North

Sept/Oct 2015 ISSUE 127

North Somerset’s best kept secret

www.n-somerset.gov.uk Free internet access at your library Open evening Discover a new school for 14-18 year olds

Tuesday 22nd September 5:30-7:30pm

NSETC, South West Skills Campus, Locking Rd, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 8NL Tel: 01934 411 611 www.nsetc.n-somerset.sch.uk

See what our current students have to say…

We offer: Caleb - Health and Social Care Ed - Engineering Extended Extended Diploma Level 3 Diploma Level 3 GCSEs NSETC’s balance between work placement Studying at NSETC has enabled me Art and Design, Business Studies, and theory allows me to get the best out of to understand the different aspects Computer Science, Design Technology: my learning experience. The teachers here of engineering and has given me the Resistant Materials, Engineering, French, are professional and treat us like adults. opportunity to experience them. This Geography, Health and Social Care, After finishing his course Caleb wants to become knowledge has provided me with a clear a community psychiatric nurse. career goal. History, ICT, Mathematics, Spanish, Mathematics, Science (Double), Science After finishing his course at NSETC, Ed plans to complete a higher apprenticeship (Triple), and the English Baccalaureate

A Levels Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology: Food Tech/Product Design/Textiles, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Further, Geography, History, French, German, PE, Psychology, Physics, Spanish, and the Extended Project Qualification Melissa - Business Extended Ryan - A Levels (Maths, Physics, Diploma Level 3 DT, Business Studies) BTEC Extended Diplomas The quality of teaching at NSETC is I have always had a huge passion for maths second to none and facilities here are and business, and I would like to become Applied Science: Medical Science or really good; the classrooms are all very an investment banker or become the owner Forensics, Business, Civil Engineering, modern with multiple computer areas of an international business. The quality Engineering, Motorsports, Health for independent study. My biggest of teaching here is excellent and the small and Social Care: Health Sciences, IT achievement has been setting up my class sizes allow the teachers to give each Practitioners, Sports and Exercise Science own business and winning the Best Trade student one-to-one tuition. Stand award at the Young Enterprise After finishing his A Levels, Ryan is looking to regional finals. apply to Oxford University to study Economics and Maths. After the NSETC, Melissa plans to study a business-related degree at university. Council does not endorse or recommend any commercial Welcome products or services featured in advertising in Life magazine.

Dear reader,

By the time this edition of Life reaches you, you will probably be aware of all the activity going on at the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare. This is a major coup for North Somerset and one 10 16 that we should all be extremely proud of. It will, I hope, also explain why some people may have perceived the council to be inactive about plans for any redevelopment of the rest of the old Tropicana building. With an event of this nature, it had to be developed entirely in strictest confidence. This must have been the best-kept secret in local government, with only four people at the 23 30 council aware of what was happening. At times, that made it very difficult to carry out all the detailed preparatory work but, from the moment it was announced, we have been doing our utmost to help Contents the organisers ensure the success of the event and to see that North Somerset also gets maximum benefit - both while it’s here and by 4 News update way of legacy activities. 10 Getting students ready for work I hope that during the coming weeks you will get the chance to visit the site yourself, but if you don’t, look out for what will be major 16 Hi-tech highways lab media interest. We will also feature the event in the next printed 22 Walk – Around Uphill edition of Life as well as our new electronic news round-up. 23 Made in North Somerset four- Business growth page pull-out special Following the good news that North Somerset has some of the lowest unemployment in the country, another poll has been 30 Tides festival returns published, showing that we are in the top 10 most popular places to 32 New bus routes in Nailsea move to. We are now working with a number of agencies to bring more businesses to the area, and with and local 34 Get your flu jab universities to ensure we have even more opportunities for people 38 Senior Community Link groups to acquire the skills needed in the future. We should all be delighted at these positive signs and be prepared to celebrate the success of 40 Could you offer Supported individuals, communities and businesses, more than we do. Lodgings? Impact on us all 42 Rewarding recycling While I was lucky enough to be enjoying a quiet holiday in southern 47 Contact details Italy, I was made very aware of the real difficulties in parts of Europe and North Africa which may sometimes seem remote from our daily lives, but have got to affect all of us. Whatever your This publication is available political views are, the financial crisis in Greece and the Eurozone, in large print, Braille or audio or the number of people escaping conflict in the Middle East or North Africa, and the horrific sight of thousands being cast adrift formats on request. Help is in the Mediterranean in unseaworthy vessels, has got to have an also available for people who impact on us all. Thousands will need help, as governments struggle require council information in to find a solution. In my experience, solutions start with being honest about the real causes of the problems. 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 NewsFor the latest updates on North Somerset’s news visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/newsRECYCLING Could you be a governor? Funding for

he hunt is on for new school governors who can become Tstrategic decision-makers and vision-setters in schools neighbourhood across North Somerset. The governing body is a key part projects of any school and governors can make a real difference to The forest school overnight camp the education of children and young people. Commitment and enthusiasm are needed but skills such as financial management, human resources and data analysis would also be useful. Governors need to commit about six hours a month.

esidents in parts of Weston-super-Mare can To find out more about joining a school near you visit bid for funding to establish projects which will www.sgoss.org.uk/volunteers or contact governor R services: 01934 427 381 help improve the health and wellbeing of local [email protected] residents. North Somerset Council has commissioned not-for- profit organisation Curo to deliver the community Devolution developments development project Your Neighbourhood, which is now being piloted in the Bournville, Potteries, iscussions about devolution in the West of England are Oldmixon and Coronation areas of Weston. moving forward. D The project aims to increase opportunities for In July, North Somerset Council Leader Nigel Ashton met people to become more connected to their local the other members of the West of England Strategic Leaders community by supporting residents to develop new Board and they agreed to undertake a review of governance activities. on how the four unitary authorities can strengthen their joint Residents can bid for funding of up to £200 and working, with a view to obtaining devolved powers from activities set up so far include art and photography government. drop-in sessions, summer games in the park, table Any proposal to establish a combined authority would have to tennis, a forest school overnight camp, and a have the support of all four councils – North Somerset, South community website. Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, and . Ian Carvell, who helped set up the summer games, It would only oversee specific areas of responsibility where there said: “It was so refreshing being empowered to set is opportunity to draw powers from central government, and up an activity we wanted, rather than being told would not be a return to Avon. what we needed.” If the review concludes there is a case for establishing a combined authority, a proposal will be put to the Secretary of State. Anyone with ideas of local projects they would like to run or get involved in can This will then be consulted on before a draft order is put before contact Robin Woodward: Parliament for approval. The whole process could take about 12 07967 344 588 • robin.woodward@curo- months. group.co.uk or Keep reading Life for further updates. [email protected]

4 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 RECYCLING15 Weston Vision News

Have your say about your library Warming up ibraries across North Somerset will be inviting people to have their say Labout how they use the services during a national survey. rented homes The national adult Public Library User Survey takes place from Sunday 20 to Saturday 26 September to gather information andlords can make their rental on satisfaction levels, the nature and frequency Lproperties warmer, safer and of library usage and customer demographics. cheaper to run thanks to a new The survey, for anyone aged 16 scheme recently launched in North and over, runs every three years Somerset. and enables libraries to monitor opinion, develop services to ensure they are meeting the needs of users, and help plan projects to encourage new customers.

For more information contact Andy Brisley: 01934 426 658 [email protected]

Pensions guidance to Warm Up North Somerset, run by North Somerset Council in help people plan for partnership with Bristol City and councils, aims the future to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the private rented sector. ree and impartial guidance about Landlords who have properties with Fpensions is now available in North a low energy rating are entitled Somerset to help people plan for their to discounts of up to two thirds on future. energy-saving measures, up to a maximum cost of £3,000. Pension Wise, delivered by Citizens Advice Bureau, is a new Government This could include insulation, heating, service to help people make sense of their lighting, water heating or energy options and enable them to make the right generating installations such as solar choices. panels. Changes to pensions regulations mean people approaching retirement Warm Up North Somerset is have greater freedom over how they can use their pension pots, either government-funded but money taking a lump sum, annuity or mixture of both. is limited so applications will be considered on a first-come first-served The 45-minute Pension Wise appointment is available to all over-50s with a basis. defined contribution pension.

Sessions run on Thursdays and Fridays at the Citizens Advice Bureau, For more information call based in the Badger Centre, Wadham Street, Weston-super-Mare. 08000 480 727 or email info@warmupnorthsomerset. Appointments must be booked. Call 01823 448 970 co.uk • www. For more information visit www.pensionwise.gov.uk warmupnorthsomerset.co.uk

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 5 News Children’s centres 18

Go behind the scenes Support for veterans at council offices lifetime of support is available for ex-military Apersonnel in North Somerset thanks to a national charity.

The Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) was formed in 1885 and last year it helped 77 veterans in North Somerset and raised more than £48,000. Help included simple advice from how to claim benefit entitlements to getting funding for stairlifts, rent deposits, debts, bankruptcy costs or central heating systems.

ind out what goes on behind the scenes of the two For more information call SSAFA: Fmain North Somerset Council buildings in North 08458 500 510 (local call) Somerset.

Public tours will take place at the Town Hall Re-sale properties in Weston-super-Mare currently available – call 0117 949 4004 and at Castlewood to arrange a viewing in Clevedon on two afternoons in October as part of National Customer Services Week. At the Town Hall you can see the civic chambers, CCTV room and look around the re-modelled Time to explore your office space. retirement living options? At Castlewood you will find out about the history of the Why not come along to our open day at our site, including the council’s purchase and occupation award-winning Sandford Station retirement village? of the building, and have a look at the open-plan office space. You will be escorted on a guided tour by one of our residents to l view the wide range of facilities we have to offer, including the Monday 5 October - Town Hall Pullman restaurant, pool and gym, indoor and all-weather outdoor l Tuesday 6 October - Castlewood bowls, as well as a variety of leisure activities and social events. If you would like to attend, please reserve a place by For those with care needs, 24-hour care and support is available, as well as specialist nursing and dementia care. calling 01934 426 826 or email

[email protected] Call 0117 949 4004 to book your place or find out more. www.stmonicatrust.org.uk | [email protected] Places are available on a first-come first-served basis. Tours are accessible for disabled people. Delivering well-being Registered Charity 202151

6 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 33 Festival Way bike hike News

Volunteers needed for aviation project ACORNS NURSERY (at Ashbrooke House School) viation enthusiasts Aare needed to help contribute to a project at celebrating years! North Somerset’s popular Helicopter Museum.

The museum, in Locking, Weston-super-Mare, wants to hear from people who worked at Westland, BAJ, RAF Locking, Weston Airfield or the gliding club and have knowledge, stories or photos of aviation in Weston over the years. Volunteers with practical skills such as painting, carpentry, l Thriving family atmosphere DIY or grounds maintenance are also needed to help with the restoration of the 1930s control tower and l Early Years Funding pilots’ block. This work is being funded by the Coastal l Use of main school music and computer rooms Community Fund and will open in late 2016 to showcase l A sound educational foundation aviation history. ASHBROOKE HOUSE Acorns Nursery Any companies willing to donate materials are also invited to get in touch. Tel: 01934 629 515 Contact Alison Page: 07341 836 097 www.ashbrookehouseschool.co.uk [email protected] 9 Ellenborough Park North, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1XH Cut your energy costs Sign up to earn how to cut your energy costs systems and insulation, how to tackle digital Life... Lduring free and impartial drop-in condensation, damp and mould, or advice sessions in Weston-super- how to find a better deal for your ews, features, events and gas or electricity. Mare. Nmore can be delivered Sessions run from 1-4pm, on straight to your inbox with a Bristol-based charity the Centre 17 September, 15 October, 19 new digital digest of North for Sustainable Energy is hosting November and 17 December. Somerset Life magazine. the free sessions at the Town Hall, in Walliscote Road, on the third To avoid waiting on the day, This new bite-size digital edition Thursday of each month during appointments can be booked contains original stories and autumn and winter. in advance by emailing home. complements the printed version. [email protected] or texting It will be sent out in the months Find out about new key or card ENERGYADVICE to 60777 with your that the paper copy is not. meter technologies which can be preferred time. If you cannot get to Visit www.northsomersetlife.co.uk cheaper and more convenient, the Town Hall, call CSE directly for to sign up. information about grants for heating advice: 08000 822 234

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 7 News Beware of scam mail 36

New app records motorbike routes

otorcyclists can now pick up an All eligible journeys which are logged Maward-winning NHS-linked safety onto the app in North Somerset will be app to log their journeys around the entered into a prize draw. country. Prizes promote safety and include Urban Glow jackets and £10 Urban The free RealRider social network app Glow vouchers, courtesy of an Avon for smartphones enables riders to record, and Somerset Police Community upload and share their best local rides Trust Road Safety grant. and stop-off points.

It does not record speed but it does track Find out more at your rides and alerts the NHS if you’ve www.realrider.com or had a crash. speak to officers at The app is being promoted at this year’s Bike Nights. Weston Bike Nights, which take place roadsafety@n- every Thursday evening on the Beach somerset.gov.uk Lawns until 24 September. Time to apply for school places ow is the time to apply for 10 provision, such as North Somerset Nschool places if your child is Engineering and Technology College, due to start or transfer school next should also apply by this date. year. Parents must apply by the closing date or they may not be considered in the first Children born between 1 September round of allocations. Late applicants have 2011 and 31 August 2012 can less chance of being offered their preferred start at a primary or infant/first school. school from September 2016. Parents can name up to three Applications can be sent in from preferences and may apply for Saturday 12 September and the schools both within and outside closing date is Friday 15 January. North Somerset. Parents of children due to transfer to a junior or middle school should Apply online at also apply by this date. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/admissions Paper forms are available from Pupils now in their final year of School Admissions and Transport primary or junior school are due to Team, North Somerset Council, transfer to a secondary school in Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare September next year. BS23 1UJ. The closing date for applications is Saturday 31 October. Parents 01275 884 078 or of children who are transferring 884 014 to an upper school or a new Year [email protected]

8 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 44 Mentoring project News

Remember New community bus to register for Felton, to vote and Dundry WINFORD, FELT ON & DUNDRY egistering to vote is now Ra two-stage process and residents in North Somerset are being reminded to return their forms on time. new community bus has been introduced In August the annual household enquiry form was sent out which Ato serve Bristol Airport from Felton, lists all people who are eligible to vote in each household. Winford and Dundry.

