov.uk

For further details please download the February Half Term Cycling Training flyer available here

Bikeability courses in South Gloucestershire are currently funded through Greater Bristol's Cycling City project. To find out more about cycling courses for children visit: www.betterbybike.info/cycling-and-schools