The BIG
Summer giveaway
See page 7
The fun starts here THE BAY
Home-made cakes and fresh coffees
Breakfast and lunches
Locally sourced produce
Daily specials board
Family events and evening entertainment
Follow us on TheBayTropicana • TheBayWeston Tropicana, Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare www.thebayweston.co.uk | [email protected] 01934 427 300 North Somerset Council does not endorse or recommend any commercial Welcome products or services featured in advertising in Life magazine.
Dear reader,
Welcome to the special summer edition of North Somerset Life. There are details of hundreds of events and places to go throughout the summer. Take a few minutes to read what’s 12 26 on, as there really will be something for everyone. All we need now is some sunshine.
Thank you to all the town and parish councils and individuals who contacted us about their views on a Combined Authority and Metro Mayor. There were some strongly held views, with an overwhelming majority rejecting the idea for a range of 28 34 reasons. These included not wanting another level of government; condemning the loss of local accountability; some with memories of Avon, fearing the likelihood of being dominated by Bristol; and that at a time of continuing cutbacks, how is another level of government Summer special control the answer? At our council debate, councillors from all political parties responded to residents’ views and voted by 39 to six to reject contents the government’s offer and instead to instruct senior officers and myself 4 Map of North Somerset’s attractions to work with partners to look at alternatives. I am absolutely confident in the future and further success of North Somerset. Redevelopment 6 News update continues from both the private sector and many millions in investment 12 Summer special what’s on guide from government agencies. 23 Summer travel options Delighted at the report on page 38, but suspect many of you will Walk – Potter around Portbury Wharf not agree, that our increased investment in roads is making a real 24 difference. The Department for Transport report says that North 26 Clevedon Pier visitor centre opens Somerset roads are far better than the national average. It is not much 28 Weston town centre developments comfort knowing that other areas have worse roads but at least we are starting to make an improvement. We will never get every road 32 Crackdown on dog fouling done and we do have to do some of the smaller roads, so apologies if 34 Extra care housing options you are still waiting but we are getting there. 37 ‘Legal highs’ become illegal By the time the magazine comes out, we will know the result of the European referendum. Whatever the outcome, I was unimpressed 38 Highways round-up with the level of debate from experts, which often descended into 47 Contact details shouting abuse, conjecture and misinformation. A simple choice was made confusing to many by wild claims put forward as fact. On such an important issue, there will be strong views put forcefully but I have This publication is available never found that people understand more the louder you shout. This is then made worse by a diminishing press who often do not understand in large print, Braille or audio the argument and report the behaviour of individuals not the important formats on request. Help is message. also available for people who Follow us on TheBayTropicana • TheBayWeston Looking forward to the Olympics and attending many local events. I require council information in hope you have an enjoyable and sunny summer. Very best wishes. languages other than English. Councillor Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council Life editor: 01275 884 139
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 3 River Severn M48 Port M5 Talbot Summer Newport M4 M4 Llanharan Chipping Pyle M4 Pencoed Sodbury Pontyclun M49 ROYAL M4 CARDIFF PORTBURY BridgendTake time DOCKS Portishead 18 M4 20 19 out in North Clevedon BRISTOL SOUTH 23 Long GLOUCESTERSHIRE NORTH 20 21 Ashton SOMERSET 22 Nailsea Somerset thisBarry M5 Backwell Sand Point BRISTOL BATH Yatton AIRPORT 1 summer Kewstoke 8 21 Congresbury Weston-super-Mare 5 6 BATH AND 2 3 4 NORTH EAST SOMERSET 7 Whether you want to delve into history and Brean Down Winscombe Trowbridge heritage or discover fun attractions on your Brean Radstock doorstep, take a look at what is on offer Axbridge Cheddar here in North Somerset to keep all the family Priddy Burnham-on-Sea entertained during the school summer holidays. M5 Highbridge Frome Minehead Wells MENDIP Watchet Dunster Playhouse TheatreSEDGEMOOR Shepton Mallet Off shore 1 www.theplayhouse.co.uk Williton Westward Ho! Weston Water Adventure Play Park Glastonbury Boat trips. www.wsm-tc.gov.uk/parks Street www.mwmarine.org Bridgwater WEST SOMERSET Weston-super-Mare Museum Steep Holm Bruton www.westonmuseum.org/ www.steepholm.org.uk
3BishopsHelicopter Lydeard Museum
2 Weston-super-MareDulverton www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk Somerton Wiveliscombe TAUNTON Taunton Blakehay Theatre 4 Court Farm Country Park Langport DEANE www.blakehaytheatre.co.uk www.courtfarmcountrypark.co.ukM5 Ilchester Shaftsbury Grand Pier 5 Puxton Park www.grandpier.co.uk Wellington www.puxton.co.uk Martock Sherborne SeaQuarium 6 Strawberry Line SOUTH SOMERSET Yeovil www.seaquarium.co.uk www.strawberrylinecafe.co.uk www.strawberryline.org.uk Ilminster Pirate Adventureland www.pirateadventureland.comTiverton Mendip Snowsports Centre M5 7 Crewkerne www.mendipsnowsport.co.ukChard
4 • North Somerset LifeCullompton • Summer Special River Severn M48 Port M5 Talbot Newport Attractions map for bigSee summer page 7 M4 M4 Llanharan Chipping Pyle M4 Pencoed Sodbury Pontyclun M49 giveaway! ROYAL M4 PORTBURY Bridgend CARDIFF DOCKS Portishead 18 19 M4 20 19 Clevedon BRISTOL SOUTH 18 15 17 Long 14 GLOUCESTERSHIRE NORTH 20 21 16 Ashton 22 Nailsea 13 Barry SOMERSET M5 Backwell Sand Point BRISTOL BATH Yatton 9 AIRPORT Kewstoke 8 10 21 Weston-super-Mare Congresbury BATH AND 11 NORTH EAST SOMERSET Brean Down 12 Winscombe Trowbridge Brean Radstock Axbridge Cheddar Priddy Burnham-on-Sea M5
Highbridge Frome Minehead Wells MENDIP Watchet Dunster SEDGEMOOR Shepton Mallet 8 North Somerset Butterfly House 16 Tyntesfield Estate (NT) Williton www.nsbutterflyhouse.com www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield Glastonbury 9 Goblin Coombe 17 Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Street www.goblincombe.org.uk www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk WEST SOMERSET Bridgwater 10 Barley Wood Walled Garden Bruton 18 Oakham Treasures www.walledgarden.co.uk www.oakhamtreasures.co.uk Bishops Lydeard 11 Blagdon Visitor Centre 19 Portishead Quays Marina and Arts Trail
Dulverton Somertonwww.bristolwater.co.uk/leisure www.publicartportishead.co.uk Wiveliscombe TAUNTON Taunton www.quaymarinas.com Langport DEANE 12 Burrington Combe www.walkscene.co.uk/description_13 Portishead Open Air Pool M5 Ilchester 20 www.portisheadopenairpool.org.ukShaftsbury 13 Ashton Court Wellington Martock www.bristol.gov.uk/ashtoncourtestate 21 Clevedon Court (NT)
Sherborne www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clevedon-court SOUTH SOMERSET14 CliftonYeovil Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre www.cliftonbridge.org.uk 22 Clevedon Craft Centre
Ilminster www.clevedoncraftcentre.co.uk 15 Leigh Woods Tiverton Crewkerne www.1sw.org.uk/experience/trail-hubs/ashton- 23 Clevedon Pier M5 Chard court-leigh-woods/ www.clevedonpier.co.uk
Cullompton www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 5 NewsFor the latest updates on North Somerset’s news visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/newsRECYCLING The first areas being looked at are: Have your say on l Yatton l Long Ashton l Congresbury l Pill children’s centres and l Winscombe l Bournville and Oldmixon l Worle libraries This is a three-year project so consultation about other esidents in North Somerset will have the chance to areas which may see changes will be launched next year. Rinfluence the future of children’s centres and libraries People can give feedback online, at public and local as part of a new consultation. organisations’ meetings, as well as writing in. To find out more about the options and give feedback, visit Consultation on the Community Access Review will take www.n-somerset.gov.uk/car, email careview@n-somerset. place during July, August and September. gov.uk or call Council Connect: 01934 888 802 This review is looking at buildings and services run by Details of public meetings for each area will be published North Somerset Council, with particular focus on its 14 in August. children’s centres and 12 libraries. It aims to make sure the buildings and services are fit for purpose, in the right place, cost effective, equipped to deal with new technology, and can meet the current and future needs of residents. Residents are now being asked what they think of the proposals, what choices they believe to be the best, and if they have any other options.
Learning disability charity needs volunteers
charity which helps empower people with Alearning disabilities to take control of their lives is looking for more volunteers.
North Somerset People First supports adults with a learning disability who live, work or attend college or day services in North Somerset to encourage them to speak up for themselves and empower them to be in control of their lives.
The charity runs regular Speaking Up groups, where members can become more involved in influencing local services such as housing, employment and health.
There are also social events such as discos and skittles nights throughout the year.
Anyone who can spare a few hours a month can call 01934 426 086, email [email protected] or visit www.nspf.co.uk.
6 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special RECYCLING30 Business Q&A News
Help for The great summer first time giveaway! chool holidays will soon be upon us Sso how do you keep your children buyers entertained for six long weeks? Here in North Somerset we are spoilt for choice with a vast array of family-friendly attractions, beautiful countryside and stunning coastlines. To help families get out and about, North Somerset Life has teamed up with attractions across the area to offer free tickets in our special summer draw. Prizes on offer include family tickets (for four people) to: l Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm l irst-time buyers in North North Somerset Butterfly House Somerset still have the chance to F l sign up to a deposit scheme to help The Helicopter Museum, Locking them buy their first home. l Family wristbands for the More than 70 people attended Grand Pier (excluding North Somerset Council’s first Home entrance fee) Ownership Event earlier this year, l Pirate Adventure Land which gave visitors the chance l Weston Observation Wheel to talk to housing associations, financial advisors and specialist l Mendip Snowsports Centre’s Frisbee solicitors about the affordable golf course options available to get on the l Guaranteed Learn to Ski or Snowboard package at Mendip property ladder. Snowsports Centre, for up to four people (minimum age eight) The council’s first time buyers deposit l Court Farm Country Park scheme was also launched at this l The SeaQuarium, Weston-super-Mare event. l Free entry for a family of four to the Curzon Cinema, Clevedon The scheme offers loans of up to To be in with the chance of winning a prize, just £5,000 to first time buyers who answer the following question: need help to cover a deposit and other costs and expenses. On what page in this magazine is the bucket and spade hidden?
Tickets will be allocated on a draw basis and winners can’t request To find out more email home. which attraction they are given. [email protected] or call Wessex Resolutions All answers must include your name, address, and contact number. Community Interest Company: Entries can be sent via email to [email protected] or on a 01823 462 048 postcard to Life Editor, North Somerset Council, Floor 1, Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1UJ, by Friday 29 July.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 7 News Council adopts Portbury Wharf 33
Computer sessions New online for older people service to support lder people who would like Oto use a computer but unpaid carers are worried about where to start can now take free online service has launched to make advantage of one-to- Ait easier for people in North Somerset who one sessions. look after friends or family members.
Age UK Somerset Rally Round is an online support service for unpaid runs sympathetic and carers who look after someone who couldn’t patient computer lessons manage without their support. in Portishead, Worle and The service can be operated through a computer Weston-super-Mare. or smartphone and it creates a support circle so Volunteers can guide you through different applications, friends and family can work together to help a such as searching the internet, sending and receiving loved one. emails, shopping online or researching social interests. To open an account you need a North Somerset Each session lasts 90 minutes and costs £2. postcode. Just record all the For more information call Age UK Somerset on things that need 01823 345 610 doing for the or visit www.ageuksomerset.org.uk person you care for, such as Let’s get down to picking up a prescription. earth and compost Then invite trusted friends, ore than 150 people snapped up composting bins neighbours or Mduring special roadshows which took place across family to join your North Somerset in May. support circle, via email. People who accept the invitation can see the to-do Composting is an list and volunteer to do tasks which suit them. inexpensive way to dispose of garden and Text and email notifications let everyone know who some kitchen waste, is doing what. turning it into a One user said: “When I was introduced to Rally nutrient-rich fertiliser Round it was like someone had looked at my life for your garden. and designed it for me.” You can buy a 220-litre composter for just To sign up visit www.rallyroundme.com/ £15 by calling Council nsomerset For more information call Jim Connect: 01934 888 802 Armstrong at Alliance Living: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/composting 01934 398 094
8 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special 36 Supporting breastfeeding News
In the heart of North Somerset is Sandford Station, a vibrant retirement village with a great community spirit. The excellent facilities and staff provide the perfect retirement lifestyle. To book a personal tour or to simply find out more call 0117 919 4262. See our latest video of life at Sandford Station just type ow.ly/XSYGw into your browser.
Registered Charity 202151
wo free family fun days can be enjoyed this Children’s centre Tsummer to celebrate South Weston children’s centre’s 10th anniversary. celebrates 10th All local children and families are welcome to the big Summer Sizzler, from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 16 July at the For All Healthy Living Centre in Lonsdale anniversary Avenue. The Play Centre will be open with activities including a baby sensory area, water play, scrap challenge, music and more. A free family event will then be held from noon to 3pm on Saturday 6 August at Oldmixon Family Centre in Monkton Avenue. Activities will include toasting marshmallows on a fire, a barefoot trail, mud pit, scrap challenge, baby sensory area, water play, music, dance and storytelling. Anyone who would like to volunteer at these events can contact South Weston Children’s Centre: 01934 426 881
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 9 News Reusing scrap materials 42 Nominate your local sporting hero ominations are now open to find the best grassroots sporting heroes in the West of England.
