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