Residents need to inform the council of any changes, or confirm The service, introduced by North Somerset if nothing has changed. This can be done by text, internet, Council, replaces service 21 which had telephone or by post and all contact details are on the form. previously been operated by First in Felton and Reminders will be sent to non-responding properties. The Winford. household enquiry form is not a registration form. The community bus also provides Dundry with People who are not yet registered under the new Individual Electoral a new link to neighbouring villages and the Registration system will also receive an invitation to register. airport. This can be completed online at www.gov.uk/yourvotematters It operates from 7-10.30am and 3-6.30pm, or returned by post. Reminders will be sent to non-responding with a £2 return fare. Diamond Travelcards are electors. accepted after 9am.

Electoral services: 01934 634 909 wwww.travelwest.info/winfordbus 01934 426 715 New rules for food businesses

ood businesses must now tell To help businesses comply with Ftheir customers whether their regulations, North Somerset food contains any of the 14 Council is offering a half-day, level 2 allergen awareness most common allergens. course for food business owners During the last 10 years there for £40 per person. has been an 87 per cent rise Allergies or intolerance to food in food allergy cases in the UK, can affect five to eight per cent 10 deaths and 5,000 annual of children and one to two per hospital admissions due to cent of adults. allergic reactions. Allergen reactions can range from Accurate information about an irritating rash to longer-term allergens should either be symptoms, or even, in extreme written on the menu or, if it’s cases, an Anaphylactic shock. not displayed, a member of staff should be able to tell the To book on the course contact customer. Council Connect: 01275 888 802

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 9 Growth Building strong links between schools and businesses

Schools and colleges will be opening up their doors again this month and many students will already be thinking about what their next steps could be.

hanges to the education system more than 50 stands, work experience, Cthis summer mean that young mock interviews, business breakfasts, people are now required to stay in apprenticeship workshops and a education or training until they reach comprehensive tutor programme for Years 7 to 10. 18. Vocational classes in catering and hair This means that from 16, they can and beauty have been delivered by choose to stay in full-time education, Weston College and a series of teatime undertake work-based learning such networking workshops have been as an apprenticeship or traineeship, held, each concentrating on a specific or do part-time education, training or industry. volunteering for more than 20 hours a week. The business partner initiative means businesses get involved in the school’s The choices can be bewildering but careers-related events and in return businesses and schools in North they can advertise through the school’s Somerset are building effective and website and around the building. long-lasting relationships to help students find their perfect career path. From this month, Portishead Chamber of Commerce and the school will be in Portishead has delivering joint business breakfasts, established a business partner initiative open to all businesses in the Portishead to build meaningful relationships which area. can benefit all organisations. Gordano sixth-former Lewis Cheetham Last year the school received the said: “Gordano has given me many West of England Local Enterprise excellent opportunities to research my Partnership employability charter mark future career path, from arranging in recognition of its work to improve work experience with local companies, pupils’ employability. learning visits to a range of Head teacher Gary Lewis said: professions, and talks from a variety of “The charter mark is a great way to past students now at university. demonstrate our commitment to pupils, “I have had fantastic support on ensuring they really do get a head choosing my future career path and start on the employment ladder. feel I have had all the information “The programme we have developed and experience to make an informed hones the vital skills and knowledge decision about my future.” that are required in today’s Churchill Academy has also recently workplace.” received the employability charter During the last school year Gordano mark. has hosted a careers convention with

10 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Growth Building strong links between schools and businesses

Support for young people facing barriers

areers advice and support is “We champion the employability of Sam said: “My adviser introduced me Cavailable for more vulnerable young people by working with other to Gemma from Team North Somerset, young people who face barriers agencies and getting young people to who pointed out this apprenticeship entering into education, employment believe in their ability to be employed opportunity. and be successful.” and training. “We worked on my CV, she helped me One young person who received help fill in an application form and I was North Somerset Council’s youth was Samantha Beer, now a community interviewed less than a week later.” employment service (YES) launched services apprentice at The Campus, in Sam was offered the position, received last August to provide support for Locking Castle, Weston-super-Mare. young people aged 14 to 19, or 25 in funding for a new uniform and shoes, certain cases. Sam left home at 16 because of her and some support towards her rent poor relationship with her mum, and food until the first pay packet It does this by providing intensive one- moved into supported housing, and arrived. to-one support and has been supported by the council working closely since she was 18. She said: “I love this job, with schools, employers, She said: “After my GCSEs every day brings a new I enrolled on an equine training challenge. I hope when I providers management course but hurt my and colleges back and fell behind. finish my apprenticeship in the area. “I then went through a few I can either carry on full- different jobs, all low-skilled, Jaida Aldred, time here or train to be a from YES, said: minimum wage and mostly temporary.” support worker.” Sam’s luck changed when she was introduced to Team North YES has also recently developed an Somerset, a partnership innovative course for care leavers, of public, private and in collaboration with Team North voluntary agencies Somerset and Weston College, and it working together to will soon be employing local young offer tailored job people for a tracker service, which support. tracks the participation of local 16 to 19-year-old residents.

Youth Employment Service: 01275 884 443 [email protected] www.n-somerset.gov.uk/yes

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 11 Growth Lovely sparkling soft drinks

Handmade, sparkling soft drinks which began life in a garden shed have become a success story for one North Somerset couple.

ward-winning Lovely Drinks began life in 2008 as a hobby for Rick AFreeman and his partner Victoria Earle when they started to make drinks at their home in Barrow Gurney using elderflowers from nearby fields.

This hobby has become a thriving register a website and have a go at family business and now Lovely selling it. Drinks can be found in independent We sold elderflower pressé at events cafés, bars, restaurants, delis, farm and markets and soon had interest shops and pubs across the area. from local cafés. With no start-up Life spoke to Victoria to find out capital we used the proceeds to more… buy bits of equipment and began experimenting with different flavours, What are the origins of using local or English ingredients Lovely Drinks? wherever possible. It started as a hobby. Rick wanted to We carried on picking the do something with all the elderflowers elderflowers ourselves and sourced in our garden so he began making apple juice, raspberries and cordials. People kept saying how blackcurrants within Somerset. ‘lovely’ it was so we decided to

12 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Growth

Did you know?

l All Lovely Drinks are made from handpicked Lovely sparkling soft drinks elderflowers, lemons, fresh ginger, pressed West How did you get How does Lovely Drinks Country apples, raspberries and blackcurrants and other established? contribute to the local English fruits and flowers. We began to get enquiries from economy? l The drinks are free businesses and we had some lucky We have just taken on a third from preservatives, breaks early on. The Pony and Trap employee, Rick’s production artificial flavourings and in began stocking our assistant. We use local suppliers concentrates. drinks, as well as Culinaria, another for as much as we can, our main well-respected restaurant in Bristol. It customers are other small local l Their mission is to produce just grew from there. businesses. We also now take the drinks using the highest Bristol pound. quality ingredients they Was it daunting setting can find, sourced locally up in the middle of a What are the benefits or within the South West recession? of being based in North wherever possible. Not really as we didn’t intend for it to Somerset? become a business. We had no start- We like being so close to Bristol, up capital either so we had nothing to which has such a vibrant food and lose. drink scene, and love being in Barrow Gurney as it’s so peaceful. When did you move to Easy access to the M5 enables us to bigger premises? reach customers in the Cotswolds, We moved from the garden shed into and . a unit in February 2012 and took There is a lot of support for food and on another unit on the same site in drink producers here and that looks February this year. set to increase, which is great news for us. How large is your range now? What have been your We have 12 flavours and make about biggest achievements to 7,500 to 10,000 bottles a week. All date? What bottling is currently done by Rick but We’ve won 11 Great Taste Awards. are your we have just taken on an assistant. Last year we were awarded a West plans for the future? A lot of our business is still in of England Regional Growth Fund We want to carry on growing Bristol and Somerset but we now grant. We were also delighted to gradually, investing in equipment supply Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, win a Bristol Good Food Award and improving our drinks and our Cotswolds, London, the Midlands and in June for best non-alcoholic processes. We are also developing Manchester. We also export to the EU beverage. and Middle East. some new flavours.

Lovely Drinks: 01275 463 229 • [email protected] • www.lovelydrinks.co.uk  facebook.com/lovelydrinks • @lovelydrinks

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 13 Is congestion clogging up your business?

Employers in North Somerset who would like to help their Schools gear up for workforce take more active and sustainable commutes can travel challenge now apply for funding.

orth Somerset Council has a limited Schools across North Somerset amount of funding available to help N will be encouraging their businesses and organisations encourage students to travel sustainably their employees to use alternatives to during a two-week challenge driving alone, such as walking, cycling, this October to win great prizes. using public transport or car sharing. Students can walk, cycle, use Grants need to be match-funded but they are public transport or car share available to all business in the area to help during the challenge, which runs fund any size project. from Monday 5 to Friday 16 October. Last year serviced office provider Pure Offices, based in Portishead and Weston-super-Mare, received Participants can record their funding to pay for pool bikes, cycle parking and lockers. journeys to and from school online or by downloading a free Kim Batchelor, centre manager at the Portishead site, said: “It’s been app. great. We were keen to encourage people to cycle because the car park was always full. People don’t want to cycle, though, if they don’t have Schools will be in competition anywhere safe to leave expensive bikes so this money has helped provide with each other to win prizes lockable storage. The pool bikes are also proving really popular because such as iPod nanos, Kindles they are free to use.” and cinema vouchers, as well as Amazon and Love2shop The funding has become available thanks to the council’s successful bids vouchers. through the Joint Local Transport Plan and the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. Last year hundreds of pupils at Community School Grants can be used for cycling measures such as cycle parking, showers, and storage lockers and pool bikes for business journeys. covered a massive 13,000 Other successful grants have included private car share groups, improved miles between them during the on-site walking and cycling links, and promoting public transport. challenge.

Contact [email protected] for more details www.travelwest.info/ and an application form or call 01934 426 629. Closing date for theschoolschallenge applications is Friday 16 October.

14 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Living, learning, lifestyle

Police station set to Winter Gardens become urban apartments plans submitted Plans have been submitted by Weston College to develop part of the Winter Gardens into a law and professional services academy.

The application, submitted to North Somerset Council this summer, was for a change of use from assembly and leisure to a mixed use including a non- residential institution.

The plans outline external alterations and a two-storey an important part of the wider plans ontemporary urban apartments extension to the east of the to improve Weston town centre. Care set to replace Weston- building, facing the Town Square. super-Mare’s police station as part “By buying and developing these Amendments to the ground and of ambitious plans to regenerate the sites, the council will be able to first floor also include roof lights, town and make it a great place to ensure the right quality and mix ventilation, plant and solar live, learn and work. of housing is available to meet panels at roof level. the demand and aspirations of North Somerset Council has a bold the population as it develops and Consultation ran until mid- vision to attract more people to live diversifies, as well as stimulating August and the application is in the town centre and improving the further investment.” expected to be discussed at quality of housing is vital to making The council has also been talking to a planning committee in the this happen. local businesses for their views on what autumn. In June, the council agreed to buy would help to bring new vitality and Key: B Existing east elevation Weston police station, in Walliscote spending power into the town centre. Road, and the adjoining grade B This could include making the II-listed magistrates’ court to create planning process simpler and contemporary urban apartments right Key: B by developing Weston’s creative in the town centre. Existing East Elevation industry. A B The police station, a purpose-built six-

0 1 5 10 Creative industry experts from SCALE IN METRES storey building, will be vacated soon Rev By Date Amendment PLANNING organisations such as the Watershed Client and the two-storey magistrates’ court Weston College Project Proposed east elevation Law & Professional Services Academy

in Bristol, the Custard Factory in Document Title Existing East Elevation has been closed since 2011. A East Elevations

Scale Date Author PREFINISHED RENDER PREFINISHED RENDER STONE CLADDING DARK GREY METAL CURTAIN WALLING WHITE STONE CLADDING DW CLADDING 1:100 (A1) 25.02.2015 Reviewer Birmingham and Weston College BD Proposed East Elevation B View Architects LTD 2015

0 1 5 10 Earlier this year the Government Creative Arts Department are SCALE IN METRES architects

Rev By Date Amendment t: 01454 418 966 e: [email protected] 19aPLANNING St Mary Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AB Client announced that Weston town centre View Architects LTD Registered in England and Wales | Registration number: 6888605 WestonRegistered College office: Church View, Church Lane, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 8AL working with the council to develop a Document Reference Revision

Project1465-E552 . Law & Professional Services Academy had been chosen as one of just Document Title creative ‘hub’. East Elevations

Scale Date Author PREFINISHED RENDER PREFINISHED RENDER STONE CLADDING DARK GREY METAL CURTAIN WALLING WHITE STONE CLADDING DW CLADDING 1:100 (A1) 25.02.2015 Reviewer 20 locations outside London to be Proposed East Elevation BD This could include managed B View Architects LTD 2015 a Housing Zone, meaning it is a architects

t: 01454 418 966 e: [email protected] workspace and studio space to help 19a St Mary Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AB View Architects LTD Registered in England and Wales | Registration number: 6888605 Registered office: Church View, Church Lane, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 8AL priority area for funding. Document Reference Revision new creative businesses to grow, 1465-E552 . Regeneration manager Rachel Lewis, which would inject new life in the www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ said: “Creating quality urban living is town and foster an exciting urban westonvision culture.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 15 Investment in roads All roads lead…to the lab

A high-tech highways material lab in North Somerset is playing a key role in making sure road surfaces are safe.

he laboratory, in Flax Bourton, MMtesting Ttests the materials used on the existing highways to ensure they are safe, of surfaces a high enough quality and provide to help value for money. engineers choose an appropriate It is playing an important role in treatment and decide North Somerset Council’s promise to how to dispose of a removed invest £40m in the 1,100km road surface. The thickness and type of MMtesting surface dressings to check network over the next five years. new surfacing depends on what the quality of the laying and chippings. The lab specialises in testing Asphalt is there already and how deep and stone, as well as arranging the failure is. The lab also provides these services testing of soil, concrete and paint. MMsampling new material to to neighbouring authorities including South Gloucestershire, Bath and The three main types of test carried make sure it meets the required North East Somerset and Bristol City out are… standards and specifications. councils, as well as conducting some testing for developers.