NThe West of England Celebration of Sport Evening recognises the achievements and successes of outstanding athletes, inspirational volunteers, great coaches and high quality clubs and organisations across the region. The event, organised by the West of England Sport Trust (Wesport) and supported by Nuffield Health, takes place in Bristol on Friday 21 October. It will be hosted Steve Backley OBE, twice Olympic silver medallist and former javelin world record holder. Nominees must live, train or deliver activities in the West of England area. Awards include children’s coach of the year, volunteer of the year, official of the year, and aspiring young performer of the year. To nominate visit www.wesport.org.uk/cosenomination before Sunday 21 August.
[email protected] • 0117 328 6250
Get your car seat Reminders on checked recycling containers rivers with car seats in their vehicles can ecycling crews are now placing stickers on food waste have them checked during two days of D containers to ask residents to bag or wrap their food waste action in North Somerset. R ready for collection.
North Somerset Council and Avon and Crews have also started Somerset Police are working together to raise placing ‘no food awareness of incorrectly fitted car seats. waste’ stickers on The safety checks will take place on black wheelie bins to Wednesday 6 July in Weston-super-Mare and remind residents they Wednesday 14 September in Portishead. should be recycling food waste – either Officers will also be informing drivers of by putting it in the proposed changes to child car seat regulation food waste bin or R44, which are likely to come into affect in composting. December 2016 and will only affect new car seats. This means parents buying backless About 24 per cent of booster seats in 2017 will only be able to the average household black buy them for children above 125cm in height wheelie bin is food waste that could be recycled or composted. and 22kg in weight. Removing this from black bins means less waste is being treated and going to landfill - saving you money. www.goodeggcarsafety.com www.n-somerset.gov.uk/recycling
10 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special 44 Sharing information News
Charities in Clevedon join forces Search for former harities in Clevedon have joined forces to offer badminton player Ca ‘one stop shop’ of support for people of the town and surrounding area. German sports institute is Alooking for a former The Salvation Army, Clevedon District Foodbank, and badminton player believed CAP (Christians Against Poverty) have come together to have lived in Portishead. under the umbrella of Churches Together in Clevedon. The Lower Saxony Institute The Relate Café now takes place at the Salvation for Sport History, based in Army premises in Old Street every Friday for people Hanover, is an archive and to find a wide range of library of sports in northern support. Germany. Visitors can find help The organisation occasionally carries out research with budgeting, money on people or subjects in other countries and it is now management, job searching for former badminton player Tim Stokes. searches, CV writing and more. Tim took part in badminton competitions in West Germany in the 1970s and a person he met there is now Peter Kember, chairman of looking for him. Churches Together in Clevedon, said: “We hope the benefits of this one stop shop, in It is believed that Tim lived in Portishead but he might the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Salvation have moved out of the area now. Army, will be a big plus for the town.” If anyone knows Tim, please email editor@n-somerset. The Relate Café is open every Friday from 9am to gov.uk or call 01275 884 139 11.30am.
Young people invited to sample German life
dventurous young people in North Somerset who would like to experience Alife in Germany are being invited to sign up to an exchange scheme. Weston-super-Mare is twinned with the town of Hildesheim and every year young people swap lives during the school holidays. In March, 33 young German people visited Weston and the surrounding area and were hosted by local people. Now organisers are looking for young people aged between 13 and 17 who would like to travel to Hildesheim in the October school holiday. Visitors will live with a German family and have days out in Hanover, Hamburg, the Harz mountains and more. Host families will also be needed for the next exchange in Weston in March/ April 2017. Parents can contact Debbie Stone to find out more on 01934 429 036 or [email protected]
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 11 Summer Get set for summer fun
Summer is finally here and now is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, visit some local attractions and join in some family-friendly events.
he most recent tourism figures show that eight million day Tvisitors came to North Somerset in 2014, an increase of five per cent on the previous year.
And the 2015 figures will no doubt be higher still thanks to Banksy’s world-famous Dismaland bemusement park. The five-week exhibition on Weston-super-Mare’s seafront certainly put the town on the map, with global media coverage, celebrity visitors, a buzz on social media, huge ticket demand and hotels solidly booked out. About 200,000 people visited the exhibition and it was estimated to bring in an extra £20m to the local economy. While an event of that scale can’t be replicated this year, there will be plenty of attractions and events taking place for all the family to enjoy. Keep reading for the full what’s on guide, or visit www. discovernorthsomerset.co.uk for the most up-to-date listings. And keep your eyes peeled for news of events at the former Tropicana to see how the post-Dismaland site is taking shape. You can also catch up with the latest events and local tourism news on Facebook and Twitter.
TimeOutInNorthSomerset
@TimeOutNS
@WestonSeafront Have a great summer! Disclaimer: All information correct at time of going to print (June 2016). While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, North Somerset Council cannot accept responsibility or liability for any errors which have occurred. North Somerset Council cannot recommend or endorse any of the providers listed. It is recommended that you always check with the relevant organisation first to ensure their service meets your requirements. 12 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Events Summer Weston is Alive After 5ive
Circus skills, fire juggling and tightrope walking can all be enjoyed this summer when free family entertainment returns to Weston-super-Mare.
live After 5ive launched last year as an initiative to Abring family-friendly fun to the town during early evenings throughout the school summer holidays. This year’s free activities take place in Princess Royal Square on the seafront on six consecutive Wednesdays between 27 July and 31 August, with two performances each week at 5pm and 7pm. The entertainment has been organised by Weston Business Improvement District in partnership with North Somerset Council and the police. The campaign aims to help make the town more attractive and welcoming to everyone by creating a more vibrant, What’s on when… diverse and safe evening economy.
27 July – Dangerous Steve Sensational stunts and audience participation feature high in this act. See comedy, fire and chainsaw juggling, a giant unicycle, ladder balancing, a flaming tightrope walk, a blindfold motorcycle stunt and more.
3 August – Sam Goodburn Award-winning Sam Goodburn showcases his unique 24 August - Circus Whiz tricks when he combines juggling with unicycling. Sam Interactive circus skills workshops take place in a fun packed is a unicycling national champion and also won the inflatable ring. Learn how to juggle, balance on stilts, or under-21 British juggling championships. catch cups and balls, spoons and Olympic ribbons.
10 August - The Van Buren Show 31 August - Airborne Tightrope Illusions, magic, escapology and circus skills can be and Stunt Bike Show seen in this covered stage show. A master showman takes on a young apprentice in this 17 August - Whacky Wonder Wheelers spectacular and fast-moving show, See some weird and whacky bicycles, unicycles, but can they agree on the music? penny farthings, bendy bikes, tall bikes, mini-bikes, Comedy, audience participation fun-wheels and more. Take the unrideable bicycle and thrilling stunts on bikes and a challenge - steer one way and it goes the other. tightrope.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 13 Summer General
General events Sip some real ale
Saturday 16 Real ale and cider lovers will be able to tickle their tastebuds this July Get into Golf summer when a popular festival Now until Sunday 9 October Lake Grounds, Portishead. returns to Weston-super-Mare. Sand Sculpture Festival A free, open to everyone golf day, to encourage more people into the sport 10am-5pm, Weston beach. www.paulmitchellpga.co.uk Childhood dreams theme. Tickets £4 adults, £3.50 senior citizens and Sunday 17 students, £3 children under 15, under 3s free. Great Weston Bike Ride www.westonsandsculpture.co.uk A recreational, non-competitive 56- mile bike ride from Bristol to Weston. www.greatwestonride.com The Lions Club is holding its ninth Real Ale and Cider Festival on the Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 Beach Lawns from Friday 29 to Reko Beach Rugby Sunday 31 July. Tournament During the last eight years the Beach, Weston-super-Mare. event has raised more than A rugby tournament played on the £250,000, which has been Saturday 9 sand with an inflatable pitch. distributed to national and local Clevedon annual long www.rekobeachrugby.com charities, schools and other swim Ladye Bay to pier. causes, such as Baytree School, Friday 29 – Sunday 31 Crossroads Young Carers, the www.wavesswimschool.co.uk Lions Real Ale RNLI and Weston HospiceCare. Nailsea Skatepark Festival and Cider Festival In addition, a GO KIDS GO! and Community Showcase Beach Lawns, Project will run alongside the 1-6pm, Millennium Park, Nailsea. Weston-super-Mare. festival this year, in conjunction www.htnailsea.org.uk A huge selection of ales with the Weston Mercury. and ciders as well as Mendip Society walk entertainment and food. The project aims to encourage near Winscombe. 2pm, at Apple Acre www.westonlionsrealalefestival.org.uk sport and activity in children and (down the lane by the Star Inn (BS25 local clubs and groups are invited 1QF). A moderate, four to five mile Saturday 30 to apply for funding. undulating walk. 01934 843 789 Weston Pride Music can be heard during the Sunday 10 noon-6pm, Grove Park, festival from 7pm both evenings, Weston-super-Mare. with jazz on the lawn from noon Portishead Raft Race Lake A fun event to support the LGBT on Sunday. Grounds community. Entry is free before 5pm and £3 Portishead. In aid of local charities. www.wsmpride.com Home-made rafts take to the water for afterwards (festival closes at 5pm on Sunday). this fun community event. Saturday 30 (11.30am-6.30pm) and www.portisheadraftrace.co.uk Sunday 31 (10am-6pm) Volunteers to help at the festival BMs on the Lawn Portishead Flower Show are always welcome. For more information call Chris Nelson: Beach Lawns, Weston-super-Mare. and Country Fair 01934 625 765 A display of Flower Show Field, Clapton Lane, www.westonlionsrealalefestival. all types of BMW cars. Portishead. org.uk• [email protected] www.bmwcarclubgb.uk www.portisheadflowershow.com
14 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special events Summer
August Saturday 13 Yatton and District See Viking history Wednesday 3 - Sunday 7 Horticultural Society Dairy Festival Summer Show come alive Beach Lawns, Weston-super-Mare. 2-4.30pm, Yatton Village Hall. Step back in time to an era when Meet livestock, enjoy shows and Vikings and Anglo-Saxons battled demonstrations, and sample local Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 for control of Britain during a produce. www.dairyfestival.co.uk History Weekend special weekend in Weston-super- Beach Lawns, Weston-super-Mare. Mare this summer. Saturday 6 Hildsvin Viking Re-enactment Group, History Weekend, organised by Nailsea and District traders, food and rides. Weston Museum, takes place Horticultural Society www.westonmuseum.org Summer Show on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August on the Beach Lawns The Link, Nailsea School. Sunday 21 RSPCA Dog Show See the Hildsvin Viking Re- Sunday 7 enactment Group, which will Beach Lawns, Weston-super-Mare. hold battles in an arena and train Classic car show www.rspca.org.uk children to attack during ‘kiddie 10am-5pm, Town Square, Weston- vikes’ sessions. super-Mare. Saturday 27 Fireworks at Sea Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 7pm, The Grand Pier, Weston-super- Bristol International Mare. www.grandpier.co.uk Balloon Fiesta Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton. Saturday 27 (1-6.30pm) and Sunday Entertainment, balloon launches and 28 (10am-5pm) nightglow. Clevedon Flower Show www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk Salthouse Fields, Clevedon. www.clevedonflowershow.co.uk Saturday 13 There will also be an industrial DB Max – Portishead area with Dark Age forges and Sprint Triatholon metal work, a woodworking area Open Air Pool, Portishead. with an authentic pole lathe, and other interactive activities Weston-super-Mare including a working kitchen, glass Horticultural Society exhibit, bone working, a trader Flower Show with various wares, a lords’ tent, 10am-5pm, Town Square, wolf dogs and a raven. Weston-super-Mare. Floral, art and craft displays, and competitions for The event runs 10am-5pm each all ages. Sunday 28 day. Entry is free. www.wsmhorticultural.org.uk Weston Classic Car Show www.hildsvin.co.uk www.westonmuseum.org Town Square, Weston-super-Mare. Sunday 14 RNLI open day Sunday 28 and Monday 29 Monday 29 10am-5pm, Anchor Head, Stars of Time – film and Worle Lions Club Family Weston-super-Mare. comic con Fun Day Meet the lifeboat crew and watch The Tropicana, Weston-super-Mare. Baytree Recreation Ground, lifesaving demonstrations. www.starsoftime.co.uk Baytree Road. Games, rides, stalls, www.westonrnli.org.uk refreshments.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 15 Summer For younger people Fun for younger members of the family
