The Bitton Parish Council

Covering: Bitton | Oldland Common | North Common | Upton Cheyney Swineford | Beach and part of Willsbridge (south of the A431)

www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk ISSUE NO. 61 | JANUARY 2020

Photographic Competition 2020

F ollowing on from last year’s You can enter by sending your hugely successful competition, photograph to the Leisure Officer via entries are now being accepted for the  [email protected] including 2020 Photographic Competition. your contact details. You may enter up to 5 pictures and the closing date of Pictures should be of recognisable areas of the competition is  Friday 12th local interest and have been taken within June 2020. the Parish. Winners will receive a framed photograph of their entry and a photo Full details can be found on the parish printing voucher up to the value of £25. website  www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk

Congratulations to the 2019 entry from Liam Tata Newsletter The Bitton Parish Council Newsletter www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk ISSUE NO. 61 | JANUARY 2020

How to contact the Council

B itton Parish Council is always pleased to hear the views of local residents on any matter of interest or concern. You may contact the Council in a number of ways:

◗ Via our website:  www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk

◗ Via the Clerk: Mrs Kelly Fry, 48 Willis Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 4SS  01454 868102  [email protected] Cadbury Heath Library

◗ Via Councillors: A list of Councillors and their contact School Road, Cadbury Heath BS30 8EN details is shown on the website and all parish council  [email protected] notice boards or is available from the Clerk.  www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

Like us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries Council meetings Follow us on Twitter:  @southgloslibs T he full Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

◗ T he Planning Committee meets every three weeks Creative Arts on a Monday. Competition ◗ T he Environment and Leisure Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, June, E ach year Bitton Parish Council organises its September and November. Creative Arts Competition for young people aged 5 – 11 years old. ◗ T he Finance and Youth Committees meet as required. There are categories for pictures, models, All meetings start at 7.30pm and are held at the new handwriting, short stories, Community and Youth Centre, rear of Redfield Edge poems and computer Primary School, High Street, Oldland Common BS30 generated design. Prizes 9TL unless otherwise stated. Full details of the meetings are awarded in 4 age including agendas are posted on parish notice boards classes. Why not enter? and on the Council’s website 5 days in advance. A diary The entry form will be of meeting dates is listed on the website. All meetings are available from 1 February open to the public and you are welcome to attend. An on our website at opportunity is always given to speak to Councillors about  www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk or from the Council’s any matter of interest or concern to you. Leisure Officer, Tel.  07757 796155. 2 Buggy walks

B uggy Walks team and participants celebrated their fourth anniversary in November 2019! Well done to them all. Free teas or coffees were available to all comers.

We would like to extend our thanks to Sarah Jones, to help with the walks and therefore until we do, the Emma Henson and Sharon Cox for their hard work over walks are unable to take place. Volunteers are absolutely the last years. essential in keeping the buggy walks running. If you would like or know anyone who would be interested in At present we don’t have enough volunteer leaders becoming a walk leader, please contact the clerk. Allotments Defibrillator

D o you fancy growing your own fresh B itton Parish Council were happy to support Bitton vegetables, fruit and flowers? Are you AFC with the purchase of a Defibrillator Cabinet bothered about the miles our food travels to with Community Infrastructure Levi funding. This along reach us, where it comes from and how it has with the cabinet recently installed outside of the White been treated? Hart pub will be huge assets to the community.

Why don’t you consider growing your own? Bitton Parish Council has two allotment sites – at North Street and Redfield Hill, Oldland Common. North Street is the larger site with 82 plots while Redfield Hill has 11. Both offer some of the plots as half plots, particularly to new tenants.

Give us a call! Phone the Council’s Leisure Officer on  07757 796155 or email  [email protected]

3 The Bitton Parish Council Newsletter www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk ISSUE NO. 61 | JANUARY 2020

What’s On at the Community and youth building

A ctivities on offer at the Community & Youth building, rear of Redfield Edge Primary School, High Street, Oldland Common BS30 9TL:

Friendship & Exercise sessions: Grants: for many years Bitton Parish Council has weekly on Wednesdays 10 – 11.30am. Offering exercises allocated a small amount within its budget to enable it to that can be done either standing or sitting according to award small grants (normally £200 or less) to local groups your preference under the supervision of a fully qualified and organisations which Councillors feel are of benefit to trainer. Aimed at our older residents each session the parish or its residents. An application form and a list involves 45 minutes of gentle exercise aimed at retaining of criteria may be obtained from the Clerk (see contact core body strength and exercising joints and muscles details on page 2). We look forward to hearing from you! followed by a ta break and then 30 minutes of something fun – skittles, indoor curling, etc offering an opportunity for gentle bending and stretching. £4 per session. Contact Spencer on  07825 155954. Easter Playscheme

O nce again Bitton Parish Council will be Little Learners Toddler Group: weekly on organising a playscheme for children aged Thursday mornings 10am – 12 noon for parents and 5 – 11 years during the school Easter holidays. pre-school children. Lots of things to do and play both A wide variety of both indoor and outdoor indoors and out. Offers a social opportunity for both activities will be available (weather permitting). adults and young ones. Contact Victoria May on  07776 298900. It will be held at Cherry Garden Primary School, Cherry Gardens, Bitton on Monday – Thursday 6 – 9 April 2020. Each session runs from 10am till 12 noon. There New Tracks Youth Club: meets on is no need to register in advance and it is free! Letters Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7 – 9.30pm for will go home to parents a couple of weeks in advance young people aged 11 – 18 years old. Lots of activities or from all primary schools in the parish. Details will also just time to socialise in a warm, safe environment. Phone be available on the website and from the Clerk to the  01454 868102. Council (see contact details on page 2).