16 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Safety InvestmentTravel in roadsbetter

By using scientific knowledge and expertise, the team at the laboratory help to make sure that materials used on North Somerset roads are durable and safe.

By testing the materials, the lab team can Highlighting highways find out why a surface has failed and engineers can then use this information North Somerset Council is one of in planning future highways schemes and only a few local authorities in the deciding which materials to use. country which has its own materials laboratory. The team also monitors trends in the quality of highways material and is This means residents get extra value gathering information about North for money because the research is Somerset’s highways network by looking carried out ‘in house’ by engineers at how surfaces have previously been who are familiar with the area’s made, their thickness and material types. roads, so it costs less than it would for an outside organisation to do the This data is then taken into account same work. when making decisions about future investment, to make sure that they Testing carried out at the laboratory provide even greater value for money. plays a crucial role in helping As well as testing existing surfaces, engineers understand why and how the work carried out in the laboratory road surfaces can fail. contributes to the development and It might be that a surface is simply design of new materials, helping to worn out or there could be an select resilient, long-lasting surfaces that underlying problem which has provide value for money. caused or added to the failure. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/roads

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 17 Children’s centres at the heart of the community

Family life can sometimes be a struggle and you may need a listening ear to guide you through the tough times.

hether you are trying to Once the baby arrives, midwife “Anyone can have post-natal Westablish breastfeeding, and health visitor sessions provide depression, or endless broken worried about your toddler’s an opportunity to talk about any nights with a child who won’t sleep. sleeping habits or looking for fun concerns. Sometimes children have delayed speech development or are reluctant activities for pre-schoolers, North Jenie Eastman, community family to walk. Somerset’s chain of children’s team leader, said: “It is always best centres can help. to intervene early to stop things “Early identification of an additional escalating. need can be critical in getting the Centres are located throughout right support.” the area and offer weekly activity There is a dedicated speech and groups, clinics and events to help language therapy team and most families with day-to-day life. staff are trained in mental health Alongside this, the buildings first aid. are also used by groups for all Every centre runs stay and ages, such as slimming play sessions with messy play clubs, so they offer or outdoor activities and something for during the school holidays the whole there are activities for under- community. fives in various locations. The support Parenting programmes are begins even also offered, such as how to before a establish a bedtime regime or baby is setting acceptable behaviour born, with boundaries. ante-natal classes held for Family support workers can also parents-to-be. work with people on a one-to-one basis in their own home.

1618 • North Somerset Life • May/JuneSept/Oct 2015 2015 Where is your local Could you volunteer? children’s centre?

Volunteers play a vital role in Ashcombe: Stepping Stone Walk, helping to deliver the wide range Weston-super-Mare, 01934 426 380 of services offered at North , and Sandford: Somerset’s children’s centres. West Street, Banwell, 01934 426 774

Whether supporting baby groups, Castle Batch: Bishop Avenue, Worle, 01934 427 242 fundraising, helping at health visitor clinics, putting up displays Clevedon: The Barn, Great Western Road, Clevedon, 01934 426 440 or organising open days, there is plenty to do to help events run Crockerne: Crockerne Primary School, Westward Drive, Pill, 01275 884 002 smoothly. Locking Castle and Locking: Mother-of-one Sarah Pinnell The Campus, Highlands Lane, Locking Castle, began volunteering at Nailsea 01934 426 679 and children’s centre last Long Ashton: Hollis Close, Long Ashton, year. 01275 888 555 Milton and Old Worle: Mendip Avenue, She said: “I’d been using the Locking Castle, 01934 426 618 children’s centre since my daughter Sarah Pinnell, left, receives Nailsea and Backwell: Pound Lane, Nailsea, was born and when she went to her volunteer certificate from 01934 426 710 pre-school I wanted to work but Natalie Hawtin, children’s Oldmixon: Monkton Avenue, Weston-super-Mare, was struggling to find something centre leader for both Nailsea 01934 426 881 that would fit in around childcare. and Backwell, and Long Ashton. Portishead: St. Barnabas Centre, West Hill, “I was doing a course at the Portishead, 01275 884 001 children’s centre at the time and Claire said: “Our South Weston: For All Healthy Living Centre, Lonsdale someone asked me if I’d thought volunteers come Avenue, Weston-super-Mare, 01934 427 550 about volunteering, so it just went from various from there.” backgrounds but Weston Central: Meadow Street, Weston-super-Mare, 01934 426 794 all have a shared Sarah has volunteered twice a vision - to support Moor: Yatton Infant School, High Street, Yatton, week since January, helping out families with young 01934 426 633 with messy play sessions and baby children.” Yeo Valley: St Andrews Primary School, Station Road, clinics. She is now hoping to start , 01934 426 643 an early years qualification. Anyone interested Community groups are welcome to use the facilities. in volunteering Sarah, who previously worked in Contact your local children’s centre for more information. can contact a pub, said: “I didn’t have any www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fis Claire Payne: experience of children before my 01275 885 328 daughter was born but this has claire.payne@ started a whole new career for n-somerset.gov.uk me. I love it.

“I would encourage everybody to use children’s centres, they are for the whole family – mums, dads and siblings.

“There are lots activities and also lots of support when you need it.”

Volunteers are recruited by VANS volunteer co-ordinator Claire Payne, who works closely with staff to identify opportunities.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 19 BuildingReach a safer for and stronger the communityskies Low-level anti-social behaviour and environmental issues will be targeted in September during a week of action to highlight the work being done to improve Get involved...Follow the week of action through social media and get live updates from community safety. the team on Twitter @NorthSomersetCR

orth Somerset Council has from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 What are the new powers? joined forces with Avon and September. N Both council and police officers can Somerset Police for a two-year A roadshow will tour North Somerset now share and access information community response programme to to give the public the chance to between each other to enhance create a safer and stronger meet officers and talk about community safety. North Somerset. any concerns they have, Community response officers have the whether school power to issue fixed penalty notices The area is now parking issues, for disorder, cycling on a footpath, part of the noise nuisance, fly dog fouling, graffiti, fly-posting, Community tipping or more. Safety littering and dog control offences. Community Accreditation Officers also have the power to response officer Scheme, which require someone to give their name Chris Joannou is means council and address because of anti-social responsible for officers have been behaviour, to surrender alcohol if the north of the granted a limited they are drinking in a designated district. but targeted range of place, to surrender alcohol if they police powers. He said: “We have are under 18, to remove abandoned undertaken patrols in a To showcase the work vehicles, stop vehicles for testing, or variety of areas where local parish involved, officers from community stop cycles. councils and residents have raised response, environmental protection, PCSOs will also be given equivalent issues. Patrolling these regularly and licensing and trading standards enforcement powers to help resolve working with partner organisations teams are joining local police street scene, environmental and has seen visible improvements and community support officers (PCSOs) anti-social behaviour issues that are a reduction in a variety of anti-social for the week of action, which runs currently dealt with by the council. behaviour.”

Residents can now report incidents of anti-social behaviour on the council’s website by visiting www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect • Council Connect: 01934 888 802

20 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Take time out

Inside Take time out Walk 24-25 Tickle your tastebuds... Local events 26-27

ood and drink takes centre stage in September with a Find out about the Weston Super Food Festival here and Fsuper festival in Weston and a local produce showcase see the special four-page pull-out in the centre pages for throughout the rest of North Somerset. the Made in North Somerset festival listings…

What else is on? Sun 4 October Weston Triathlon, Marine Lake, Weston-super-Mare This seafront sprint triathlon Feast on local food consists of a 400-metre open tasty celebration of real food will be returning to Weston-super-Mare water swim, a 20km bike ride Athis month. and a 5km beach run. Suitable for beginners. Individual entry Weston Super Food Festival returns for its third year on Saturday 26 and £39. Sunday 27 September with a focus on local and regional produce from award-winning and artisan producers. www.freakevents.co.uk There will be indoor and outdoor markets, gourmet street food stalls, real ale Friday 9 – Sunday 11 October and cider bars, and live music. RHL Beach Race, Weston Beach This year’s event will also support Marks and Spencer’s Forever Fish campaign with the Marine Conservation Society so visitors can pick up a free copy of the Mountains of sand are formed MCS sustainable fish guide and get tips on which fish to buy and cook. into a challenging motorcycle The demonstration kitchen will focus on fish dishes too. track. www.rhlactivities.com • 01873 The free event runs from 10am to 5.30pm each day in the Winter Gardens 840 640 and Town Square. www.westonsuperfoodfestival.co.uk

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 21 Take time out Walk

Exploring the tidal trail around Uphill

Take a tour through saltmarshes and open grasslands just south of Uphill to see some award-wining nature reserves.

he walk starts in Uphill boat yard, a Go through the Ttranquil spot alongside Uphill quarry. wooden gate Wharf Side Tea Room is now open if you and follow the need some refreshments before you head off. path up the hill. Look behind you Continue past the preserved lime kiln, for wide-ranging which was built between 1780 and 1850 views of Brean to provide lime, through the kissing gate Down, Uphill, and across into Uphill Nature Reserve. The reserve has the Severn estuary. recently been awarded another Green Flag. Go through the next gate and you will enter How to get there Uphill Quarry was used from the 1800s Walborough Nature Reserve. This area Start at map ref: to 1940s and in 1826 three caves is named after Walborough Down, which ST 314585 were discovered that had been used by has a Bronze Age burial mound on top. It Neanderthal people during the Ice Car: was cleared of trees 5,000 years ago Age. Tools and bones were Park at Uphill Boat and has been an open-grazed discovered, including those Yard, on the corner of landscape ever since. Links Road and Uphill from a woolly mammoth Way and cave lion. Bus: Follow the path through Crosville Service 105 the reserve, past the from Weston 19th century explosives Public toilets: store, which was used Links Road for blasting the quarry stone. Dogs need to be kept under close control as cattle graze in the fields.

22 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Walk Summer

Continue on the path, with Brent Knoll in the distance in You are now heading back towards Uphill. Follow this front of you. Go through the wooden gate and continue path until you exit back into Walborough Nature Reserve. through the metal kissing gate along the track, following Keep to the left, walking alongside the trees, then national cycle route 33. continue on the small, worn path on your left which Follow this track right to the end and you will come to a continues downhill and over a stile and wooden bridge. t-junction. Turn right here. You are now entering Follow this path back to the Levels Nature Reserve and there is a car park on your boatyard and your starting right. point. The wildlife habitats were created by Wessex Water when it built the new sewage treatments works in the 1990s. This includes 11.5 hectares of saltmarsh and tidal creek habitat and more than seven hectares of rough grassland, reedbed and open fresh water lagoons. The saltmarsh has a number of nationally scarce plants, including sea barley, slender hare’s ear and sea clover. Enter the car park and you will see a new disabled-access bird hide to view the lagoons. From the car park, walk along alongside the fence. From here you can make a detour to see another bird hide but after that, go through the kissing gate and up some steps to the sea wall path, a permissive path.

Route information Distance: about 2.5 miles Volunteers needed to assess public rights of way Difficulty: easy - a mostly flat Volunteer walkers are needed to take route but with some part in a new project from the Ramblers steps, one stile, and Association to survey all rights of way. narrow paths The Big Pathwatch aims to get walkers to Start/finish Duration: survey all public footpaths to say what about an hour state they are in. Map: Visit the website, download the free app, OS Explorer 153 choose your grid square, walk every path in the grid square and then use the Previous walks app to tell the Ramblers what you find. from around North If you don’t have a smartphone you can Somerset which have featured print off a survey card, complete it and in Life can be upload the results on their website. downloaded from The survey closes on 31 December. © Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey www.n-somerset. 100023397. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute www.ramblers.org.uk/BigPathwatch or sell this data to third parties in any form. gov.uk/lifewalks

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 27 Made in North Somerset Festival

Food, drink, arts and crafts will be celebrated this month during a popular three-week festival to showcase the best of North Somerset’s local producers and makers. Made in North Somerset, co-ordinated by North Somerset Council, is the perfect place to meet the people who create the area’s award-winning products.

Visitors will have chance to see behind the scenes and find out what goes into making, growing and producing some of these products, with one-off events such as workshops, brewery tours, open days and tastings. Disclaimer: North Somerset Council is co-ordinating the ‘Made in north Somerset’ festival but is not The festival finale is the Made in North Somerset Showcase at the National responsible for any acts or omissions by any individual businesses involved in this event. North Trust Tyntesfield estate on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October. Somerset Council does not accept any liability for any accident, injury or illness arising from visits to Over the weekend 50 producers will be selling their wares each day, along individual business premises so please take care with live music, children’s activities, storytelling, demonstrations and more. on all visits. Any questions regarding accessibility should be made to the business concerned.