Flight Simulator Convention Friday 12 July and Drone Show World Elephant Day Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 Helicopter Museum, Weston-super- Noah’s Ark Zoo, Wraxall. TYNTEtots: Secret Garden Mare. www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/ Enjoy special keeper talks and events 01934 635 227 competitions. 01275 852 606 10-11.45am, Tyntesfield, Wraxall. Storytelling and games for under- Children’s centres fives and their families. Adult £3, 2 August Summer activities will take place x children £12, 3 x children £18. throughout the holidays for families Booking essential: 08442 491 895 Monday 1 – Saturday 13 and carers with children aged from (also Owl and the Pussycat on Weds Reptile Fortnight birth to five. Contact the Family 17 and Thurs 18 Aug) Noah’s Ark Zoo, Wraxall. Watch Information Service on 01934 426 daily venomous snake shows. 300 or look out for local publicity. Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 01275 852 606 www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fis 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ Leisure and sports centres 11am-3pm, Tyntesfield, Wraxall. Activities and clubs take place Build a den, read a map, hold a throughout the summer holidays to scary beast and more. keep children entertained and active. Free event, but normal Contact your local centre to find admission charges out more. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ apply. leisurecentres
Join in the Big Friendly Read
ibraries in North Somerset Last year more than 4,300 children Lare celebrating 100 years of joined the challenge in North classic children’s storyteller Roald Somerset libraries. Dahl during this year’s Summer One parent said: “What a fantastic Reading Challenge. way to introduce young children to reading. It makes going to the The Big Friendly Read starts on library fun.” Saturday 16 July and is open to all Every child who reads six books children aged four to 11. and completes the challenge by Research shows that children who take part return to school after Children can collect six cards as Saturday 10 September will receive the summer break as more fluent, they read any six library books of a certificate and medal. confident and happy readers. their choice over three further visits The free challenge maintains to the library. Sign up by 31 July to children’s be in with the chance to win tickets reading Events will also be held in for Roald Dahl screenings at the motivation libraries during the summer to Curzon cinema. during celebrate the challenge. The cards include Quentin Blake the school For more information visit illustrations from some of Roald holidays. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/events Dahl’s best loved stories. www.bigfriendlyread.org.uk
16 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Markets Summer
Markets KEY: (E) Every • (A) Alternate • (1) First • (2) Second • (3) Third • (4) Fourth • (L) Last
Thursdays Hutton (1) 9.30am-noon, Hutton Village Hall. 01934 814 823 Farmers’ markets Winscombe Country Market Winscombe Country Market (E) 8am- Saturdays Tickenham (2) 9.30am-noon, Village noon, Community Centre, Sandford Hall. Fundraiser for Tickenham Road. 01934 842 304 Primary School. Portishead (2) 9am-12.30pm Waitrose Piazza Fridays Kenn (2) 10am-noon, Village Hall Weston-super-Mare (2) 9am-12.30pm, Portishead Country Market (E) 9.45- High Street 10.45am, Folk Hall, Portishead. Yatton (2) 10am-noon, Village Hall. 01275 843 851 01934 832 681 Worle (2) 9am-12.30pm, The Lamb pub car park Nailsea Country Market (E) 10- Bleadon (3) 9am-12.30pm, 11.15am, Vestry Hall of Christ Coronation Hall. 01934 812 370 Nailsea (3) 9am-1pm, Crown Glass Church, Christchurch Close, Nailsea Place Claverham (3) 10am-noon, Village Clevedon (4) 9am-12.30pm, Queen’s Wrington Vale Country Market 10.30- Hall Square 11.30am, Scout Hall, School Road, Wrington. 01934 862 360 Pill Community Market (4) 10am- noon, Pill Community Centre. Saturdays
Long Ashton (1) 9.30am-1pm, Community Centre. 07956 323 546
Kingston Seymour (1) 10am-noon, Village Hall
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 17 Summer Music Regulars
Mondays Waves of Harmony (E) Wednesdays Portishead in Harmony 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Clevedon Ladies Choir (E) (E)(women only) 10.30am- Church Hall, Station Road, (September-June) 2.15- 12pm, The Folk Hall, Weston-super-Mare. 3.30pm, St Peter’s Church Portishead High Street. £5 per Women’s 4-part acapella Hall, Alexandra Road. £25 session. www.wendysergeant. group. 01934 643 823 per year. 01275 876 131 or vpweb.co.uk, 01275 814 220 www.wavesofharmony.co.uk 01275 858 246 Clevedon A Cappella Cheddar Male Choir (E) Juke Box Ukulele Club (E) (E)(women only) 1.15-2.45pm, 7.30pm, Draycott Village Hall. 6.30-8 pm, St Mark’s Primary Kenn Road Methodist Church, New members welcome. www. School, Worle. £5 per session. Clevedon. £5 per session. cheddarmvchoir.co.uk All abilities welcome. 07870 www.wendysergeant.vpweb. Winscombe Community 788457 co.uk, 01275 814 220 Choir (E) 7.30pm, Upstaged Drama Group (E Afternoon singing group Winscombe Primary School, during term time) 7-8.30pm, (fortnightly) 2-4pm, St Jude’s Moorham Road. www. Theatre in the Hut. Sessions Hall, St Peter’s Church, Baytree winscombecommunitychoir. and workshops for 16 to Road, Worle. 01934 413 571 org.uk 25-year-olds. upstaged@ Mixed Company Community Campus Choir (E) 7.30-9pm, hotmail.com Choir (E) 7.30-9.30pm, The Campus, Locking Castle, Weston Music Appreciation Golden Valley Primary School, Weston-super-Mare. 01934 Society (A) 7.30pm, St Jude’s Nailsea. £6 per session with 832 283. www.singoutlouduk. Hall, Baytree Road. 01934 Cantiamo Ladies Choir (A) North Somerset Community free taster com 814 732 (grade 8+ musicians only) Brass Band (E) 7.30-9.30pm, Clevedon Choral Society (E) Weston Choral Society (E) Somerset Singers (E) 7.30pm, 8.15-9.30pm, Nailsea School. Puxton and Hewish Village 7.15 pm, Methodist Church (term time only) 7.30pm, Meeting House, Sidcot School, £5 per session. 07722 Hall. 01275 397 582 Hall, Kenn Road, Clevedon. Milton Methodist Church Hall, Sidcot. 01934 743 965 298 550, gillatkinson15@ Congresbury Brass Band Milton Hill, Weston-super- blueyonder.co.uk www.clevedonchoralsociety. Yatton Ladies Choir (E) (E) 7.30-9.30pm, Methodist Mare. 01934 813 255 org.uk 7.30-8.30pm, Yatton Infants Weston Organ and Keyboard Church Hall, Congresbury. Clevedon Light Opera Club Clevedon Music Club (3) School. £4 per session. 07722 Club (1) 7.30pm, Somerset 01275 849 611 / 07986 (E) 7.30pm (Juniors Thu 7.30pm, Community Centre, 298 550, gillatkinson15@ Suite, Weston Football Club. 007 829 7pm) Princes Hall, Clevedon Princes Road. Classical blueyonder.co.uk £5 members, £6 non- Clevedon Gilbert and Sullivan concerts by professional members. 01934 812 759 Community Centre. 01275 Harmony Plus Choir (E) Society (E) 7.30-10pm, St musicians. £8 per concert on 791 556 7.45-9pm, Emmanuel Church, Worle Community Choir Peter’s Church Hall, Alexandra the door. 01275 879 099 Vocalise Choir (E) 7.30- Weston. 01934 629 112 (E) 7.30pm, Becket Primary Road, Clevedon. New Nailsea Choral Society (E) School, Tavistock Road, Worle. members welcome. 01934 9.30pm, United Reform Footlights Community 7.30pm, Vestry Hall, Christ New members welcome. 838 713 Church, Waterloo Street, Choir 7.45-9.15pm, Church, Nailsea. 01275 875 07972 909 939 Weston. £5 inc refreshments. Community Entrance, Nailsea Concert Orchestra 533 www.nailseachoral.org.uk 01934 627 709 Nailsea School, Mizzymead Muskrats Jazz Band (1) (E)(term time only) 7.30pm, Clevedon Players (and Wed, Trinity Singers (E) 7.30pm, Road. No experience 8.30pm, Clarence House, Nailsea Methodist Church. Fri)(leading up to a play) Churchill Primary School, necessary. 07818 065 015 High Street, Portishead. £3. www.nailseaconcertorchestra. 7.30-10pm, the Stables, Pudding Pie Lane, Langford. footlightsperformance@gmail. Bar and dancing, all welcome. org behind Princes Hall, Princes www.trinitysingers.co.uk com 01275 814 434 West Mendip Orchestra (E) 01934 415 301 Road, Clevedon. 01275 853 Portishead Community Choir Traditional jazz night (2) (term time only) 7.45-10pm, 975 Portishead Town Band (E) (E) 8-9.30pm, Avon Way Hall, 8.30pm, Salthouse pub, Lynch Chapel, Winscombe. RAFA Concert Band (E) 7.45pm, Methodist Church Portishead. £5 per session Clevedon. Resident band, the 01275 463 480 8pm, Blakehay Theatre, Hall, High Street. New players or £4 if paying for a term. Dixieland Rascals. Free entry Harmony Plus Brass (E) Weston-super-Mare. www. welcome. 07816 544 474, Free taster session. www. 7.45pm, Emmanuel Church, rafaconcertband.org.uk 01275 818 575 wendysergeant.vpweb.co.uk, Fridays Weston. 01934 629 112 01934 820 205 Pill Community Choir (E) 01275 814 220 Singing for Pleasure (E – Nailsea Theatre Club (E) 8pm, Footlights Community Choir 7.45-9.15pm, Pill Community 20-week course) 1.30-3pm, Nailsea Little Theatre, Union 8-9:30pm, Community Hall, Centre. £5 per session or £4 if Thursdays Tickenham Village Hall. Street. 01275 852 275 (Box Trinity School, Portishead. No paying for a term. Free taster Music Is Fun (E)(babies, 01934 512 669 office: 07772 981 037) experience necessary. session. www.wendysergeant. toddlers and pre-schoolers) Singtastics Junior Choir (E)(Y3- vpweb.co.uk, 01275 814 220 Methodist Church, Nailsea. 30 Y7) 3.40-4.30pm, Hannah Saturdays Tuesdays Congresbury Singers (E) min session £3, 40 min session More School, Nailsea. £3 Pret A Chanter Ladies Choir A Musical Tea Time (2) 2-4pm, 7.50pm, Old School Rooms, £3.40. 07722 298 550, per session. 07722 298 550, (A) 9.30-11.30am, Southfield Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Congresbury. 01934 876 104 gillatkinson15@blueyonder. gillatkinson15@blueyonder. Church, Nailsea. £8 per Milton, Weston-super-Mare, Samba Drumming (E) 8-10pm, co.uk co.uk session. 07722 298 550, £1.50 inc tea/cake. 01934 All Saint’s Church Hall, All Singing Mums Choir (E) 7.10- Lions Brass 4 Youth (E) gillatkinson15@blueyonder. 413 571 Saint’s Lane, Clevedon. 8.10pm, Nailsea School. £4 5.30pm/6.15-7.45pm, 1st co.uk Cadbury Wind Band (E)(term Beginners welcome, £6 with per session. 07722 298 550, Clevedon Scout Hall. County Cadbury Saxophone Band (A) time only) 7.15-9.15pm, free taster session. 01275 gillatkinson15@blueyonder. brass band. 07815 733 886 10.15am-12.30pm in Cleeve/ Yatton Rugby Football Club. 545 714 co.uk Weston Youth Orchestra (E) Yatton. 01934 830 072 or 01275 792 300 Weston Brass Band (E)(and The Baytree Singers (E) 6-7pm (8-12 yrs), 7-9pm www.cadburysaxband.co.uk Lyrical Ladies Choir (E) 7.20- Thu) 8pm, Church Road 7.30-9.30pm, St Jude’s Hall, (12-20 yrs). Boulevard United 8.20pm, Nailsea School. £4 Methodist Church, Upper St Peter’s Church, Baytree Reformed Church, Weston- Sundays per session. 07722 298 550, Church Road, Weston-super- Road, Worle. No experience super-Mare. 01934 622 519 Barley Rye choir (E) 6.30- gillatkinson15@blueyonder. Mare. 01934 842 461 necessary. or 07787 520 230 8.30pm (winter) 7-9pm co.uk Nailsea Folk Club (2) Grove Portishead Choral Society (E) Male Choir (E) 7.30-9pm, (summer), Ring o’ Bells, Sports Centre, Nailsea. (4) 7.30 pm, St Joseph’s Catholic Victoria Methodist Hall, Nailsea. New members Prince of Orange Inn, Yatton. Church, West Hill, Portishead. Weston-super-Mare. 01934 welcome. 01454 411 052 All musicians and singers 01275 849 278 529 728 welcome. 01275 857 784
18 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special KEY: (E) Every • (A) Alternate • (1) First • (2) Second • (3) Third • (4) Fourth • (L) Last Music Summer Events July Fri 8 – Sunday 10 Hazy Days Festival The Tropicana, Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare. Weston’s first free not-for-profit dedicated music and arts festival. The event will cover a diverse range of live music, contemporary art and performance, film and interactive workshops.