New bus shelters

W e have recently installed bus shelters in Mill Lane and Cherry Gardens and hope you agree they will be a welcome community asset now the bad weather is drawing in.

4 Bitton Parish Walks – 2020

W elcome to the 2020 season of Bitton Parish Guided Walks. These are a series of Sunday afternoon walks based in or around Bitton and Hanham Abbotts.

◗ T hey will be led by Clive Brett who may be contacted on Walk 4 Sunday May 31st at 2.30  0117 3295183, 0743 4869429 or  [email protected]. Meeting point will be given on registration for this walk You should contact Clive before you come on your first It is a linear walk and I have to arrange the car share and walk. parking at 2 locations. ◗ A ll walks (except November) will start at 2.30pm, so Following the Dramway from Shortwood to please arrive early enough to start walking at that Londonderry Wharf time. Each walk lasts approximately 3 hours and covers Walk 5 Sunday June 21st at 2.30 about 4 -5 miles. Meet at the shops at Ellacombe Road, Longwell Green Sat ◗ T he walks are open to all ages but those under 16 years Nav BS30 9BA. Map Ref 51.436715, -2.494164 should be accompanied by a responsible adult. A circular walk around Hanham Hills and area, Hilly ◗  If you bring a dog, you will be responsible for keeping Walk 6 Sunday July 26th at 2.30 it on a lead where appropriate ie along roads or in Meet at Swineford Picnic Area, Sat Nav BS30 6L. fields with animals - no matter how well behaved or Map Ref 51.420554, -2.446124 trained it is. Please do not park in the pub car park. ◗ T he paths vary in condition. Some may be muddy in A circular riverside walk reasonably flat certain weather. All include stiles or gates and some go alongside rivers so care will be needed. Walk 7 Sunday August 23rd at 2.30 Meet in The Park car park off Station Road, Keynsham. Sat Please note that Sat Nav Postcodes take you to the Nav BS31 2BL. Map Ref 51.417150, -2.497120 approximate starting point. A walk along the River Chew

Walk 1 Sunday February 23rd at 2.30 Walk 8 Sunday September 27th at 2.30 Meet at Swineford Picnic Area, Sat Nav BS30 6L. Meet by McBraida factory, Francis Way Bridgeyate Sat Nav Map Ref 51.420554, -2.446124 BS30 5FW. Map Ref 51.454433, -2.464350 Please do not park in the pub car park. Webbs Heath, Siston, some gentle climbs Upton Cheyney and Area, Hilly Walk 9 Sunday October 25th at 2.30 Walk 2 Sunday March 22nd at 2.30 Meet at Wick Village Hall. Sat Nav BS30 5RG. Map Ref Meet at Conham Picnic Area, Conham Road, 51.452520, -2.428002 Sat Nav BS15 3AW. Map Ref 51.447007, -2.535049 A strenuous walk towards Grandmothers Rock and Around the Conham area and Troopers Hill, Hanging Hill Hilly Walk 10 Sunday November 22nd at 2.00 Walk 3 Sunday April 19 at 2.30 Notice the early start time Meeting point will be given on registration for this walk. Meet at the Lansdown Park&Ride. Sat Nav BA1 9BT. It is a linear walk and I have to arrange the car share and Map Ref 51.411087, -2.388486 parking at 2 locations. A Fairly Flat walk but some inclines. Following the Dramway from Coalpit Heath to End of season meal at the Blathwayt (This must be Shortwood booked by the October walk). 5 The Bitton Parish Council Newsletter www.bittonparishcouncil.co.uk ISSUE NO. 61 | JANUARY 2020

Friendship & Exercise

A place where friendships are founded, laughter is sought, and refreshments are taken, all after enjoying a weekly dose of gentle exercise in the capable hands of our instructor!

A place where friendships are founded, laughter is sought, and refreshments are taken, all after enjoying a weekly dose of gentle exercise in the capable hands of our instructor!

Oldland Common Friendship & Exercise Club started in September 2017 from small beginnings. We now host two sessions on Wednesday mornings at the Community Hall (rear of Redfield Edge Primary School). You can attend at 9.15am or at 10.15am with parking available. Your first session is free and £4.00 thereafter. All abilities catered for. Please phone first for a friendly chat!

Get in touch with Spencer  01172 440007 /  [email protected]

The 8th May 1945 was the day peace emerged after nearly six years of war, so the 75th anniversary on 8 May 2020 represents an important milestone in our history.

BITTON PARISH COUNCIL will be holding its own ceremony and would like to invite 45 residents who were alive back in 1945 to come along and mark the event and share their memories.

Date : Friday 8th May 2020

Time : 2.30 pm

Venue: Community and Youth Building (Rear of Redfield Edge School)

If you would like to reserve your space, please contact Kelly Fry on 01454 868102 or email [email protected]

Please note if more than 45 residents apply, names will be drawn out of a hat

The Council would like to encourage residents to get involved in marking this event. Why not host your own street party or hold an event with your local club. Full details can be found on the official VE Day website www.veday75.org

6 The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War 11 “To those who gave so much” “We thank You”

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR Originator & Pageantmaster VE Day 75th Anniversary A shared moment of celebration 8-10 May 2020 facebook.com/sgloslibraries @southgloslibs