For more information please visit Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this www.innorthsomerset.co.uk/madein programme and all the information is published in good faith. Inclusion in this programme does not imply a recommendation. All information is correct MadeInNSomerset at the time of printing but please check the website www.innorthsomerset.co.uk/madein leading up to /TimeOutInNorthSomerset the event for any last minute changes.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 23 'Meet the maker' Calendar of events

Every weekday 172nd North Somerset Ploughing Tuesday 15 September Bird in the Hand Yeo Valley and Hedging Match and 28th Felt by Fi 17 Weston Road, Long Ashton BS41 9LA Yeo Valley HQ Canteen, BS40 7YE Craft and Produce Show 16 Jubilee Drive, Failand BS8 3XD 01275 395 222 01761 461 425 • [email protected] Cribbs Farm, Lye Hole BS40 5TB 07887 944 752 • [email protected] [email protected] www.yeovalleyvenues.co.uk 08456 342 464 • www.nsas.org.uk FB: feltbyfi www.bird-in-hand.co.uk Renowned for our range of organic @NorthSomsShow I make handmade felt work, We are a food-led village pub that yogurts and ice cream, in March this including pictures, brooches, focuses on local and seasonal produce, North Somerset Agricultural Society year we opened our award-winning trinket pouches and jewellery serving food seven days a week. On is a charity aimed at furthering staff canteen to the general public. using a combination of wet felting, the bar you’ll find local ales, over 50 knowledge about agriculture Overlooking Blagdon lake and the watercolour painting, machine and gins and carefully selected wines. by communicating issues and farm, we now welcome visitors for hand embroidery. showcasing events. Feasting menu: The ‘Feasting evening’ lunch every day. Make a handmade merino will bring together people with a The 172nd Ploughing Match includes Workshops: At Yeo Valley we don’t just like food, wool felt picture. All you need is wool, love of food. People will be seated on ploughing, hedging, roots, hay, silage, we love food! This is why we’ve water and bubble wrap (all supplied!) sharing tables and the food will go straw, grain and field crop classes. Craft decided to open the doors at our Combine with a little imagination and down the centre of the table for people and Produce show includes fruit and award-winning staff canteen to the some friction and you’ll create a unique to share and help themselves. veg, photography, painting, baking, public every day! piece of woolly art. Times: 7pm onwards. Cost: £35 per head. and more. For details and entry forms Pre booking essential. Times: 12.30 – 2pm visit website. Deadline 5 Sep. Times: 2 – 3pm, 3.30 – 4.30pm Cost: £10 Pre booking essential: by 13 Sep (max Cost: As per menu Times: 10am – 4pm. Cost: Free entry four people). Pre Booking essential: Call Jill N.B. To demonstrate a craft please Saturday 19 September contact Tim Ledbury. Saturday 12 September Wednesday 16 September Nailsea Farmers’ Market Thatchers Cider Crown Glass Shopping Centre, Nailsea BS48 1RB Claire Hall Glass Claire Hall Glass Thatchers Cider, Myrtle Farm, Sandford www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk/markets.php See entry under 12 Sept for more details 65a West Town Road, Backwell BS48 3HG BS25 5RA Nailsea Farmers’ Market is a large 07796 794 168 www.thatcherscider.co.uk Tile workshop: Fused glass taster local produce market with craft and www.clairehallglass.co.uk sessions with artist Claire Hall to create community stalls. It runs every third Thatchers Cider has been making a decorated wall tile or coaster. Saturday. Award-winning glass artist Claire Hall cider at Myrtle Farm since 1904. Workshops for complete beginners or This special ‘festival’ market will have creates sculptural vessels, wall art and For four generations we have been for those with some experience. 50 stalls of fresh local produce and jewellery, inspired by nature. Running perfecting our orchards, our craft and Times: 10 – 11.30am and 2 – 3.30pm. bespoke hand-crafted goods. Talk to an extensive programme of glass our cider. Cost: £25 (all materials and courses from her studio in Backwell, producers, try their tasters and discuss Open day: Guided tours of the refreshments included). Claire also exhibits nationally. their craft. Activities include; cooking cider mill and the new Jubilee Pre booking essential: demos, musicians, dancers and more. Jewellery workshop: Fused glass taster building; tractor tours of the orchards; (max four people). Times: 9am – 1.30pm sessions to create mosaic jewellery cider tastings; apple pressing, Cost: Free entry. in fabulous Dichroic glass. Suitable entertainment and more. Friday 18 September for beginners and those with some Times: 11am – 3pm. Cost: Free entry experience. ‘19’ Barley Wood Walled Garden See entry under 12 Sept for more details Times: 10 – 11.30am and 2 – 3.30pm. Sunday 13 September Cost: £25 (all materials and Studios Studio takeover by Lollipop Lampshade for refreshments included). Barley Wood Walled Garden, Long Lane, 19. Sarah will set up a demonstration table Aldwick Court Farm and Vineyard and pop-up shop with her Annie Sloan Pre-booking essential: BS40 5SA (max four people) Aldwick Court Farm, Redhill, Bristol Lampshades. Places on her Annie Sloan www.walledgarden.co.uk BS40 5RF rolled drum lampshade workshops will be available for booking. Lye Cross Farm 01934 864 404 Five studios set in a beautiful restored Lye Cross Farm, Redhill BS40 5RH working kitchen gardens, with award- Times: 10am – 2pm. Cost: Free event. [email protected] winning restaurant The Ethicurean on www.lyecrossfarm.co.uk www.aldwickvineyard.co.uk/wines site. Studios open all year, displaying Sunday 20 September Three generations of the Alvis family Family-farmed for five generations, work for sale and offering a variety of have been making the highest quality Aldwick Court Farm has a long courses. See website for details. Felt by Fi Cheddar cheese using traditional experience of farm diversification, Workshop: Make a beautiful glass See entry under 15 Sept for details. methods and skills such as age-old opening its first vineyard in 2008. Our coaster or suncatcher with resident ‘Cheddaring’. This process of turning white, rosé and sparkling wines can artist Becky Wills from Yellow Dog and stacking the curd by hand is still be purchased direct from Aldwick Glass. Items made need to be Tuesday 22 September used alongside new technology. Court Farm Vineyard or buy online. collected at a later date. Open day: Come and see what happens Vineyard tours. Gain an insight into Times: 11am – 1pm, 2 – 4pm. Felt by Fi here at our open day. We’ve got our very the workings of an English family-run Cost: £5 per item See entry under 15 Sept for details. popular cheese-making tours and local vineyard dedicated to producing Pre booking essential: produce to sample, including our very award-winning wine. Enjoy the [email protected] Thursday 24 September own Lye Cross Farm Cheddar. tranquil surroundings, learn the 07970 265 433 Times: 10am – 2pm. Cost: Free entry. history behind the largest vineyard in Demonstration: Pastel painting Growing Together community Somerset, and sample Aldwick Wines. demonstration and Q&A with resident allotment ‘19’ Times: Tours at 11am, 1 and 3pm artist Jennifer Davidson. Entrance at St John’s car park, off Coleridge 19 Alexandra Road, Clevedon BS21 7QH (approx.1.5 hours). Cost: £6pp, Times: 11am – noon. Pre booking essential www.19alexandraroad.co.uk Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 3UP 07813 526 342 19 is an Artisan Interiors Emporium RCH Brewery and workshop venue, running artisan West Hewish, Weston-super-Mare The aim of the allotment is to grow and contemporary craft workshops. BS24 6RR fresh, seasonal products. Studio take over: Charlie Deighton 01934 834 447 Workshop: Kokedama (Japanese will set up a pop-up shop of her hanging basket) making workshop. You’ll Brewers of award-winning real ales in gorgeous hand-crafted textile gifts. make your own kokedama, a traditional cask and bottles. This is a great opportunity to meet Japanese art form which uses moss as this local maker, showcasing her Tour and tasting: Come and see a container for a plant, and meet the up-coming workshops, samples and how traditional ales are brewed, look vibrant community of growers who make demonstrating techniques. round our brewhouse and taste some up the Growing Together team. Times: 10am – 2pm. Cost: Free. of our products. Times: 1 – 4pm. Cost: £3 per person. Times: 2 – 4 pm. Pre booking essential: Pre booking essential: Call Mary Call Paul Davey. Conning (max 15 people). 24 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 PORTISHEAD

Sheepway Easton-in- Redcliff Bay West Hill Pill

North Gordano Weston Portbury Leigh Walton Bay Clapton in Woods Gordano Weston in Gordano Abbots Leigh

Wa lton in The Blue Room Gordano Ashton Park Stone-Edge Failand Tickenham Batch The Sion, Crown Glass Place, Nailsea Wraxall CLEVEDON Long Ashton NAILSEA Cambridge BS48 2QH Batch

Flax Kenn Farleigh Nailsea & Bourton Backwell BRISTOL www.theblue-room.co.uk Backwell

Kingston The Blue Room is a social enterprise arts Seymour Dundry Yatton Brockley

Claverham and crafts gallery where local artists Sand Point Brockley Cleeve Felton Ya tton Combe Bristol Airport Goblin can showcase and sell their work Combe Winford

Sand Bay Friday 25 September Hewish King’s North Wood Workshop: Needle Felting – Make a WESTON-SUPER-MARE Worle Congresbury Redhill St. Georges Sheep with Sarah Quick, suitable for Worle Wr ington Worlebury Barley Wood Walled Garden Wo rle Milton Weston beginners. Full details online. Milton Lake West Lower Wick Langford studios Weston-super-Mare Times: 10.30am – noon. Cost: £29, Blagdon Lake Churchill B lagd Burrington on Sandford L Bournville Locking ak See entry under 18 Sept for more details Booking essential. Coronation e Estate BATH & Hutton Banwell Blagdon Uphill Elborough General Oldmixon NORTH EAST Demonstrations: Winscombe Hospital

Christon Sidcot SOMERSET Bleadon SOMERSET Resident artist Karen Edwards will be Sunday 27 September Pur n running her working with clay slab Loxton demonstrations. Jacklands Fishing Lakes

Cheddar Times: 11am – noon, 12.30 – 1.30pm. Jacklands Fishing Lakes, Jacklands Bridge, Pre booking essential: Tickenham BS21 6SG [email protected] 01275 810 697 Felt by Fi See entry under 15 Sept for details. Resident artist Bill Moore will be Trout and coarse fishery and farm demonstrating making a hand thrown shop selling our own hot smoked trout, teapot. cured trout, smoked trout pate and Tuesday 29 September Times: 2 – 4pm. tarts; homemade cakes, preserves, free range eggs, honey and apple The Blue Room RCH Brewery juice. Cream teas also available. See entry under 26 Sept for more details See entry under 18 Sept for more details Open Day: Visit the fishing lakes, meet ‘Meet the maker’ focus on Jewellery: the animals, feed the fish, children’s silver clay, fused glass, and Saturday 26 September pond dipping and ‘Have a go’ catch enamelling. Demonstrations and a trout sessions. Sample smoked trout information from our teachers and Sunday 4 October Butcombe Brewery products, enjoy a cream tea and learn exhibitors. Find out more about how about the fishery. Butcombe Brewery, Cox’s Green, Wrington they create their unique pieces and The Blue Room Times: 10am – 4pm. Cost: Have a the workshops offered. Refreshments See entry under 26 Sept for more details BS40 5PA go sessions £15 p/p (All equipment available. Full details online. 01934 863 963 • www.butcombe.com • provided), Pre booking essential: Times: 11am – 3pm. Cost: Free. Workshop: Furniture painting with @ButcombeBrewery • FB: Butcombe For ‘Have a go’ only. Vanessa Webb, suitable for beginners. Full details online Butcombe Brewery make a delicious Thursday 1 October Times: 10am – 4pm. Cost: £65 range of cask, keg and bottled beers. Stephanie Eastwood Floral Design Pre booking essential: via website The Brewery also owns and sells The Blue Room Ashton Press Cider. Jacklands Fishing lakes, Jacklands Bridge, See entry under 26 Sept for more details The Chocolate Tart Open day: Find out more about Tickenham BS21 6SG ‘Meet the Maker’ focus on Textiles: See entry under 26 Sept for more details brewing and see behind the scenes Embroidery, patchwork, home 07841 043 585 Champagne truffle and with tours throughout the day. Sample furnishings, dressmaking, and Workshop: www.stephanieeastwood.co.uk caramel nut chocolate class our beer and cider while you enjoy lampshade making. Demonstrations entertainment from Mendip Morris Men Stephanie creates bespoke floral and information from our teachers Times: 11 – 11.45am. Cost: £15 and delicious organic burgers to buy designs from her home studio using and exhibitors. Find out more about Pre booking essential: Leave a from the Story Group. locally-grown flowers and foliages. how they create their unique pieces message or email and we’ll call you Times: 11 – 3pm. Cost: Free entry. Flowers for weddings, events, special and workshops. Refreshments back to process your booking. occasions and floral workshops. available. Full details online. Outdoor floral installations (weather ‘19’ Times: 11am – 3pm. Cost: Free. Yeo Valley permitting) and walk around the lakes. See entry under 12 Sept for more details Yeo Valley Canteen – Yeo Valley HQ, Blagdon Workshop: Create and wrap a Studio takeover by Stephanie Saturday 3 October beautiful hand-tied seasonal bouquet BS40 7YE and Yeo Valley Organic Garden and Eastwood Flowers. Make button-hole to take home. Café – Blagdon BS40 7SQ arrangements to takeaway. The Blue Room Times: Between 10am – 4pm. www.yeovalleyvenues.co.uk Times: 10am – 2pm. Cost: Free event. See entry under 26 Sept for more details Cost: £20 (Tuition and flowers Producers of fine yogurt and ice The Chocolate Tart provided) Pre booking essential. Workshop: Weave all day with cream from within the Yeo Valley – Caroline Walker, suitable for outstanding in our field (like every The Old Malthouse, Kent Road, Congresbury Clevedon Craft Centre beginners. Full details online. good cow). Visit our two wonderful BS49 5BD Clevedon Craft Centre, Moor Lane, Clevedon Times: 10am – 4pm. Cost: £60 venues, both in the village of Blagdon. Pre booking essential: via website 01934 876 881 BS21 6TD Yeo Valley Yeopen Day: Two venues, [email protected] clevedoncraftcentre.co.uk twice as much fun! A rare chance to visit The Wine Shop Yeo Valley venues on a weekend. Full www.thechocolatetart.co.uk FB: clevedoncraftcentre 21 Woodborough Road, Winscombe BS25 1AB of food, fun, and mucky veg! Demos, The Chocolate Tart is a unique A local hub of arts and crafts. We make, tasting, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. cookery school teaching the general www.thewinetastingco.com create and sell from our individual Times: 11am - 5pm Cost: £1 entry on public how to make professional Independent wine merchant offering workshops. Set in a lovely rural location gate covers both venues handmade chocolates. with a traditional tearoom. a wide selection of wines and spirits from all over the world. We support Chocolate Workshop: Come and Open day: Come and join in the make a beautiful chocolate shoe. locally produced wines, ciders, beers, activities at our ‘Art and Craft Fun Day juice, cheese and chutney. Times: 10am – 12.30pm. Cost: £25 Sunday’. Try various crafts and meet (Discounted Made in N Somerset rate) the makers at work. Meet the producers: Come and meet Somerset wine producers. Discover the Pre booking essential: Leave a message Times: 11am – 4pm. Cost: Free but award-winning wines. Find out which or email and we’ll call you back. small charge to cover materials if used. grapes grow best in this climate and what it takes to be an English winemaker. Times: 10am – 4pm Cost: Free, just pop in

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 25 'Made in North Somerset Showcase 2015