The festival is free but tickets can be reserved in advance at: www.hazydaysfestival.co.uk
Friday 15 Politically Incorrect 8pm, Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare. A show of best-loved songs from satirist Tom Lehrer, written more than 50 years ago. Tickets £13.50, concessions £12.50 01934 645 493 • www.blakehaytheatre.co.uk Free music events in Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 Grove Park Wizard of Oz njoy free music in Weston’s Grove Park every 7.30pm, Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare (matinées at 2.30pm on Thurs and Sat). Tickets £12.50 ESunday afternoon throughout the summer. 01934 645 493 • www.blakehaytheatre.co.uk July 10 Worlewind Band August 17 Brecon Town Band 24 Burnham and Highbridge Band Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 31 RAFA Band Gypsy by Weston Operatic Society 7.30pm, Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare August (matinee 2.30pm on Sat). 7 Weston Brass 01934 645 493 • www.blakehaytheatre.co.uk 14 Bath Spa Brass Band 21 Worlewind Band 28 Bristol Male Voice Choir 29 Tim Pitman
September 4 Serenade Big Band 11 Des Henley’s Singers and Strummers 18 Worle Community Choir
All concerts run from 2.30-4.30pm, and are organised and funded by Grove Park Café. 07952 943 855
KEY: (E) Every www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 19 Summer Clubs and Clubs and societies
August NHS Retirement Fellowship (2) 2pm, Our Lady of Lourdes Saturday 20 – Monday Church Hall, Worle. 01934 29 417 850 Clevedon Art Club 60th Winscombe District U3A (3, annual art exhibition except Aug and Dec) 2pm, 10.30am-6pm (2pm-6pm Winscombe Community on Sun), The Science Atrium, Centre. £1.50 members, £2 Clevedon School, Valley Road. non-members. Admission £1. Yatton Art Group (E) 2.15pm, www.clevedonartclub.co.uk Village Hall. 01934 249 907 Clevedon Mixed Leisure Club Mondays (1 and 3) 2.30pm, Consti Weston Monday Art Group Club, Kenn Road. 01275 875 (E) 10am, St Saviour’s Church 179 Hall, Locking Rd. 01934 514 Weston Flower Arrangement 127 Society (4) 2.30pm, St Winscombe District U3A Georges Hall. 01934 812 Coffee Morning (1, except 177 Aug) 10am, Winscombe Whist drive-in, Portishead (E) Community Centre. £1 inc 7.15pm. 01275 844 290 refreshments. Royal British Legion Clevedon Probus2008 Club Clevedon Art Club (2) Clevedon Lions Club (3) Tots1 (E, term time only) 10- (Portishead) (3) 8pm, Clarence (2)(4) 10.30am, Clevedon 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church 7.15pm, Walton Hotel. 01275 11.30am, Bristol Road Baptist House, High Street. 01934 Community Centre, Princes Rd. Hall, Castle Rd. 01275 879 878 983 Church, Southside, Weston- 251 468 01275 874 631 556 Weston Amateur Radio super-Mare Multicultural Friendship Women of Weston Women’s Society (E) 7.30pm, Weston Winscombe Probus Club (2 Tuesdays Association (E) 1-3pm, Institute (3) 7.30pm, Social Club, Drove Rd. 01761 and 4) 10.30am, Winscombe Weston U3A (E) 10am, Weston Room, Badger Centre, Vintage Community Church, 221206 Community Centre. 01934 Friends Meeting House, High Wadham Street, Weston. Hughenden Road, Weston. 820 893 Weston Quilters (1) 7.30pm, Street 07587 335 963, www.mfa- [email protected] United Reform Church, Duplicate bridge (E)(and Mendip Art Group (E) 10am, wsm.org.uk Weston Archaeological and Waterloo Street. 01934 Thurs, Fri, Sat) 1.30pm, 21 Banwell Village Hall. 01934 Lynne Castell Watercolours Art Natural History Society (2) 834278 Montpelier, Weston. 01934 645 885 Group (E) 1-4pm, Our Lady of 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Worle Lions (2) 8pm, Windsor 633 530 North Somerset Botanical Lourdes Parish Room, Baytree Church Hall, Station Rd. Castle pub. www.worlelions. Kewstoke Arts and Crafts Painting Society (E) 10am, Road, Weston-super-Mare. 01934 620 785 co.uk, 08458 339 862 Group (E) 2pm, Village Hall. Brackenwood Garden Centre, 01934 628 760 or www. Portishead Townswomen’s 01934 628 309 Lions Club of Portishead (2) Abbots Leigh. 01934 832 lynnecastell.f2s.com Guild (4) 7.30pm, Folk Hall. 8pm, Clarence House, High Georgian Club for over 952 Portishead Rotary Club 01275 847 271 Street. 08432 895 330 60s (E) 2pm, St Georges Age UK free advice sessions Memory Café (1)(3) 2.15pm, Nailsea and District Model Community Centre, Willow Nailsea Lions Club (2) 8pm, (1) 10am-noon, Portishead Jubilee Hall, Slade Rd. 01275 Railway Club (E) 7.30pm, Close. 01934 515 923 Grove Sports Centre. 01275 Library, (2) 10am-noon, 871 197 Clevedon Craft Centre, off 791 921 Nailsea Library, (4) 9.30am- Catenian Association (1) Moor Lane. www.nailsea- Yatton WI (2) 8pm, Yatton 12.30pm, Winscombe GP 7:15pm, Cadbury House district-mrc.co.uk Village Hall. 01934 surgery. 0845 643 4621 Hotel, Congresbury. For Clevedon and District Flower 834 796 Friends of Trendlewood Catholic men. 01275 877 180 Club (4) 7.30pm, Community Park (3)(and first Sun) Weston Scrabble Club (E) Centre, Princes Rd. 01275 10am-1pm, Trendlewood 7pm, St Saviour’s Church Hall, 859 797 Park, Nailsea. www. Locking Rd. 01934 620 948 Nailsea Miners Rotary Club Friendsoftrendlewoodpark. Rotary Club of Portishead (E) (E) 7.45pm, George pub, org.uk, 07879 607 492 7.30pm, Clarence House, Backwell. 01275 854 641 Western Active Stroke Group High Street. 01275 845 509 Weston and Mendip (E) 10am-noon, Worlebury A1 Camera Club (E) 7.30pm, Advanced Motorists’ Group Golf Club, Monks Hill, St Georges Community Centre, (3) 8pm, Village Hall, Crookes Weston-super-Mare. (also Willow Close. 01934 521 Lane, Kewstoke last Tues of month, skittles at 780 North Somerset Modellers’ the Ebdon Arms, Lilac Way. Nailsea Scrabble Club (E) Society (2) 8.30pm, Windsor Wick St Lawrence) 01934 7.30pm (and Wed 2pm), Castle pub, Milton. 01934 519 266 Mizzymead Recreation Centre. 417 907 Coffee Stop drop-in 01275 464 864 coffee morning (E) Hutton Ladies Group (1) Wednesdays 10.30am, Milton Baptist 7.30pm, Village Hall. 01934 Lynne Castell Oils, Acrylics, Church, Baytree Rd. 623 450 Pastels Art Group (E) 01934 641 574 Portishead Quilters (1)(3) 10.30am-1pm. 01934 628 Kewstoke’s Tiny Teds 7.30pm, Redcliffe Hall. 01275 760 or www.lynnecastell.f2s. Toddler Group (E) 848 467 com 10.30am-noon, St Paul’s Age UK free advice sessions Church Hall. £2 per North Somerset Vintage (1)(2)(3) 10am-noon, Town family. 07980 384 034 Tractor Club (1) Redhill Village Club. 01275 474 649 Hall, Weston-super-Mare, (4) Clevedon Probus Club 10am-noon, Cadbury Garden Weston Railway Society (1) 1974 (1)(3) 10.30am, Centre. 0845 643 4621 Community Centre, Princes Function Room, Conservative Rd. 01275 876 297 Club. 01934 628 289
20 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special KEY: (E) Every • (A) Alternate • (1) First • (2) Second • (3) Third • (4) Fourth • (L) Last societies Summer
Weston Ladies Cards (A) Clevedon Senior Citizens’ Gordano Valley 41 Club Weston Moose Semi Formal 10.30am, Night Jar pub, Forum (L) 2.30pm, Masonic (4) 7.30pm, Royal Inn, Dinner (1) Banwell Castle, Mead Vale. 07979 051 001 Hall, Albert Road. 01275 Portishead. 01275 817 258 £10 for two courses. Yeo Valley Probus Club (1) 874 296 Weston Moose Social Evening 01934 814 042, (3) 10.30am, Backwell Bowls Social/activity group for ages (L) Ebdon Arms, Wick St alan.moosewsm@ Club. 01275 857 769 40+ (E) Venues in Weston. Lawrence. £3 including some outlook.com Backwell Probus Club (2) 07733 411 238 food, for charity. 01934 814 Weston (4) 10.30am, West Backwell Weston Amnesty International 042 alan.moosewsm@outlook. Woodturning Bowling Club. 01275 462 (2) 6.30pm, Worlebury Golf com Circle (3) 627 Club, Weston. 01934 419 7pm, Thursdays Weston North Somerset Over 50s 014 Football Club (4) 11am, Clevedon Weston and Worle Bridge Community Coffee Morning Club, Community Centre. 01275 Club (E) 7pm (and Fri 2pm), (E) 10am, Clarence Park Winterstoke 842 282 St Joseph’s Church Hall, Camp Baptist Church, Walliscote Rd. Rd. 01934 Rd. 01934 510 027 01934 424 550 Gordano Probus Club (2) 510 862 12.30pm, Clarence House, Weston Sea Cadets (E) Probus Club WSM (1)(3) Weston High Street, Portishead. (and Fri), 7pm, Cadet HQ, 10am, Worlebury Golf Club, Chess Club 01275 398 706 Sunnyside Rd North. 11 to Worlebury. 01934 514 857 (E) 7.30pm, 18-year-olds. www.probusweston.com Portishead Probus Club 73 (3) Weston-super- Probus Club of Nailsea (2) noon-3pm, Clarence House Portishead Spiritualist Mare Conservative (4) 10am, Mizzymead Social Social Club, High Street. Association (E) 7.30pm, Club, 24-26 Club. 01275 852 515 01275 814 249 / 07715 Brampton Way Playgroup Alexandra Parade. 572 106 Hall, Brampton Way. 01275 Probus Milton (2)(4) 10am, 01934 643 171 843 744 Milton Methodist Church. Failand Art Group (E) Weston-super-Mare RSPB (1, 1.30pm, Village Hall, Wrington Vale Rotary Club 01934 525 476 Scrabble Sept-April) 7.30pm, St. Paul’s Club (E) 2.15-5pm, Clevedon Oxhouse Lane. Jimpeck1502@ (E) 7.30pm, Burrington Inn, Weston Twins and More Church Hall, Walliscote Rd. gmail.com Burrington Combe. 01934 (4) 10am, Kids Hut, Winter Conservative Club. £1 per 01934 835 208 session. 01275 342 974 Banwell Bridge Club (E) 844 214 Gardens. 01934 528 348 Weston-super-Mare Byte Home Computer Club 1.30pm, Village Hall. 01934 Nailsea and District Civil Service Retirement Horticultural Society (2) 518 690 Horticultural Society (2) Fellowship (1)(3) 10am, (1)(3)(4) 7pm, Nailsea Fire 7.30pm, St Peter’s Church Station, Pound Lane. 01275 Woodspring Scrabble Club 7.30pm, United Reformed Friends Meeting House, High Hall, Baytree Rd. Church Hall, Stockway North. Street, Weston. 01275 858 852 521 (E) 2pm, United Reformed Banwell WI (2) 7.30pm, £2 for members, £3 for 766 North Somerset Quilters (3) Church, Weston. 01934 815 Village Hall, Banwell. Visitors visitors. 01275 855 342 7.30pm, WI Hall, Station Rd, 358 Lynne Castell Calligraphy Art welcome. 01934 824 900 Nailsea Stamp and Postcard Group (E) 10.30am-1pm. Backwell. 01275 463 119 Nailsea Scrabble Club (E) Avon Wildlife Trust Long Club (2) 7.30pm, Mizzymead 01934 628 760 or www. Portishead Stamp Club (4) 2pm, Mizzymead Recreation Ashton (3) 7.30pm, Jubilee Recreation Centre. 01275 lynnecastell.f2s.com 7.30pm, Friends Meeting Centre. 01275 464 864 Pavilion, Keedwell Hill. 01275 855 875 House, St Mary’s Rd. 01275 Worle Friendship Club (E) Copse Coffee drop-in coffee 392 690 Nailsea and Backwell morning (A) 10.30am, Copse 374 738 2pm, Worle Community North Somerset Rural Business Townswomen’s Guild (2) Rd Chapel, Seavale Rd, Banwell Society of Centre, Lawrence Rd. 01934 Forum (3) 7.30pm, Winford 7.30pm, Methodist Hall. Clevedon. 01934 878 490 Archaeology (2) 7.30pm, 510 863 Manor Hotel. £7.50 for non 01275 810 579 Banwell Village Hall. Weston Society of Arts (A) Notable Club (E) Uphill Scouts members. 01531 820 307 Worle WI (3) 7.30pm, Castle Hall. 07845 220 349 2pm, Victoria Methodist Royal British Legion (Nailsea) Batch Community Centre, Saturdays Church Hall. 01934 520 564 Social duplicate bridge (E) (3) 7.30pm, Grove Sports Bishop’s Avenue. 01934 511 Hutton Lace and Craft Group Portbury Over Sixties Club (1) 2pm, Vintage Community Club. 01275 856 879 329 Church Hall, Hughenden (2) 9.30am, Village Hall. 2pm, Portbury Village Hall Bristol Sailors Meeting (4) Portishead Floral Art Society Road, Weston-super-Mare. 01934 822 871 Backwell Garden Club (3) 8pm, British Legion Hall, Long (3) 7.30pm, Somerset Hall. £5 01934 627 751 CREWS Backstage Support 2pm, WI Hall. 01275 464 Ashton. for visitors. 01275 374 201 Winscombe Bridge Club 2pm. (E) 10am-1pm, The Stables, 236 Weston Social (1)(3) 8.30pm, Royal British Legion (Clevedon) 10-week course starting Thurs Princes Rd, Clevedon. 07824 Portishead Senior Citizens Royal Hotel Feathers Bar, (3) 7.30pm, Community 29 Sept. £45. Call 01275 540 821 814 Forum (3) 2.15pm, Folk Hall. Weston-super-Mare. Centre, Prince’s Rd 604 www.winbridge.org.uk Portbury Community Café (1) 01275 843 678 westonsocial@virginmedia. 01275 879 816 Weston and District National 10am, Village Hall. 07971 Good Companions Senior com Trust Association (2)(and 501 374 Citizens Club (E) 2.30pm, fourth Fri) 2.15pm, Corpus YABEEP Natural Beekeeping Fenswood Court, Fenswood Fridays Christi Church Hall, Weston. Group (2) 10.30am, Rd, Long Ashton. Good Companions Senior 01934 633 593 Claverham Village Hall, 01275 393 Citizens Club (E) 9am, Yatton Knitting Club (E) 5.45- Bishops Rd. YABeeP@gmail. 617 Somerset Hall, Portishead. com 6.45pm, Yatton Library. All 01275 848 059 abilities welcome. Free tea or Avon Guild of Spinners, Tots2 (E, term time only) 10- coffee. 01934 426 100 Weavers and Dyers (2) 11.30am, Bristol Road Baptist Vintage Hornby Railway 10.30am, Bowls Pavilion, Church, Southside, Weston- Long Ashton Community Collectors (4) 6pm, Scout Hut, super-Mare Totterdown Rd Weston. 01934 Centre. 01275 464 526 Mead Vale Friendship 413 053 Weston-super-Mare & District Club (over 50s) (E) 2pm, Loves Book Club (1) 6.30pm, Family History (E) 2pm- Community Hall, Worle. 3.30pm, Weston library, Town Loves Cafe, 9 West Street. 01934 510 672 01934 645 672 Hall, Walliscote Grove Rd. Portishead Folk Hall Senior Vegetarian Cookery Club (A) Citizens Club (E) 2pm, Folk Sundays 6.45pm, Church Hall, 500 Hall, High Street, Portishead. Worle Lions Quiz (1) Windsor Locking Rd, Worle. 01934 £1, inc refreshments and 628 860 Castle pub. Entry £2.50 inc entertainment. 01275 390 food and cash prize. www. 350 worlelions.co.uk 08458 339 862
KEY: (E) Every www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 21 Summer Health and fitness