Tyntesfield, Stallholders Sat Sun Sat Sun 3 and 4 October, 10am – 4pm ✔ ✔ Abigail Mill Embroidered textiles John Smythe – Bee and honey ✔ ✔ Beekeeper products Enjoy fantastic finale weekend with events Artisan chocolates A Lot A Choc using ethically ✔ ✔ Woodturning and and activities for all ages. Bring your picnic sourced cacao Kate Sawtell woodcraft gifts and ✔ - rug and stock up on goodies at the market Aldwick Court Farm Selection of white, rosé home accessories or relax in the National Trust’s Cow Barn - ✔ Original artwork and Vineyard and sparkling wines Lucy Routh Art ✔ ✔ restaurant. Additional charges and garden prints entrance fees apply where indicated. Amy R Lee Contemporary silver ✔ ✔ Meringues and Jewellery Design and gold jewellery Mayringues ✔ ✔ Stories and Rhymes – have fun with stories marshmallows ✔ ✔ Handmade cards and and rhymes from North Somerset Library Banwell Pottery Ceramic tiles and gifts Missycards ✔ ✔ framed gifts Service for children up to the age of six Organic wheat bags Barbara Langdon - ✔ Bespoke stained glass accompanied by a parent or carer. and cushions Moda Glass ✔ ✔ work In the Foyer area – Sat only 10.30am and Barefoot Wood fired oven Fused glass jewellery, 11.30am. Stonebaked Pizza ✔ ✔ Mydsomer Studio ✔ ✔ cooked fresh pizza dishes and panels Co ‘Crazy Creatures’ – stories with a Splash of Ceramics, mixed Theatre and a Medley of Music by director Barley Wood Walled Pear Tree Arts media and paperclay ✔ ✔ Organic vegetables - ✔ of Somerset Storyfest, Michael Loader. Kitchen Garden jewellery Micro Brewery: real Listen and join in storytelling fun. Studio pottery, pastel RCH Brewery ✔ ✔ paintings, prints ale and cakes In the foyer area – Sat only at 1.30 and Barley Wood Walled and cards, ceramic ✔ ✔ Hand thrown porcelain 2.30pm (£1 donation appreciated) Garden Studios RT Bear ✔ ✔ sculptures and ware Apple Pressing with Transition Portishead planters Rugs, wool pictures Rugs of Art ✔ ✔ – have a go at apple pressing and sample and embroidery Bengrove Market Organic vegetables ✔ your efforts! Please bring your own apples Garden (Guest) and herbs - Bespoke designs/ and a container for the juice. illustrations, cards, Blackberry Lane Enamelled copper Saunders Creative - ✔ 10am – 4pm in the Lower Courtyard ✔ ✔ prints, artwork and Designs pictures and gifts (£1 donation appreciated) decals Gluten free muffins, Butterflies ✔ Serious Treats Chocolate brownies ✔ ✔ Walled Kitchen Garden Tours – join us for quiches and frittatas - ✔ ✔ a guided tour around the glorious Walled Carolyn Williamson Somerset Bodgers Green timber products Silver jewellery ✔ ✔ Kitchen Garden and greenhouses in Jewellery Somerset Salami and chorizo, ✔ ✔ Tyntesfield’s Jubilee Gardens. Tours every Cured meat Chew Moo’s Ice Charcuterie 30 mins. Artisan ice cream ✔ ✔ Cream Company 10.30am – 3.30pm, tours last 25 mins. * Stephanie Seasonal hand Gluten, wheat and Eastwood Floral tied posies and - ✔ Fun Foodie Trail – In celebration of the CJ’s Home Baking dairy free sweet and ✔ ✔ Design arrangements Made in North Somerset Festival, we have put savouries Organic beef and together a Foodie Trail which takes you around Glass jewellery and lamb burgers, Claire Hall Glass ✔ ✔ The Story Group ✔ ✔ the estate to help you get to know Tyntesfield’s art glass sausages and bacon foodie history. To complete the trail and redeem baps Clevedon Craft Pottery, glass, textiles ✔ ✔ your prize use our map to find eight foodie Centre and jewellery Tinkuleles, kazoos, Tinkuleles ukulele ear rings, ✔ - objects hidden around the estate. Jewellery and Coburg Crafts ✔ ✔ badges and key rings 10am – 3.30pm, £2.50 per trail.* accessories Hand crafted stained A Touch of Glass ✔ Meet the Garden Team and plant it, grow Jewellery in silver, glass gifts - it, eat it – head to the Jubilee Gardens to Dragonfly copper, hand fused ✔ ✔ glass and semi- Trethowan’s Dairy meet the Garden Team to get seasonal tips Jewellery Gorwydd Caerphilly ✔ ✔ precious beads Ltd. and find out how to make your garden as Feltwork including beautiful as Tyntesfield’s. FeltbyFi - ✔ Westcountry Wood Bespoke furniture ✔ pictures and jewellery Design makers and restorers - Noon – 4 pm (£1 donation appreciated)* Memo/pin boards, Get Noticed ✔ ✔ Whitegates Apple Apple and pear juices. Children’s activities in the Home Farm cushions, bags ✔ ✔ Juice Medium and dry cider Courtyard – ‘Drop in’ kids’ activities. Artisan chutneys, Great British ✔ ✔ Locally produced 10am – 4 pm (£1 donation appreciated) marmalades, jams The Wicked Chilli ✔ Country Preserves and jellies original chilli sauces - Music – local musicians will be performing Jewellery, scarves, Handmade by Cards, rag dolls, ✔ ✔ live throughout the day. See the website Charlie Deighton homeware and gifts Wight & Wight bags, fused glass and ✔ ✔ www.innorthsomerset.co.uk/madein for decorative items Hand painted furniture details. Hand painted Stuff ✔ ✔ Bread, cakes, pastries, and objects Winnies Bakery 10am – 4pm rolls and flavoured ✔ ✔ Landscape Ltd. Images by Simon ✔ ✔ breads photography The Somerset Bodgers – based at Tyntesfield, Mirrors, boxes, bud produce a variety of products made from Jacklands Fishing Woodnthings vases, crafts and small ✔ ✔ Smoked trout products ✔ green timber. They will demonstrate Lakes - items – a variety of traditional and modern Jammy Picklers Homemade preserves ✔ ✔ techniques. Hanging baskets and Jane’s Flower Pots ✔ ✔ Bee Keeping Talk – learn more about bees planters and bee-keeping with resident beekeeper JoeJoe Handmade Hand sewn gifts ✔ ✔ Dick Berry. 2 – 3.30pm (£1 donation appreciated)* * Normal admission fees to the garden also apply 26 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Take time out September/October

Local events OCTOBER Portishead Community Choir (E) 8-9.30pm, Avon Way Hall, SEPTEMBER Saturday 3 Portishead. £5 per session Aquinas Piano Trio or £4 if paying for a term. Saturday 5 7.30pm, St Johns Church, Free taster session. www. Long Ashton Horticultural Churchill. Inc Mendelssohn’s Trio wendysergeant.vpweb.co.uk, Society 90th Flower Show in D minor. 01275 814 220 2.30-5pm, Village Hall. £14.50; Champions of Churchill Weston Music Appreciation 166 different classes to enter. Music! £10.50; under 18s £4. Society (A) www.lahortsoc.co.uk From 01934 852 919, 01934 7.30pm, St Jude’s Hall, 852 245, info@churchillmusic. Baytree Road. 01934 814 Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 org.uk or on the door. 752 Gordano Open Days. Upstaged Drama Group (E Organised with English Monday 5 – Saturday 31 during term time) Heritage as part of their Harvey’s Scarecrow Trail In aid 7-8.30pm, Theatre in the nationwide Open Days. of the Harvey Hext Appeal. Hut. Sessions and workshops Venues include Black Horse Trail map £2.50 from Winford for 16 to 25-year-olds. Inn, Clevedon Lane, Clapton- Village Shop, Chew Magna [email protected] in-Gordano. An unspoilt Co-op, Shop, Chew 14th Century inn. Open Lake Tea Rooms, Bowdens of Thursdays 11am-11pm (Thurs, Fri, Sat), , and Wrington Music Is Fun (E) noon-10pm (Sun). St Michael’s Pharmacy. www.justgiving. (babies, toddlers and pre- Church, Clevedon Lane, com/HarveyFundraising schoolers) Methodist Church, Clapton-in-Gordano. Clevedon Players Portishead Town Band (E) (and Wed, Fri) (leading up 7.45pm, Methodist Church Nailsea. 30 min session £3, A 14th Century church. Thursday 15 – to a play) 7.30-10pm, the Hall, High Street. New players 40 min session £3.40. 11am-6pm (Thurs-Sun). Saturday 17 Stables, behind Princes Hall, welcome. 07816 544 474, 07722 298 550, Also visit St Paul’s Church, Spring and Port Wine by Princes Road, Clevedon. 01275 818 575 gillatkinson15@blueyonder. Black Nore Lighthouse, The Portishead Players co.uk 01275 853 975 Pill Community Choir (E) White Lion and The Royal Inn. Somerset Hall, Portishead. RAFA Concert Band (E) 7.45-9.15pm, Pill Community Singing Mums Choir (E) www.gordano.org Tickets from 03336 663 366, 8pm, Blakehay Theatre, Centre. £5 per session or £4 if 7.10-8.10pm, . www.portisheadplayers. £4 per session. 07722 Friday 11 Weston-super-Mare. www. paying for a term. Free taster ticketsource.co.uk, or Morgan- rafaconcertband.org.uk session. www.wendysergeant. 298 550, gillatkinson15@ An evening of popular classics Westley/Mother Nature in blueyonder.co.uk by Richard Lennox 01934 820 205 vpweb.co.uk, 01275 814 220 Portishead High Street. Portishead Choral Society (E) 7.30pm, Theatre In The Hut, Congresbury Singers (E) Tuesdays 7.30 pm, St Joseph’s Catholic off Milton Avenue, Weston- Saturday 31 7.50pm, Old School Rooms, Cadbury Wind Band (E) Congresbury. 01934 876 104 Church, West Hill, Portishead. super-Mare (also an evening Yatton and District Horticultural (term time only) 7.15-9.15pm, 01275 849 278 of Music from The Shows, Society Autumn Show Samba Drumming (E) Yatton Rugby Football Club. Weston Music Appreciation Saturday 12) £8 per concert. 2-4.30pm, Yatton Village Hall 8-10pm, Kingsley Hall, 01934 626 349 01275 792 300 Clevedon. Beginners welcome, Society (A) 7.30pm, St.Jude’s Lyrical Ladies Choir (E) £6 with free taster session. Hall, Baytree Rd. 01934 814 732 Saturday 19 MUSIC 7.20-8.20pm, Nailsea School. 07786 753 198 Sea cadets jumble sale £4 per session. 07722 Weston Brass Band (E) Cantiamo Ladies Choir (A) 10.30am-noon. Sea Cadets Mondays 298 550, gillatkinson15@ (and Thu) 8pm, Church Road (grade 8+ musicians only) blueyonder.co.uk 8.15-9.30pm, Nailsea School. HQ, off Sunnyside Road, Portishead in Harmony (E) Methodist Church, Upper £5 per session. 07722 Weston-super-Mare. (women only) 10.30am-12pm, Waves of Harmony (E) Church Road, Weston-super- 298 550, gillatkinson15@ The Folk Hall, Portishead High 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Mare. 01934 842 461 Sunday 20 blueyonder.co.uk Street. £5 per session. www. Church Hall, Station Road, Nailsea Folk Club (2) North Somerset Vintage wendysergeant.vpweb.co.uk, Weston-super-Mare. Women’s Grove Sports Centre, Nailsea. Weston Organ and Keyboard Tractor Club ploughing match 01275 814 220 4-part acapella group. (4) Prince of Orange Inn, Club (1) 7.30pm, Somerset 10am, Birches Farm, www.wavesofharMony.co.uk Suite, Weston Football Club. Clevedon A Cappella (E) Yatton. All musicians and Cambridge Batch, Flax £5 members, £6 non- (women only) 1.15-2.45pm, Cheddar Male Choir (E) singers welcome. Bourton. Vintage tractors, members. 01934 812 759 Kenn Road Methodist Church, 7.30pm, Draycott Village Hall. 01275 857 784 demonstrations, dry stone Clevedon. £5 per session. www. New members welcome. Muskrats Jazz Band (1) walling, stalls and crafts. wendysergeant.vpweb.co.uk, www.cheddarmvchoir.co.uk Wednesdays 8.30pm, Clarence House, Supporting Marie Curie 01275 814 220 Winscombe Community Clevedon Ladies Choir (E) High Street, Portishead. £3. Cancer Care UK. £2 adults, Bar and dancing, all welcome. Mixed Company Community Choir (E) 7.30pm, (September-June) 2.15- children free. Free parking. 01275 814 434 Choir (E) Winscombe Primary School, 3.30pm, St Peter’s Church 01275 474 649 Moorham Road. www. Hall, Alexandra Road. £25 www.nvtec-northsomerset.org 7.30-9.30pm, Golden Valley Primary School, Nailsea. £6 per winscombecommunitychoir. per year. 01275 876 131 or Friends of The Playhouse session with free taster org.uk 01275 858 246 Open Day Clevedon Choral Society (E) Weston Choral Society (E) J-uke Box Ukulele Club (E) Playhouse Theatre, High (term time only) 7.30pm, 6.30-8 pm, St Mark’s Primary Street, Weston-super-Mare. 7.15 pm, Methodist Church Hall, Kenn Road, Clevedon. Milton Methodist Church Hall, School, Worle. £5 per session. From 10.30am-3pm. Milton Hill, Weston-super- All abilities welcome. 07870 First tour 11am. www.clevedonchoralsociety. org.uk Mare. 01934 813 255 788457 Saturday 26 Clevedon Light Opera Club (E) Clevedon Music Club (3) Somerset Singers (E) 7.30pm, Community Centre, 7.30pm, Meeting House, Mendip Society walk around 7.30pm (Juniors Thu 7pm) Princes Road. Classical Sidcot School, Sidcot. Sand Bay, Middlehope Beach Princes Hall, Clevedon concerts by professional 01934 743 965 and Woodspring Priory Community Centre. 01275 791 556 musicians. £8 per concert on Yatton Ladies Choir (E) Meet 2pm in the NT Sand the door. 01275 879 099 7.30-8.30pm, Yatton Infants Point car park, Beach Road, Vocalise Choir (E) Nailsea Choral Society (E) School. £4 per session. 07722 Kewstoke. Moderate 5-6 miles, 7.30-9.30pm, United Reform 7.30pm, Vestry Hall, Christ 298 550, gillatkinson15@ some hills. 01934 842 868 Church, Waterloo Street, Weston. £5 inc refreshments. Church, Nailsea. 01275 875 blueyonder.co.uk 01934 627 709 533 www.nailseachoral.org.uk

28 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 KEY: (E) Every • (A) Alternate • (1) First • (2) Second • (3) Third • (4) Fourth • (L) Last events Take time out

Traditional jazz night (2) Nailsea Concert Orchestra (E) Portishead Square Dancers (E) Thursdays Ballroom, Latin and sequence 8.30pm, Salthouse pub, (term time only) Nailsea 8-10pm, Folk Hall, Portishead. Easy Strollers line dancing (E) dancing (E) Clevedon. Resident band, the Methodist Church. New players 01275 817 964 9.15-10.15am (improvers) 2-4.30pm, Kewstoke Village Dixieland Rascals. Free entry welcome. 01179 248 313 or £2.50 each class 10.20-11.20am (intermediate) Hall. 07437 203 642 01275 866 192 Tuesdays 1st Clevedon Scout Hall. T&A Burlesque (E) Fridays Nailsea Theatre Club (E) 01275 875 235 6-7pm, Victory Hall, Uphill, Singing for Pleasure (E – 20- 8pm, Nailsea Little Theatre, Social Morning with Historic Weston-super-Mare. 01934 and Country Dancing to Live New and Old Sequence dance week course starts 26 Sept) Union Street. 01275 852 275 class (E) 627 122 or 07732 799 918 1.30-3pm, Tickenham Village (Box office: 07772 981 037) Music (E) 9.30-11.30am, Folk Hall, Portishead. £2 per 10.30am-12.30pm, Kewstoke Clevedon Sequence Dance Hall. 01934 512 669 Village Hall. 07437 203 642 Club (E) Saturdays person. 01275 847 909 Singtastics Junior Choir (E) DB’s Dance Club line dancing (E) 7.45-10.30pm, Walton St (Y3-Y7) 3.40-4.30pm, Hannah Pret A Chanter Ladies Choir (A) Movement to Music (E) Mary’s Church Hall. 10-11am, Methodist Church, 11am-1pm, Folk Hall, More School, Nailsea. £3 9.30-11.30am, Southfield Portishead. 01275 854 375 01275 847 293 per session. 07722 298 550, Church, Nailsea. £8 per Portishead. 07899 754 937 Yatton Sequence Dance Club (E) Social dance (1) gillatkinson15@blueyonder. session. 07722 298 550, Shake-a-Leg Social and 2-4.30pm, Claverham 8-11.30pm, Somerset Hall, co.uk gillatkinson15@blueyonder. Dancing (2) 2-4pm, Lady of Village Hall. 01275 851 221 Portishead. £5. Lions Brass 4 Youth (E) co.uk Lourdes Church Hall, Milton, 01275 831 884 Weston-super-Mare, £1.50 inc yattonsequencedanceclub@ 5.30pm/6.15-7.45pm, 1st Cadbury Saxophone Band (A) mail.com Streetdance (2)(4) Clevedon Scout Hall. County 10.15am-12.30pm in Cleeve/ tea/cake. 01934 413 571 Egyptian Bellydance (E) 7-8.30pm, Claverham Village brass band. 07815 733 886 Yatton. 01934 830 072 or DB’s Dance Club social tea (term time only) 7.15-8.15pm, Hall. For 8-15-year-olds. Weston Youth Orchestra (E) www.cadburysaxband.co.uk dance (E) 2.30-5pm, Clevedon 01934 838 017 Community Centre. Mead Vale Community Centre, 6-7pm (8-12 yrs), 7-9pm Social dance (4) Sundays 01275 854 375 Redwing Drive, Worle. (12-20 yrs). Boulevard United 01275 855 016 8-10.30pm, St. James Hall, Reformed Church, Weston- Barley Rye choir (E) Avon Dance Club (E) Social dancing (E) Winscombe. £4. super-Mare. 01934 622 519 6.30-8.30pm (winter) 7-9pm 8-10pm, Somerset Hall, 7.45-10.15pm, Lady of 01934 516 852 or 07787 520 230 (summer), Ring o’ Bells, Nailsea. Portishead. Ballroom and Latin Lourdes Church Hall, Milton. New members welcome. 01454 practice night. 01934 823 128 Male Choir (E) 01934 644 691 Saturdays 7.30-9pm, Victoria Methodist 411 052 Weston Folk Dance Club (E) Nailsea Le Roc (E) Chelis Theatre Company (E) Hall, Weston-super-Mare. 8-10pm, Corpus Christi 8-10.30pm, Scotch Horn 2-5pm St. Saviours Church 01934 529 728 Church Hall, Weston-super- Hall, Weston-super-Mare. DANCE Mare. 01934 514 226 Leisure Centre, Nailsea. North Somerset Community Beginners/intermediates. £6. Drama, dance and singing for Brass Band (E) 7.30-9.30pm, Portishead LeRoc (E) 6-18-year-olds. Mondays 07816 649 077 Puxton and Hewish Village Hall. 8-10.30pm, Portishead 01934 625 301 Portishead Ceilidh Club (1) 01275 397 582 DB’s Dance Club (E) Primary School, Station Road. 10-11am, Clevedon Community 7.30-9.30pm, Gordano Congresbury Brass Band (E) Modern jive. 01275 846 247 Sundays Centre. Line dancing. 01275 School Hall, Portishead. 7.30-9.30pm, Methodist Ceroc dance lessons (E) Social dancing (E) 854 375 01275 847 909 Church Hall, Congresbury. 8-11pm, Banwell Village 7.30-10.30pm, Hutton Moor Ballroom and sequence 01275 849 611 / 07986 007 Hall. www.ceroclebeat.net, Fridays Leisure Centre, 829 beginners dance lessons (E) [email protected] Weston-super-Mare. £5. 10am-noon, Corpus Cristi North Somerset Intercultural Nailsea Concert Orchestra (E) Ballroom and sequence (E) 01934 518 529 www. church hall, Weston. Dancing Association (E) (term time only), 7.30-9.45pm, 8-11pm, Town and Country westonsocialdancing.co.uk 01934 510 749 7.45-9.30pm, Nailsea Christ Church, Nailsea. www. Lodge, Bridgwater Road. Methodist Church, Silver Avon Dance Club Tea Dance Latin and jive for absolute nailseaconcertorchestra.org.uk 0117 9778 200 Street. Free admission. (Monthly) 3-6pm, beginners (E) 2-3.30pm, Clevedon Gilbert and Sullivan 01275 854 366 Somerset Hall Portishead. Bacwell Parish Hall. £4.50. Wednesdays Society (E) 01934 823 128 01275 876 314 Easy Strollers line dancing (E) 7.30-10pm, St Peter’s Church improvers 9.15-10.15am, 1st Hall, Alexandra Road, Egyptian Bellydance (E) Clevedon Scout Hall, Great Clevedon. New members (term time only) 7.30-8.30pm, Western Road. 01275 875 235 Clubs, societies, music welcome. 01934 838 713 Dance Studio, Nailsea School, Nailsea. 01275 855 016 DB’s Dance Club line dancing (E) West Mendip Orchestra (E) 10.45-11.45am, Clevedon (term time only) 7.45-10pm, Easy Strollers line dancing (E) groups and more can Community Centre. Lynch Chapel, Winscombe. 7-8pm (intermediate), 8-9pm 01275 854 375 01275 463 480 (improvers), Clevedon Triangle all register to be part Club, Old Church Road. 01275 Sequence tea dance (E) 875 235 2-4pm, Avonway Hall, of a new online digital Social dancing (E) Portishead. 01934 644 745 7.45-10.15pm, Lady of Latin and jive for absolute Lourdes Church Hall, beginners (E) database. Milton. 01934 7-8pm and ‘next steps’ 644 691 from 8.15pm. (Also Thurs North Somerset Council’s new online 2-3.45pm) St Peter’s Church Hall, Clevedon. £4.50. directory is full of information for families 01275 876 314 and adults and it is also the place to find Easy Strollers line dancing (E) out about local clubs and associations. beginners 7-8pm, 2nd Clevedon Scout Hall, Coleridge Vale Road North This databases replaces the previous Abanico Salsa Classes (E) listings website www.clearasmud.org.uk so 7.30-10:30pm (3 classes, beginners to improvers), organisations must make sure they register Clevedon Triangle Club. Call on the new site. in advance: 07971 565 406 50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll (E) 8pm-late, Tavern Inn the Town, Sign up at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ Regent Street, Weston-super- onlinedirectory Mare. 01934 412 826

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 29 Celebrate Clevedon’s Music, Marine Lake restoration fireworks, fun and more

Take to the water and try sailing or canoeing or zip about with zorbing during the popular Clevedon Tides Festival.

Visitors can enjoy a host of both land and water-based activities during the annual festival, from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September, organised in support of Marlens.

More than 300 children from six local primary schools will visit the lake on the Friday and that Festival-goers can enjoy a fantastic line-up of music, fireworks, evening the film Grease will be field and lake activities at a popular event to promote shown at the town’s inaugural drive-in cinema.

Clevedon’s Marine Lake. Saturday’s activities will include a Victorian-style pushball levedon Tides Festival returns competition, a tug of war Cto Salthouse Fields from Friday competition, and a ‘busk off’ 18 to Sunday 20 September and with musicians competing for a slot on the stage. this year’s event celebrates the completion of the £850,000 six- month restoration of the lake. l Installing a new, larger sluice to allow the lake to be managed The lake’s official opening will take more effectively. place next spring to coincide with the anniversary of its original opening but l De-silting and exposing the lake visitors can enjoy a full weekend of bed for the first time in 80 years. activities both in and out of the water About 16,000 tonnes of silt has next month. been returned to the estuary, under the terms of a Marine The restoration project was funded Management Organisation by the Heritage Lottery Fund and licence. supported by North Somerset Council, Clevedon Town Council and l Providing better access in and Marlens (Marine Lake Enthusiasts). around the lake, including a ramp It included… at the west end near Wains Hill, refurbished steps and hand railing, l Reinforcing and raising the new slipway access at the east existing sea wall. A fibre- end, and new surfacing on the reinforced concrete inner wall has lower promenade. been installed against the existing l Installing a children’s water play sea wall. area.

30 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Community gets involved

Public interest in Marine Lake’s restoration remains high and plans are in place to keep the community engaged.

Marlens and the marine lake ranger Jo Tasker have hosted several public visits to the site during the renovation. Students from Weston College and have also visited to learn about the civil engineering project. A classic passenger ship, the 1949 Balmoral, will set sail Volunteers are now needed to help in a variety of roles, from the pier in the evening whether in a technical position, as guides, or working with local schools to during the firework display, and develop educational opportunities and resources. homemade lanterns can be seen Artists are also invited to use the lake as inspiration and submit work for an during the lantern procession. exhibition next year, organised by Clevedon Art Club. A skateboard competition For more information contact Jo Tasker: 01934 427 277 or will be held on Sunday, with [email protected] competitors from Clevedon, Nailsea and Weston-super- Mare. Writing on the lake Art displays will also be featured along with seafront and around the town, as well as literary events run by Clevedon Community Bookshop.

The festival is free but visitors who give £1 will be entered into a raffle to win a kayak.

www.facebook.com/ clevedontides www.marlens.org.uk

Wordsmiths are invited to put pen to paper and write about their memories, influences or imaginations of Clevedon’s Marine Lake.

Writers from anywhere of any age can submit prose, short stories or non-fiction up to 500 words.

Winning entries will be included in an anthology launched next spring.

The competition is free to enter and the closing date is Sunday 1 November.

Submit work online at www.marlens.org.uk or www.clevedoncommunitybookshop.coop, email [email protected] or send hard copies to Clevedon Community Bookshop in Copse Road.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 31 New changes to Nailsea bus services

New and improved bus routes and timetables are now running between Nailsea and Bristol thanks to government funding.

he new routes came into effect This replaces the X8 in these Tin August after operators First areas and provides Clevedon and Abus won a joint bid to the and Portishead with a bus link to Department for Transport’s Local Bristol Airport for the first time. Sustainable Transport Fund. l Late evening journeys have also been introduced on the X8 North Somerset Council consulted between Nailsea and Bristol after l with local residents in February and requests for more night journeys. Carmel Bristol is now operating the bus operators then submitted their service X54, with a peak-time l proposals about how they would Some X54 and 55 journeys have return journey between Nailsea improve services between Nailsea now been amalgamated into and Bristol. and Bristol. the X8 and X9, with a number of journeys operated by Abus. For more detailed route and timetable As a result, these changes have now All First standard tickets can be information visit www.travelwest. been made… bought and are accepted on Abus info/nailseabuses or call operator First: 0117 244 4040 l Services X8 and X9 now operate journeys. between Nailsea and Bristol only, with a combined frequency of every 15 minutes into the New bus link for Portbury Docks city centre. The X8 runs through People working in Portbury Docks can now commute by bus from Backwell and along the Long Portishead, Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare. Ashton bypass while the X9 goes through Wraxall and Long Ashton. First’s X5 service now serves a dedicated This means Wraxall now has bus stop near the port, just off Junction a bus every 30 minutes, which 19 of the M5. is a significant increase and was desperately sought-after by Buses arrive at 7.52am, 8.54am villagers. and 9.55am and depart at 4.25pm, 5.30pm and 6.33pm. l Service A2 now extends into Clevedon and Portishead with To download the X5 timetable visit buses alternating between the two www.travelwest.info/x5 towns.

32 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Pedal power around Long Ashton Families can get on their bikes and join a fun family quiz, while cycling around Long Ashton this month.

Unlocking new potential with the Young Persons Key

Boredom is now being kept at bay thanks to a new website for young people in North Somerset.