Mondays Step Class (E) 8-9pm, Cancer Rehabilitation Class (E) Stroke Communication Group Churchill Sports Centre. 2-3pm, Hutton Moor Leisure (E) 10am, Summer Lane Care 01934 852 303 www. Centre, Weston. 01934 425 Home, Diamond Batch. toneleisure.co.uk/centres/ 900 01275 870 328 churchill Squash Open Session (E) Positive Step Coffee Morning 6.20-9pm (and Fri 6.20- Tuesdays (2) 10am-noon, Locking Castle 8.20pm), Weston Backwell Church Hall, Jasmine Way. Western Active Stroke Group Adult Trampolining Open Area Squash www.positivestep.org.uk (E) 10am, Worlebury Golf Session (E) 6-6.55pm (and Thu National Club (E) Club. 01934 519 266 6.20pm), and Fitness Classes Cancer Rehabilitation Class (E) Rheumatoid Arthritis 7.20pm-9.20pm, Somerset Cancer Care Support every day at Hutton Moor 1-2pm, Hutton Moor Leisure Society (2) 6.30-8.30pm, Backwell Leisure Centre, Group (E) 10am, Summer Leisure Centre. 01934 425 Centre, Weston. The Campus, Locking Castle, Farleigh Road. 01275 Lane Care Home, Diamond 900 hutton.moor@parkwood- 1934 425 900 Weston. www.nras.org.uk, 463726, backwell@ Batch. 0800 731 4608 leisure.co.uk Arthritis Care Weston Branch 01934 620 583 parkwood-leisure.co.uk Dance fitness (E) 10am, Legs, Bums and Tums (E) (2) 2pm, St Saviours Hall, Nailsea and Backwell Diabetes UK (Weston) (1) Clevedon Triangle Club. 9.30-10.30am, Pilates (E) Locking Rd. 01934 622 808 Diabetes Support Group (2) 7.30pm, Waverley Suite, 01275 544 472 10.30-11.30am (and Fri), Fibromyalgia Group (2) 7-9pm, Methodist Church Weston Hospital Academy 2pm, Purple Sheep Centre, Walking Football (E) 10- Aqua Tone and Fit (E) 6.30- Hall, Silver Street. nailsea. [also – quiz night (2) Social Hughenden Rd, Weston. 11am, Weston Football Club. 7pm, Zumba (E) 7pm-8pm [email protected] Club, Devonshire Road] £2 per session. 07970 681 (and Wed 7.30-8.30pm), 01934 413 868 Bogs of Somerset Hash 01934 628 985 178 and Body balance (E) 8-9pm Croquet Club (E, and Weds House Harriers (E) 7:15pm, (and Wed 9.30-10.30am), and Fri, April-Oct) 2-4pm, Golden Oldies sing and stretch various locations. See www. Fridays at Churchill Sports Centre, Clarence Park East, classes. Venues in Clevedon, bristolhash.org.uk/bogs 079 Partially Sighted and Blind 01934 852 303, www. Weston-super-Mare. Portishead, Weston-super- 6649 5086 or 01275 874 Club (E) 10.15am-2pm, toneleisure.co.uk/centres/ ust turn up or call Mare, Pill and Nailsea. 01761 671 Pembroke Court, Elton Rd, 470 006 www.golden-oldies. churchill 01934 413 515 Breast Cancer Support Group Clevedon. 01275 219 730 org.uk Bipolar UK (2) 7.30pm, clarenceparkcroquet@ (2) 7.30pm, Weston General Long Ashton Bowling Club (E) FRIEND, Oxford Street, Gmail.com Stroke Group (E) noon, Hospital. 07798 934 291 (April-September) Community Weston. 0845 434 9915 Zumba (E) 6.15-7.15pm Parish Wharf Leisure Centre, Centre, Keedwell Hill. 01275 (and Thu 6-7pm), Hans Price Portishead. 07899 754 937 Tuesday Badminton club (E, Thursdays 545 544, [email protected] term time) 8-10pm, Broadoak Sports Centre, Marchfields Cancer Rehabilitation Classes Vibe Studio Cycling (E) 9.30- Junior Circuits (E) 11-15 School, Weston-super-Mare. Way. 01934 642426 hans. (E) noon, Jubilee Hall, 10.15am, Churchill Sports years, 6-7pm, and Teen Gym, Non-competitive, but an [email protected] Portishead. £1.50 per class. Centre, 01934 852303, www. 11-15 years, every day at ability to play is essential. No Strings Badminton (E) 07800 743305 toneleisure.co.uk/centres/ Strode Leisure Centre, Strode [email protected] 7-9pm (and Thu 8-10pm), EXTEND Movement to Music churchill Road, Clevedon. Hutton Moor Leisure Centre. for over-60s (E) noon-1pm, 01275 879 242 Wednesdays YouTree Cancer Support 01934 425 900 hutton. Christ Church, Chapel Cleeve, Group (E) 10am, Lauriston Aerobics (E) 9.30-10.30am, Cancer Rehabilitation Classes [email protected] Clevedon. (also every Weds, Hotel, Knightstone Rd, Churchill Sports Centre. (E) 9.30am, The Barn, and Mon, Wed, Fri, 10.30am at Pill Community Weston. 07932 143 452 01934 852303, www. Centre). £3.50 per session. Clevedon. £1.50 per class. 10am-noon, Scotch Horn FUCHSIA Cancer Support toneleisure.co.uk/centres/ 07530 777 895 07800 743305 Leisure Centre, Nailsea. Group (E) 10am, Night Jar churchill Ashcombe Park Bowling Club 01275 856 965 scotchhorn@ Weston Macular Support pub, Worle. 07896 699 627 Junior Climbing Wall parkwood-leisure.co.uk Group (2) 2pm, Lauriston (E)(and Sat) 10am-noon, Worle Lions Friendship Group (E) 5-6pm, 5-15 years, Hotel, Weston. 01934 516 Ashcombe Park, Weston. Qigong (E) 7.30-9pm, (E) 10am-noon, Worlebury and Junior Trampolining 627 01934 522 779 Locking Village Hall. Golf Club. For people with (E) 5-6pm. 5-15 years, Stroke Communication Group 07913 922 063 Nailsea and District Footpath long-term illness, carers also Hans Price Sports Centre, (A) 10am, Methodist Church [email protected] Group (E) and Thu (E), Sun welcome. www.worlelions. Marchfields Way. 01934 642 Hall, Silver Street, Nailsea. (2,3), Sat (4). Range of co.uk, 08458 339 862 426 hans.price@parkwood- walking difficulties. www.nfpg. 01275 870 328 leisure.co.uk Walking Football (E) 10.30- org.uk or 01275 810 067 Badminton (E) 10am-noon 11.30am, Hand Stadium, Clevedon Spoons Volleyball and Zumba Gold (E) 10.30- Clevedon. £2 per session. Club (E) 8pm, Strode Leisure 11.30am, Scotch Horn Leisure 01275 878 052 Centre. Centre, Nailsea.01275 856 Portishead Stroke Drop-In 965, scotchhorn@parkwood- Parkinson’s UK Weston Branch Centre (1) 10.30am, Clarence leisure.co.uk (1) 2.30pm, St Saviour’s Hall, Locking Rd. 01934 813 547 House, High Street. 01275 Women’s Action Group / 625 633 818 492 (WAGS) 12.30-2pm, 35 Portishead Macular Help Boulevard. Weston-super- Saturdays Mare. Women-only group Group (4) 2.30pm, Folk Hall. Parkinson’s UK North West for those who need help with 01275 845 238 Somerset branch meeting (2) addiction. 01934 427 940 Weston Osteoporosis Support 10.30am, St Francis Church Group Meets 5 times a year Teen Spin (E) 14-15 years, Hall, Nailsea. 01275 855 524 5-5.45pm, and Teen Gym, (March, May, July, September and November), in the Lecture 11-15 years, every day at Sundays Parish Wharf Leisure Centre, Theatre, The Academy, Squash Workshop (E) Harbour Road, Portishead. Weston General Hospital. 9.40am-11.40am, 01275 848 494 Information about local services and practical matters Racketball Open Session (E) NHS Stop Smoking Café (E) for people with ostepporosis. 6.20-7.40pm, and 5 a-side 6pm, Tesco café, Weston. 01934 415 096 moraine7@ Football (E) 3-10pm, at Hutton 01275 546 744 hotmail.co.uk Moor Leisure Centre. 01934 425 900 hutton.moor@ parkwood-leisure.co.uk
22 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special KEY: (E) Every • (A) Alternate • (1) First • (2) Second • (3) Third • (4) Fourth • (L) Last Summer
Travel around North Somerset this summer
Summer is the perfect time to head out and explore but getting stuck in a traffic jam can cause a big headache.
here are lots of other ways Mountain Bike The Circle Line 88 operates around Tto travel though, so why not Trail Centre. North Somerset, stopping in Yatton, Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea and leave the car at home and make Visit www. surrounding villages. the journey as enjoyable as the betterbybike. destination? info/bike-repairs/bikepumps If you’re jetting off, bus service A2 runs from Weston-super-Mare to For ideas on cycle rides visit Bristol Airport on an hourly timetable. Get cycling www.betterbybike.info Cycles will soon be available to hire Public transport guides are available in Weston-super-Mare for people to Take a walk in local libraries. take short hops or explore the wider Walking is a fantastic way to enjoy See routes and times at area. the scenery and get some exercise. www.travelwest.info By the end of this summer, 18 bikes Anyone who needs a little will be located at sites throughout encouragement can join a free and Travel by train the town centre. They can be booked friendly Walking for Health group. Weston-super-Mare’s station is a and paid for through a smartphone Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/walking short stroll from the town centre and app and are set up with GPS seafront. Yatton and Nailsea and technology. Catch a bus Backwell stations are well-placed to Cycle pumps have also been installed explore local areas. across North Somerset for cyclists to Catching the bus is an ideal way See train times and fares at top up their tyre pressure. to get around with comprehensive routes across North Somerset. www.nationalrail.co.uk Pumps are bolted to the ground and are free and easy to use. Find Get to the seafront in Weston-super- them on the corner of High Street Mare with local services 5,105 and and Regent Street in Weston-super- 7, or hop on the 126, X5, X1 and Mare; at Weston, Worle, Yatton, and W1 from further afield. Nailsea and Backwell train stations; Or take the open-top service 100 www.travelwest.info in Haywood Village and Locking from Weston seafront to Sand Bay for Parklands; and at Ashton Court a special treat.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 23 Summer Walk
Potter around Portbury Wharf...
A former waste ground for dumping power station ash is now a tranquil nature reserve and thriving habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals.
ortbury Wharf Nature Reserve lies Follow the path as it bends round to the right Pbetween the eastern edge of Portishead and then take the gravel track on your right and Portbury Dock and acts as a buffer towards the information board. between the town and Severn Estuary. Just a little further ahead, take the grassy For 50 years the site was a dumping ground route to the left. This is the seasonal footpath for waste from Portishead’s now demolished through the nature reserve so wear suitable power stations. footwear. The Village Quarter housing development Go down the slope between the trees and now stands there with luxury apartments continue between the fences. There will be How to get there overlooking the water, and the nature reserve a wildlife meadow on your right, a rhyne Start at map ref: is a popular recreation spot. on your left, and the houses of the Village Quarter ahead of you. ST 486 761 Many paths have been created to access the Car: area, which includes two large pools, several The path veers round to the right when Park in a layby in ponds, rhynes, grazing marsh, hay meadows you reach the houses, Sheepway, just after and hedgerows. towards the electricity the railway bridge. substation. Go Accessible, level paths go around the reserve This holds about 7 up three steps and are suitable for bikes, wheelchairs and cars. If full, there and pass is another layby in buggies. underneath Wharf Lane, just past However, this Life walk follows the seasonal a pylon. Springfield Cottage. footpath which runs alongside grassy Bus: meadows. Services X2/X3 Portishead-Bristol stop Enter the nature reserve from the next to the layby in Sheepway layby and follow the Sheepway orange waymarker onto the paved path.
24 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Walk Summer
Start/finish
© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100023397 You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell this data to third parties in any form.
Go through the two metal gates and take the Follow this road to the end and you will come left-hand gravel path, which veers slightly back out onto the path near the ‘Full Fathom Previous walks uphill. Follow the path to the left, as it goes Five’ pillars you passed earlier. from around North around the substation and continue straight Somerset which Turn right onto this path, then a quick left ahead. have featured down the gravel path just before the ox in Life can be You are now passing the Village Quarter sculpture. downloaded from housing, towards to marina. Go through the metal gate and walk along www.n-somerset. Head past the apartment blocks, the well-trodden path next to the gov.uk/lifewalks past the pieces of public art, and rhyne, with Portbury Docks in the you will reach the waterfront. distance in front of you. Follow it round to the left. You At the footpath signpost, turn Route information will pass a coffee shop and right and join the gravel path. Distance: supermarket if you need to stop At the end of this path, turn About 3.5 miles for refreshments. left. Difficulty: At the ‘When Shall We Three Continue on this path through easy – the route is Meet Again?’ matchsticks sculpture, the trees, and gate, and it becomes mainly level, with cross onto Newfoundland Road, go up Wharf Lane. a couple of steps. Phoenix Way, then turn left into Pennant This route follows This leads back to Sheepway and your Place. the seasonal path starting point. through the reserve. It can get muddy so wear suitable footwear in wet weather. Duration: Allow 60 to 90 minutes at a leisurely pace Map: OS Explorer 154
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 25 New visitor centre unveiled at historic Clevedon Pier
Visitors to Clevedon’s historic Grade 1-listed pier can now enjoy the spectacular £2.25m new visitor centre.
he stunning new centre, which Work on the project began two years Clevedon Pier Trust was formed in 1981 Tincludes a new restaurant, meeting ago when the pier secured a £750,000 to repair and rebuild the whole pier, room, refurbished gift shop, visitor grant from the Coastal Communities with a mandate to reinstate two missing attraction, and much-needed public Fund and £720,000 from the Heritage spans and refurbish the entire structure. Lottery Fund. facilities, officially opening its doors It reopened in 1989, and further in May with an all-day party to mark North Somerset Council and Clevedon restoration was completed over the next the event. Town Council also provided financial nine years, leading to it being named support. Pier of the Year in 1999. The unique glass structure has been A community share offer also raised In 2011 the Trust launched a major designed by award-winning architects £250,000 from 1,300 members of the project to re-structure the business and O’Leary Goss Architects, whose focus public. build the new visitor centre to secure the was to create a beautiful lightweight long-term financial future of the Pier. contemporary building. The pier, the only fully operational Grade 1-listed pier in the country, Work began in 2014 and excavation Business manager Nicole Laken said: “I opened in 1869 and was described was more difficult than expected. think the public will be amazed at the by poet Sir John Betjeman as ‘the most transformation that has been made to A decision was made early on to keep beautiful pier on the coast of England’. the toll house. the pier open while building work took It partially collapsed in 1970 during a place and the temporary walkway “It provides 21st century facilities load test but local residents helped save became an attraction in itself. without detracting from the pier’s 19th it from demolition by going to a public century elegance and simplicity.” A new team has been brought in, inquiry. including the business manager, a
26 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Artists exhibit work inspired by Marine Lake
The open waters of Clevedon’s Marine Lake are the inspiration for a new art exhibition in the town.