North Somerset Council has joined forces with he Great Bike Hike returns on Sunday 27 September along Long Ashton’s education and arts TFestival Way cycle route. company Boomsatsuma to give a new lease of life The event, co-hosted by North Somerset Council and Birdwell School, is aimed at to the Young Persons Key all ages and abilities. (YPK). It is not a race and riders can start anytime between A new listings website has 11am and 1pm, to make sure they finish by 2pm. been set up to showcase The route covers about three miles along a all the activities available small part of the Festival Way and quiz for young people living in questions will be posted on the way. North Somerset, whether Cyclists can continue along the route into sports, arts, music or but the quiz questions are more. only posted between Birdwell School, in Boomsatsuma is the Hollis Close, and the crossing at Ashton largest employer of Road. creative apprentices This year’s theme and activities taking and interns in the South place at Birdwell School will be announced West and it is committed in early September. to providing engaging opportunities for young See www.facebook.com/goforlife.northsomerset people in the community. for updates. For more information about the event and how to register Visit www.getupgetout.uk visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/thegreatbikehike or call 01275 882 730

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 33 Health matters Book in early to get your flu jab

Seasonal flu jabs will soon be available and doctors are encouraging patients in at-risk groups to get booked in.

he flu vaccine is available complications, if they are Tany time from October to next in an at-risk group. February but it is better to have it James Benton knows how sooner rather than later to give you serious the flu can become. James Benton the best protection against the virus. The 38-year-old father-of-four suffered Flu is a common viral respiratory from severe flu last winter. By Monday, James started to recover infection which can be spread easily He said: “I contracted what I thought and began to eat and drink a little. by coughs and sneezes, and even was ‘man flu’. people with mild or no symptoms can He said: “By then, it felt like the “My wife was away for a long still pass it onto others. worst cold symptoms I had ever had weekend and I started feeling ill on in my life, which I had for the next Common symptoms include fever, the Friday. I struggled into work but few days. I was ill for about 10 days chills, headache, aches and pains by the evening had a really bad in all. in joints and muscles, and extreme head cold and my temperature had tiredness. gone up to 101F. I called my mum “I strongly advise Every year many people have time and she collected the children for me. off work or are admitted to hospital “I had an emergency prescription anyone to get the with complications caused by the of tablets but I was delirious and flu jab if they are virus and about 11,000 people in basically lost two days, over the England died from flu in 2012/13. Saturday and Sunday. entitled to it. I never Healthy people usually recover within “It felt like someone had got a want to feel like that a week but some people are about syringe and pulled the life force out 10 times more likely to develop of me.” again.”

34 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Safety Health matters

Are you in an at-risk group? How do I get it? Free flu jabs are available for… Anyone entitled to a free flu vaccine will be able to get it at their GP surgery, except children in years 1 and 2 who l people aged 65 and over will receive it at school. l those with underlying Many surgeries have special flu clinics and you may not health conditions need to book an appointment. Check dates and times such as respiratory, with your surgery. cardiac, kidney, liver and neurological Many pharmacies in North Somerset also offer a free diseases, vaccination service for eligible people aged 16 to 65 diabetes or who may find it difficult to get to their surgery or would immunosuppression prefer to have it at a pharmacy. l children over six www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fightflu months of age with a long-term illness Will the vaccine work? l pregnant women Last year there was some concern in the media that the l carers flu vaccine wasn’t as effective as usual, because a new l two to seven-year-olds (via a nasal spray) strain had developed which wasn’t included in the 2014 vaccine. l people with learning disabilities. This year’s vaccine will include protection against this new strain along with two others that have been identified How does the vaccine work? as the most common in circulation. The vaccine stimulates your immune system so it can This is why it is very important to have the flu vaccine recognise and fight off the virus if you come into contact every year – it continues to offer the best and only real with it later. protection against flu. There are some fairly common, but mild, side effects. However, the vaccine does not give you a mild dose of www.nhs.uk/flu-jab flu because it does not contain the active virus.  James Benton

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 35 Watch out for junk mail scams

Overseas criminals are mugging people in their own homes using mass marketing scam mail, North Somerset Council’s trading standards team are warning.

unk mail is a nuisance for many A number of older residents in “We need to safeguard victims from Jbut also an on-going crime North Somerset have lost significant this on-going financial abuse which against some of the most vulnerable amounts of money after buying into can destroy confidence, create more people. international lottery scams. isolation as it gets out of control, divide families and lead to losses of Trading standards officers are Modern technology means documents thousands of pounds.” intervening and supporting residents can be created in vast quantities and to stop responding to these ‘exciting’ distributed around the world. letters. What you can do They are personalised to make them Principal trading standards officer seem believable and, once the victim l Helen Heskins said: “Some people get information and advice at is hooked, the quantity increases cannot stop responding. This can www.thinkjessica.com because their details are sold onto lead to unpaid bills, going without l understand how the criminals criminal networks. food and even suicide. work and talk to family and friends about the risks

Mr Jones, who is in his 80s, had responded to postal competitions for a l let trading standards know number of years since his wife passed away. if you’re concerned about He sent cheques to clairvoyants who claimed he had won someone who receives several some money. He enjoyed the letterbox clattering with post scam letters a day, orders every day and wrote the date he received the letter and new cheque books regularly, when he replied. always pops to the post office or waits in for the postman. One day he received a call from a foreign lottery They may be trapped in a and decided to make a debit card payment of £18. cycle of letters, phone calls In one month more than £900 was taken from his and payments to scammers. account by a foreign lottery company and he sent Report it at community. £280 in cheques to scammers. [email protected] As a result he became overdrawn and was or call paying bank charges. He only has his state Citizens Advice Consumer pension to live on. Services: 03454 040 506

36 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Navigating through care options

Free, impartial advice is available to adults in North Somerset who would like to stay as independent as possible but don’t know where to turn.

he care navigator service is for home care, residential or nursing Audrey added: Tanyone over the age of 18 who homes stays and day centre services. “The service I have lives at home, in a care home, or Care navigator Pauline Simpson received from both the has been discharged from hospital said: “This service ensures that care navigator and and needs help steering through the people paying for their own care options available. receive the same level of advice and care agency has been support as someone funded by social excellent. I have been The service aims to be short-term, services. very impressed. responsive and client-led, providing “The options available can be quite advice to the person, their families overwhelming so we can help to steer “I want to stay in my own home as and carers. people through the choices to find the long as possible and this has helped It supports people who have more right care and get the best value for me to achieve my goal.” than £23,250 in savings (or money.” People can choose whether to receive £46,500 in joint savings) and are Audrey and her husband Dennis*, the care navigator service through therefore responsible for paying for who are in their 70s, received advice telephone calls or home visits. their own social care, or those who from the team after Audrey was *not their real names do not want an assessment of their discharged from hospital in May. care needs. She said: “We have always Call Care Connect for more Care navigators use their local managed by ourselves and it felt information or a referral: knowledge to help meet people’s quite uncomfortable to admit that we 01275 888 801 needs. This could be accessing needed help from outside, rather than [email protected] community and voluntary services, friends and relatives. lunch clubs and more, as well as “But our daughter lives three hours away and while she could come down in an emergency, we knew we’d need to organise help.” The care navigator helped Audrey arrange care twice a week, advised which benefits the couple might be entitled to, and told them about the Motex equipment and demonstration centre in Weston where they could try out equipment.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 37 Older people get their voices heard

Older people in North Somerset are getting their voices heard by joining groups which aim to promote inclusion and combat isolation.

enior Community Link (SCL) are North Somerset Council developed Councillors sit on this group so it Sengagement and consultation its first older people strategy in 2007 means members can have a direct groups for anyone in North Somerset and was keen to establish a direct conversation with them about their aged 50 and over. dialogue with this age group. issues. SCL was established in 2009 with Ursula Marks is chairperson of the They act as a channel for two-way help from Age UK Somerset after Clevedon-based SCL North group communication between older funding ended for the previous and has been involved for many people who use services and the Partnership with Older People panels. years. organisations which provide them. The groups are She said: “If anyone has any Guest speakers are invited to talk organised problems with a public service, we about wide-ranging issues, whether geographically will try to help. health services, policing, housing, and there is social isolation or public toilets. also a SCL Barbara Seaton, chairperson of SCL for people West, said: “North Somerset Council, from black on a limited budget, has to support a and other very big population of older people. minority ethnic “The council needs to know whether communities. its policies are meeting a real need or missing the target and this is Members meet throughout where the SCLs come in. the year and representatives from each SCL can then raise “We scrutinise the council’s policies important issues at North as a group with experiences of living Somerset Council’s older people life as older people.” champions group.

38 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Where are the SCL groups? All SCL groups are unique and have their own approach to the work they undertake. l SCL BOME, for any black or minority ethnic person l SCL North, covering Clevedon and Portishead l SCL West, covering Weston-super-Mare l SCL South, covering Worle, Castle Batch and Locking Castle l SCL East, covering Yatton, Winscombe, Wrington, Sandford, Backwell and Nailsea

“We are a community group meeting rooms, as well as arranging local transport issues and helped to for over 50s but the issues minibuses to collect people who get bus services improved. wouldn’t otherwise be able to get to “I have been surprised and delighted don’t just effect older people. the groups. A lot of the issues face at the desire of councillors and Eighty-one-year-old Gordon Pears officers to listen to and respond to the younger people as well, such chairs the Portishead SCL North group. information we give them. as public toilets closing. He said: “What has motivated me to “They in turn seek our views on future “It’s a place for people to get keep going has been a deep sense of plans and polices, so we are able information but the social aspect is personal satisfaction that I am doing to help shape the future as well as also very important. We always have something useful to improve the lot of influence the present.” tea and biscuits.” older people in the community I live. Alun Davies, adult care manager at Andrew Williams, chairperson of the “We have no authority to impose our North Somerset Council, said: “SCLs SCL South group, has been involved will upon these organisations so it is are entirely independent of the host in older people’s issues since he surprising that we are able to have organisation, the council and any moved to Weston-super-Mare in such an influence. public service. 2007. “We campaigned for years to “Their role is to be an independent The 65-year-old said: “We are the keep public toilets open, with some voice, to reflect the views and issues link between older people and the success, and we have championed of older people to the council and council, we are creating a dialogue. other public bodies.” We discuss just about anything; hospitals, police, transport issues. New members are always welcome. To find out more contact June “The social aspect is very important Chainey on 0300 123 2463 • [email protected] as well. We deal with people who are isolated and try to improve their quality of life. We always have tea and coffee and have get-togethers in August and at Christmas.

“You only have to give a couple of hours once a month, so it’s not a lot of time but we get so much out of it.”

Since April this year, SCLs have been hosted by not-for-profit housing and support organisation Curo, with funding from North Somerset Council.

This means Curo provides the SCLs with support, including promoting and publicity, increasing membership, admin support such as booking www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 39 Supporting young people to be independent

Leaving home at 16 would be daunting for anyone but some young people face independent living without close family to support them.

oung people who have been responsibility for themselves until “You’re encouraging them to do Yliving in foster or residential they’re ready to move on. things for themselves and it is so rewarding helping them prepare for care often aren’t ready to live on Hosts receive training and support, independence.” their own at 16 and need more time as well as an additional income. to develop life skills such as cooking Paul Fuller, supported lodgings co- and budgeting. ordinator, said: “We don’t want the young person to fail at this critical North Somerset Council’s supported time in their lives. lodgings scheme acts as a stepping stone by bringing together care “We welcome people from all leavers aged 16 to 18 with hosts, walks of life to become hosts. people who can rent out a room in You’ll be helping young their home, offer advice and help people and making a build a young person’s confidence. valuable contribution to society.” To be eligible for the scheme the young person must demonstrate their Host Lynn said: “You commitment to finding employment don’t need to be around or further education, mutually agree all of the time but you do house rules and gain increasing need to be supportive.

40 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Supporting young people to be independent

Sixteen-year-old Rick is currently could be anything from two months decided they’re not ready to live living with foster carers but will to three years, depending on the independently. be moving out soon to start a new young person’s progress. To live with a host, they must chapter of his life. demonstrate their commitment He said: “I’m starting to plan ahead What’s involved? to finding employment or further with the help of my leaving care You are providing a safe home education and agree house rules. adviser, but I’m nervous. I’ve never for a care leaver, being there to shopped for meals, but I love food. support them and encouraging their What are hosts expected to “I want to be a mechanic but I independence. provide? struggle to find the confidence to House rules will You’ll provide the apply for jobs. form part of the young person with a placement “We’ve decided that the best thing comfortable room of agreement. for me is to live with a supported their own, a key to lodgings host who can show me the In return the house, use of ropes, just until I’ve found my feet. hosts will communal rooms “I’ll have the support of my leaving- receive and facilities, at least care adviser too, which is cool.” training, one meal a day and a generous emotional support if The young person receives financial support needed. support and help from a personal package and Any other advice on adviser until they are 21, and a guidance from a cooking, shopping on a budget, pathway plan records their goals. dedicated co-ordinator. managing laundry, saving money or applying for jobs will be gratefully Could I be a supported Who are the young received. lodgings host? people? Anyone aged 21 or over with a Most young people looking for What are the benefits of spare room, who enjoys being with supported lodgings hosts are 16 to being a host? young people, could become a host. 18-year-olds who have been living Hosts receive comprehensive support with foster carers or in residential It is not as hands-on as fostering so and training, a weekly allowance homes. suits people who may be working full to cover costs, and free membership or part-time. The majority do not have close family to the Fostering Network, including You don’t need specific qualifications they can depend on and they’ve comprehensive insurance. or experience, and you do not need to own your own home. Call the supported lodgings team to find out more: 01275 888 999 You are not offering a permanent www.n-somerset.gov.uk/supportedlodgings home but a stepping stone, which

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 41 Recycling Rewarding recycling

The first winners of a scheme to get more people recycling their food waste have now been chosen with each lucky recipient picking up their £50 prize. Feed Me and Win! Recycle your food to win £50 eed Me and Win is a new Mrs Kemp, from Portishead, was one VOUCHER Fscheme by North Somerset of the first residents in North Somerset Council and the other West of to win. England authorities - Bath and She said: “Winning this prize was North East Somerset, Bristol, and unexpected but if I can win, anyone can, How can I win? South Gloucestershire - to reduce just for doing something we all should the amount of food waste being be doing. To be in with a chance of winning, sent to landfill. “I am passionate about recycling just put your food recycling out by and it is great that food waste can 7am on your collection day. To be in with a chance of winning a be captured to generate electricity, Make sure your food bin is clearly £50 voucher to spend in a shop of instead of it going to landfill where we labelled with your address so it can be your choice, simply put your food bin have no space for it.” matched to your property. out for recycling. Funding for the scheme comes from The more often you use the service, the One winner from each council area the Department for Communities and more chance you have of winning. is chosen at random every week. Local Government. Winners can also donate their £50 to Winners will receive a hand-delivered a British charity. Anyone with a kerbside waste and notification card through their letterbox recycling collection is eligible to win. The telling them how to claim. scheme will run until March next year.