Hidden Depths is an exhibition of work inspired by the lake to mark its £850,000 restoration last year.
The exhibition includes four featured artists and heritage and outreach officer, and visitor attraction and events several guest artists, including co-ordinator, who will work with volunteers to develop a White Dove Photography programme of events and outreach projects. and Community Nicole added: “We now have a shop that offers all-year- Art, associated to round gifts and an interchangeable attraction that our visitors Marine Lake and will want to keep coming back to enjoy.” the Tides Festival. Tickets cost £3 for adults, £2 for children aged four to 15, £9 Artist Nancy for a family ticket (two adults and three children) and £2.50 Farmer said: “I concessions. love Marine Lake, Annual passes cost £25 per person, £40 for a couple, or it’s very special. £50 for a family. “It’s the place where I Meeting and function room facilities are also available to hire. first seriously got into open water swimming and For more information on room hire or event from this sprang a bookings, email [email protected] or spontaneous series call 01275 878 846 • www.clevedonpier.co.uk of drawings about the nature of swimming outside.”
The exhibition can be seen in the Oak Room, at the Curzon Cinema, from now until Friday 29 July.
It is open 10am to 2pm Tuesday to Saturday, and also when the cinema is open for film screenings.
Curzon Cinema: 01275 871 000 Marine Lake ranger Jo Tasker: 01934 427 277 [email protected] [email protected]
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 27 Weston Vision Investment and opportunity in Weston town centre
Hundreds of jobs, new learning opportunities and better quality housing are on their way to Weston-super-Mare.
range of projects are now Aunder way in the town centre to attract more people to live there, which in turn will boost demand for shops and services, and develop a more thriving and vibrant local Leisure and economy. entertainment
Life takes a look at the latest National restaurant and leisure developments… chains will provide year-round entertainment for residents and University town visitors at the new Dolphin Square development. Development of Weston College’s flagship Law and Professional Building work continues at a Services Academy and University rapid pace with the steelwork Centre means Weston is set to construction nearing completion. become a thriving university town. The complex is expected to In April, the Local Enterprise open next summer and create Partnership confirmed its multi-million 300 jobs. pound funding for the college to This will give the landmark seafront create a ‘learning village’ model building a new lease of life, bring in Weston, based in the Winter significant numbers of new students Gardens and former Arosfa Hotel. into the town, provide new learning opportunities, as well as 35 new As part of North Somerset Council’s jobs. continued support and match-funding for the new academy, the Winter The iconic ballroom will be restored Gardens has now transferred to the to its former glory and continue to be college. available for community use.
28 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Living, learning, lifestyle
Housing The Centre project A host of sites across Weston-super-Mare’s town centre are now being unlocked for development. A Miami-style makeover has been given to a prominent building in Weston-super-Mare as part of In February, North Somerset Council confirmed that a wider programme to make the town centre more developing thriving town centres was a key ambition attractive. in their corporate plan and within a few months this is already becoming a reality. The 1930s building known as The Centre, opposite the Town Hall, has had repairs to its façade and a fresh coat of paint in a striking art deco style. This work, along with planters and seating due to be installed outside the building in early July, will make a very visible improvement to an area which acts as a gateway to the town centre. North Somerset Council has been working with the owners of all 17 units, traders and residents during the past few months to create a joint approach to improving the building and surrounding space. Working collectively meant the work could be done more cost-effectively and enabled the owners to select a consistent colour scheme for the whole façade. The council is kick-starting the housing-led regeneration Improvements began in February when an unsafe by developing modern apartments on the site of the steel canopy at the front of the building was police station and former magistrates court, which have removed. now transferred to the council’s ownership. Further enhancements North Somerset Council works closely with the Homes will come this and Communities Agency (HCA) and last year the month when Government announced Weston town centre was one planters, seating of 20 locations outside London to be designated as a and bike stands Housing Zone. are installed outside the This means it is a priority area for funding and the HCA building. has now invested in numerous major sites. This has been Sites to be developed include Locking Road car park; the funded thanks to former Avoncrest site between Flowerdown Retail Park a £15,000 grant and Winterstoke Road; and the final phase of Dolphin from the Department Square including the former Sands nightclub site and for Communities and Local Oxford Corner restaurant. Government through its pocket parks programme. The council is also working to improve the condition of Planters have been made by Weston-based social existing local housing. enterprise Somerset Wood Recycling using locally- A licensing scheme for private rented housing is under sourced recycled wood. development, which will require landlords to meet certain This includes surplus roof struts from the Haywood standards. Village housing development and decking reclaimed Together with new, good-quality housing right in the from the re-building of the Grand Pier. heart of the town, this will provide opportunities for Pupils at nearby Walliscote Primary School are also local people who want to buy their own home, as well being given the opportunity to get involved in the as attracting new people to live there, and improving planting. conditions for existing residents.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 29 Growth Maximising office space around the world
Andrew Fisher
Offices around the world are using their workspaces more efficiently thanks to systems designed and developed in Weston-super-Mare.
ED Advanced Systems was point-of-use or from familiar calendar How has it grown since then? founded more than 30 years and scheduling applications on PCs or Q Naturally progressing from hardware, ago and now serves some of the mobile devices. we began to focus on software world’s largest corporations through We have also developed Qubi, a support and development as an a network of global clients. unique booking device which can be IBM (Lotus) Notes business partner, used for managing flexible desks and developing a number of useful Life spoke to business development break-out areas, or in meeting rooms business applications. manager Andrew Fisher to find out as a check-in/check-out device with more… visual reminders of when a booking One of these was a room and is ending. resource booking solution which In a nutshell, what does the proved so successful we developed company do? it to be used with all the leading How was the company calendar and scheduling applications. Quite simply, QED provide intelligent established? This application, ResourceXpress, room and desk booking technology now has our complete focus and is to help organisations improve The company was established in used by some of the worlds’ largest productivity and reduce the cost of the 1980s as a computer hardware organisations. under-utilised office space. maintenance and supply company, at premises in the Oldmixon estate in QED still has very strong customer Our ResourceXpress range of software Weston-super-Mare. support ethics born out of our early and hardware provides real-time days and we believe this, coupled visibility of workspace status and This was a particularly challenging with our innovative technology availability, so businesses can operate and fast-moving environment, as solutions, keeps our customers happy more efficiently and use substantially technology exploded onto the market and drives our continual growth. less floor space. It can be operated at throughout the late 80s and early 90s.
30 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Growth
Where do you operate? the future we hope that being located What are your plans for in The Hive will help us expand and the future? We still have our original unit in develop our local connections. the Oldmixon estate. It has just We feel the next logical step for QED undergone extensive refurbishment What are your biggest is to continue to innovate with both to become our central supply and achievements? our software and hardware solutions, support base for our worldwide bringing our high support ethics to a customers. With limited resources, developing broader market with innovative ideas This is supported by our development Qubi on our own was a major and solutions to help businesses drive base in Chennai, India, and our achievement. All the design, up efficiency and productivity. research and development was new hardware supply and support The North American market harbours done at our base in Weston-super- centre in San Jose, California, for our the best potential growth and Mare. This unique product allows growing North American customer expanding our engineering support us to be flexible enough to meet the base. to cover east and west coast USA will diversity of ever-increasing customer help us realise this. Recently we relocated our sales and expectations and is allowing us to marketing functions to The Hive, become proactive in delivering more based in Junction 21 Enterprise Area. innovative workspace management www.resourcexpress.com This gives us the flexibility to expand, solutions. while enjoying the excellent facilities and resources The Hive has to offer. We’ve only been in our new offices for a few months but already we feel more part of the North Somerset business community and are enjoying the support of staff at The Hive and the benefits of networking with other tenants.
How does QED fit within the local economy? Although our customer base is spread across the globe, we have a policy of trying to source and work with locally-based businesses first. Our most successful business partner is Essential Computing based in Clevedon and one of our most valued suppliers is A Squared Electronics, in Weston Airfield Business Park. In
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 31 Campaign to drive out dog fouling
A campaign to clamp down on dog fouling in an area of North Somerset is already making a Community response officer difference. Sophie Cox
olunteers in North Worle and Community response VWick St Lawrence are working officer Sophie Cox with North Somerset Council’s said: “It is sending community response officers in a a clear message to the minority of pilot scheme to keep the area clean dog owners who and free of dog mess. don’t clean up after The council has supplied volunteers their pets that it with spray paint and flags to is not acceptable and will not be highlight any dog mess, as well as tolerated either by local residents or dog poo bags to hand out to owners The scheme launched in May and the council. who fail to pick up after their pets. volunteers cover a wide area, with Hard-hitting posters have also particular focus around schools and “We will be working early and been created, using words such as play areas. late shifts and issuing fixed penalty notices if we witness any dog fouling. ‘disgusting’, ‘revolting’ and ‘gross’ Results are already being seen and with the message ‘dog poo can blind Nadine said: “We have had dog “It blights many areas and we children’. owners thanking us for our efforts. would be more than happy to join forces with volunteers in other local The scheme is the first of its kind in “What we are doing is certainly communities to help tackle the North Somerset and has been set up having an impact and the area is problem.” following complaints to the council cleaner already.” about dog mess by local resident Nadine Holt. Anyone who would like to set up a community-led scheme similar to As a result, Nadine enlisted a group this one, can contact North Somerset Council on 01934 888 802 or of volunteers to work with the council email [email protected] • Dog fouling can be to tackle the issue. reported online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect
32 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Future of nature reserve secured
The future of a popular and well-used 116-acre nature reserve in North Somerset has now been secured.
orth Somerset Council has Volunteers meet regularly to help Nagreed to take ownership of maintain the area and recent successes Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve in include installing natural fencing to Portishead. protect breeding water voles. Samantha Philips, natural environment By taking ownership of the site, the The nature reserve lies to the eastern officer from North Somerset Council, council will be better able to protect it edge of the town and was created by said: “Volunteers recently helped from future development and ensure North Somerset Council to provide create natural barriers to protect the it is preserved as a nature reserve in a green buffer between the Village main rhyne habitat from curious dogs. perpetuity. It will also be able to cope Quarter housing development and better with the disruption caused by “The work proved fruitful straight the port. the Hinkley pylons and to maintain, away, with a water vole spotted Many paths have been created to and restore the area after the work. enjoying the water in peace and quiet access the area, with large pools, the same evening.” The decision was confirmed in May, ponds and rhynes, and it is home to when councillors agreed to support a Up until the end of last year, the site was a variety of wildlife. previous decision to adopt the land. managed by Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT). The council will officially take Since then it has been maintained ownership of the site once a number by North Somerset Council using its of issues are resolved. contractor Glendale.
Any local people who would like to get involved in the ongoing maintenance of the site can contact Samantha Phillips on samantha. [email protected] or 01275 888 930
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 33 Supported living for over 55s
Residents in the communal lounge
Support is available for older people who want to live Joyce Hill independently but have the peace of mind of additional care when it’s needed.
Ebdon Court Elderly Care Alliance Homes Artists Impression 2 NTS @ A3 January 2015 4208-W-0801 orth Somerset Council is working She said: “It’s not a nursing home. It’s Nwith Alliance Homes to deliver a not that kind of place. It’s your own Quattro Design Architects www.quattrodesign.co.uk collaborative culture sustainable buildings new extra care housing development home, just with some extra care when which is due to open this winter. you need it.
Tamar Court, in Worle, near Weston- “It’s the best of all worlds. Everything super-Mare, is designed for older you need with the freedom to come people who may have care and and go as you wish. I can pop support needs but do not want to live over to the shops using my mobility Tamar Court will have 65 one and in a residential home. scooter if I need anything, and I have my own kitchen, fridge and stove for two-bedroom apartments, which Extra care housing allows residents making snacks. can either be rented through North to maintain their privacy and Somerset Council or bought under independence in a safe environment. “My flat has a little garden just a shared ownership scheme from outside and I like to sit out there with Residents have their own completely Alliance Homes, all finished to the a couple of friends from upstairs highest standard and offering a self-contained apartment, with its own when the weather’s nice. front door. range of facilities. “We have regular quizzes, coffee Steve Chinn, managing director Professional care is provided by an mornings and outings. I can use the on-site care team, and residents have of Alliance Homes and Alliance beauty salon and laundry whenever I Living, said: “Tamar Court is a stylish access to a wide range of shared want and I eat in the restaurant every facilities and activities. development and has been designed day. for comfort and security. There are several extra care housing “The carers are all lovely and the developments already open in North “It is in an ideal location to continue manager is brilliant at sorting things living an independent lifestyle, Somerset, including Lakeside Court in out if I need some extra help. I Worle. located in a pleasant residential area would always recommend extra care near to the local shops, with local Resident Joyce Hill, aged 92, has housing to anyone thinking about facilities including a doctor’s surgery lived there for 10 years. their future needs.” and bus stops within a 10-minute walk.”
34 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Artist’s impression of Tamar Court
Every apartment at Plus access to shared facilities including: Tamar Court includes: l Secure entry system l Kitchen with sink, oven, grill, l hob Restaurant l Communal lounge Ebdon Clou rt EDoublelderly Ca bedroomre Alliance Homes Artists Impression 2 NTS @ A3 January 2015 4208-W-0801 on each floor Extra care housing developments Quattro Designl Fully Architects accessible www.quattrodesign shower.co.uk room collaborative culture sustainable buildings l Pamper room in North Somerset l Living-dining room l Extensive gardens Four other extra care housing l Underfloor heating l Lifts developments already exist in North l Terrace or balcony Somerset to provide older people l Parking with the opportunity to continue living l Bike / scooter store independently. Waiting list l Organised events They are: If you or someone you know and activities l Diamond Court, Worle: 53 one and are interested in finding out l Gardening room two-bedroom apartments more about renting an extra l Lakeside Court, Worle: 33 one and care housing apartment at l Guest room two-bedroom apartments Tamar Court, contact Care Connect on 01934 888 801 l Sandford Station, Sandford: 108 units, or email including 20 one and two-bedroom care.connect@n-somerset. apartments gov.uk l Waverley Court, Portishead: 60 one and two-bedroom apartments For more information about buying a shared ownership apartment at Tamar Court, Tamar Court, in Worle, is coming contact Helen at Alliance soon with 65 one and two- Homes on 01275 398 422 bedroom apartments. Register your or visit interest by calling Care Connect www.alliancehomesgroup. on 01934 888 801 or email org.uk [email protected]
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 35 Safety Health matters Creating a breastfeeding- friendly environment
Breastfeeding provides a lifetime of benefits for both mother and baby so wide-ranging support is available in North Somerset to help new mums.
owerful evidence shows the Pmany benefits of breastfeeding, including reduced risk of infections and obesity in later life, and building a strong emotional attachment.
It can be hard to establish though for new mums who are sleep-deprived, stressed or lacking in confidence. The scheme encourages In North Somerset, eight in ten cafés, restaurants and women start breastfeeding their community facilities to register baby but by six to eight weeks, it has their active support and welcome dropped to five in ten. mothers who wish to breastfeed in These their premises. are mums with experience of North Somerset Council wants to breastfeeding who are trained to support mothers to make informed Venues can display a Breastfeeding support other mums through listening, choices about infant feeding and Welcome logo, be listed on empathising and providing up-to-date remove the barriers that currently stop North Somerset Council’s family information. women from breastfeeding. information website, and within a list of Breastfeeding Welcome venues Pregnant women are also welcome to Research shows that the major reason which is given to more than 2,000 visit the groups in children’s centres to women don’t want to do it in public is new mums each year. find out more about the benefits and the reaction of others, and the lack of practicalities of breastfeeding. comfortable and accessible facilities. Other initiatives have also been developed across North Somerset to Support is also available through To combat this, the increase support for breastfeeding. routine contact with midwives and Breastfeeding health visitors. Welcome Groups and drop-in sessions are scheme has provided in children’s centres recently been throughout the area, along To find out more about relaunched with additional telephone and breastfeeding support in North social media support. available visit www.n- Somerset. somerset.gov.uk/breastfeeding Trained volunteer Any businesses who would like breastfeeding peer supporters to sign up to the Breastfeeding will also be on-hand at most Welcome scheme can email groups. breastfeeding.welcome@n- somerset.gov.uk
36 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Creating a breastfeeding- So-called friendly environment ‘legal highs’ made illegal
New legislation against so-called ‘legal highs’ has now come into force across the UK.
n May, a blanket ban on the Stuart Brown, principal trading Imajority of psychoactive drugs standards officer, said: “Evidence came into effect which means was collated from police intelligence anyone found producing, supplying and the ambulance service. or importing the substances could “We also involved charities and face up to seven years in prison. voluntary organisations working with vulnerable groups such as the These drugs contain one or more homeless or drug dependant, and chemical substances which mimic the we collected evidence from 26 but they have now dropped to effects of drugs such as cocaine and witnesses.” ecstasy but most have not been tested virtually nil.” A total of 17 products were identified for human consumption so reactions The new Psychoactive Substances as potentially unsafe and were being are unpredictable. Act 2016 applies to most substances sold by two shops in the town centre. Two years ago Weston-super-Mare intended for human consumption The shops were told to stop selling had a big problem with these so- that are capable of producing a the products unless they could called legal highs. psychoactive effect. provide evidence that they were safe, Paul Bunt, Avon and Somerset In the most serious case, a young which they couldn’t. man cut his neck and pushed a knife Police’s drug strategy manager, They continued to sell them though, through his arm. said: “Anyone taking a psychoactive so trading standards officers and substance is playing Russian roulette Another young man cut his wrists police returned three times to seize with their health as many of these with an electric carving knife, and a the products. products have never been tested on young man suffering from paranoia The retailers were initially resistant to humans. ran into his neighbour’s flat wielding this approach and re-stocked but the a knife in front of a mother and her “We are committed to reducing the persistence paid off in the end. young children. harm caused by all drugs. This act Stuart added: “As a result, one now makes it much simpler to shut North Somerset Council’s Trading shop ceased trading and the other down these so-called headshops, as Standards team were alerted to changed its use and stopped selling well websites trading in these drugs.” this growing problem by Avon and the products. Somerset Police and the two agencies www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ worked together to tackle it, using “Since then we have continued to tradingstandards consumer protection legislation. monitor ‘legal high’-related incidents
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 37 Investment in roads Improving road conditions
The condition of roads in North Somerset is among the best in the country according to a national report.
ast year North Somerset Council announced it would Linvest £40m over five years to maintain and improve the district’s roads.
This money is now paying off with the Department for Transport’s (DfT) most recent road conditions survey showing Resurfacing results that, on average, roads in North Somerset are in a better condition than other areas of England. Additional investment means work can be carried out to improve the road and pavement network, as well as just Each year the DfT publishes its road condition report which preventing them from getting worse. looks at the percentage of roads in each local authority area in England that should be considered for maintenance. In 2012/13 just under 22km of roads were resurfaced but by 2014/15 this had nearly doubled to just over 40km. The higher the percentage, the higher the number of roads that are in a poor condition and might need repairing. There has also been a change in the type of roads being resurfaced. Work previously focussed on main A and B roads In 2015, just one per cent of main A roads in North but now more C and unclassified roads are being done – Somerset were in a condition where maintenance should be those that link housing estates or villages to the main road considered, compared to the national average of four per network. cent. For minor B and C roads, the figure was five per cent, less Plugging potholes than the national average of seven per cent. As well as extra money and a new strategic approach, For unclassified or U roads, the difference was even greater. smart gangs have also been introduced. These carry out Only nine per cent of North Somerset roads needed to be high quality, urgent repairs on potholes across the district, considered for maintenance, half the national average of 18 operating on a ‘fix it once, fix it well’ notice. per cent. Early signs show that this is working. In 2013/14, 3,994 potholes were reported and in 2014/15 this had decreased A whole life approach to 2,862 – a reduction of 28 per cent. The number of A whole life approach to maintaining roads has been complaints about roads also fell from 5,758 to 3,832 during adopted by the council. the same period. This means the cost of maintaining a road over its lifetime is considered and treatments are carried out that offer the best Dredging the drains value for money in the long-term. The council is also responsible for keeping more than 37,000 It’s often cheaper to treat a road before it deteriorates to the gullies - or road drains - clean and clear. point where it needs to be completely resurfaced or replaced, A regular drainage programme means that all gullies on the which is why you might see a ‘good’ road being repaired. public highway in North Somerset are cleared once a year. The surface might look okay but there may be structural issues Those in areas more prone to flooding are cleared twice a below it which need addressing before it worsens and costs year. The council also investigates reports of blocked and more to put right. damaged gullies, and aims to carry out urgent works within 24 hours. 38 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Safety InvestmentTravel in roadsbetter Highway highlights
That’s 1,134 1 every potholes 9 minutes Assuming were repaired this month 253 working days per year and an 8 hour day
Potholes repaired April 2016
That’s the same as the distance between 1,906 Sandford gullies and were cleaned this month Churchill (89 per cent of those scheduled) Assuming the average gully is 1m in depth
Gullies cleared April 2016
That’s 1,217 the same as square metres of 105.5 patching parking spaces Assuming a parking space of completed 4.8m x 2.4m dimesions
Patching completed April 2016
To report a road problem visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect or call 01934 888 802 www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 39 Recycling Where does your recycling go? More than 184,000 waste and hanks to the efforts of local residents, North Somerset Council is Tachieving a recycling rate of more than 58 per cent, making it recycling collections take place in North one of the highest performing unitary authorities in the country.
Somerset every week. But have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling once it’s been collected from your kerb or dropped off at a recycling centre? North Somerset Council has signed up to the ‘end destinations of recycling charter’, a voluntary commitment to publish information every year about where recycling goes. Here is a snapshot….
Food waste Garden waste All food waste collected in North Somerset All green waste is shredded goes to an anaerobic digestion plant in at the waste transfer station Weston-super-Mare to be converted into in Weston-super-Mare before energy and fertiliser. it’s taken to Wingmoor, near Cheltenham. Here it is turned into The plant has the potential to generate 500kW an agricultural compost. of electricity – enough to power up to 1,000 Glass homes. Fertiliser is used in agricultural and land restoration projects. Glass is cleaned, sorted into different colours, and taken to Plastic Recresco in Cwmbran, South Wales. Clear glass is also taken to All plastic gets transported to Jayplas Recycling Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and the in Leicestershire and Roydens Swinton in Recresco site in Cardiff. Manchester. Plastic bottles are turned into pellets so they can be recycled into new plastic bottles. Other grades of plastic are shredded Paper and cardboard and sorted, then sold onto manufacturers and Paper and magazines are transported to turned into items such as films, pipes and Palm Recycling in Norfolk where they’re compost bins. pulped and turned into printing paper for national and regional newspapers. This process can take as little as one week. Cardboard and cartons are taken to DS Smith in Kent and Edwards Waste Paper in Barking where they’re recycled to make more boxes, packaging and stationery.
40 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Recycling
Metals General waste and refuse Steel cans are sent to Tata Steel Non-recyclable waste is treated in three ways South Wales, where they are made - either made into fuel, biological treatment, or into products such as car doors, sent to landfill. fridge panels, bikes, paperclips Data from 2014 shows that 32 per cent of this and new cans. Aluminium cans waste was processed into a refuse-derived fuel are transported to Novelis in and sent to Europe to be burned for heat and Warrington, shredded and smelted electricity. into ingots. Each ingot can make about 1.5 million new cans. A further 26 per cent was sent for mechanical biological treatment and the remaining 42 per cent was sent to landfill sites in the UK. Paint Old paint is taken to either North Somerset Reuse Project at Congresbury or Safety Kleen in Bristol. Volunteers at the reuse project clean the paint and sell it on. It costs the council £105 to dispose of every tonne of waste and it’s estimated that about half Textiles of items put into black bins could be recycled. If everything that could be recycled was, the All clothes, textiles and footwear are council could save more than £1m a year. taken by Wilcox Textile reclaimers in Bilston. Most are exported So reducing your household waste by abroad for reusing and the rest is recycling, reusing and composting is not only recycled into rags and cloths. good for the environment, it also saves you and the council money.
Waste electrical and electronic equipment North Somerset Domestic appliances, such as mobile Council’s contractor phones and toasters, go to EMR in Kier is responsible Swindon or Gloucestershire. Here for selling these materials and it keeps they are separated into individual the income generated. parts to be reused in manufacturing. This was reflected within the contract, Fridges and freezers are taken to as an assumption of income is made to EMR’s centre in Warwickshire where subsidise operational costs. CFC gases are extracted and safely Commodity prices are volatile though disposed of. The fridges and freezers so the contractor has to accept the good are then broken down into parts and and bad times of material costs. reused. A new recycling and waste contract will TVs and monitors go to Mekatek start from March next year. This will Business Group in Lantrisant, Wales. have a risk share mechanism, a baseline The machines are stripped down and set for selling materials and equally parts are either safely disposed of or sharing profits and losses based on recycled and reused both here in the fluctuations from this baseline point. UK and abroad.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/waste www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 41
Scrap materials become safe play equipment
Scrap materials are being made into the perfect play props for children and adults across North Somerset.
hildren’s Scrapstore, based in drama clubs. Individuals can also CWeston-super-Mare, is a charity sign up for membership. and social enterprise which opened Laura added: “I don’t think I will three years ago after operating in ever tire of seeing the excitement on Bristol for more than 30. customers’ faces when they discover this little-known gem of place. The organisation reuses waste materials from businesses to sell on “The variety and quantity of as creative resources for play and every year it helps divert about 140 resources are huge and the tonnes of waste that was destined for possibilities are endless. landfill. “We truly can benefit our Co-ordinator Laura Jones said: environment, our local community “Only suitable waste is collected and and our neighbours by getting behind items are then made available to be this local project and we hope you recycled and reused by our members. will want be a part of our exciting “These items provide low-cost, future here in North Somerset.” abundant, creative resources for all After paying a small membership sorts of groups or individuals who fee members can visit the store and work within any sort of creative, play, collect all the recycled resources they therapeutic or educational setting.” need for their activities at very low The Scrapstore is based at the Motex cost. Centre, in Winterstoke Road, and Any organisations that could donate since opening more than 300 local resources, or anyone who could groups have made use of it, including volunteer for a few hours each month, nurseries, church groups, schools and are also invited to get in contact.