42 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Recycling

What can I recycle? MM any cooked or uncooked Award for waste and food, including meat, recycling team bones, egg shells and vegetable peelings MM teabags and coffee grounds MM pet food MM food that is past its use-by-date – just remove any packaging first.

Did you know? MM you can line your food caddy with a plastic carrier bag, compostable liner, brown paper bag, kitchen roll or newspaper MM on average, 21 per cent of general household waste is food waste that could have been recycled TV presenter Nicki Chapman (left) with Colin Russell, MM it is cheaper for the council to recycle food waste than it is to send waste service manager at North Somerset Council, it to landfill. Every year 10,500 tonnes of food waste is produced Andrew Prestt, recycling and waste contracts officer at in North Somerset, of which more than 4,000 goes to landfill. North Somerset Council, and Jude Ferguson, chair of Recycling all food waste would save more than £170,000 a year. Weston College Corporation. Photo courtesy of Weston College MM food waste in landfill releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. So as well as saving money, recycling food waste is good for An innovative scheme to improve the environment recycling rates was recognised at an MM food waste has real value - it is taken to an anaerobic digestion annual awards ceremony hosted by plant in Weston-super-Mare where the gases produced are used Weston College. to generate electricity and heat, and the processed food is turned The college’s Business Awards celebrate into fertiliser. positive partnerships between the college and employers and North Somerset To order a food recycling bin and/or a kitchen caddy contact Council’s recycling and waste team, Council Connect: 01934 888 802 along with its contractor Kier, scooped www.n-somerset.gov.uk/foodwaste Work Experience Provider of the Year. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/feedmeandwin The accolade was in recognition of the work the team has been doing with long- term unemployed college students.

Students have been carrying out surveys, speaking to residents and monitoring recycling rates in areas where recycling performance is poor.

This has helped the council improve recycling rates in those areas and helped the students gain confidence and improve their skills.

To date, 30 students have gained full- time employment since taking part in the project.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 43 Mentors needed to support young people

Kind-hearted adults who could spare a couple of hours a week supporting young people in North Somerset are being invited to become volunteer mentors.

entoring project Junction 21, national-recognised qualification in Mmanaged by North Somerset mentoring skills. youth offending service, is on the There is also monthly group look-out for volunteers who could supervision, twice-yearly social events, support people aged 10 to 23 on-going training and personal who are vulnerable for a variety of expenses are covered. reasons. The project has recently received Approved Provider Standard What do new mentors think? This might include young people living accreditation from the Mentoring and in care, at risk of offending or anti- Befriending Foundation. social behaviour, or because of their poor behaviour and attendance at Potential volunteers are checked by The training was school. the Disclosure and Barring Service, really informative and two references will be needed, and The next training programme starts prepares you to be a anyone in recovery must be free from in October and volunteers who mentor. substance issues for at least five years. successfully complete it will be matched Some offences may stop people with a young person who they’ll meet working with young people. regularly for at least a year. Junction 21 wants people who… The youth offending service, which includes members of the police, l can spare a couple of hours It was both fun social services, health, education and a week for a minimum of 12 and focused in equal months probation, supports young people to measures. deal with any issues and helps them l are committed to helping and become positive and responsible supporting young people adults. l can empathise with young Full training is given and mentors people. who complete the course will gain a Great facilitators, really helpful and To request an application pack and find out more contact knowledgeable. Steve Coggins: 01275 888 360, 07776 170 028, or [email protected]

44 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 Get vocal, be heard Get vocal, be heard Consultation is an important part of North Somerset Council’s work – gathering feedback and making changes where possible.

While the council can’t act on every suggestion, it makes an effort to recognise good ideas and works to include residents’ ideas where possible.

You said: CCTV is being This includes 37 recycling points for used to monitor plastic bottles and drinks cans and What are you doing the roundabout 31 bins for other litter that cannot be to help traffic flow and signs have recycled. around the Cabstand been installed to junction? These extra bins will help increase the advise drivers of the council’s recycling rate and bring it in trial, as well as inviting line with best practice examples for We did: further feedback on the on-street recycling. North Somerset Council engineers scheme. held a consultation exercise in June Additional bins are being left in After the trial, a decision will be made asking for feedback on plans to storage so they can be brought out on what final measures can be put in improve Portishead’s busy Cabstand during busy times of the year to cope place. junction. with demand. People can still send comments Some changes had been made to During quieter times, some bins will be about the scheme to the original design and the impact of put back into storage so the seafront [email protected] or new housing developments meant that will appear less cluttered. call 01934 426 279. a review of the area was needed to improve traffic flow and pedestrian You said: access. Can you put more rubbish and Initially engineers had suggested recycling bins along Weston’s installing a series of traffic calming seafront please? measures at the junction, but feedback from the consultation showed a strong We did: preference for a mini-roundabout. Sixty-eight new bins were installed As a result, a mini-roundabout was in Weston-super-Mare in time for the installed in August on a trial basis. summer holidays.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 45 Your views Letters, photos, tweets, posts

pieces that it was taken out of the Dear Editor, recycling boxes by the collectors Thanks North Somerset Council and left. for adding 30 minutes to my daily Didn’t expect North Somerset commute by putting traffic lights at Council to issue boxes that cannot Downside Rd/A38. Traffic flow is be recycled. now much slower. Brian Cherry, Clevedon By email Colin Russell, recycling and waste Editor’s reply:

YOUR VIEWS service manager: Our highways team has monitoring Send your items to equipment and cameras in place Recycling boxes are made out Editor, North Somerset Life to look at this length of road. We of hard plastic, so they are not North Somerset Council will look at the results and make recyclable through the kerbside scheme or any other outlet because Floor 1, Town Hall alterations to the phasing of the traffic lights if they are needed. of the small quantity we would Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ or email receive. [email protected] We have had some positive comments from locals who find It is something we are actively @NorthSomersetC they can now get out of Downside looking at, though, and a small NorthSomersetCouncil Road much more easily than hard plastic recycling trial took before the traffic lights were place at Portishead recycling NorthSomersetC installed. centre recently but this wasn’t Items submitted without a valid name successful. We are continuing to and address will not be considered for Dear Editor, look at other options. publication. Please tell us if you do not I have just replaced my green Old boxes can be exchanged and want your details published. Due to space recycling boxes and was surprised we offer these for reuse. They are restrictions letters may be edited. when I broke an old one into small popular at sites such as allotments.

We can’t show all of your photos in Life but you can see them at pinterest.com/NorthSomersetC

Heather Oakley Trudy Williams Pete Williams

@NorthSomersetC Your security is North Somerset Council extra label with road send a letter telling ppl to maintained by the Visit www.n-somerset.gov. name? unique reference uk/bulkywaste enter voter info on North Somerset Council Many topics are covered number. Any queries ‘registerbyinternet.com’. @NorthSomersetC The label needs to be on Twitter and Facebook should be directed to Sounds very dodgy. Re: Feed me and win a permanent fixture. It and last month these 08001 979 871. competition. I left my can’t hurt to put the road issues were raised. North Somerset Council The link is legitimate, I need to get rid of a address on the food bin name too, especially if set up by central corner bath. Do you but the paper I wrote it there are a few roads in government not North collect items like this? on was still there this close vicinity. Somerset Council. afternoon. Do I need the 46 • North Somerset Life • Sept/Oct 2015 North Somerset Life Contact the council

North Somerset Life is the award Coming in www.n-somerset.gov.uk winning magazine for the people of the next issue Report it. Request it. Pay for it. North Somerset. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect MM Winter special – your guide to Your copy should be delivered with roads, recycling and more this your post unless you use Royal winter 8am – 6pm Mon – Fri Mail’s opt out service to block Council Connect for all streets unaddressed mail. You can download Your next issue of Life will be and open spaces enquiries: this issue and back issues from 01934 888 802 www.n-somerset.gov.uk/nsl or pick delivered from: copies up from council buildings. Monday 2 November 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

September 2015 October 2015 AM PM AM PM 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) 1 Tue 09:19 13.02 03:04 0.08 21:41 13.18 15:25 0.28 1 Thu 09:40 12.91 03:23 0.29 22:02 12.75 15:40 0.58 2 Wed 10:02 12.79 03:47 0.22 22:25 12.74 16:07 0.53 2 Fri 10:21 12.30 04:02 0.73 22:46 11.90 16:18 1.08 3 Thu 10:45 12.21 04:30 0.61 23:09 11.95 16:47 0.99 3 Sat 11:04 11.39 04:38 1.30 23:31 10.85 16:54 1.67 4 Fri 11:29 11.35 05:09 1.15 23:55 10.95 17:26 1.55 4 Sun 11:49 10.37 05:15 1.91 – – 17:36 2.28 5 Sat – – 05:49 1.75 12:15 10.40 18:10 2.14 5 Mon 00:20 9.81 06:01 2.51 12:42 9.48 18:30 2.85 6 Sun 00:48 9.97 06:39 2.34 13:11 9.57 19:07 2.71 6 Tue 01:22 9.02 07:02 3.04 13:53 8.93 19:50 3.29 7 Mon 01:53 9.24 07:46 2.86 14:24 9.10 20:37 3.09 7 Wed 02:41 8.75 08:46 3.28 15:20 9.01 21:41 3.06 8 Tue 03:14 9.03 09:23 2.97 15:53 9.26 22:08 2.79 8 Thu 04:10 9.21 10:11 2.76 16:42 9.74 22:44 2.37 9 Wed 04:39 9.52 10:37 2.46 17:11 10.03 23:12 2.14 9 Fri 05:16 10.08 11:05 2.06 17:39 10.61 23:32 1.75 10 Thu 05:43 10.36 11:33 1.82 18:06 10.86 – – 10 Sat 06:04 10.87 11:50 1.53 18:22 11.23 – – 11 Fri 06:31 11.07 00:01 1.57 18:50 11.42 12:17 1.35 11 Sun 06:44 11.36 00:12 1.38 19:00 11.55 12:27 1.25 12 Sat 07:11 11.49 00:40 1.25 19:28 11.69 12:55 1.13 12 Mon 07:20 11.60 00:46 1.22 19:33 11.68 13:00 1.14 13 Sun 07:47 11.66 01:14 1.14 20:01 11.78 13:29 1.08 13 Tue 07:50 11.71 01:19 1.17 20:01 11.76 13:32 1.10 14 Mon 08:20 11.72 01:48 1.14 20:31 11.82 14:01 1.08 14 Wed 08:19 11.79 01:50 1.15 20:30 11.82 14:04 1.08 15 Tue 08:49 11.74 02:18 1.15 20:59 11.82 14:31 1.09 15 Thu 08:47 11.81 02:19 1.15 21:00 11.79 14:34 1.11 16 Wed 09:16 11.70 02:46 1.17 21:28 11.71 14:59 1.15 16 Fri 09:17 11.68 02:50 1.23 21:32 11.56 15:04 1.25 17 Thu 09:44 11.48 03:16 1.26 21:56 11.39 15:29 1.31 17 Sat 09:49 11.33 03:17 1.43 22:03 11.12 15:33 1.53 18 Fri 10:14 11.02 03:43 1.48 22:27 10.85 15:56 1.62 18 Sun 10:21 10.80 03:44 1.73 22:38 10.55 16:02 1.88 19 Sat 10:43 10.42 04:10 1.80 22:57 10.24 16:25 1.99 19 Mon 10:56 10.22 04:13 2.04 23:18 9.97 16:36 2.21 20 Sun 11:14 9.83 04:39 2.14 23:34 9.66 17:00 2.35 20 Tue 11:41 9.67 04:54 2.35 – – 17:28 2.53 21 Mon 11:55 9.30 05:19 2.46 – – 17:49 2.69 21 Wed 00:13 9.45 05:55 2.69 12:48 9.26 18:45 2.84 22 Tue 00:26 9.16 06:18 2.81 13:03 8.90 19:05 3.03 22 Thu 01:29 9.16 07:25 2.98 14:18 9.30 20:34 2.85 23 Wed 01:50 8.88 07:48 3.12 14:47 9.03 21:06 3.00 23 Fri 03:01 9.46 09:16 2.77 15:46 10.03 22:00 2.24 24 Thu 03:29 9.32 09:47 2.79 16:14 9.96 22:26 2.22 24 Sat 04:21 10.33 10:29 2.11 16:56 11.06 23:02 1.60 25 Fri 04:49 10.35 10:53 2.01 17:22 11.13 23:26 1.50 25 Sun 04:27 11.32 10:33 1.51 16:55 11.99 23:06 1.06 26 Sat 05:51 11.43 11:57 1.37 18:19 12.13 – – 26 Mon 05:22 12.14 11:31 0.97 17:46 12.64 23:55 0.60 27 Sun 06:45 12.27 00:27 0.91 19:08 12.81 12:51 0.81 27 Tue 06:10 12.67 – – 18:33 13.01 12:16 0.58 28 Mon 07:32 12.82 01:15 0.43 19:54 13.21 13:37 0.41 28 Wed 06:54 12.96 00:39 0.35 19:16 13.14 12:59 0.41 29 Tue 08:16 13.11 02:00 0.14 20:37 13.37 14:20 0.22 29 Thu 07:37 13.03 01:19 0.32 19:59 13.02 13:38 0.47 30 Wed 08:58 13.17 02:42 0.09 21:19 13.24 15:01 0.27 30 Fri 08:18 12.83 01:58 0.50 20:42 12.58 14:16 0.74 31 Sat 08:59 12.28 02:34 0.89 21:26 11.81 14:52 1.19 recycle me when you’ve read me www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 47 25801 0815 Smokers wanted! You are four times more likely to succeed with us

I’ve managed to kick the habit, you don’t have to struggle alone.

Nikita Nurse, Weston-super-Mare

smokefreens

Smokefree North Somerset Support to Stop Smoking Service Call us on 01275 546 744 • [email protected] Text STOPTOBER to 0780 000 1316 www.n-somerset.gov.uk/smoking