Children’s Scrapstore: 01934 416 286 • www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk /childrensscrapstorenorthsomerset • Based at The Motex Centre, in Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare. Open Mondays 11am-4pm, Thursdays 11am-5pm, Fridays 11am-4pm and Saturdays 11am-4pm
42 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Positive experiences of life in care
Children in care in North Somerset feel safe, enjoy school, and think their life is improving according to a recent survey.
orth Somerset Council was the Results show: Nfirst local authority to pilot a 4 83 per cent of children and survey of children in care last year young people think their life is and it has now become a national improving project. 4 The majority enjoy school for For this year’s survey, more than half most or some of the time – 90 of all looked-after children gave their per cent of four to seven year views. olds, 100 per cent of eight to 11 year olds, and 80 per cent of time, so it’s good to hear that so It focused on children’s wellbeing, those over 11 many vulnerable children and young happiness, educational progress and people in North Somerset feel safe, 4 future aspirations. 90 per cent of children and supported and cared for.” young people said their carers The independent survey was show an interest in what they are Results from the survey will be conducted by the University of doing at school and help them considered by the council’s childrens’ Bristol, along with Coram Voice and with homework champions group, which aims to the Hadley Trust, and designed for improve the journey of care for 4 children aged between four and 18. All four to 11 year olds said they everyone. feel safe where they are living. Chanel added: “I hope that Chanel Cox, of North Somerset’s these results will help even more young people’s forum Ambitious children have a good experience Voice, said: “Being in care can and Ambitious Voice will keep on be a lonely, confusing and difficult speaking out for them.”
For more information contact Helen Caldwell, strategy and policy development officer, on 01934 634 579 or [email protected] Could you foster? Contact the fostering team: 01275 888 999 www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fostering
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 43 Sharing and safeguarding personal information
Sharing personal information between health and social care professionals is essential so they can make better-informed and well-timed decisions.
orth Somerset Council shares Nrelevant information with partners to benefit the people at the receiving end of care as well as making it easier for those providing it.
The council has been working with neighbouring authorities and the NHS to improve this process. Connecting Care has now been introduced to provide a single view of key information from organisations’ separate IT Information is shared Sharing information without a systems. between officers and the person’s permission may need to be agencies responsible for done if the law requires the council to The system means help care so that they have do so, or if there is a risk of harm or can be provided sooner, accurate and up-to- abuse to the person or other people. as there is more joined- date information when The council will let the person know up care and the council organising support. doesn’t have to keep they are doing this, unless it will harm a police investigation or put providing the same How is the information themselves or someone else at risk. information to different Personal information will be agencies. shared? protected, and nobody will have As well as Consent to access to it who shouldn’t have. this, relevant share will In some instances the length of time information usually that information is stored is dictated about be taken by law. individuals when people Where it isn’t, the council won’t keep and families are assessed or records any longer than it has to for is exchanged contact a service, normal business requirements. within North Somerset except where the Council’s children’s council has a and adults’ support duty to share To find out more visit and safeguarding information for www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ teams. safeguarding informationsharing reasons. 44 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Get vocal, be heard
Get vocal, be heard
Listening to residents’ views is an important part of the democratic process and North Somerset Council welcomes ideas to make things better.
hile the council can’t act on The recycling and waste team is now The community clear up kit is a joint Wevery suggestion, it listens conducting a two-month study to venture between North Somerset to feedback and will make changes establish the state of the problem and Council and its contractor Glendale. where possible. to trial seagull-proof refuse sacks in It includes hand tools, bin bags and Palmer Street, Weston-super-Mare. safety equipment. You said: So far, there has been a dramatic reduction in litter. This has improved What are you doing to help the the street scene, proved popular with households who use plastic refuse residents, and reduced the amount of bags for their waste? Seagulls rip time the council’s street cleaners need them open and it looks a mess. to spend tidying up the mess. If the trial is successful, the council will look into rolling it out onto other streets in the town centre. The trailer was recently used by Clevedon Civic Society to carry out You said: a litter pick along the shoreline of Marshall’s Field. I want to organise a litter pick in my local area. What can you do to help? The event was a success and a large amount of litter, mainly plastic, was We did: collected. We did: Volunteer and community groups who To book the community clear up In streets where pavements are too want to improve their neighbourhoods kit contact Glendale on narrow for wheeled collection bins, can now book a trailer full of tools and 01934 611 450 or we realise refuse sacks are vulnerable resources. [email protected] to attack from seagulls.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 45 Your views Letters, photos, tweets, posts
Could I please bring readers Dear Editor, attention to the incorrect phone I just wanted to say a very big number that was printed for thank you for the article you did for Voluntary Action North Somerset, us about the new suicide support which runs the Volunteer Centre group [May/June issue]. and weekly volunteering drop in at the Town Hall? I have had a lot of responses from Our office number is people wishing to attend the group YOUR VIEWS 01934 416 486. and also some people interested in Send your items to becoming volunteers, so it was a We’d like to say a huge thank you Editor, North Somerset Life huge success. to all the volunteers who support North Somerset Council Voluntary Action North Somerset Floor 1, Town Hall Penny Thomas Group leader, Survivors of and the organisations we work Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ or email Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) with for their time, knowledge, [email protected] Weston-super-Mare care and commitment. @NorthSomersetC 07902 084 345 [email protected] During this year’s Volunteers Week NorthSomersetCouncil we are launching our brand new NorthSomersetC Dear Editor, website to match people to local Items submitted without a valid name voluntary opportunities. Take a and address will not be considered for We were delighted to see look at www.vansweb.org.uk your double page spread on publication. Please tell us if you do not Lorna Muffett, programme and want your details published. Due to space Volunteering Week [May/June operations manager, Voluntary restrictions letters may be edited. issue]. Action North Somerset
We can’t show all of your photos in Life but you can see them at pinterest.com/NorthSomersetC
Jo Farmer Roger Fry Mark Rutley
Some rain today and What is the Is there any chance to accommodate the the High Street in Yatton sweeping and gritting of more waste and dog amount of waste. is flooded at North End. policy on your cycle bins along Clevedon North Somerset Council Many topics are covered Also, Yatton School paths? beach? If we have the If you want to request on Twitter and Facebook suffering from leaking summer we all hope for, North Somerset Council more litter and dog bins and last month these roofs. the existing bins are not We don’t currently you will need to contact issues were raised. enough. Overflowing North Somerset Council sweep or grit cycle Clevedon Town Council. today. So pleased Please report it using paths, but gritting policy You can find contact people are using them www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ is being reviewed as details on their website at but not enough of them www.clevedon.gov.uk connect contract renewal due in 2 years 46 • North Somerset Life • Summer Special Your next issue of Life will be North Somerset Life delivered from: Contact the council Monday 5 September North Somerset Life is the award www.n-somerset.gov.uk winning magazine for the people of Coming next issue: Report it. Request it. Pay for it. North Somerset. l Made in North Somerset www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect showcase Your copy should be delivered with your post unless you use Royal l Your North Somerset returns 8am – 6pm Mon – Fri Mail’s opt out service to block Council Connect for all streets Sign up to Life’s online edition unaddressed mail. You can download and open spaces enquiries: and recieve news straight into this issue and back issues from 01934 888 802 www.n-somerset.gov.uk/nsl or pick your inbox. Visit copies up from council buildings. www.northsomersetlife.co.uk Care Connect for all social services enquiries: 01275 888 801 [email protected] Tide timetables for Weston-super-Mare Main switchboard: 01934 888 888 Tide facts Weather conditions which differ from the average will have an effect on the differences between predicted and actual tide times. Emergency (out of hours): Approximate high water times at: Strong winds can hold the tide in or push the tide out. Air pressure 01934 622 669 can also cause fluctuations in predicted levels. Clevedon: 10 min Tidal predictions for Weston-super-Mare have been computed by Portishead: 18 min the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory. North Somerset Council later than Town Hall Weston-super-Mare. Copyright reserved. Weston-super-Mare BS23 1UJ www.n-somerset.gov.uk/tidetimes
July 2016 August 2016 Date High water Low water High water Low water Date High water Low water High water Low water
Time Height (M)Time Height (M)Time Height (M)Time Height (M) Time Height (M)Time Height (M)Time Height (M)Time Height (M) AM PM AM PM 1 Fri 04:24 10.55 10:32 1.86 16:56 10.68 23:04 1.87 1 Mon 06:19 11.03 12:19 1.41 18:42 11.39 - - 2 Sat 05:30 10.99 11:37 1.61 17:59 11.21 - - 2 Tue 07:11 11.54 00:46 1.23 19:32 11.84 13:05 1.04 3 Sun 06:30 11.44 00:09 1.51 18:54 11.69 12:35 1.24 3 Wed 07:57 11.86 01:29 0.95 20:14 12.08 13:48 0.86 4 Mon 07:22 11.80 01:00 1.12 19:42 12.03 13:21 0.95 4 Thu 08:38 12.00 02:10 0.86 20:54 12.15 14:27 0.84 5 Tue 08:10 12.02 01:45 0.89 20:28 12.21 14:04 0.81 5 Fri 09:17 11.98 02:48 0.91 21:32 12.05 15:04 0.95 6 Wed 08:54 12.09 02:26 0.83 21:11 12.20 14:44 0.84 6 Sat 09:53 11.76 03:24 1.06 22:08 11.74 15:38 1.15 7 Thu 09:37 11.95 03:07 0.92 21:53 11.97 15:24 1.01 7 Sun 10:28 11.34 03:56 1.29 22:40 11.26 16:08 1.42 8 Fri 10:18 11.58 03:46 1.14 22:34 11.52 16:02 1.29 8 Mon 10:59 10.78 04:25 1.56 23:11 10.66 16:36 1.71 9 Sat 10:57 11.04 04:23 1.44 23:11 10.94 16:38 1.61 9 Tue 11:30 10.14 04:54 1.84 23:42 10.01 17:07 2.02 10 Sun 11:35 10.41 04:58 1.75 23:49 10.33 17:13 1.93 10 Wed - - 05:27 2.16 12:03 9.49 17:47 2.39 11 Mon - - 05:34 2.04 12:14 9.80 17:51 2.24 11 Thu 00:19 9.37 06:09 2.53 12:44 8.90 18:33 2.80 12 Tue 00:29 9.74 06:15 2.34 12:57 9.27 18:37 2.57 12 Fri 01:07 8.80 07:02 2.94 13:48 8.49 19:39 3.20 13 Wed 01:19 9.24 07:06 2.67 13:55 8.87 19:35 2.91 13 Sat 02:25 8.52 08:18 3.26 15:19 8.61 21:30 3.23 14 Thu 02:22 8.93 08:10 2.97 15:04 8.82 21:00 3.08 14 Sun 03:51 8.84 10:10 2.96 16:32 9.33 22:42 2.52 15 Fri 03:32 8.99 09:47 2.92 16:10 9.18 22:22 2.69 15 Mon 04:59 9.62 11:03 2.24 17:31 10.27 23:29 1.83 16 Sat 04:36 9.41 10:46 2.43 17:09 9.82 23:09 2.12 16 Tue 05:56 10.48 11:50 1.66 18:22 11.12 - - 17 Sun 05:32 10.01 11:29 1.92 18:01 10.51 23:52 1.64 17 Wed 06:46 11.22 00:16 1.36 19:08 11.75 12:39 1.29 18 Mon 06:22 10.60 12:13 1.54 18:46 11.09 - - 18 Thu 07:31 11.77 01:04 1.04 19:52 12.21 13:26 1.03 19 Tue 07:07 11.08 00:35 1.33 19:29 11.51 12:57 1.31 19 Fri 08:13 12.17 01:50 0.79 20:34 12.54 14:11 0.82 20 Wed 07:49 11.45 01:20 1.14 20:10 11.83 13:40 1.17 20 Sat 08:55 12.45 02:35 0.59 21:15 12.72 14:56 0.69 21 Thu 08:31 11.75 02:04 1.00 20:51 12.06 14:24 1.06 21 Sun 09:36 12.54 03:19 0.51 21:56 12.66 15:40 0.70 22 Fri 09:12 11.96 02:48 0.89 21:32 12.19 15:08 1.01 22 Mon 10:17 12.33 04:05 0.62 22:40 12.27 16:22 0.91 23 Sat 09:53 12.02 03:33 0.85 22:15 12.12 15:52 1.05 23 Tue 10:58 11.81 04:45 0.93 23:23 11.60 17:02 1.27 24 Sun 10:36 11.83 04:20 0.94 22:58 11.80 16:36 1.22 24 Wed - - 05:26 1.35 11:43 11.07 17:43 1.70 25 Mon 11:18 11.40 05:03 1.16 23:43 11.28 17:19 1.47 25 Thu 00:11 10.77 06:12 1.82 12:33 10.28 18:35 2.17 26 Tue - - 05:47 1.45 12:04 10.84 18:06 1.77 26 Fri 01:10 9.98 07:10 2.31 13:37 9.65 19:44 2.62 27 Wed 00:33 10.68 06:39 1.78 12:57 10.27 19:04 2.10 27 Sat 02:22 9.49 08:29 2.68 14:57 9.43 21:17 2.77 28 Thu 01:33 10.15 07:42 2.12 14:04 9.85 20:16 2.41 28 Sun 03:45 9.52 09:55 2.56 16:22 9.81 22:35 2.36 29 Fri 02:46 9.88 08:57 2.34 15:20 9.80 21:36 2.45 29 Mon 05:04 10.11 11:06 2.04 17:35 10.60 23:42 1.73 30 Sat 04:02 9.99 10:12 2.23 16:37 10.16 22:47 2.16 30 Tue 06:08 10.91 12:04 1.43 18:31 11.36 - - 31 Sun 05:16 10.43 11:19 1.89 17:46 10.78 23:54 1.70 31 Wed 06:58 11.54 00:30 1.18 19:17 11.85 12:49 1.00 recycle me when you’ve read me www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 47 26622 0616 North Somerset
Summer special 2016